| application |
noun a program dedicated to a specific
task [eg: word processing, graphics etc] |
| Bandwidth |
The range of frequencies, expressed in Kilobits per
second, that can pass over a given data transmission channel
within a frame relay network. The bandwidth determines the
rate at which information can be sent through a channel
- the greater the bandwidth, the more information that can
be sent in a given amount of time. Usually measured in bits-per-second.
A full page of English text is about 16,000 bits. A 56Kbs
modem can easily move 16,000 bits in less than one second. |
| Beta Software |
Beta versions of commercial software are work-in-progress
test copies released prior to the full version. They're
used to put the product through real-world tests and to
ferret out bugs before the finished software hits the shelves.
Betas often expire after a period of time, usually when
the full version or the next beta is released. |
| Bluetooth |
Chip technology enabling seamless voice and data connections
between a wide range of devices through short-range digital
two-way radio. It is an open specification for short-range
communications of data and voice between both mobile and
stationary devices. For instance, it specifies how mobile
phones, WIDs, computers and PDAs interconnect with each
other, with computers, and with office or home phones. |
| Bookmark |
1) When you "bookmark" a page, you tell your Web browser
to remember that page's address (URL), so that you can go
back to it easily, without having to type in the URL again.
Bookmarks are called "favorites" in Microsoft Internet Explorer.
It keeps your place, much like a bookmark in a book does.
Most browsers have an easy method of saving the URL to create
a bookmark. 2) Microsoft Web editors use the term bookmark
to refer to a location within a hyperlink destination within
a Web page, referred to elsewhere as an anchor. |
| Broadband |
A transmission facility having a bandwidth sufficient
to carry multiple voice, video or data channels simultaneously.
Each channel occupies (is modulated to) a different frequency
bandwidth on the transmission medium and is demodulated
to its original frequency at the receiving end. Channels
are separated by ģguardbandsī (empty spaces) to ensure that
each channel won't interfere with its neighboring channels.
This technique is used to provide 50 CATV channels on one
coaxial cable.
|
| Browser |
A program that allows a user to find, view, hear, and
interact with material on the World Wide Web. Netscape Navigator
and Microsoft Internet Explorer are examples of popular
browsers. |
| Burn |
To write data or files onto a recordable CD using a
hardware device called a CD Burner. Generally, you create
either an audio or a data disc when you burn a CD. If you
create an audio disc, you will be able to play that CD in
any standard audio CD player. A data disc contains computer
files and can only be read on computers. If you want to
create an audio CD you must use software such as our RipEditBurn
- simply copying wave (.wav) audio files onto a CD will
produce a data CD, not an audio CD. On this site, "burn"
refers to recording audio CDs that will be playable in your
stereo. |
| Blog |
A blog is basically a journal that is available on the
web. The activity of updating a blog is "blogging" and someone
who keeps a blog is a "blogger." Blogs are typically updated
daily using software that allows people with little or no
technical background to update and maintain the blog. Postings
on a blog are almost always arranged in cronological order
with the most recent additions featured most prominantly. |
| bit |
noun binary digit, the basic binary unit
for storing data, either 0 or 1 - see byte |
| buffer |
noun an area in memory used for temporary
storage [eg: rapid input from keyboard] |
| byte |
noun 8 bits - kilobyte (approx.
1,000 bytes), megabyte (1 million), gigabyte
(1 billion) |
| Chipset |
The chipset controls the system and its capabilities.
All components communicate with the processor through the
chipset - it is the hub of all data transfer. The chipset
uses the DMA controller and the bus controller to organize
the steady flow of data that it controls. The chipset is
a series of chips attached directly to the motherboard,
and is usually second in size only to the processor. Chipsets
are integrated (soldered onto the motherboard) and are not
upgradeable without a new motherboard. |
| Codec |
Short for compressor/decompressor, a codec is any technology
for compressing and decompressing data. Codecs can be implemented
in software, hardware, or a combination of both. Some popular
codecs for computer video include MPEG, Indeo and Cinepak.
