Jargon Buster
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) - This enables high speed data transfer over traditional copper telephone lines. It is called 'asymmetric' as data is downloaded faster than it is uploaded.
ADSL2+ - This is a form of ADSL that offers even faster top speeds of data transfer.
Attachment - This is a file that has been sent as an attachment in an email, but it is not part of the email. The file (for example a word document) is then downloaded by the recipient.
Avatar - This is an image used as online representation of a person; they are mainly used in chat rooms.
AVI - A video clip format, showing that a file is a video.
Backbone - This is a high-speed telecommunications line used to connect local branches of the Internet.
Bandwidth - This is a way of measuring the speed of data transmission. Bandwidth is measured in bits per second (bps).
BIT - is short for binary digit.
Bitmap (BMP) - is a file of image format.
Blog (web log) - is an online diary used by an author to share information on a particular subject at regular intervals.
Bookmark - This is used to mark the address of a web page in your computers memory. This allows you to refer back to that website at a later time without having to type in the web address.
Bot - This is an automated software program used to carry out specific tasks.
'''BPS (bits per second)=== - This is a measurement of speed as which data is transferred.
Broadband - This is a service that enables large amounts of data to be transferred at fast speeds.
Browser - This is a program that enables you to search the Internet for websites.
Burn - This is a term used to describe the recording of data from a computer hard drive to a CD or DVD.
Byte - This is a measurement of computer storage space. There are 1024 bytes in one kilobyte (1KB), 1024 KB in a megabyte (MB) and 1024 MB in a gigabyte (GB).
Chat - This is the term to describe 2 or more people having a conversation over the Internet.
Client - This is a program that requests information from a server; WWW and ftp are server/client applications.
Cookie - This is the information sent to your computer from a website that you have viewed.
Database - This is a large collection of related data or information, it is organised in such a way that it can be easily retrieved or manipulated.
Dial=== -up - This is where a connection is established with the Internet using a telephone line and modem.
Domain - This is the address of a particular website, for example, www.broadband=== -guide.org is a domain name.
Download - This is the process of retrieving a copy of information from your own or a remote computer.
Downstream - This refers to the flow of data from a specific location to your PC.
DSL modem - This is a piece of hardware required to get a high speed broadband service, it can give speeds up to 512Kbps downstream and 256Kbps upstream.
Ecommerce - This is the name used when referring to sales done over the Internet.
Email - This is the exchange of electronic mail between computers and users.
Encryption - This is the process of translating data into a secret code for protection purposes.
Filters - This is a device that you plug into your phone socket, you may be required to have a filter when using the internet.
Firewall - This is a means of security that protects your computer from unauthorised access by others.
Freeware - This is any type of software that is free to purchase and use.
Gateway - This is a combination of hardware and software that enables two different types of networks to exchange information.
Gigabyte (GB) - This is a unit of storage capacity. There are 1,024 megabytes in one GB.
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) - This is a type of graphics file.
Hacker - This is someone who enjoys exploring and learning about computer systems. It is often confused with cracker, which is a person who has a mischievous attitude and often attempts to break into computer systems.
Hard drive - This is a piece of hardware used to store electronic information in your computer.
History - This is a list of previously viewed websites that is stored in your browser.
Home page - This is the an introductory web page that appears when you first open your browser.
Hub - This is a device used in local area networks to make a connection between two computers.
Hyperlink - This can be a piece of text or an image that takes you to a website when clicked.
Internet Explorer - This is a program that allows you to view different websites.
Internet Service Provider (ISP) - This is a company that provides users with access to the Internet.
Internet - This is a network of networks around the world that facilitates data transfer and communication services.
Intranet - This is an internal, private network used within a company.
'''IP address=== - This is a unique 4=== -byte number that is used to identify servers or users connected to the Internet.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) - This is a type of image format commonly used in web pages.
Kilobyte (KB) - This is a unit of storage capacity, there are 1024 bytes in a KB.
LAN - Local area Area Network.
Login - This is where you connect or access a computer system by providing a user name and password.
Mbps (Megabits per second) - This is a measurement of speed when referring to data transfer or bandwidth.
Megabyte (MB) - This is a unit of storage capacity, there are 1024 kilobytes in a MB.
Migration Fee - This is fee that you would pay to move from your existing provider to a different one.
Modem (Modulator/Demodulator) - A device that allows computers to send and receive data using telephone lines, a modem maybe required to connect to the Internet.
MP3 - This is a type of music file format.
MPEG - This is a type of video file format.
Multimedia - This is a method of presenting many forms of media, such as text, graphics and videos.
Network - This is when two or more computers are connected allowing resources to be shared between them.
'''Network adaptor (Network card or NIC)=== - This is a piece of hardware that allows a PC to connect to a network.
Offline - This is the status of a user when not connected to the Internet.
Online - This is the status of a user when connected to the internet.
Pixel (picture element) - This is the smallest unit of a picture that can be displayed on a computer monitor.
Plug=== -in - This is a small software program that extends the capabilities of a web browser in some way.
POP (Post Office Protocol) - This is a program which can accept e=== -mail on behalf of users, store it and then forward it when the user requires.
RAM (random access memory) - This is a type of memory which stores data temporarily in your computer, this data is then lost when your computer is switched off.
Rip - This is the term used to describe the copying of data from a CD or DVD onto a computer hard drive.
ROM (read only memory) - This a type of memory containing data that normally can only be read, not altered.
Router - This is a piece of hardware that allows 2 networks to be connected so that data can be transferred between them.
Search engine - This is a website that allows you to search the Internet for a specific topic.
Server - This is a host computer on a network that stores information, such as websites, and responds to requests for information.
Shareware - This is software that you can use for a limited amount of time, allowing you to try the program before you decide to purchase it.
Spam - This is the slang term used to describe unwanted advertising sent through email.
Streaming - This is when you watch or listen to a multimedia file as it's downloading, it means you don't have to fully download and save the file before hand.
Surfing - This is term used to describe browsing the Internet.
Upload - This is the process of transferring data from your computer hard drive to a remote location.
Upstream - This refers to the flow of data from your PC to the Internet.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator) - A standard way to specify the location of a file on the Internet. The URL combines the network protocol to use (eg.e.g. HTTP), the name of the host (eg www.virgin.net) and the name of the file (online) into a single specification, eg. "http://www.virgin.net" is the URL for Virgin.net.
USB (Universal Serial Bus) - This is a plug on your computer used as an easy way of connecting different pieces of hardware to your PC.
Virus - This is a man=== -made program that is designed specifically to cause damage to computer systems in one way or another.
Webmaster - This term is used to describe the person in charge of maintaining a web site.
Web page - This is a single document on the Internet.
Web site - This is a combined series of web pages.
Web space - This is the space on a server that can be allocated.
Wi=== -Fi (wireless fidelity) - This term is used to describe a set of standards for devices that connect to a local area network using wireless technology.
Worm - This is a program that moves through computer networks replicating itself. It is usually designed to cause damage to computer systems.
Zip - This is a type of compression file format. '''
