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Web
& Internet Glossary
It is difficult keeping up with all
the new words and phrases associated with the Internet so we have
turned the Internet into plain English.
This Glossary contains some of the common - and not so common phrases
- people often see when they use the Internet.
A
animated GIF
An animated GIF is a graphic, or image, stored in a GIF type format
that consists of two or more images shown in a timed sequence to
give the effect of motion. If you visit a website that has an animated
character running across the bottom of the screen, you can assume
the animation is stored in an animated GIF file.
ASP
ASP stands for Application Service Provider.
applet
An applet is a Java program you download from
the Internet that is executed by your Browser. Applets are commonly
used to run Internet search engines and chat rooms.
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B
B2B
Business to Business [B2B] is the means of conducting business between
two or more companies over the Internet, it involves businesses
dealing with each other as opposed to their customers.
banner
A banner is an image link that is used for advertising purposes.
browser
A browser, often referred to as a Web Browser, is the software that
allows you to connect to the Internet. Currently, the most popular
Web Browsers are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
You and your website visitors must use version 4 or better of these
browsers.
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C
cache
Browsers such as Netscape and Internet Explorer keep copies
of the Internet pages you have recently visited in your computers
disk memory. This disk memory space is called the cache. If you
access an Internet page you have recently viewed, your computer
retrieves the page from disk memory rather than from the Internet
itself. This is much quicker than downloading a page from the Internet
clip
art
Clip art is the term for images that you can purchase on a CD from
computer shops and use on your website. These CD images are not
expensive to buy and there is usually no copyright associated with
them. However, there may be terms and conditions under which you
may use clip art images so always check the fine print on the CD.
compression
Compression is a technique that reduces, or shrinks, the physical
size of a file. A file that is compressed requires less time to
upload, download and transfer to other computers. Many programs
compress files, although two of the more common programs are PKZIP
and WinZip.
contact
A contact is an Internet visitor who has contacted your online business
either by ordering one of your products, or by completing one of
your feedback forms. You may also define contacts yourself by using
the import contacts text link under the manage your contacts button
in the navigation menu.
contact tree
The contact tree is a graphic diagram of your contacts. You use
your contact tree to create and change information about a contact,
assign contacts to different contact groups, and remove contacts.
cookie
A cookie is a small file put on your computer by your Web Browser.
This file includes information about your Internet usage. For example,
it may include the information that you have previously typed to
log into a protected area on the Internet (ie. an area requiring
a password) during your current connection to the Internet. Cookies
are also used to identify you - or to be more precise your computer
- as a unique visitor to the Internet.
counter
A counter is used to count the number of visitors that connect to
a given website. A counter is useful because it allows you to determine
exactly how many people have visited your website.
cyberspace
First used by the science fiction novelist William Gibson in his
book "Neuromancer", cyberspace is just a popular synonym for the
word Internet.
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D
domain
name
A domain name is the text name corresponding to the numeric IP address
of a computer on the Internet. A domain name must be unique. Your
Sensis WebWorks Set-Up Fee allows you to register
a domain name for up to two years (additional charges will apply
after this period). Internet users access your website using your
domain name.
download
The process of copying files, information and images from the Internet
to your computer. Every time a visitor accesses a page on the Internet,
they are downloading the contents of that page.
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E
e-commerce
Electronic Commerce [e-commerce] refers to the conducting of business
on the Internet. This includes buying or selling goods and services
over the Internet.
email
Electronic mail, more commonly referred to as email, is an electronic
letter or memo that you can send to anyone on the Internet who has
a valid email address.
email address
An email address is a unique Internet destination or location to
which you may send electronic mail.
encryption
Encryption is the process of converting sensitive information into
unreadable code. When you log into the Sensis WebWorks
administration interface, the information is encrypted before it
is sent to the Sensis WebWorks server. This ensures
that sensitive information such as personal and credit card details
remain secure.
enquiry
When a visitor to your website completes and sends you a feedback
form, it is processed as an enquiry.
extension
See file extension.
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F
FAQ
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) are a set of common questions (including
answers) which a website often receives from its visitors. FAQ are
presented in text format and save a visitor the time and effort
of emailing their enquiry when it is anticipated most visitors will
want to know the answer to it.
file extension
The name assigned to a file stored on your computer is comprised
of a file name followed by a file extension. The name and extension
are separated by a full stop. For example, a file called contacts.txt
has a file name of "contacts" and a file extension of "txt". File
extensions are important because they identify the file's type.
Furthermore, the Internet cannot recognise or handle files that
do not have a specific file extension. You should be aware of three
specific file types. Text type files contain plain text and must
have a file extension of "txt". Images must be stored in JPG or
GIF type files that have a file extension of "gif" or "jpg".
frames
A frame is a technique used on a web page to divide the page into
multiple windows. Each window is called a frame and can be further
divided into one or more frames. The advantage of frames is that
one window can be scrolled or changed while other windows remain
fixed.
FTP
A File Transfer Protocol [FTP] is software you use to transfer files
from one computer to another across the Internet. You don't have
to purchase this software or learn how to use it. FTPs are transparent
to your online business.
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G
GIF file
A Graphics Interchange Format [GIF] file is a common file format
used to store images such as photos, documents, simple animations
and the like. The GIF file format is widely used on the Internet
because it uses compression to reduce the file size containing the
images. This allows Internet users to download the file quickly.
