IT DICTIONARY

IT DICTIONARY

ADEEL.NAEEM

A	B	C	D	E	F
G	H	I	J	K	L
M	N	O	P	Q	R
S	T	U	V	W	X
Y	Z

Please click on one of the areas above to see its content.

A-Drive :

Used by some people to refer to a computer's floppy disk drive

absolute URL

The full Internet address of a page or other World Wide Web resource. The absolute URL includes a protocol, such as "http," network location, and optional path and file name. For example, http://example.microsoft.com/ is an absolute URL. See also URL.

accessibility

The quality of a system incorporating hardware or software that makes it usable by people with one or more physical disabilities, such as restricted mobility, blindness, or deafness.

Active Data Objects

(ADO) Components that enable client applications to access and manipulate data in a file- or server-based database through a provider.

active hyperlink

A hyperlink that is currently selected in a Web browser. Some Web browsers indicate the active hyperlink by changing its color.

active page, active web

See current page, current web.

Active Server Page

(ASP) A document that contains embedded server-side scripting. ASP-compatible Web servers can execute these scripts. On the client side, an ASP is a standard HTML document that can be viewed on any platform using any Web browser.

ActiveX

A set of technologies that enables software components to interact with one another in a networked environment, regardless of the language in which the components were created. ActiveX is used primarily to develop interactive content for the World Wide Web, although it can be used in desktop applications and other programs. See also ActiveX controls.

ActiveX controls

Reusable software components that incorporate ActiveX technology. ActiveX controls can be embedded in Web pages to produce animation and other multimedia effects, interactive objects, and sophisticated applications. They can be written in a variety of programming languages, including C, C++, and Visual Basic.

ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

The element(s) in a processing system that perform(s) the mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, inversion, AND, OR, NAND, and NOR.

anchor

See bookmark.

animated GIF

A file containing a series of GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) graphics that are displayed in rapid sequence in a Web browser, giving the appearance of a moving picture. See also GIF.

anonymous FTP

The ability to access a remote computer system on which one does not have an account, via the Internet's File Transfer Protocol (FTP). Users have restricted access rights with anonymous FTP and usually can only list, view, or copy files to or from a public directory on the remote system. Many FTP sites do not permit anonymous FTP access in order to maintain security. See also FTP.

ANSI (American National Standards Institute)

The principal standards-development organization in the U.S.

API (Application Programming Interface)

A set of routines or function calls that allow an application to control, or be controlled by, other applications

applet

See Java applet.

Application

Any computer program designed to accomplish a specific task or related set of tasks.

Application Layer

The top-most layer in the OSI Reference Model providing such communication services protocols as electronic mail and file transfer.

article

A message or posting in a discussion group or an Internet newsgroup. An article can be a response to a previous article.

ASCII

- (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) A coding scheme using 7 or 8 bits that assigns numeric values to up to 256 characters, including letters, numerals, punctuation marks, control characters, and other symbols. ASCII was developed in 1968 to standardize data transmission among disparate hardware and software systems and is built into all personal computer. Basic format for text characters without special features (such as font style or size). An ASCII text file, being the "simplest" type of file, can be read on most computers.

ASP

(Active Server Page) A document that contains embedded server-side scripting. ASP-compatible Web servers can execute these scripts. On the client side, an ASP is a standard HTML document that can be viewed on any platform using any Web browser.

Attachment

Usually refers to a file "attached" or added to an e-mail message. Such a file is usually displayed as an icon which the recipient can then click on in order to display its contents.

authentication

In a multi-user or network environment, the process by which the system validates a user's logon information. A user's name and password are compared against an authorized list, and, if the system detects a match, access is granted to the extent specified in the permission list for that user.

authentication database

A database on a server that matches user names to passwords.

background sound: A sound clip associated with a Web page. When the page is displayed in a Web browser, the sound is played either continuously or the number of times that the page specifies.
Backup: A copy of important files made for safekeeping in case something should happen to the original files.
bandwidth: The transmission capacity of the lines that carry the Internet's electronic traffic. Historically, it's imposed severe limitations on the ability of the Internet to deliver all that we are demanding it deliver
Banner: A separator page that is printed between each print job for identification purposes.
base location, base URL: A URL that you can assign to a page to convert all relative URLs on that page to absolute URLs. A base URL should end with a document name part, such as http://example.microsoft.com/sample.htm or a trailing slash, such as http://example.microsoft.com/subdir/.
Binary File: All non-plain text files are binaries, including programs, word processor documents, images, sound clips, and compressed files.
Bit: A binary digit. The smallest unit of data.
BIOS: A program that controls a computer's startup or boot process. BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System.
BMP: (bitmap) The standard graphics file format on Windows-compatible computers. Bitmap graphics support 24-bit color and can be saved for Windows or OS/2 systems. FrontPage can import BMP files.
bookmark: A named location on a Web page that can be the target of a hyperlink. A bookmark can be applied to a string of characters or exist on a page separately from any text. Bookmarks allow authors to link to a specific section of a target page. In a URL, a bookmark is preceded by a the pound sign (#). Also called anchor.
Bounce: an email is "bounced" when it is returned to its sender without being delivered
Broadcast: A packet delivery system where a copy of a given packet is given to all hosts attached to the network
browser: See Web browser.
Buffer: As different items of hardware in a system may not be able to handle data at the same speed, an intermediate 'storage area' is required. This is known as a buffer.
Byte: A string of eight bits

