Section 2: APPLICATIONS AND SOFTWARE
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
COMMONLY USED APPLICATIONS
OBTAINING SOFTWARE
DOWNLOADING SOFTWARE
SECURITY
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Section 3: EXPLORING THE INTERNET
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
INTERNET ACCESS
USING THE INTERNET
MAKING THE MOST OF THE INTERNET
INTERNET SECURITY AND SAFETY
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Section 4: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
GENERAL INFORMATION
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
INTERNET
ONLINE COMPUTER EDUCATION
ONLINE COMPUTER TRAINING

Section 5: GLOSSARY OF COMPUTER AND INTERNET TERMS

SITE FEEDBACK
Suggestions and Comments

Access Provider: The remote computer system to which you connect your personal computer and through which you connect to the Internet. An access provider, or ISP, is the company that provides you with Internet access and, in some cases, an online account on their computer network.

ActiveX: Since most web pages are static documents with little interactivity, Microsoft created a programming language, called ActiveX, to remedy this situation. Similar to Netscape plug-ins, ActiveX "controls" promise to make the web-surfing experience comparable to that of highly produced CD-ROMS, where you can listen to music, watch animation and video clips, and interact with the program, extending the capabilities of the web browser.

Adobe Acrobat Reader: A software program developed by Adobe Systems, Inc., used to view files in PDF format. The software displays documents with the same layout and design as the original.

ADSL: An acronym for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, ADSL is a method of transmitting data over traditional copper telephone lines at speeds higher than were previously possible. Data can be downloaded at speeds of up to 1.544 Megabits per second and uploaded at speeds of 128 Kilobits per second. (That's why it's termed asymmetric.) This technology is well suited to the Web, where much more data is sent from a server to your computer than you send to the server.

AOL: Acronym for America Online, which is one type of Internet service provider (or ISP).

Applet: A small software application, typically in the Java programming language, that provides a dynamic and interactive quality to a web page.

Applications: Software programs that help with a type of work that people acquire computer systems to do, such as word processing; commonly called applications programs or applications, and contrasts with systems software.

ASCII: Acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange, a 7-bit code that represents the most basic letters of the Roman alphabet, numbers, and other characters used in computing. ASCII characters allow us to communicate with computers, which use their own language called binary made up of 0's and 1's. When we type ASCII characters from the keyboard (which looks like words to us), the computer interprets them as binary so they can be read, manipulated, stored and retrieved. ASCII files are called text files.

Attachment: A text or graphics file that is sent along with an email message. E-mail attachments are often used in business to send documents back and forth between companies. Also very popular is the ability to send a photo e-mail attachment to family and friends.

Bandwidth: The maximum amount of data that can travel a communications path in a given time, usually measured in seconds. If you think of the communications path as a pipe, then bandwidth represents the width of the pipe that determines how much data can flow through it all at once.

BBS: Acronym for Bulletin Board System--a system that lets people read each other's messages and post new ones. The Usenet is, in effect, the world's largest distributed BBS. Typically, the term BBS is used to describe private systems run by individuals that often require membership.

Binary File: Unlike an ASCII file, a binary file contains more than plain text. It may contain additional code information for photos, sounds, a spreadsheet, or formatted word-processing text. Like an ASCII file, a binary file is made up of machine-readable symbols that represent 1's and 0's. Binary files include sound files, graphics files and software, and are frequently called binaries. If you want to transmit a file over the Internet, such as downloading a piece of software, a sound or picture file, or a formatted word-processing document, choose the "binary" option. If the file is simply unformatted text, choose the "ASCII" or "text" option.

Bit: Short for binary digit, a bit is the smallest unit of data a computer can handle. Bits are used in various combinations to represent different kinds of data. Each bit has a value of 0 or 1, represent on or off, true or false.

Bitmapped Image: A bitmapped image is one made from an array of dots rather than continuous lines or areas. You can recognize bitmapped image files by the .bmp file extension.

Bps: This is an abbreviation for bits per second and a measurement of how fast data is transmitted. Bps is usually used to describe modem speeds or the speed of a digital connection.

Browser: A software program that allows you to view and interact with various kinds of Internet resources by accessing and displaying files available on the World Wide Web. Examples of browsers, commonly called web browsers, are Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer.

Byte: The basic unit of storage on a computer, one byte is a series of bits of a particular length that holds approximately one letter, number, or other character. A byte usually comprises eight bits. A kilobyte (or 1 K) represents 1024 bytes, and a megabyte (1 Mb) represents one thousand "K" bytes, or one million bytes.

