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Internet Glossary
definitions of IT terms
A-B
C-D
E-H
I-M
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R-Z
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Icon
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A small picture displayed on-screen to identify a command or
file. Many word-processors use an icon of a magnifying glass to
indicate it will start a search function.
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Infobot (or mailbot)
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An email address that automatically returns information requested by the user.
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Internet
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The global network of networks that connects more than three million computers (called hosts). The Internet is the virtual space in which users send and receive email, login to remote computers (telnet), browse databases of information (gopher, World Wide Web, WAIS), and send and receive programs (ftp) contained on these computers.
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Internet account
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Purchased through an Internet service provider, the account assigns a password and email address to an individual or group.
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Intranet
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A private internal network based on TCP/IP, usually for the information of staff within a business or an organisation.
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IRC
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Internet Relay Chat. Interactive, real-time discussions between people using text messages. Users log into designated Net computers and join discussions already in progress. More information about IRC can be obtained via ftp from the following source:
Ftp to: cs-ftp.bu.edu
Go to the irc/support subdirectory
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Internet server
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A computer that stores data that can be accessed via the Internet.
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ISDN
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Integrated Services Digital Network - a set of communications standards offered by telephone carriers which provides users with fast Internet connections.
The Internet: The Rough Guide is a very popular mini-manual which explains the basics of the Internet in a plain language. The author explains any jargon as he goes along; there's a short history of the Net, a glossary, and 'Net language', such as emoticons or the acronyms used as shorthand in posting and chat. The guide is revised and re-issued every year, so make sure you get the latest edition.
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ISP
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Internet Service Provider. Any organization that provides access to the Internet. Many ISPs also offer
technical assistance to schools looking to become Internet information
providers by placing their school's information online. They also help schools get connected to the Net.
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Internet site
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A computer connected to the Internet containing information that can be accessed using an Internet navigation tool such as ftp, telnet, gopher, or a Web browser.
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IP address
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Every computer on the Internet has a unique numerical IP address
assigned to it, such as 123.456.78.9.
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J2EE
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Java 2 Enterprise Edition. Middleware written in Java used in critical, large-scale networked developments, such as electronic banking.
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Java
- A programming language developed by Sun Microsystems used for cross-platform Web-based applications. Its primary contribution to the Web has been in the form of Java Server Pages (JSP), J2EE and it is also used in 'applets' - mini-programs
written in Java that run in browsers.
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JavaScript
- A scripting language developed by Netscape that adds interactivity to web pages. Its name reflects a shared syntax with the Java programming language.
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JPEG
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A widely-used graphic file format. Acronym of the Joint Photographic Experts Group. (It's pronounced 'Jay-peg'.)
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JSP
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Java Server Pages - a scripting language based on Java for developing dynamic Web pages and sites. It is typically used on Solaris and Linux platforms.
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Junk email
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Email messages which are received, but not asked for or even wanted.
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Keyword
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A word or words which can be searched for in documents or menus.
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Killer application
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A software program which is so successful that it corners the market, or inspires people to upgrade their equipment in order to be able to use it.
Electronic Writing offers an introduction to new writing techniques using computers and the Internet. It covers word-processing, desktop publishing, and how to create better-looking documents. Simple guidance notes provide an explanation of digital text, electronic mail, and an introduction to hypertext, including the basics of writing for the World Wide Web. Clear explanations in non-technical language.
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Knowbot
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Software that searches Internet 'white pages' and lists of users at large institutions, to find a person's name and address.
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LAN
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Local Area Network: A private transmission that interconnects
computers within a building or among buildings for the purpose of sharing
voice, data, facsimile, and/or video.
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Linux
- A version of the Unix operating system designed to run on PCs. Controversial because it has been developed as part of the Open Sources movement and given away free of charge. Very popular for Web servers and appliances.
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Logon
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To sign on to a computer system.
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Mailing lists (or Listserv)
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There are more than 4,000 topic-oriented, email-based message bases that can be read and posted to. Users subscribe to the lists they want to read and receive messages via email. Mailing lists are operated using listserv software. Thus, many users call mailing lists 'listservs'. There are two types of lists: moderated and unmoderated. Moderated lists are screened by a human before messages are posted to subscribers. Messages to unmoderated lists are automatically forwarded to subscribers.
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Megabyte
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A measure of storage space. 1 Mb roughly translates to a million
characters of text, or 180,000 words.
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Menu
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A list of information that leads to documents or other menus.
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Middleware
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Applications and servers designed to take content from otherwise incompatible back-end data sources (often legacy - that is outdated - systems) and pass it on to Web front-ends.
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Mirror
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Some FTP sites are so heavily used that in order to relieve the load, their entire contents are copied to and made available by other sites. These are then known as 'mirror sites'
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Modem
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Acronym for MOulate DEModulate. An electronic device that attaches to a computer and links that computer to the online world via a telephone line. Modems are available for any computer, can be internal or external, and come in several speeds, known as the baud rate. The higher the baud rate, the faster the modem. A modem of 56,000 baud is now considered the standard. Most Internet service providers allow you to dial into their systems at rates up to 33,600 baud and beyond.
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Motherboard
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The main printed circuit board inside a computer, containing the main processing chip, memory chips, plus all the other circuits needed to control the disk drives, the keyboard, and to communicate with plug-in extension cards.
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MP3
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A popular, highly compressed file format used for music.
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MPEG
- A family of multimedia standards developed by the Motion Picture Experts Group, commonly used to refer to audio or visual files saved with MPEG compression schemes. Files usually have an .mpg extension (pronounced 'Em-Peg').
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MySQL
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An Open Source development of the SQL language for talking to databases. Most commonly used amongst small business users and run on Linux operating systems.
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