C-Drive: usually used to refer to a computer's hard drive, or main disk, as this is conventionally designated "C:".
C: A very popular programming language invented in the late 1960's by Dennis Ritchie at AT&T Bell Laboratories.
C++: A very popular object-oriented programming language invented in the early 1980's by Bjarne Stroustrup at AT&T Bell Laboratories
CD-ROM: "Compact disc read-only memory". A compact disc as used with computers can hold anything up to 550 MB, thus giving them a storage capacity well above floppy disks. They are also nearly impossible to damage. Nowadays most computer programs, or games, are sold stored on CD. Because the information can only be accessed, not changed or overwritten, they are referred to as CD-ROMs.
Cache: Web browsers store accessed information in a folder on your hard drive called a cache. Some also store information in memory for faster access. This saves time when a user goes to another page on a site with the same graphics. The Iowa Newspaper Association site uses many of the same graphics throughout to take advantage of this feature to speed browsing.
Cascading Style Sheet: (CSS) An HTML specification developed by the World Wide Web Consortium that allows authors of Web pages to attach style sheets to HTML documents. Style sheets can include typographical information on how the page should appear, such as the font of the text in the page. CSS also directs the way in which the style sheets of the HTML document and the user's style will blend.
cell padding: The space between the contents and inside edges of a table cell.
cell spacing: The amount of space between cells in a table. Cell spacing is the thickness, in pixels, of the walls surrounding each cell.
CGI: (Common Gateway Interface) A standard method of extending Web server functionality by executing programs or scripts on a Web server in response to Web browser requests. A common use of CGI is in form processing, where the Web browser sends form data to a CGI script on the server, the script integrates the data with a database, and sends back the results as a Web page. Use of CGI can make a Web page much more dynamic and add interactivity for the user.
check box: A form field that can be selected by clicking a box. When a box is selected, it is usually displayed with a check mark or X. Check boxes are usually grouped to represent a set of non-exclusive choices. See also radio button.
client: On a local area network or the Internet, a computer that accesses shared network resources provided by another computer. See also server.
client-side image map: An image map that encodes the destination URL of each hotspot directly on a Web page. Client-side image maps do not require processing from a server to allow a site visitor to follow the hyperlinks on the image map. However, not all Web browsers support client-side image maps. See also image map.
client-side program: On the Internet, a program that is run on a client computer rather than on a server computer.
Coaxial Cable: Cable in which a solid piece of copper is surrounded by insulation and a tubular piece of copper braid. Comes in many varieties, depending on the degree of EMI shielding afforded and voltages and frequencies accommodated. Has high bandwidth but is cumbersome to install, making it most suitable for more permanent installations. Typically support RF frequencies from 50 to about 500 MHz. Commonly used in Ethernet 10Base2 and 10Base5 LANs. Also called "coax".
Cookie: A file of encoded information, stored on a user's computer, that identifies the user's computer during the current and subsequent visits to a Web site.
Compiler: A software utility that converts a source program in a high-level programming language (i.e. Basic, C, Pascal) into an object or compiled program in machine language. Compiled programs run 10 to 1,000 times faster than interpreted programs. Compare Interpreter.
Connectivity: The components and technology that enable devices to exchange data across electronic links.
CPU: Central Processing Unit. The main processor chip of a PC.
current page: In FrontPage, the page that is currently being edited in Page view.
current web: In FrontPage, the web that is currently open.
Cursor: Usually a flashing block, used on a monitor to indicate the position of the next character.

database: A file containing records of information that are organized and presented to serve a specific purpose, such as the facilitation of searching, sorting, and recombination of data. Databases can be published on the World Wide Web to let site visitors look up information in records or add new information to the database.
Data Link Layer: The OSI layer that is responsible for data transfer across a single physical connection, or series of bridged connections, between two network entities.
data validation: A set of rules you can apply to form fields to restrict the type of information site visitors enter into forms. For example, you can set rules so that only letters, and not numbers, can be entered into a "name" field on a form.
default hyperlink: In an image map, the hyperlink that site visitors follow when they click in an area of the picture where there are no hotspots. See also hotspot.
design-time control: An ActiveX control that is used while designing or editing a page. Design-time controls that are installed on the client computer are listed in Page view in FrontPage. See also ActiveX.
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): A protocol designed to assign IP addresses dynamically upon system startup.
dial-in: An Internet account that can connect any stand-alone computer directly to the Internet. The account is used by having a computer-based software application dial-in to an Internet service provider (ISP). The software connects with the ISP and establishes a TCP/IP link to the Internet that enables your software to access Internet information. The computer that accesses a dial-in connection needs either a modem to connect via a regular phone line or a terminal adapter (TA) to connect via an ISDN phone line.
Directory: A step in the hierarchical system of organizing files. A named or specific area where files can be stored.
Distributed Password Authentication: (DPA) An advanced, distributed method of user authentication from Microsoft, allowing for single user log-on. DPA support is provided by the Microsoft Membership System and is optimized for the needs of Internet service providers and online services.
DLL (Dynamic Link Library): A software module in Microsoft Windows containing executable code and data that can be called or used by Windows applications or other DLLs. Functions and data in a DLL are loaded and linked at run time when they are referenced by a Windows application or other DLLs.
DNS (Domain Name System): The system that locates the numerical IP address corresponding to a host name.
domain name: The address of a network location in the format that identifies the owner of that address in the format: server.organization.type. For example, www.whitehouse.gov identifies the Web server at the White House in the United States, which is part of the U.S. government. See also network location.
Download: The transfer of information from a network, or more specifically from the Internet, onto your PC.
drop-down menu field: A form field element that presents a list of selections in drop-down menu style. A drop-down menu form field element can be configured to permit the selection of many fields or a single field.
Dynamic HTML: (DHTML) An extension of the HTML language that enables the creation of presentation effects for text and objects.

EBCDIC (Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code): An 8-Bit character code used primarily in IBM equipment; the code provides for 256 different bit patterns. Compare with ASCII.
editor: A program that creates files or makes changes to existing files. In FrontPage, Page view is a Web page editor, and the HTML tab in Page view is an HTML editor. You can associate files in FrontPage-based webs with external editors, so that double-clicking these files opens them in their associated editing programs. For example, you can associate picture files to be opened in your favorite image editing program, such as Microsoft Image Composer.
e-mail: (electronic mail) The exchange of electronic text messages and computer file attachments between computers over a communications network, such as a local area network or the Internet.
E-mail form handler: See Save Results form handler.
embedded style sheet: A cascading style sheet that is embedded on a page. Styles in an embedded style sheet can be applied only to the page containing the style sheet, and will either extend or override styles defined in any external style sheet that is linked to the page.
EPS: (Encapsulated PostScript) An extension of the PostScript graphics file format developed by Adobe Systems. EPS enables PostScript graphics files to be incorporated into other documents. FrontPage can import EPS files.
Ethernet: A form of LAN. An ethernet card is required to connect to this kind of network, such as the study bedroom system at UKC.
Expanded Memory: A technique for getting past the 640K limit.
Extended Memory: Memory beyond the first 640K. Available only on 80286 or better computers.
external hyperlink: A hyperlink pointing to a page or file that is outside of the current web.
external style sheet: A cascading style sheet in a file with a .css file name extension. The .css file is comprised solely of style rules in valid .css syntax, without any surrounding HTML tags. By defining styles in one or more external style sheets and linking them to pages in your web, you ensure a consistent appearance throughout those pages. If you change a style in the external style sheet, the change will be reflected in all of the pages linked to that style sheet.