Cache: When you download a web page, the data is "cached," meaning it is temporarily stored on your computer. The next time you want that page, instead of requesting the file from the web server, your web browser just accesses it from the cache, so the page loads more quickly. But if the web page is updated frequently, as are pages with news, sports scores or financial data, you won't see the most current information. Use the Reload or Refresh button on your browser to download fresh data from the server.

CD-R Drive: An acronym for Compact Disk Recordable drive, a type of disk drive that can create CD-ROMs and audio CDs. Also called a CD burner, this allows users to "master" a CD-ROM or audio CD for publishing. Until recently, CD-R drives were quite expensive, but prices have dropped dramatically.

CD-ROM: An acronym for Compact Disk Read-Only Memory, a CD-ROM is a storage medium for digital data that can hold up to 1GB, although the most common size is 650MB. A single CD-ROM has the storage capacity of 700 floppy disks--enough memory to store about 300,000 text pages.

CD-ROM Drive: Also called a CD-ROM player, a device that can read information from a CD-ROM. CD-ROM drive can be either internal, in which case they fit in a bay, or external, in which case they generally connect to the computer's SCSI interface or parallel port. Parallel CD-ROM players are easier to install, but they have several disadvantages: They're somewhat more expensive than internal players, they use up the parallel port which means that you can't use that port for another device such as a printer, and the parallel port itself may not be fast enough to handle all the data pouring through it.

CD-RW: An acronym for Compact Disk Rewritable, a CD-RW is a storage medium for digital data that can create CD-ROMs and audio CDs, and then record over them.

Central Processing Unit: The piece of equipment, also known as the microprocessor, that interprets and executes program instructions and communicates with support devices.

Chat: Real-time communication between two users via computer. Once a chat has been initiated, either user can enter text by typing on the keyboard, and the entered text will appear on the other user's monitor. Chats can involve two or more people. Most networks and online services offer a chat feature.

Chat Room: An electronic space, typically a website or a section of an online service, where people can go to communicate online in real time. Chat rooms are often organized around specific interests, such as small-business owners, gardening, etc.

Cookie: A file sent to a web browser by a web server that is used to record one's activities on a website. For instance, when you buy items from a site and place them in a so-called virtual shopping cart, that information is stored in the cookie. When the browser requests additional files, the cookie information is sent back to the server. Most cookies have an expiration date and either reside in your computer's memory until you close your browser or saved to your hard drive. Cookies cannot read information stored in your computer.

Copy and Paste: The technique used to copy text or graphics from one software application and paste into another. For example, you may copy a website address from your browser, and then send it to a friend in an e-mail message.

CPU: Acronym for Central Processing Unit, the CPU, commonly known as the processor, is the brains of your machine, performing the majority of the millions of operations that make your computer capable of the tasks you use it for.

Cursor: The corresponding shape (arrow, finger, vertical flashing line, etc.) onscreen that moves around when you move your mouse. Also referred to as the mouse pointer. In text documents, clicking with the mouse will place a flashing cursor onscreen, and when you type that is where the text will appear.

Cyberspace: Colloquialism for the world of the Internet and World Wide Web. The term was coined by science fiction author, William Gibson, to describe the whole range of information resources available through computer networks.

Database: A structured format for organizing and maintaining information that can be easily retrieved. A simple example of a database is a table or a spreadsheet.

Desktop: When you switch on your PC, after Windows has completed loading, the Windows Desktop will appear. This is the first full screen that you see after your computer is started up that contains the little pictures (or icons) that you click on to go to various files or programs, such as My Computer, Recycle Bin, Word or Internet Explorer, and the Taskbar.

Desktop Computer: A personal computer that can fit on an end user's desk and perform business-computing tasks. Also, especially if linked to a network of other computers, it may be referred to as a workstation.

Desktop Publishing: Producing high quality printed documents, such as brochures, flyers, greeting cards, newsletters, etc., using your personal computer.

Device: Any machine or component that attaches to a computer, such as disk drives, printers, mice, and modems.

Device Driver: A program required by most devices that acts as a translator, converting general commands from an application into specific commands that the device understands.

Dial-Up Account: This is one type of account available for connecting to the Internet, which utilizes the same cabling used for normal telephones and works with your computer's modem..

Directory: A system that your computer uses to organize files on the basis of specific information. Directories can be organized hierarchically so that files appear in a number of different ways, such as the order in which they were created, alphabetically by name or by type, and other ways.

Disk Drive: A machine that reads data from and writes data onto a disk. A disk drive rotates the disk very fast, and has one or more heads that reads and writes data.

Domain Name: The unique name that identifies one or more IP addresses. Domain names are used in URLs to identify particular Web pages. For example, in the URL http://www.i-lead.org/index.html, the domain name is i-lead.org.