In telecommunications, (short for coder/decoder) a device
that encodes or decodes a signal. For example, telephone
companies use codecs to convert binary signals transmitted
on their digital networks to analog signals converted on
their analog networks. The translation of a binary value
into a voltage that can be transmitted over a wire. |
| Configuration |
This is a general-purpose computer term that can refer
to the way you have your computer set up. It is also used
to describe the total combination of hardware components
that make up a computer system and the software settings
that allow various hardware components of a computer system
to communicate with one another. |
| Cookie |
A piece of information sent by a Web server to a user's
browser. (A Web server is the computer that "hosts" a Web
site, and responds to requests from a user's browser.) Cookies
may include information such as login or registration identification,
user preferences, online "shopping cart" information, etc.
The browser saves the information, and sends it back to
the Web server whenever the browser returns to the Web site.
The Web server may use the cookie to customize the display
it sends to the user, or it may keep track of the different
pages within the site that the user accesses. Browsers may
be configured to alert the user when a cookie is being sent,
or to refuse to accept cookies. Some sites, however, cannot
be accessed unless the browser accepts cookies. |
| CPU |
Central Processing Unit. The main processing chip of
a computer. |
| DNS |
(Domain Name Server) – Used to map names to IP addresses
and vice versa. Domain Name Servers maintain central lists
of domain name/IP addresses and map the domain names in
your Internet requests to other servers on the Internet
until the specified web site is found. |
| Domain Name |
The unique name that identifies an Internet site. Domain
Names always have 2 or more parts, separated by dots. The
part on the left is the most specific, and the part on the
right is the most general. A given machine may have more
than one Domain Name but a given Domain Name points to only
one machine. For example, the domain names: matisse.net
mail.matisse.net workshop.matisse.net can all refer to the
same machine, but each domain name can refer to no more
than one machine. Usually, all of the machines on a given
Network will have the same thing as the right-hand portion
of their Domain Names (matisse.net in the examples above).
It is also possible for a Domain Name to exist but not be
connected to an actual machine. This is often done so that
a group or business can have an Internet e-mail address
without having to establish a real Internet site. In these
cases, some real Internet machine must handle the mail on
behalf of the listed Domain Name. |
| Driver |
A piece of software that tells the computer how to operate
an external device, such as a printer, hard disk, CD-ROM
drive, or scanner. For instance, you can't print unless
you have a printer driver. Hard disk drivers are invisible
files that are loaded into memory when you start the computer,
while scanner drivers are usually plug-ins accessed from
within a particular application. |
| DSL |
A method for moving data over regular phone lines. A
DSL circuit is much faster than a regular phone connection,
and the wires coming into the subscriber's premises are
the same (copper) wires used for regular phone service.
A DSL circuit must be configured to connect two specific
locations, similar to a leased line (howeverr a DSL circuit
is not a leased line. A common configuration of DSL allows
downloads at speeds of up to 1.544 megabits (not megabytes)
per second, and uploads at speeds of 128 kilobits per second.
This arrangement is called ADSL: Asymmetric Digital Subscriber
Line. Another common configuration is symmetrical: 384 Kilobits
per second in both directions. In theory ADSL allows download
speeds of up to 9 megabits per second and upload speeds
of up to 640 kilobits per second. DSL is now a popular alternative
to Leased Lines and ISDN, being faster than ISDN and less
costly than traditional Leased Lines. |
| DVD |
Digital video disk; a type of compact disc that holds
far more information than the CD-ROMs that are used for
storing music files. A DVD can hold a minimum of 4.7 GB,
enough for a full-length movie. MPEG-2 is used to compress
video data for storage on a DVD. DVD drives are backward-compatible
and can play CD-ROMs.
