Module 9: Internet Jargon

A basic glossary of internet terminology

Attachment - A file that is attached to an e-mail.

Bookmarks - Favorite web addresses or URLs that are saved in a browser program. Also known as "favorites".

Browse - To look around the internet at various information by choosing hyperlinks. Also referred to as surfing.

Browser - Software program that allows you to browse the internet. Also known as a web browser.

Button - A graphical representation of an electrical button inside of a software program.

Cursor - The indicator on the screen that represents the point the mouse is at.

Data - Numbers, characters or images in a form which can be input, stored, and processed by computers. 

Database - An organized collection of information.

Dial-up - Method of connecting to the internet that involves a computer modem dialing through a telephone line.

Download - To transfer a file or program from a remote spot to your computer.

Drop down menu - A menu at the top of several software programs, which has a visible title and contents that are shown only when you left click the title.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) - A family of digital telecommunications protocols designed to allow high speed data communication over the existing copper telephone lines between end-users and telephone companies.

E-mail - Electronic mail sent over the internet.

E-mail client - A program made specifically for organizing e-mails.

Favorites - Favorite web addresses or URLs that are saved in a browser program. Also known as "bookmarks".

File - An element of data storage used in a computer file system.

Floppy disk - A small plastic magnetic disk enclosed in a stiff envelope with a radial slit, used to store data or programs for a microcomputer.

Folder - A directory of a collection of computer files, graphically represented as a manilla folder.

Freeware - Software that is free for use.

Hard drive - Computer hardware that holds and spins a magnetic or optical disk and reads and writes information on it.

High speed - Internet connection service that transfers data at a rate faster than 56k bits per second.

Homepage - The web page a user's browser is configured to load each time it is started.

HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) - A set of tags and rules for using them in developing hypertext documents.

HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) - A protocol to transfer hypertext requests and information between servers and browsers.

Hyperlink - A link from one hypertext file to another location or file, activated by left clicking on a highlighted word or icon. Also known as a link.

Icon - A small picture intended to represent a file, directory, or action.

Internet - A worldwide network of computers that use the TCP/IP protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange.

Internet service provider - A company which provides other companies or individuals with access to, or presence on, the Internet.

Keyword - A term that can be found in an article, which you use to look for the article during a search. The keyword can be a subject, author, or part of a title. 

Link - A link from one hypertext file to another location or file, activated by left clicking on a highlighted word or icon. Also known as a hyperlink.

Modem - An electronic device for converting between serial data from a computer and an audio signal suitable for transmission over a telephone line connected to another modem.

Mouse - A hardware device used for computer pointing.

MP3 - A file format for music files.

Peer-to-peer - A communication system between computers that use the same formats.

Pop-up menu - A menu that shows up when you right click on the mouse.

Screenshot - A picture of the screen displayed which can be saved like any other digital picture.

Scroll wheel - The wheel in the middle of the mouse that can be used to scroll up and down the computer screen.

Scrolling - Changing the part of a long computer document you are looking at by moving up or down the screen.

Search engine - A software program that is used to retrieve documents from the internet, based on document content.

Shareware - Software that has been copyrighted but is sold to users with permission to copy it and give it to others, usually with the request for donations to the providers of the software.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) - A set of protocols developed for the internet in the 1970s.

Toolbar - A collection of visible graphical buttons that allow the performance of tasks inside a software program.

Tutorial - A web based lesson that uses hyperlinks for navigation.

Unlimited access - The ability to connect to the internet for an unlimited amount of time.

URL (Universal Resource Locator) - A web page address.

User-friendly - Easy for a person to use.

Virus - A program or piece of code that "infects" one or more other programs by embedding a copy of itself in them.

Web browser -  Software program that allows you to browse the internet. Also known as a browser.

Website - A series of web pages.

Word document - A document written using the Microsoft Word software program.

WWW (World Wide Web) - The computer network consisting of a collection of internet sites that offer text and graphics and sound and animation resources through the hypertext transfer protocol.

 

Module 10: Useful Links

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