Dpi: This is an abbreviation for dots per inch, a measurement of print image resolution and quality. A larger number of dots allows for more detail, and therefore a higher resolution image. The average laser printer has a resolution of 300 x 300 dpi, which means it can print 300 dots per inch horizontally and 300 dots per inch vertically, or 90,000 dots per square inch. A high-resolution, professional quality laser printer prints at 1200 dpi or 2400 dpi.

Download: Downloading is the method by which users access and save or "pull down" software or other files to their own computers from a remote computer, usually via a modem.

DSL: This is one type of account available for connecting to the Internet. An acronym for Digital Subscriber Line, DSL is a method of transmitting data over traditional copper telephone lines at speeds higher than were previously possible.

DVD: An acronym for Digital Versatile Disk, a DVD is a storage medium for digital data that can hold between 4.7 GB to 17 GB of data.

DVD Drive: DVD drives play both CD-ROM and DVD disks.

E-mail: Short for electronic mail, e-mail is the ability to send and receive messages through a communications network, namely the Internet, using your computer. It consists of messages, including text documents and photo files, sent from one user to another via a network. E-mail can also be sent automatically to a number of addresses. Instead of posting letters, you send and receive short or long messages through your PC over ordinary phone lines.

E-mail Address: This refers to a computer mailing address to which electronic mail may be sent. Each computer system handles e-mail addressing differently, but relies on various protocols for exchanging mail with other, dissimilar systems.

Emoticon: Another name for a "smiley," an emoticon is a sequence of keyboard characters used to punctuate a message or posting by expressing the writer's emotional state. For example: a smile :-)

Encryption: A way of coding the information in a file or e-mail message so that if it is intercepted by a third party as it travels over a network it cannot be read. Only the person or persons that have the right type of decoding software can unscramble the message.

Executable File: An executable file refers to a program file. Executables in DOS and Windows usually have an .exe or a .com extension. In UNIX and Macintosh environments, executable files can have any name.

External Viewer: An additional piece of software that "helps" your browser interpret and display specific file types that it doesn't have the built-in ability to do itself.

Extranet: A network that allows a company to share information with other businesses and customers. For example, many public companies allow stockholders to view their financials this way. Extranets transmit information over the Internet and require a user to have a password to access data on internal company servers. Extranet users are given a login and password, which tells the computer specifically what information they are entitled to view.

FAQ: An acronym for Frequently Asked Questions, FAQs are online documents that list and answer the most common questions on a particular subject. There are hundreds of FAQs on the Internet on subjects as diverse as gardening and virtual reality.

File Compression: A way of reducing the size of one or more files, so that they don't take up a lot of space on a server or hard drive and can travel faster over a network. File compression is accomplished with software that uses mathematical equations (algorithms) to condense repeated data into smaller codes. You need another separate software program, such as WinZip, to decompress (expand) the data, and restore it to its original form.

Firewall: A combination hardware and software buffer that many companies or organizations have in place between their internal networks and the Internet. A firewall allows only specific kinds of messages from the Internet to flow in and out of the internal network. This protects the internal network from intruders or hackers who might try to use the Internet to break into those systems.

Floppy Disk: Also called a diskette, a floppy disk is the magnetic storage medium used to store and transfer data, that can hold about 1.44 MB of data.

Floppy Disk Drive (or FDD): A disk drive that can read and write to floppy disks.

Forms: Web pages comprised of text and "fields" for a user to fill in with information. They are an excellent way of collecting and processing information from people visiting a website, as well as allowing them to interact with web pages. Forms are written in HTML and processed by CGI programs. The output can be sent as an e-mail form, stored online, printed and/or returned to the user as an HTML page. When you enter a keyword in the search field of an Internet directory, you are filling in a form. It is then processed by a CGI program, returning a list of possible matches with your keyword. Forms are also used for online catalogs, surveys, requests for information, and conferencing.

Freeware: Copyrighted software given away for free by the author. Although it is available for free, the author retains the copyright, which means that you cannot do anything with it that is not expressly allowed by the author.

FTP: Acronym for File Transfer Protocol -- a very common method of transferring one or more files from one computer to another. FTP is a specific way to connect to another Internet site to retrieve and send files.

GIF: Acronym for Graphics Interchange Format, GIF is a graphics file format that uses a compression scheme originally developed by CompuServe. Because GIF files are compressed, the file can be quickly and easily transmitted over a network. That's why it is the most commonly used graphics format on the World Wide Web.

Gigabyte (G or GB): One gigabyte is equal to 1,024 megabytes.

Gopher: An application that was developed at the University of Minnesota to help organize files on the Internet. Named after the school's football mascot, Gopher is a subject-based, menu-driven guide to finding and retrieving directories of information on the Internet.