FAQ: (Frequently Asked Questions) A document listing common questions and answers on a particular subject. FAQs are often posted on Internet newsgroups where new participants ask the same questions that regular readers have already answered many times.
FAT (File Allocation Table): A record keeping structure used by MS-DOS through version 6.22 to keep track of the location of every file on a disk. It limits filenames to 8 characters with 3 characters for the file extension.
Fiber Optic Cable: A type of network cable consisting of fiber optic strands that transmits data using light rather than electricity. Often used as a backbone and/or where long distance runs are involved.
FIFO (First-In First-Out): A type of memory buffer. The first data stored is the first data sent to the acceptor.
file: A named collection of information that is stored on a computer. Also, an Internet protocol that refers to files on a disk or local area network. In FrontPage, you can create hyperlinks to files (file://) in Page view.
file compression: Many computer files can be reduced in size for downloading. Files with .ZIP extension have been "zipped" using PKZip software. Files with .SIT extension have been "stuffed" using Stuffit software. Files with .PDF have also been compressed using Adobe Acrobat. The Acrobat files have the added feature of viewing, printing and placing, using Adobe's Reader program. For example, the Bulletin starts as a 3.5 megabyte file and is compressed to less than 150 kilobytes. That's a compression ratio of almost 24:1!!!
file server: A computer running on a network that stores files and provides access to them. Also called server. See also Web server.
file type: The format of a file, commonly indicated by its file name extension. Computer applications usually work on a limited set of file types.
Filtering: In LAN technology, discarding packets that do not meet the criteria for forwarding.
firewall: A method of protecting the files and programs on one network from users on another network. A firewall blocks unwanted access to a protected network, while giving the protected network access to networks outside of the firewall. A company will typically install a firewall to give users access to the Internet while protecting their internal information. FrontPage allows users to author webs on the Internet even from within a protected network.
Flame: An instance of personal abuse directed against the poster of a newsgroup article or email message. At UKC, breaches of conduct of this type should be reported to postmaster.
Flash: A (rather resource-heavy) web technology that enables interactive animations or 'movies' to be displayed in a suitably enabled browser.
Floating-Point: A format for processing or storing numbers in scientific exponential notation (digits multiplied by a power of 10).
folder: A named storage area on a computer containing files and other folders.
followed hyperlink: A hyperlink on a page that has been activated. Visited hyperlinks are usually displayed by the Web browser in a specified color.
form: A set of data-entry fields on a page that are processed on a Web server. The data is sent to the server when a site visitor submits the form by clicking on a button or, in some cases, by clicking a graphic.
form field: A data-entry field on a page. A site visitor supplies information in a field either by typing text or by selecting a field.
FORTRAN (Formula Translation): A programming language.
Fragments: Portions of incomplete TCP packets, formed when a message does not divide evenly into packets.
Fragmentation: The process in which an IP datagram is broken into smaller pieces to fit the requirements of a given physical network.
frame: An area of a Web browser window defined by a frames page. A frame appears in a Web browser as one of a number of different areas in which pages can be displayed. A frame may be scrollable and resizable, and may have a border. You display a page in a frame by creating a hyperlink to the page and specifying the frame as part of the hyperlink. See also frames page.
frames page: A page that divides a Web browser's window into different areas called frames that can independently display several Web pages. See also frame.
frameset: See frames page.
Freeware: Software distributed with no charge or licence fee, usually via the Internet.. Cf. Shareware.
FTP: (File Transfer Protocol) The Internet service that transfers files from one computer to another over standard phone lines. You can create FTP hyperlinks (ftp://) in Page view in FrontPage.
Full Duplex Ethernet: Standard 10-Mbps Ethernet operates at half-duplex, meaning that a workstation can either transmit data or receive data, but cannot do both at the same time. Recently, hardware manufacturers have started producing full-duplex Ethernet equipment that can simultaneously transmit and receive data. This effectively doubles the maximum potential network throughput rate up to 20-Mbps.
Function: A set of software instructions executed by a single line of code that may have input and/or output parameters and returns a value when executed.

gateway: A host computer that connects networks that communicate in different languages. For example, a gateway connects a company's local area network to the Internet.
GIF: (Graphics Interchange Format) A graphics file format commonly used to display indexed-color graphics on the World Wide Web. GIF is a compressed format, designed to minimize file transfer time over standard phone lines. FrontPage can import and export GIF files. See also interlaced GIF.
Gigabyte: 1,000 megabytes.
graphics file formats: FrontPage can import the following graphics file formats: BMP, EPS, GIF, JPEG, PCD, PCX, PNG, RAS, TGA, TIFF, and WMF. When you save your web, FrontPage converts these graphics (if necessary) to GIF, JPEG, or PNG file formats, based on their original color depth.
GUI: Graphical User Interface. A system whereby the user interacts with a computer via a picture-based, or graphic medium. Windows is a GUI (pronounced "gooey".)