|
| Database |
A collection of information organized and presented
to serve a specific purpose. (A telephone book is a common
database.) A computerized database is an updated, organized
file of machine readable information that is rapidly searched
and retrieved by computer. |
| Email |
noun electronic mail; system of sending
messages through the internet; e-mail |
| Firewall |
A firewall is a set of related programs, located at
a network gateway server, that protects the resources of
a private network from users from other networks. Basically,
a firewall, working closely with a router program, filters
all network packets to determine whether to forward them
toward their destination. A firewall is often installed
away from the rest of the network so that no incoming request
can get directly at private network resources. There are
a number of firewall screening methods. A simple one is
to screen requests to make sure they come from acceptable
(previously identified) domain names and IP addresses. For
mobile users, firewalls allow remote access in to the private
network by the use of secure logon procedures and authentication
certificates. |
| Firewire |
A type of cabling technology for transferring data to
and from digital devices at high speed. Some professional
digital cameras and memory card readers connect to the computer
over FireWire. FireWire card readers are typically faster
than those that connect via USB. Also known as IEEE 1394,
FireWire was invented by Apple Computer but is now commonly
used with Windows-based PCs as well.
|
| Flash |
Flash is an application published by the Macromedia
company. Think of Flash as a 'window' that is displayed
within the HTML environment. You have complete control of
the window. You can display animations. You can make the
animations clickable. You can make text move and change.
Flash is very fast because it draws graphics on the fly,
rather than storing text or graphics as complete images.
(Although Flash can also display photographic images and
illustrations). Flash gives you much more creative room
than HTML, but it requires a 'plug-in', a piece of code
on your computer that runs Flash. The newer browsers automatically
come with Flash. If your user has an older browser, and
they don't already have Flash, they will be asked to download
it. If they agree to download Flash, they will be sent to
the Macromedia site where they will need to click on a few
things to receive Flash. If they haven't already downloaded
Flash, you might lose them at this point. It is a tradeoff.
|
| Flash Memory |
A special form of non-volatile EEPROM that can be erased
at signal levels normally found inside the PC, so that you
can reprogram the contents with whatever you like without
pulling the chips out of your computer. Also, once a flash
memory has been programmed, you can remove the expansion
board it is mounted on and plug it into another computer
if you wish.
|
| Format |
Formatting a disk organizes the magnetic surfaces into
tracks and sectors. In word processing, format refers to
the physical appearance of a document, and includes such
items as margins, line spacing, etc. In Excel, format refers
to how numbers are shown (length, decimal points, etc.)
|
| Freeware |
A form of software distribution where the author retains
copyright of the software, but makes the program available
to others at no cost. Freeware is often distributed on bulletin
boards, or through user groups. The program may not be resold
or distributed by others for profit. |
| floppy disk |
noun small, removable magnetic disc for
(permanent) storing of data; diskette |
| Gateway |
The technical meaning is a hardware or software set-up
that translates between two dissimilar protocols, for example
America Online has a gateway that translates between its
internal, proprietary e-mail format and Internet e-mail
format. Another, sloppier meaning of gateway is to describe
any mechanism for providing access to another system, e.g.
AOL might be called a gateway to the Internet. |
| GUI |
Graphical User Interface. The most commonly used computer
interface, exemplified by Microsoft Windows and MacOS. Typical
elements of a GUI are a mouse interface and a system of
visual directories that look like file folders. |
| hard disk |
noun fixed, magnetic disc inside a PC
for (permanent) storing of data |
| Hacker |
A slang term for a computer enthusiast. Among professional
programmers, the term hacker implies an amateur or a programmer
who lacks formal training. Depending on how it used, the
term can be either complimentary or derogatory, although
it is developing an increasingly derogatory connotation.
The pejorative sense of hacker is becoming more prominent
largely because the popular press has co-opted the term
to refer to individuals who gain unauthorised access to
computer systems for the purpose of stealing and corrupting
data. Hackers, themselves, maintain that the proper term
for such individuals is cracker. |
| Handle |
A value that uniquely identifies something such as a
file or data structure. Handles are meaningful only to the
software that creates and uses them but are passed by other
software to identify things. ODBC defines handles for environments,
connections, statements, and descriptors. An unsigned long
(32-bit) integer assigned by Windows NT or Windows 95 to
uniquely identify an instance (occurrence) of an object,
such as a file or a window. |
| Hard Drive |
A permanent data storage device built into all desktop
PCs that permits you to save and retrieve information, and
that stores the computer's operating system and other software.