Hacker: Slang term for a technically sophisticated computer user who enjoys exploring computer systems and programs, sometimes to the point of obsession.

Hard Disk: A magnetic disk on which you can store anywhere from 10 megabytes to several gigabytes of computer data.

Hard Disk Drive (or HDD): Also referred to as the hard drive, the mechanism that reads and writes data on a hard disk.

Hardware: Hard components of your computer system that you can actually see and touch. Your keyboard, monitor, disk drives, mouse, diskettes, CD-ROMs, etc. are all referred to as "hardware." This hardware is what you need to view and/or play computer software.

Home Page: Also referred to as a web page, the home page is the starting point of a Web presentation. It is a sort of table of contents for what is at the website, offering direct links to the different parts of the site.

Host: Any computer directly connected to a network that acts as a repository for services, such as e-mail, Usenet newsgroups, FTP or World Wide Web, available for other computers on the network.

Host Name: Every computer that is directly connected to the Internet has a numerical identification, called an IP address, and a name, called a host name. Most people using the Internet don't need to know the host name of a computer in order to link to it. The Web URLs and e-mail addresses are all you really need to know.

HTML: Acronym for HyperText Markup Language, HTML is the computer authoring language used to create web pages and hypertext documents. HTML uses a finite list of tags that describe the general structure of various kinds of documents linked together on the World Wide Web. Many Web design software, such as Microsoft's Front Page, will create the HTML for you, making it very simple to design basic web pages without HTML experience.

Http: Acronym for HyperText Transfer Protocol, it is the method used to transfer hypertext files across the Internet. On the World Wide Web, pages written in HTML use hypertext to link to other documents. When you click on hypertext, you jump to another web page, sound file, or graphic. Hypertext transfer protocol is the set of standards used by computers to format and transmit messages (or web pages) over the Internet. For example, when you type a Web address into your browser, an HTTP command is sent to the web server, telling it how to get and transmit the desired web page.

Hypertext: Usually refers to any text or an underlined element of a document or page available on the World Wide Web that contains links to other documents. The use of hypertext, or hyperlinks, is a way of presenting information in which text, sounds, images, and actions are linked together in ways that allow you to jump around between them in whatever order you choose. When clicked, it will take you to another place in that document or page, or to an entirely new document or page.

Icon: A small image, usually a symbol, used to graphically represent a software program, file, or function on a computer screen. When you first start up your computer, for example, and get to your desktop, you'll see a screen full of icons that you can click on to take you directly to your programs or files. Icons make it easier to recognize and locate these things.

Image Map: A graphic divided into regions or "hotspots" that, when clicked, accesses a web page that is linked to a particular region. A typical example of an image map is a website that offers national information organized by state. Clicking on a state on a map of the United States calls up the appropriate page.

Instant Messaging: A type of communications service that enables you to create a private chat room with another individual. Typically, the instant messaging system alerts you whenever somebody on your private list is online. You can then initiate a chat session with that particular individual.

Internet: A matrix of networks connecting millions of computers around the world that all work together to share information. The computer you use to access information, the computer that others use to assemble information, and all the computers in between are considered independent hosts of the Internet, or Net.

Internet Explorer (or IE): A browser software program developed by Microsoft, designed to locate and display Web pages. Internet Explorer is included with the Windows package that is installed on most computers.

Internet Service Provider (or ISP): Also called an Internet provider or access provider, this refers to the remote computer system to which you connect your personal computer and through which you connect to the Internet. Internet service providers that you access by modem and telephone line are often called dial-up services.

Internet Telephony: The conversion of analog speech signals used on current telephone systems into digital data, allowing calls to be sent over the Internet, bypassing long distance charges. While the Internet was first devised as a way of transmitting data, it is now being used to make voice calls. Internet telephony is projected to explode as the costs plummet.

Intranet: Basically a mini-version of an internal Internet, or private network, designed to be used within the confines of a company, university, or organization. Like the Internet itself, intranets are used to share information that needs to be quickly and easily disseminated, such as in-house newsletters or announcements, company policies, phone lists, etc. Until recently most corporations relied on proprietary hardware and software systems to network its computers--a costly and time-consuming process made more difficult when offices are scattered around the world. Even under the best of conditions, sharing information among different hardware platforms, file formats and software is not an easy task. By using off-the-shelf Internet technology, intranets solve this problem, making internal communication and collaboration much simpler.

IP Address: A numeric code that uniquely identifies a particular computer on the Internet. Just as a street address identifies the location of your home or office, every computer or network on the Internet has a unique address, too.