Hacker: A computer enthusiast who derives joy from discovering ways to circumvent limitations. A criminal hacker is called a cracker
Hard Copy: If someone asks for a hard copy of an electronic document, they mean a printed (i.e. paper) copy.
Hard Drive/Hard Disk: Both terms are used for the computer's main information storage disk. This is conventionally designated drive C: on many computers.
Hardware: The collection of electronic components that makes up a computer system.
HDX (Half Duplex): Transmission in either direction, but not both simultaneously. Compare with Full Duplex
heading: A paragraph style that is displayed in a typeface larger than normal text. The size of a heading is related to its level: Heading 1 is the largest, Heading 2, the next largest, and so on. Use headings to provide names or titles for text paragraphs or entire pages.
hidden field: A form field that is invisible to a site visitor but supplies data to a form handler. Each hidden field is implemented as a name-value pair. When a form is submitted by a site visitor, its hidden fields are passed to the form handler along with name-value pairs for each visible form field. See also name-value pair.
home page: On the World Wide Web, an entry page for a set of Web pages and other files in a Web site. The home page is displayed by default when a visitor surfs to the site using a Web browser. The name of a home page depends on the type of Web server used to host the Web site. Some Web servers reserve Index.htm as the name for the home page, while others name the home page Default.htm.
host: A large computer, stroring information or running programs, with which you interact when working on the system. As the name suggests it acts as "host" for you while you are working. Most people will become familiar with the UKC mail host, "pelican", which stores your mail for you.
host name: See network location.
hotspot: A graphically defined area in a graphic or picture containing a hyperlink. A graphic with hotspots is called an image map. Hotspots are invisible in Web browsers. Site visitors can tell that a hotspot is present because the mouse pointer changes appearance when the mouse is moved over the graphic. See also image map.
Hover Button component: An animated button in the navigation bar on a Web page that is activated when the mouse pointer is moved over the button or when the button is clicked. See also navigation bar.
HTML: (Hypertext Markup Language) The standard markup language used for documents on the World Wide Web. HTML development is carried out by the World Wide Web Consortium. The HTML language uses tags to indicate how Web browsers should display page elements such as text and graphics, and how Web browsers should respond to user actions such as hyperlink activation by means of a key press or mouse click. Most Web browsers, notably Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator, recognize HTML tags beyond those included in the present standard. FrontPage reads and writes HTML files and no knowledge of the HTML language is required. See also World Wide Web Consortium.
HTML attribute: A value used within an HTML tag to assign additional properties to the object being defined. FrontPage assigns some attributes automatically when you create an object such as a paragraph or image map. You can assign other attributes by editing the object's Properties dialog box.
HTML character encoding: A standard table which associates a numeric index with each character in a character set. The table is used when you create a Web page for use in a specific language. Also called code page.
HTML tag: A text string used in HTML to identify a page element's type, format, and appearance. FrontPage automatically creates HTML tags to represent each element on a page.
HTTP: (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) The Internet protocol that enables Web browsers to retrieve information from World Wide Web servers.
Hub: A device that provides a central point of connection. The core of a star-topology network or cabling system.
hyperlink: A pointer from text, from a picture or a graphic, or from an image map to a page or file on the World Wide Web. On the World Wide Web, hyperlinks are the primary way to navigate between pages and among Web sites. Also called link.
hypertext: Originally, any textual information on a computer containing jumps to other information. The hypertext jumps are called hyperlinks. On the World Wide Web, hypertext is the primary way to navigate between pages and among Web sites. Hypertext on Web pages has been expanded to include hyperlinks from text, from a picture or a graphic, and from image maps.

I/O (Input/Output)

The transfer of data to/from a computer system involving communications channels, operator interface devices, and/or data acquisition and control interfaces.

Icon

A pictorial representation of a file, or program, that can be clicked on in order to open the file or start the program - an extremely simple method. The Windows operating system is partly based on the use of icons.

ID selector

In a cascading style sheet style definition (or style rule), a selector that is used to define a style for an individual page element, usually as an inline style.

IIS

See Internet Information Services.

image map

A graphic containing one or more invisible regions, called hotspots, which are associated hyperlinks. Typically, an image map gives site visitors visual cues about the information made available by clicking each part of a picture or graphic. For example, a geographical map could be made into an image map by assigning hotspots to each region of interest on the map.

Inbox

The area where your incoming mail messages are stored before they are read.

Indexing

Creation of a data index to speed up search and retrieval.

inline style

A method of applying cascading style sheet properties and values to an element on a page, such as a table, graphic, or ActiveX control. You can use this method even if the page is not linked to an external style sheet or does not contain an embedded style sheet.

Internet

The name for the vast global communications network formed by connecting many networks and individual computers across the world. Important elements of Internet communications are email, the World Wide Web, news, and FTP.

interlaced GIF

A picture in GIF format that is gradually displayed in a Web browser, showing increasingly detailed versions of the picture until the entire file has finished downloading. See also GIF.

internal web

A Web site created within an organization and accessible only to members of that organization on an intranet. See also intranet.

Internet

The worldwide collection of computers, networks and gateways that use TCP/IP protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet are high-speed data communication lines between major host computers, consisting of thousands of commercial, government, educational, and other computer systems that route data and messages. Currently, the Internet offers a range of services to users, such as e-mail, the World Wide Web, FTP, Usenet newsgroups, Gopher, IRC, telnet, and others.

Internet address

See network location.

Internet Information Services

(IIS) Microsoft's brand of Web server software, utilizing Hypertext Transfer Protocol to deliver World Wide Web documents. IIS incorporates various functions for security, allows for CGI programs, and also provides for FTP servers.

Internet service provider

A business that supplies Internet connectivity services to individuals, businesses, and other organizations. Some ISPs are large national or multinational corporations that offer access in many locations, while others are limited to a specific city or region.

Interpreter

A software utility that executes source code from a high-level language (i.e. Basic, C, Pascal) by reading one line at a time and executing the specified operation.

Interrupt: A computer signal indicating that the CPU should suspend its current task to service a designated activity.

intranet

A network designed for information processing within a company or organization. Its uses include such services as document and software distribution, access to databases, and training. An intranet is so called because it usually employs applications associated with the Internet, such as Web pages, Web browsers, FTP sites, e-mail, newsgroups, and mailing lists, accessible only to those within the organization. See also firewall.

IP

(Internet Protocol) Internet software that divides data into packets for transmission over the Internet. Computers must run IP to communicate across the Internet. See also TCP.

IP address

(Internet Protocol address) The standard way of identifying a computer that is connected to the Internet, much the way a telephone number identifies a telephone on a telephone network. An IP address is four numbers separated by periods, and each number is less than 256, for example, 192.200.44.69. Your Web server administrator or Internet service provider will assign your computer an IP address.

IP address mask

(Internet Protocol address mask) A range of IP addresses defined so that only computers with IP addresses within the range are allowed access to an Internet service. To mask a portion of the IP address, replace it with the asterisk wild card character (*). For example, 163.121.*.* represents every computer on the Internet with an IP address beginning with 163.121.

ISAPI

(Internet Server Application Programming Interface) A Web server application-development interface, developed by Process Software and Microsoft, that can be used in place of CGI.