The size of a hard drive is usually expressed in gigabytes. |
| Host |
Any computer on a network that is a repository for services
available to other computers on the network. It is quite
common to have one host machine provide several services,
such as SMTP (email) and HTTP (web). |
| HTML |
(HyperText Markup Language) -- The coding language used
to create Hypertext documents for use on the World Wide
Web. HTML looks a lot like old-fashioned typesetting code,
where you surround a block of text with codes that indicate
how it should appear, additionally, in HTML you can specify
that a block of text, or a word, is linked to another file
on the Internet. HTML files are meant to be viewed using
a World Wide Web Client Program, such as Netscape or Mosaic.
|
| Hypertext |
Generally, any text that contains links to other documents.
Words or phrases in the document that can be chosen by a
reader and which cause another document (usually a Web page)
to be retrieved and displayed. A link doesn't just have
to be text, however--pictures and icons can also be "clickable." |
| hardware |
noun the mechanical and electronic parts
of a computer, not the software |
| Icon |
On a system like Windows or Macintosh that uses a graphical
user interface (GUI), a small picture or symbol that represents
some object or function. Examples: a file folder for a directory;
a rectangle with a bent corner for a file; or a miniature
illustration for a program. |
| Intranet |
A private network inside a company or organization,
which uses software like that used on the Internet, but
is for internal use only, and is not accessible to the public.
Companies use Intranets to manage projects, provide employee
information, distribute data and information, etc. |
| input |
noun data entered into a computer (by
keyboard, floppy disk etc) - alsoverb |
| keyboard |
noun the alphanumeric keys or buttons
used to input data [QWERTY = 1st 5 keys] |
| Mainframe |
A very large computer capable of supporting hundreds
of users running a variety of different programs simultaneously.
Often the distinction between small mainframes and minicomputers
is vague and may depend on how the machine is marketed.
Example of a mainframe: the OIT-administered IBM computer
that supports TSO and WYLBUR |
| Mirror |
An FTP server that copies the same files from another
server, and provides another site to download the files.
The mirrored site is independent of the original. Some FTP
servers get so many people downloading the same files that
other servers have to be set up to mirror them and spread
the load to more than one site. A mirror site is an exact
replica of the original site, and is usually updated frequently
to ensure that it reflects the same content as the original
site. They are used to make access to the files faster when
the original site may be farther away, or running on a smaller
server. Typically, the site that is the mirror will be in
a better location to where more people can access the information
quickly, and it will run faster as well, especially during
high traffic times. Mirrored sites can give access to products
such as pictures or simply have daily mail on them. They
can be used for a wide variety. |
| Motherboard |
The main circuit board of a microcomputer. The motherboard
contains the connectors for attaching additional boards.
Typically, the motherboard contains the CPU, BIOS, memory,
mass storage interfaces, serial and parallel ports, expansion
slots, and all the controllers required to control standard
peripheral devices, such as the display screen, keyboard,
and disk drive. Collectively, all these chips that reside
on the motherboard are known as the motherboard's chipset.
On most PCs, it is possible to add memory chips directly
to the motherboard. You may also be able to upgrade to a
faster CP by replacing the CPU chip. To add additional core
features, you may need to replace the motherboard entirely. |
| MP3 |
A compressed audio format that is popular for downloading
across the internet and for use with memory-based audio
players. Files may be recorded on CD-R or CD-RW media for
playback in compatible DVD players, audio CD players, and
CD-ROM drives. Files are usually named as "*.mp3". Sound
quality varies as a function of the recording/encoding bit
rate. In our opinion, anything recorded with less than 128
kbps data rate will sound degraded. For a high fidelity
home audio system, we would recommend MP3s encoded at no
less than 256 kbps data rate. Anything less would mean too
much compression was used at the cost of sound fidelity. |
| Multimedia |
The delivery of information, usually to a personal computer,
in a combination of different formats including text, graphics,
animation, audio, and video. |
| memory |
noun part of a computer for (temporary)
storing of data - see ram |
| modem |
noun device that converts data to a form
that can be transmitted by telephone etc |
| operating system |
noun software that communicates with hardware,
enabling applications to run |
| output |
noun data delivered by a computer (by
printer, screen etc) - also verb |
| Perl |
Practical Extraction and Reporting Language, a robust
programming language frequently used for creating CGI programs
on Web servers because it is faster than UNIX shell script
programs, it can read and write binary files, and it can
process very large files. |
| Plug-in |
A small piece of software that enriches a larger piece
of software by adding features or functions. Plug-ins enable
browsers to play audio and video. You can expand the capability
of your browser by "plugging in" various tools to let you
see and hear certain things, such as audio or video files.