IRC: An acronym for Internet Relay Chat, IRC is a program that allows you to carry on "live" conversations with people all over the world by typing messages back and forth across the Internet. You can talk in groups or in private with only one person. IRC consists of "channels," that are usually devoted to specific topics. Anyone can create a "channel" and any message typed in a given channel is seen by all others in the channel.

ISDN: An acronym for Integrated Services Digital Network, ISDN lines are connections that use ordinary phone lines to transmit digital instead of analog signals, allowing data to be transmitted at a much faster rate than with a traditional modem.

ISP: Acronym for Internet Service Provider, which is the remote computer system to which you connect your personal computer and through which you connect to the Internet. The Internet service provider, or access provider, is the company that provides you with Internet access and, in some cases, an online account on their computer system.

Java: An object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. to create executable content (i.e., self-running applications) that can be easily distributed through networks like the Internet. Developers use Java to create special programs called applets that can be incorporated in web pages to make them interactive. A Java-enabled web browser is required to interpret and run the Java applets.

JavaScript: A scripting language that allows dynamic behavior to be specified within HTML documents.

JPEG: An acronym for Joint Photographic Experts Group, an industry committee that developed a compression standard for still images, JPEG refers to the graphics file format that uses this compression standard. You will find JPEG files on the World Wide Web with the file extension .JPG.

Keyboard: The set of typewriter-like keys that enables you to enter data into a computer. A computer keyboard is an array of switches, each of which sends the PC a unique signal when pressed.

Kilobyte (K or Kb): Technically, a kilobyte is 1,024 bytes, but it is often used loosely as a synonym for 1,000 bytes.

LAN: An acronym for Local Area Network; refers to a local network that connects computers located on the same floor, or in the same building or nearby buildings.

Link: Generally refers to any highlighted or underlined words or phrases in a hypertext document that allow you to jump to another section of the same document or to another document on the World Wide Web. Links are the essence of what makes the World Wide Web so simple to navigate (once you get the hang of it).

Listserv: The heart of an electronic mailing list, Listserv software automatically subscribes and unsubscribes list members, and sends copies of every e-mail message to every list subscriber.

Local Area Network (or LAN): A computer network that spans a relatively small area. Most LANs are confined to a single building, like your home, or group of buildings. Most LANs connect workstations and personal computers. This means that many users can share files, Internet connections, and devices, such as printers, as well as data. Users can also use the LAN to communicate with each other, by sending e-mail or engaging in chat sessions.

Login Name: A login name is the account name used to access a computer system. Also called user ID or user name, it is a way people identify themselves to their online service or Internet access provider.

Lotus Notes: A Lotus Development Corporation software package that provides electronic mail, database design, storage, and processing capabilities

Mailing List: A way of having a group discussion by electronic mail and distributing announcements to a large number of people. A mailing list is very much like a conference on a BBS, except that the conversation comes to you in your e-mail box. Each time you or any member of the list posts a reply to the conversation, it is distributed to the e-mail box of every member of the list. All of this traffic is automated and managed by programs called mailing list managers. The two most frequently used programs are Listserv and Majordomo.

Megabyte (M or MB): When used to describe data storage, one megabyte represents 1,048,576 bytes; when used to describe data transfer rates, as in MBps, it refers to one million bytes.

MHz: Abbreviation for megahertz. One MHz represents one million cycles per second. For example, the speed of the processor inside a PC is measured in MHz.

Microprocessor: Commonly referred to as the central processing unit, or simply processor.

MIME: Acronym for Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension--a standard system for identifying the type of data contained in a file based on its extension. MIME is an Internet protocol that allows you to send binary files across the Internet as attachments to e-mail messages. These files may include graphics, photos, sound and video files, and formatted text documents. MIME negotiates many different operating systems and types of software to perform this amazing feat. Its invention has been a major step forward in the exchange of non-text information over the Internet.

Modem: Short for modulator/demodulator, a modem is a device or program that allows remote computers to communicate, to transmit and receive data using telephone lines. Computer information is stored digitally, whereas information transmitted over telephone lines is transmitted in the form of analog waves. A modem converts between these two forms.

Monitor: Another term for display screen. The term monitor, however, usually refers to the entire box, whereas display screen can mean just the computer screen.

Mouse: A device that controls the movement of the cursor or pointer on a display screen. A mouse is a small object you can roll along a hard, flat surface. Its name is derived from its shape, which looks a bit like a mouse, its connecting wire that one can imagine to be the mouse's tail, and the fact that one must make it scurry along a surface.

MOV: A file extension found on the World Wide Web that denotes a movie or video file in QuickTime format. To play the movie after you download the file, your computer must support the QuickTime format.