ISDN

A digital communications system offered by BT and other telecom companies, which can handle more information than standard phone lines. Increasingly, many businesses are choosing to have an ISDN connection. ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network.

ISO (Integrated Standards Organization)

The international "master organization" responsible for developing and maintaining worldwide standards for computers, data communications, and many other fields (OSI).

ISO 9000

An umbrella group of international standards (including ISO-9001, -9002, -9004, etc.) for quality assurance in business practices, ratified by the ISO beginning in 1987. Certification of ISO 9000 compliance is rapidly becoming a prerequisite for selling many types of goods and services (including data-communications equipment and services), especially to government bodies

ISO 9660

An international standard defining the file and directory structures for CD-ROM. An ISO 9660 formatted CD-ROM will function on any computer platform containing the appropriate driver software. Most common with PC compatible systems.

ISP

Internet Service Provider(ISP) This is a company which provides Internet access. Technically, America On-Line is now an ISP, because it now allows a user to choose whatever browser they want to view the Internet.

Java

A general-purpose programming language created by Sun Microsystems. Currently, the most widespread use of Java is in programming small applications, or applets, for the World Wide Web. See also Java applet.

Java applet

A Java class that is loaded and run by an already-running Java application such as a Web browser. Java applets can be downloaded and executed by a Web browser capable of interpreting Java, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. Java applets are frequently used to add multimedia effects and interactivity to Web pages, such as video displays, animations, calculators, real-time clocks, and interactive games. Applets can be activated automatically when the page containing them is displayed in a Web browser, or they may require some action on the part of the site visitor, such as clicking an element on the page.

JavaScript

A scripting language developed by Netscape Communications and Sun Microsystems, Inc. Compared to Java, JavaScript is limited in performance because it is not compiled before execution. Basic online applications and functions can be added to Web pages with JavaScript, but the number and complexity of available application programming interface functions are fewer than those available with Java. JavaScript code, which is included in a Web page along with the HTML code, is generally considered easier to write than Java, especially for novice programmers. A JavaScript-compliant Web browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator, is required to interpret JavaScript code.

JPEG

(Joint Photographic Experts Group) A graphics file format used to display high-resolution color graphics on the World Wide Web. JPEG graphics apply a user-specified compression scheme that can significantly reduce the large file sizes usually associated with photo-realistic color graphics. A higher level of compression results in lower quality, whereas a lower level of compression results in higher quality. FrontPage can import and export JPEG files. See also progressive JPEG.

Key

An entry in the NT Registry Editor that contains a unit of configuration information.

Keyboard

Item of hardware, rather like a typewriter, that enables you to type text/numbers/commands. Different countries have different keyboard configurations for language reasons, as do English and American keyboards

LAN: (local area network) A computer network technology designed to connect computers separated by a short distance. A LAN can be connected to the Internet and can also be configured as an intranet.
leased line: A leased phone line that provides a full-time, dedicated, direct connection to the Internet.
LIFO (Last-In First-Out): A type of memory buffer. The last data stored is the first data sent to the acceptor.
link: See hyperlink.
live web: A web that has been published to a Web server and can currently be browsed by site visitors. Editing a live web with FrontPage lets site visitors immediately see all page updates and changes every time the page is saved. See also staging web.
Login/Logging in: To log in is to give a user name (at UKC based on your initials and a number) and password to identify yourself to the host computer and thereby gain entry to the system. Your login name is the user name that you must provide.

Mail Agent: A program that facilitates the reading and sending of electronic mail
mailto: The Internet protocol used to send electronic mail. You can create e-mail hyperlinks in FrontPage.
Marquee component: A region on a page that displays a horizontally scrolling text message.
Memory: The electronic storage where your computer stores data that's being manipulated and programs that are running
META tag: An HTML tag that must appear in the HEAD portion of the page. META tags supply information about a page but do not affect its appearance. A standard META tag, "generator," is used to indicate the type of editor that created the HTML page.
Microsoft Image Composer: A powerful image-editing application included with FrontPage that lets you create original artwork or modify existing graphics for use in your webs.
Microsoft Internet Explorer: Microsoft's Web browser, available in Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX versions. When Internet Explorer is installed with FrontPage, additional functionality is provided, including dynamic page and themes preview in Page view.
Microsoft Management Console: (MMC) A graphical interface for Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) that contains "snap-in" administrative tools, such as the FrontPage MMC snap-in. See also Internet Information Services.
Microsoft Visual Basic: A high-level, visual-programming version of Basic. Visual Basic was developed by Microsoft for building Windows-based applications.
Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications: (VBA) A macro-language version of Microsoft Visual Basic that is used to program Windows applications and is included with several Microsoft applications. See also Microsoft Visual Basic.
Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition: (VBScript) A subset of the Visual Basic for Applications programming language, optimized for Web-related programming. As with JavaScript, code for Visual Basic, Scripting Edition is embedded in HTML documents. This version is included with Microsoft Internet Explorer. See also Microsoft Visual Basic.
Microsoft Visual SourceSafe: A professional document source-control system developed by Microsoft. FrontPage can be integrated with Visual SourceSafe when both applications are installed on the same computer.
MIME type: (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions type) A method used by Web browsers to associate files of a certain type with applications that display files of that type.
Modem: An item of hardware which connects a computer to a conventional telephone line and thus enables it to communicate with other computers.It came from MOdulator/DEModulator. A device that allows a computer to communicate with another over a standard telephone line, by converting the digital data into analog signals and vice versa.
Monitor: Another item of hardware, in this case the screen on which the computer displays information.
Monochrome: Monitors that display only one color, usually green or amber against a dark background.
Mouse: A small but very useful piece of hardware that can point and move the cursor on the computer screen, and can be used to select or "click on" icons, text, etc. Mastering the use of the mouse is one of the first steps in learning to use a PC.
multi-hosting: The ability of a Web server to support more than one Internet address and more than one home page. Also called multi-homing.
Multimedia: The incorporation of many types of media such as graphics, text, audio, and video, into one resource.
Multitasking: A property of an operating system in which several processes can be run simultaneously.
Multithreaded: A programming technique that allows for more than one part of a program to be executing simultaneously on an SMP machine. Even on single CPU computers, multithreaded programs can show the advantage of better responsiveness to user commands while a lengthy background process is running.