When your browser needs a plug-in you don't have yet, it
will tell you it's encountered an "unknown file type." SBC
Yahoo! already provides the most popular plug-ins, including
Shockwave (for audio and video), RealAudio (audio that broadcasts
to your computer like a radio station), and MPEG play (more
video). Plug-ins are very similar to another kind of Web
tool called helper apps. |
| Portal |
Usually used as a marketing term to described a web
site that is or is intended to be the first place people
see when using the web. Typically, a portal site has a catalog
of web sites, a search engine, or both. A portal site also
may offer e-mail and other service to entice people to use
that site as their main "point of entry" (hence "portal"
to the web). |
| peripheral |
noun equipment linked to a computer [eg:
printer, scanner, modem, mouse etc] |
| program |
noun software that contains coded instructions
to control a computer - alsoverb |
| Root |
(1) An administrative account with special privileges.
For example, only the root account can load kernel extensions.(2)
In graph theory, the base of a tree. (3) root directory:
The base of a file system tree. (4) root file system: The
primary file system off which a computer boots, so named
because it includes the root node of the file system tree. |
| Router |
A device that determines the next network point to which
a data packet should be forwarded enroute toward its destination.
The router is connected to at least two networks and determines
which way to send each data packet based on its current
understanding of the state of the networks it is connected
to. Routers create or maintain a table of the available
routes and use this information to determine the best route
for a given data packet. |
| RAM |
abbreviaton for random access memory [it
goes away when one switches off] |
| Search Engine |
A tool that enables users to locate information on the
World Wide Web. Search engines use keywords entered by users
to find Web sites which contain the information sought.
Some search engines are specifically designed to find Web
sites intended for children. |
| Shareware |
Copyrighted software available for downloading on a
free, limited trial basis; if you decide to use the software,
you're expected to register and pay a small fee. By doing
this, you become eligible for assistance and updates from
the author. Contrast to public domain software which is
not copyrighted or to freeware which is copyrighted but
requires no usage fee. |
| Spam |
Unsolicited "junk" e-mail sent to large numbers of people
to promote products or services. Sexually explicit unsolicited
e-mail is called "porn spam." Also refers to inappropriate
promotional or commercial postings to discussion groups
or bulletin boards. |
| Streaming |
A technology for transmitting electronic information
in a stream, rather than in a complete package. This technology
has enabled more accessible Internet audio and video. Audio,
and especially video, files tend to be large, which makes
downloading and accessing them as a complete package a very
time-consuming operation. With streaming technology, however,
the files can be downloaded and accessed at the same time,
which makes using them much faster and easier. Streaming
is the technology behind RealPlayer and TiVO. |
| screen |
noun the surface area of the visual display
unit on which the image is formed |
| software |
noun the programs, routines etc for a
computer, not the hardware |
| Template |
Refers to a web page template that applies to all ClassWeb
pages on our (or your) server. ClassWeb generates web pages
for individual files that are based upon a common template,
and thus are exactly alike in terms of layout, style, etc.
The differences between ClassWeb sites are due to the course
specific information that the page "calls" from our (or
your) database. |
| Text Editor |
Any program which will do even the most basic word processing
and will save files to standard ASCII text. Check your program's
manual if you are unsure of how this would be done, as different
programs will do things differently. |
| Token |
Authentication token: a hardware device that generates
a one-time password to authenticate its owner; also sometimes
applied to software programs that generate one-time passwords.
E-mail token: a data item in the header of an encrypted
e-mail message that holds an encrypted copy of the secret
key used to encrypt the message; usually encrypted with
the recipient’s key so that only the recipient can decrypt
it. In a network, a token is a special group of bits that
travel around a token ring. If a computer wants to communicate
on a network, it gains permission by capturing the token.