MPEG (or MPG): An acronym for Moving Pictures Experts Group, an industry committee that has developed a set of compression standards for moving images (such as film, video and animation) that can be downloaded as .mpeg files, and viewed on a computer.

Multimedia: The use of computers to present text, graphics, video, animation, and sound in an integrated way.

Navigation Tools: Features that allow users to find their way around a website or multimedia presentation. They can be hypertext links, clickable images or icons, or image maps. Navigation tools are usually present either at the bottom or top (or both) of each page or screen, and typically allow users to return to the previous page, move forward to the next page, jump to the top of the current page, and return to the home page.

Netiquette: Netiquette is a form of online etiquette -- an informal code of conduct that governs what is generally considered to be the acceptable way for users to interact with one another online.

Netscape Navigator: The first commercially successful web browser, designed to locate and display Web pages.

Network: Two or more computers connected to each other so they can share resources. The Internet is a "network of networks," whereby anyone -- from an individual at a home with a PC to a large corporate multidepartment system -- can freely and easily exchange information.

Newsgroup: An electronic discussion group consisting of collections of related postings (also called articles) on a particular topic that are posted to a news server, which then distributes them to other participating servers. There are thousands of newsgroups covering a wide range of subjects. You must subscribe to a newsgroup in order to participate in it or to track the discussion on an on-going basis. Unlike a magazine or newspaper subscription, a subscription to a newsgroup is free.

Packet/Packet Switching: A packet is a chunk of information sent over a network. Packet-switching is the process by which a carrier breaks up data into these chunks or packets. Each packet contains the address of origin, the address of its destination, and information about how to reunite with other related packets. This process allows packets from many different locations to co-mingle on the same lines and be sorted and directed to different routes by special machines along the way.

Password: A code or word used to gain access to restricted data on a computer network. While passwords provide security against unauthorized users, the security system can only confirm that the password is legitimate, not whether the user is authorized to use the password. That's why it is important to safeguard passwords.

Patch: A temporary fix to a software program bug. A patch is an actual piece of object code that is inserted into (or patched into) an executable program.

Pathname: This indicates the location of a particular file or directory by outlining the route or "path" from the host name (if the file resides on a remote server) through the directory structure to the desired file name or directory name. Each name in the series of names that define a path is separated by a slash. If the file is located in the current working directory on your computer, it is referred to only by its filename.

PC: Acronym for personal computer or IBM PC, as distinguished from Mac. The first personal computer produced by IBM was called the PC, and increasingly the term PC came to mean IBM or IBM-compatible personal computers, to the exclusion of other types of personal computers, such as Macintoshes.

PDF: An acronym for Portable Document Format, PDF is a file type created by Adobe Systems, Inc. that allows fully formatted, high-resolution, PostScript documents to be easily transmitted across the Internet, and viewed on any computer that has Adobe Acrobat Reader software, which is readily available for free.

Peripheral: A computer device, such as a CD-ROM drive or printer, that is not essential parts of the computer (i.e., the memory and microprocessor). Peripheral devices can be external (such as a mouse, keyboard, printer, monitor, external Zip drive or scanner) or internal (such as a CD-ROM drive, CD-R drive or internal modem). Internal peripheral devices are often referred to as integrated peripherals.

Pixel: Short for picture element, a pixel is the smallest element that can be displayed on a video screen or computer monitor, and is often used as a unit of measurement for image size and resolution. The number of pixels (width and height) in an image defines its size, and the number of pixels in an inch defines the resolution of the image.

PKZIP/PKUNZIP: A software compression utility for the PC that allows you to compress or "zip" a file or a number of files into one archive file in the Zip file format. PKUNZIP decompresses, or "unzips" the files, and comes as part of the PKZIP package. For Windows users, there is WinZip. Both PKZIP and WinZip are available on many public FTP sites.

Plug-in: A small add-on piece of software that conforms to Netscape Navigator standards. Other browsers, however, including Internet Explorer, support many Netscape plug-ins; Explorer actually uses a different software standard, called an ActiveX control, instead of plug-ins. These add-ons extend the capabilities of a web browser, allowing the browser to run multimedia files.

POP: An acronym for Point of Presence, a POP is the local telephone exchange from which you receive service.

POP Server: A POP server uses the Post Office Protocol, to hold users' incoming e-mail until they read or download it.

Port: A connector on a computer to which peripheral devices, such as a printer or modem, are attached (typically, serial ports, parallel ports, and modem ports).

PPP: An acronym for Point-to-Point Protocol, PPP is a communications protocol used to transmit network data over telephone lines. It allows you to connect your computer to the Internet itself, rather than logging on through an Internet service provider's host computer and using UNIX commands through a shell. This type of connection lets you communicate directly with other computers on the network using TCP/IP connections. It is part of the TCP/IP suite of programs necessary to connect to and use the Internet.