Name Resolution: The process of mapping a name into the corresponding address.
name-value pair: The name of a form field and the value of the field at the time the form is submitted. Each field in a form can have one or more name-value pairs, and the form itself can have one or more name-value pairs.
nested frames page: A frames page containing another frames page inside one of its frames.
Network: Two or more connected computers. They may be connected by cables, the telephone system, satellite, or by other methods, and can share information and "communicate" with each other.
Network Layer: One of the layers somewhere near the middle of the OSI reference model. It addresses the interconnection of networks.
network location: In a URL, a unique name that identifies an Internet server. A network location has two or more parts, separated by periods, as inexample.microsoft.com. Also called host name and Internet address. See also URL.
News/Newsgroups: A communication function of the Internet. Newsgroups are essentially a series of on-line message boards which are strictly governed by the rules of Usenet, a cooperative organisation. Their naming and structure are bound by set conventions and they are often tightly regulated, unlike a bulletin board. Newsgroups can be viewed using a news reader, these often come as part of a browser like Netscape. You should, however, find out as much as possible about newsgroup rules, etiquette, and the like, before posting to one.
Node: On a network, a terminal point at which data is transmitted, received, or repeated. Usually corresponds to an attached device such as a computer, network modem, or router.
NTFS (NT File System): This is the advanced file system that NT provides as an option when formatting hard drives. The advantages of this system are long filenames, reduced file fragmentation, improved fault tolerance, and better recovery performance after a crash.
NTLM: (NT LanMan) The Windows NT Challenge/Response authentication protocol. This protocol uses encryption for secure transmission of passwords.

OLE: (Object Linking and Embedding) A technology for transferring and sharing information among applications. OLE lets an author invoke different editor components to create a compound document.
"On-line"/online: Used as an adjective, this means that something is accessible via the Internet - whether a facility, a document, or even a person.
one-line text box: A labeled, single-line form field into which site visitors can type text.
Open Database Connectivity: (ODBC) An application programming interface (API) for authoring applications that are independent of any particular database management system.
OSI (Open Systems Interconnection): An international standardization program to facilitate communications among computers from different manufacturers.

page

A single document in a Web site written in HTML. You can use FrontPage to create and modify pages without having to know HTML.

page banner

A section of a Web page containing a graphic element and text, such as the page title. Page banners are usually displayed at the top of a Web page.

page title

A descriptive text string identifying a page.

Parallel Port

A port normally used to connect printers to computers. It sends data over eight "parallel" wires, one byte at a time.

paragraph style

It specifies whether to use bullets and numbering and controls indentation and line spacing.

parent web

In a hierarchical structure, the web immediately above the current web.

Partition

A division of a single disk drive into several smaller units that are treated by the operating system as if they were separate drives

password

A security measure used to restrict access to computer systems and sensitive files. On the World Wide Web, passwords are strings of characters that allow site visitors access to Internet services, such as FTP, if the Internet service requires authentication. See also authentication.

path

The portion of a URL that identifies the folders containing a file. For example, in the URL http://example.microsoft.com/hello/world/top.htm, the path is /hello/world/.

PCD

(Photo CD) A graphics file format developed by Eastman Kodak Company. FrontPage can import PCD files.

PCT

(Personal Communications Technology) An enhanced version of Secure Sockets Layer. See also Secure Sockets Layer.

PCX

A graphics file format that compresses the graphic's data with RLE-type compression, used by early versions of Windows Paintbrush. FrontPage can import PCX files.

PDF (Portable Document Format)

A platform independent file format used to deliver published documents online. It supports hyperlinking to other PDF documents or to web URLs. Originally developed by Adobe Corporation for use with its Acrobat line of products.

Peer to Peer Network

A network in which all machines have equal status. Any computer can be a server if it wants to be.

Peripheral

A term for items added to your computer system, such as a printer

Physical Layer

The OSI layer that provides the means to activate and use physical connections for bit transmission.

picture

A graphics file that can be inserted on a Web page and displayed in a Web browser It is also called image.

Ping (Packet Internet Groper)

A program which sends an echo-like trace to test if another host is available.

Pixel

The smallest indivisible part of a video image.

plug-in

One of a set of software modules that integrate into Web browsers to offer a range of interactive and multimedia capabilities.

PNG

(Portable Network Graphics) A file format for compressed bitmap graphics, similar to the GIF format.

Point-To-Point

Describes communications lines or circuits that connect just two locations. Compare with Mulitpoint.

POP

(Post Office Protocol) An Internet protocol that enables a single user to read e-mail from a mail server.

port

One of the network input/output channels of a computer running TCP/IP. On the World Wide Web, port usually refers to the port number a server is running on. A single computer can have many Web servers running on it, but only one server can be running on each port. The default port for Web servers is 80.

PPP

(Point-to-Point Protocol) An Internet standard for transmitting data over serial links between computers.

progressive JPEG

An enhancement to the JPEG graphics file format specification that gradually displays a photo-realistic picture in a Web browser, showing increasingly detailed versions of the picture until the entire file has finished downloading. While this is similar to interlaced GIFs, progressive JPEGs can retain the high quality of 24-bit color, and they offer the same efficient compression as standard JPEG. See also JPEG.

properties

IThe characteristics of an item in the current web, such as the title and URL of a web, or the name and initial value of a form field. You can also specify properties for page elements such as tables, graphics, and active elements.

protocol

A method of accessing a document or service over the Internet, such as File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). Also called type.

proxy server

An Internet server that acts as a firewall, mediating traffic between a protected network and the Internet. See also firewall.

publish

The process of making a web public on the World Wide Web or an intranet by copying all of its pages and files to the Web server connected to the Internet or the local area network.

push button

A form field that a site visitor can click to submit a form or reset a form to its initial state.

Queue

A list of items waiting to be processed.