Only one token at a time may be active on a network, and
the token may only travel in one direction around the ring. |
| Trinitron |
This is arguably the best consumer CRT (Cathode Ray
Tube) in existence. The technology was developed by Sony
Corporation, who owns complete rights to it. The Trinitron
design has helped the company lead the market in the manufacturing
of TVs and monitors for many years. The difference between
a Trinitron tube and most other tubes is that the Trinitron
uses an aperture grille instead of a shadow mask for creating
the image on the screen. Considering you most likely know
exactly what those are, not, I'll explain them. An aperture
grille consists of wires stretched vertically down the screen
(allowing for a vertically flat screen). A shadow mask is
basically a metal plate with holes in it, where light can
pass through. Because Trinitron monitors are vertically
flat, they have less image distortion and less glare than
most other monitors. If you look very closely at a Trinitron
screen, you should see one or two very thin dark horizontal
lines that span the width of the screen. These lines are
small wires that support the aperture grille. |
| Upload |
To send a file from one computer to another via modem,
network, or serial cable. With a modem-based communications
link, the process generally involves the requesting computer
instructing the remote computer to prepare to receive the
file on its disk and wait for the transmission to begin. |
| URL |
Uniform Resource Locator, the global address of documents
and other resources on the World Wide Web. The first part
of the address indicates what protocol to use, and the second
part specifies the IP address or the domain name where the
resource is located. |
| Veronica |
(Very Easy Rodent Oriented Net-wide Index to Computerized
Archives) -- Developed at the University of Nevada, Veronica
is a constantly updated database of the names of almost
every menu item on thousands of gopher servers. The Veronica
database can be searched from most major gopher menus. This
is a search utility that helps find information on gopher
servers. Veronica allows users to enter keywords to locate
the gopher site holding the desired information. The name
is an acronym for "Very easy rodent oriented net-wide index
of computerized archives." |
| Virus |
A program or piece of code that is loaded onto your
computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes.
Most viruses can also replicate themselves and spread to
other computers. All computer viruses are man made. Antivirus
programs periodically check your computer system for the
best-known types of viruses. |
| Web Ring |
An arrangement for finding web sites in which a group
of people whose web sites all had some interest in common
would provide links to a central server. That server would
keep track of the web sites in the ring, so that a user
could click on a "Next" button on one web site, and be taken
to the next web site in the web ring. The theory is that
people who are interested in the topic of one web site might
also be interested in another web site on the same topic. |
| Webmaster |
An individual who manages a Web site. Depending on the
size of the site, the Webmaster might be responsible for
any of the following: making sure that the Web server hardware
and software is running properly, designing the Web site,
creating and updating Web pages, replying to user feedback,
monitoring traffic through the site. |
| White Paper |
A Statement of Policy for the Management of Internet
Names and Addresses released by the U.S. Department of Commerce
in June 1998 in response to comments received to the Green
Paper recommendations published in January 1998. Among other
things, the White Paper called for the creation of a global,
not-for-profit organization that would eventually assume
the responsibility for coordinating four key functions for
the Internet: the management of the domain name system,
the allocation of IP address space, the assignment of protocol
parameters, and the management of the root server system. |
| Windows |
A family of operating systems for personal computers,
Windows dominates the personal computer world, running,
by some estimates, on 90% of all personal computers. Like
the Macintosh operating environment, Windows provides a
graphical user interface (GUI), virtual memory management,
multitasking, and support for many peripheral devices. In
addition to Windows 3.x and Windows 95, which run on Intel
-based machines, Microsoft also sells Windows NT, a more
advanced operating system that runs on a variety of hardware
platforms. |
| Wizard |
An interactive utility that leads a user through all
of the steps required to complete a complex task. Wizards
produce a step by step guide for the user, with each possible
alternative displayed. If a condition occurs which prevents
a step from being completed, methods for resolving the problem
are presented. When the problem is resolved, the user is
returned to the next step in the process, until the task
has been completed. |
| WYSIWYG |
abbreviaton for What You See Is What You
Get [data prints out exactly as on the screen] |