Printer: A device that prints text or illustrations on paper. There are many different types of printers, which utilize different technology.

Protocol: The standard or set of rules that two computers use to communicate with each other. Also known as a communications protocol or network protocol, this is a set of standards that assures that different network products or programs can work together. Any product that uses a given protocol should work with any other product using the same protocol. From a user's point of view, the only interesting aspect about protocols is that your computer or device must support the right ones if you want to communicate with other computers. The protocol can be implemented either in hardware or in software.

RAM: An acronym for Random Access Memory, RAM is a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly (i.e., any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes). RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers and other devices, such as printers. In common usage, the term RAM is synonymous with main memory (i.e., the memory available to programs).

Router: A piece of hardware or software that connects two or more networks. A router functions as a sorter and interpreter as it looks at addresses and passes bits of information to their proper destinations. Software routers are sometimes referred to as gateways.

Scanner: A device that can read text or illustrations printed on paper and translate the information into a form the computer can use. A scanner works by digitizing an image -- dividing it into a grid of boxes and representing each box with either a zero or a one, depending on whether the box is filled in. The resulting matrix of bits, called a bit map, can then be stored in a file, displayed on a screen, and manipulated by programs.

SCSI: Acronym for small computer system interface. Pronounced "scuzzy," SCSI is a parallel interface standard used by PCs, Apple Macintosh computers, PCs, and many UNIX systems for attaching peripheral devices to computers.

SDSL: An acronym for Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line, SDSL is a method of transmitting data over traditional copper telephone lines at speeds higher than were previously possible. Data can be downloaded and uploaded at similar speeds. (That's why it's termed symmetric.)

Search Engine: A type of software that creates indexes of databases or Internet sites based on the titles of files, keywords, or the full text of files. A search engine has an interface that allows you to type what you're looking for into a blank field. It then gives you a list of the results of the search. When you use a search engine on the Web, the results are presented to you in hypertext, which means you can click on any item in the list to get the actual file. Commonly used search engines are Yahoo, AltaVista, Lycos, Infoseek and Excite.

Server: A computer that handles requests for data, e-mail, file transfers, and other network services from other computers (i.e., clients).

Shareware: Shareware is software that is freely distributed for a small fee paid on an "honor system." You are not required to pay the fee to try the program, but if you like the software enough to use it, you are expected to send the fee directly to the creator.

Shockwave: Shockwave is a set of programs that allow Macromedia Director animation files to be played over the Internet with a web browser. Possible uses for this type of animation on the Web include online advertising, games, training, and animated logos.

Signature: Text that is automatically included at the bottom of an e-mail message or newsgroup posting to personalize it. This can be anything from a clever quote to some additional information about the sender, such as a title, company name and additional e-mail addresses.

SLIP: An acronym for Serial Line Internet Protocol, SLIP is a communications protocol that, like PPP, allows you to connect your computer to the Internet itself using a telephone line. It is part of the TCP/IP suite of programs necessary to connect to and use the Internet. If you have a dial-up account to an Internet service provider, you are using either PPP or SLIP to make your connection to the Internet. Although SLIP is easy to install and use, it does not provide the error correction or negotiation features that PPP has. For this reason, PPP is rapidly replacing SLIP as the more common standard.

SMTP: An acronym for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, SMTP is the protocol used for routing e-mail across the Internet.

Software: An electronic computer program or data that is viewed or played using computer hardware. Microsoft Windows, for example, is computer software, as are Word, Netscape, and Frogger. If you want to get really technical, the CDs or disks that hold the software are actually hardware, but who wants to get really technical?

Spam: Originally just a canned sandwich filler product, spam now also refers to the practice of blindly posting commercial messages or advertisements to a large number of unrelated and uninterested newsgroups, and bulk e-mailing unsolicited commercial messages. These unsolicited e-mail messages offering everything from "Discover the Secrets of Wealth on the Internet" to "Low-Rate Mortgages" to "Lose 4 - 6 Inches of Stubborn Fat Overnight!" Spam is typically sent to a large list of people, and usually ends up in the electronic trash. (Just like the luncheon meat with the same name, spam is undesirable and comes from an unrecognized source.)

Streaming Media: Refers to multimedia files, such as video clips and audio, which begin playing seconds after they are received by your computer from the World Wide Web. The media is delivered in a "stream" from the server so that you don't have to wait several minutes or longer to download multimedia files.

T1 Line: A high-speed digital connection capable of transmitting data at a rate of approximately 1.5 million bps (bits per second). A T1 line is typically used by small and medium-sized companies with heavy network traffic. It is large enough to send and receive very large text files, graphics, sounds, and databases instantaneously, and is the fastest speed commonly used to connect networks to the Internet. Sometimes referred to as a leased line, a T1 is basically too large and too expensive for individual home use.