Queue, Printer

On a large network like that at UKC, where many users may be printing simultaneously, your file is not necessarily printed instantly when the instruction is sent from your computer. Printing jobs are queued by the servers that handle them and go through as soon as the printer is free

radio button: A form field that presents a site visitor with a selection that can be chosen by clicking on a button. Radio buttons are presented in a list, one of which is selected by default. Selecting a new member of the list deselects the currently selected item.
RAM (Random Access Memory): The physical semiconductor based memory in a computer. One byte of RAM can hold one character, one Kb of RAM can hold 1024 characters.
RAS: The raster graphics file format developed by Sun Microsystems.
Read-Only: Used as an adjective, referring to a file or a disk on which files are stored. A read-only file can be accessed but not altered and a read-only disk cannot be saved or written to.
record: In a database, a group of related fields of information that are treated as a unit. Records are the logical equivalents of rows in a table.
Redirection: A system by which clients accessing a particular URL are sent to a different location, either on the same server or on a different server.
registered user: A visitor to a Web site whose name and password has been recorded within the Web site.
Registry: The Windows NT system database that holds configuration information for hardware, software, and users.
relational database: A relational database management system (RDBMS) organizes data into related rows and columns as specified by the relational model. Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle are examples of relational database management systems. A Microsoft Access database is an example of a relational database.
relative URL: The Internet address of a page or other World Wide Web resource relative to the Internet address of the current page. A relative URL gives the path from the current page to the destination page or resource. A relative URL can include a protocol. For example, the relative URL Doc/Sample.htm refers to the page Sample.htm in the folder Doc, below the current folder. See also URL.
Replication: The process of synchronizing data stored on two or more computers.
resample: The changing of the pixel dimensions (and therefore physical file size) of a picture or a graphic. Graphics can be resampled down (the number of pixels is decreased) or resampled up (the number of pixels is increased). When you resample a graphic down, pixel information is deleted from the graphic. When you resample a graphic up, new pixel information is created based on matching color values of the existing pixels. Resampling a graphic down and then resampling it up to its original resolution will cause the quality of the graphic to deteriorate considerably.
ROM/Read-Only Memory: Information stored once that cannot be altered in any way, usually having been stored by a manufacturer.
root web: The default, top-level web provided by a Web server. To access the root web, you supply the URL of the server without specifying a page name or subweb.
router: A network device that enables the network to reroute messages it receives that are intended for other networks. The network with the router receives the message and sends it on its way exactly as received. In normal operations, they do not store any of the messages that they pass through.
RTF: (Rich Text Format) A method of encoding text formatting and document structure using the ASCII character set. By convention, RTF files have an .rtf file name extension. You can open RTF files in FrontPage and convert them to HTML.

script: A type of computer code that can be directly executed by a program that understands the language in which the script is written. Scripts do not need to be compiled to be run.
scrolling text box: A labeled, multiple-line form field in which site visitors can type one or more lines of text.
Secure Sockets Layer: (SSL) A proposed open standard developed by Netscape Communications for establishing a secure communications channel to prevent the interception of critical information, such as credit card numbers. The primary purpose of SSL is to enable secure electronic financial transactions on the World Wide Web, although it is designed to work with other Internet services as well. This technology, which uses public key encryption, is incorporated into many Web browser and Web servers.
Segment: A single run cable, which may connect more than two computers, with a terminator on each end.
selector: In a cascading style sheet style definition (or style rule), the HTML element linked to a particular set of style properties and values.
server: A computer that offers services on a network. On the World Wide Web, a server is a computer that runs the Web server software that responds to HTTP protocol requests. Also called host.
server-side image map: An image map that passes the coordinates of the mouse pointer to a CGI handler routine on the server. Server-side image maps require the Web server to compute the target URL of the hyperlink based on the mouse pointer coordinates. See also image map.
server-side include: A feature provided by some Web servers that automatically inserts text onto pages when they are fetched by a Web browser.
Service: An executable object installed in the NT Registry database. It can be started on demand or started automatically when the system starts up. No more than one instance of a given service can be running at a time.
Session: 1) A connection between two stations that allows them to communicate.
2) The time period during which a user engages in a dialogue with an interactive computer.
3) In the IBM SNA, the logical connection between two network-addressable units.
Session Layer: The OSI layer that provides means for dialogue control between end systems.
shared borders: Page regions reserved for content that you want to appear consistently throughout your pages. Shared borders usually contain navigation bars — hyperlinks to the other pages in the current web. .
SLIP: (Serial Line Internet Protocol) An Internet standard for transmitting data over serial links between computers.
slow pages: Pages that take an inordinate amount of time (20 seconds or more) for a site visitor to download in a Web browser.
Smiley: a colloquial term for a small symbol (supposed to represent a smiling face) inserted into an email or news article to indicate that a message or comment is humorous, ironic, or not meant to be taken seriously - it is difficult to indicate the above qualities through text alone, and people are easily offended. These symbols take many forms, such as :-) :^) or for more serious comments :-(
SMTP: (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) The basic programming language behind the Internet's e-mail functions. SMTP is poised for a major upgrade, because it doesn't provide such simple information as unsend or e-mail status.
staging web: A local web that is maintained on a file system or local Web server and that currently cannot be browsed by site visitors. Staging webs allow authors and workgroups to make significant changes or updates to Web sites before they are published to the World Wide Web or a company intranet.
Streaming Audio/Video: A method of delivering multimedia data so that it can be read or played back in near real time, or as soon as it is received.
Structured Query Language: (SQL) A database query and programming language widely used for accessing, querying, updating, and managing data in relational database systems. Using SQL, you can retrieve data from a database, create databases and database objects, add data, modify existing data, and perform other, more complex functions. With SQL, you can also change the server configuration, modify database or session settings, and control data and access statements.
style: Styles are used to control the font, alignment, and spacing of text; appearance of background pages; and other HTML attributes. A collection of styles is called a style sheet. See also cascading style sheet.
subweb: A named subdirectory of the root web that is a complete FrontPage-based web. Each subweb can have independent administration, authoring and browsing permissions from the root web and other subwebs. In addition, searches implemented through the FrontPage-based search form are limited to the subweb, and FrontPage only manages hyperlinks within the subweb. Any number of subwebs can be created under the root web, and subwebs can be created within subwebs.
Syntax: The set of rules to which statements must conform in a particular programming language.

table: One or more rows of cells on a page used to organize the layout of a page or arrange data systematically.You can place anything in a table cell, including text, graphics, and forms.
tag: See HTML tag.
target frame: The name of a frame in which the target page of a hyperlink is displayed. Typically, a hyperlink from one frame of a frames page will supply as its target frame another frame of the frames page. See also frame, frames page.
TCP: (Transmission Control Protocol) Internet networking software that controls the transmission of packets of data over the Internet. Among its tasks, TCP checks for lost packets, puts the data from multiple packets into the correct order, and requests that missing or damaged packets be sent again. Computers must run TCP to communicate with Web servers.
Telnet: An Internet protocol that let you connect your computer as a remote workstation to a host computer anywhere in the world and to use that computer as if you were logged on locally
template: A set of predesigned formats for text and graphics on which new pages and webs can be based. After a page or web is created using a template, you can customize the page or web.
TGA: (Targa) A photorealistic graphics file format designed for systems with a Truevision display adapter. FrontPage can import TGA files.
theme: A theme applies professionally designed graphics to elements of the pages in a FrontPage-based web. FrontPage offers a gallery of over 50 themes that consist of similar design elements and color schemes for bullets, fonts, graphics, navigation bars, and other page elements. When applied, a theme gives pages and navigation bars in a web an attractive and consistent appearance.
thread: In e-mail and Internet newsgroups conversations, a series of messages and replies that are all related to a specific topic.
thumbnail: A small representation of a picture on a Web page, usually containing a hyperlink to a full-size version of the graphic. Thumbnails are used to load pages rich in graphics or pictures more quickly in a Web browser.
TIFF: (Tagged Image File Format) A high-resolution, tag-based graphics format. TIFF is used for the universal interchange of digital graphics.
Timeout: A specified time after which a program should give up trying to finish an operation with a remote machine that appears to be non-responsive.
transition effect: One of a set of page-display effects, such as Dissolve and Fade To Black, that are available in some Web browsers. Transition effects can be configured to occur when a site visitor visits or leaves a page.
Token Ring: A LAN-access mechanism and topology, developed by IBM and standardized as IEEE 802.5, in which a supervisory frame or token is passed from station to station in sequential order. Stations wishing to gain access to the network must wait for the token to arrive before transmitting data.
Transport Layer: The OSI layer that is responsible for reliable end to end data transfer between end systems.
Trolling: Deliberately provoking arguments on newsgroups or bulletin boards. At UKC this is considered a breach of our code of conduct.
TWAIN: ("Technology without an interesting name") Developed by a consortium of imaging hardware and software manufacturers, TWAIN is a cross-platform interface for acquiring pictures captured by TWAIN-compliant scanners, digital cameras, and still-frame video capture boards. In FrontPage, you can transfer pictures onto pages directly from TWAIN-compliant devices.

UNIX: A multi-user, multitasking operating system that exists in various forms and implementations, typically used on proprietary computer workstations. Many Web servers run on UNIX systems.
URL: (Uniform Resource Locator) A string that supplies the Internet address of a Web site or resource on the World Wide Web, along with the protocol by which the site or resource is accessed. The most common URL type is http://, which gives the Internet address of a Web page. Some other URL types are gopher://, which gives the Internet address of a gopher directory, and ftp://, which gives the network location of an FTP resource.

VBA: See Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications.
VBScript: See Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition.
VGA (Video Graphics Array): A video standard for IBM PC and compatible computers. Standard VGA has a resolution of 640 x 480 and supports 16 colors.
Visual Basic: See Microsoft Visual Basic.
Virtual Memory: A software technique, often implemented in the operating system, which uses hard disk space to increase memory capacity beyond the amount of physical RAM present.
virtual server: One of multiple Web sites running on the same server, each with a unique domain name and IP address. A Web server that supports virtual servers is called a multi-hosting Web server.
Virus: A set of instructions designed to sabotage computer systems by causing annoying or occasionally damaging effects, usually having been written as a malicious prank. It gets its name from the fact that it infects programs with a copy of itself, thereby spreading to other computers. Virus-cleaning tools are available on the system at UKC.
visited hyperlink: See followed hyperlink.

WAIS: (Wide Area Information Service) Supports searching over the Internet.
WAN: (wide area network) A computer network that spans a long distance and uses specialized computers to connect smaller networks.
watermark: A graphic that appears on the backgrounds of pages in a Web site to decorate and identify the pages, but does not scroll as the page scrolls. Not all Web browsers support watermarks.
web: A home page and its associated pages, graphics, documents, multimedia, and other files created and stored on a Web server or on a computer's hard drive.
Web browser: Software that interprets the markup of files in HTML, formats them into Web pages, and displays them to the user. Some browsers can also permit users to send and receive e-mail, read newsgroups, and play sound or video files that are embedded in Web documents.
Webmaster: The alias for a person or persons who look after a particular web site. Should not be confused with postmaster.
wizard: A program in FrontPage that creates webs or Web pages, based on choices you make in the wizard's input panels.
WMF: (Windows Metafile Format) A vector graphics format for Windows-compatible computers used mostly for word-processing clip art. FrontPage can import WMF files.
World Wide Web: The total set of interlinked hypertext documents residing on HTTP servers all over the world. Documents on the World Wide Web are called pages or Web pages, which are written in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). Web pages are identified by URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) that specify the particular computer and path name by which a file can be accessed, and transmitted from node to node to the end user under HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). Web pages may contain text in a variety of fonts and styles, pictures, graphics, movie clips, sounds, as well as small, embedded software programs that are executed when a site visitor activates them by clicking a hyperlink. Site visitors may also be able to download files and send messages to other users via e-mail by using links on a Web page. The World Wide Web was developed by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 for the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN).
World Wide Web Consortium: (W3C) A consortium of commercial and educational institutions that oversees research and promotes standards in all areas related to the World Wide Web.

X11: The network protocol used by X-Windows. It is used for communication between applications and the I/O devices that allow the applications to reside on different machines.
XML Extensible Markup Language: is a simplified subset of Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) that provides a file format for representing data, a method for describing data structure, and a mechanism for extending and annotating HTML with semantic information. Allowing an unlimited set of tags, XML tags indicate what kind of data each tag contains, rather than indicating how something should look.
X-Windows: A popular network based window system that allows many programs to share a single graphical display. X-based programs display their output in windows, which can be either on the same computer on which the program is running or on any other computer on the network.

Yellow Book: International standard which defines the physical properties of a CD-ROM disc.

Zip: PC file compression format which creates files with the extension.zip, using PKZip or WinZip software. Commonly used to reduce file size for transfer or storage on floppy disks.