TCP/IP: Acronym for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol--the language governing communications between all computers on the Internet. TCP/IP is a set of instructions that dictates how packets of information are sent across multiple networks. It also includes a built-in error-checking capability to ensure that data packets arrive at their final destination in the proper order. IP, or Internet Protocol, is the specification that determines where packets are routed to, based on their destination address. TCP, or Transmission Control Protocol, makes sure that the packets arrive correctly at their destination address. If TCP determines that a packet was not received, it will try to resend the packet until it is received properly.

Telnet: A software program that allows you to log in to other remote computers on the Internet to which you have access. Once you are logged into the remote system, you can download files, engage in conferencing, and perform the same commands as if you were directly connected by computer. You need an Internet account to be able to use a telnet program.

Thread: A thread is a series of related newsgroup, BBS, or e-mail messages on a given subject, including the original message and the subsequent replies.

UNIX: The trademarked name of the multi-user, multitasking, time-sharing operating system developed at AT&T's Bell Labs in 1969. Many websites are maintained on UNIX systems. While technically the name UNIX refers to only a few trademark-licensed versions, it is often used to refer to the many versions currently available on the market. The differences to the user are slight.

Upload: Often confused with downloading, uploading a file means loading it from your computer onto a remote one. Most people do a lot more downloading than uploading.

URL: A website address; an acronym for Uniform Resource Locator, an URL is the address for a resource or site (usually a directory or file) on the World Wide Web, and the convention that web browsers use for locating files and other remote services.

Usenet: Refers to the collection of newsgroups and a set of agreed-upon rules for distributing and maintaining them. More than 13,000 newsgroups exist around the world and the majority of them are a part of Usenet. However, a fairly large number of alternative newsgroups have emerged outside of Usenet.

User Name: Your user name, also called user ID or account name, is the same as your login name. This is the name by which you and your electronic mailbox are identified online.

Viewer: A software application or tool designed to display a specific type of file (usually one that contains something other than text) that your web browser normally can't display on its own. There are viewers to display graphics files, and to play sound or video files.

Virus: A computer virus is a program created specifically to invade computers and networks and wreak havoc on them. The mischief caused can be very minor, such as causing a funny image or cryptic message to be displayed on your screen, or it can do some serious damage by altering or even destroying files.

WAIS: An acronym for Wide Area Information Servers, WAIS is a network information retrieval service that you can use to search for keywords or phrases in specially indexed files. Unlike Gopher, which searches files by their titles, WAIS engines search the full text of files and return a list of documents that contain the keyword you are searching for. Most search engines on the Web use the WAIS method of search and retrieval. Although the name "wide area" implies the use of large networks such as the Internet, WAIS is frequently used to index and retrieve documents on only one machine or on a LAN (local area network).

WAV: A file extension that indicates a type of sound file.

Web Page: A web page is a document created with HTML (or Hypertext Markup Language) that is part of a group of hypertext documents or resources available on the World Wide Web. Collectively, these documents and resources form what is known as a website.

Website: A collection of files, primarily HTML documents, seen as pages, that are linked together and exist on the Web at a particular server. These pages can be viewed through your browser software. Exploring a website usually begins with the home page, which may lead you to more information about that site.

Website Address: The address of the files or resources on the World Wide Web that you wish to locate or browse.

WinZIP: A compression program for Windows that allows you to "zip" and "unzip" Zip files, as well as other standard types of archive files.

World Wide Web: The exact definition of the World Wide Web (popularly known as the Web) varies. Some common descriptions are: A system of Internet servers that supports a collection of documents that are written and formatted using the same type of programming language, called Hypertext Markup Language, or HTML; a collection of resources (such as Gopher, FTP, http, telnet, Usenet, WAIS, and others) that can be accessed via a web browser; a collection of hypertext files available on web servers; and a set of specifications (protocols) that allows the transmission of web pages over the Internet. Documents and web sites are able to be retrieved and viewed when you enter a web site address in your browser, because you are actually sending a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) command to the Web server directing it to find and transmit the requested Web page.

WWW: Acronym for World Wide Web, frequently used as part of a website address.

ZIP: A popular standard for file compression on the PC. You can recognize it by the .zip file extension.

ZIP Drive: A high-capacity floppy disk drive developed by Iomega Corporation. Zip disks are slightly larger than conventional floppy disks, and about twice as thick. They can hold 100 or 250 MB of data. Because they're relatively inexpensive and durable, they have become a popular media for backing up hard disks and for transporting large files.