Files you upload to your Sensis Webworks website
must be stored in a GIF or JPEG file and have the file extension
of "gif" or "jpg".
H
home page
A home page has two meanings. A home page is the
first Internet page you see when you visit a website after you have
typed in the website's domain name. A home page may also be the
first Internet page you see when you start up your Internet Browser.
HTML
Hypertext Markup Language [HTML] is the set of markup symbols or
codes inserted into a file intended for display on the Internet.
The markup tells the Web Browser how to display a website page's
words and images on the Internet. The individual markup codes are
referred to as elements but many people also refer to them as tags.
If you want to look at some HTML, just open any page on the Internet,
right-click your mouse and select the "View Source" menu option.
A window opens up that displays the HTML code used to display the
page you are looking at. However, you don't have to worry about
understanding HTML code. Sensis WebWorks takes care of
that for you.
http
Hypertext Transfer Protocol [HTTP] is a set of rules for exchanging
files [text, graphic images, sound, video, and other multimedia
files] on the Internet. You will often see the character "http"
in a URL. You don't have to understand this protocol to run your
online business.
hypermedia
Similar to hypertext, hypermedia is media (ie. pictures, video and
audio) on an Internet page that you can click on with your mouse
to transfer you to another page on the Internet.
hypertext
Hypertext is text on a web page that you can click on with your
mouse to transfer you to another page on the Internet. Hypertext,
also known as a text link, is usually displayed on the Internet
page in a different colour from other text displayed on the page
and is often underlined. The link might take you to another page
within the same website or to another site.
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I
icon
In general terms, an icon is a small graphical image that helps
you identify some function or some thing on the Internet.
image
An image is a company logo, photo, document, animation, picture,
line etc. that you can display on one of your website's pages. An
image must be stored in a GIF or JPG type file otherwise it cannot
be used on the Internet. You can create images of your own using
paint programs (eg. Microsoft Paint) or you can buy images from
computer shops.
image link
An image link is an image on a web page that is used to transfer
an Internet user to another location on the Internet. Image links
are used for banners and to assist an Internet user in their navigation
through a website.
import
See upload.
IP address
An IP [Internet Protocol] address is a unique number assigned to
every computer directly connected to the Internet (eg. 194.61.231.0).
ISP
An Internet Service Provider [ISP] is a company that provides other
companies or individuals with access to, or a presence on, the Internet.
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J
Java
Java is a programming language commonly used with HTML to create
and run e-commerce sites on the Internet. You don't have to know
Java or create Java programs for your Sensis WebWorks website.
JPEG
A Joint Photographic Experts Group [JPEG] file is a file format
commonly used to store photographic images that contain a continuous
stream of colour shades. JPEG is a popular file format for sharing
and displaying photo images on the Internet. Files you upload to
your Sensis Webworks website must be a GIF or JPEG
file and have the file extension of "gif" or "jpg".
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L
link
A link will transfer you from one website page
to another with just a click of your mouse. Links can be text or
graphics and are easy to spot if you know what to look for. For
example, text links are usually displayed in a different colour
to the other text on the screen and are often underlined. If you
move your mouse over an image located on the Internet and the mouse
image changes, it usually means that the image is a link. The buttons
in your navigation menu are examples of image links and the underlined
text on one of your website's product category pages are examples
of text links.
logo
A logo is an image that displays a company's logo. Depending on
which template you select Sensis WebWorks allows
you to place a logo in either the top right hand or top
left hand corner of every page on your Internet website.
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N
navigation buttons
Navigation buttons appear in the navigation menu located on the
left-hand side of your website. Your website visitors click on these
buttons to find their way (ie. navigate) through your website.
navigation menu
A navigation menu usually appears on the left hand side or across
the top of a website. It contains all the buttons and links
you need to develop and manage your Internet website and your online
business contacts, orders and enquiries.
O
online
Online (or on-line) generally means "powered on" or connected when
referring to computers, printers or similar devices. However, the
term frequently refers to a person or business connected to, or
residing on, the Internet.
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P
page
A page, or web page, is a collection of words, graphics, links and
images that is identified on the Internet by a unique URL. Your Sensis
WebWorks Internet website is made up of a group of pages.
paint program
A paint program is software you can download from the Internet,
or purchase from computer stores, that allows you to create and
change images and then save them in GIF or JPEG type files.
password
A password is a series of characters (usually a combination of letters
and numbers) that allows you to access your Sensis WebWorks website.
The password is used to keep your account secure. You are asked
to enter a password of your choice, along with a login, when you
register your Sensis WebWorks website. The password you
choose must be no shorter than 6 characters, and not exceed eight
characters, in length. A password must also begin with a letter
of the alphabet. You will need your login, along with your password,
every time you access your Sensis WebWorks website.
POP3
Post Office Protocol (POP3) makes available client-server email
messaging.
pixel
A pixel is one dot on a computer screen. Computer monitors typically
display a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. Larger and more expensive
monitors range up to a resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels. The higher
the number of pixels the sharper the image on the screen. Pixels
are also used to define the dimensions of an image or an area on
the computer screen.
protocol
A protocol is a set of formal rules that describe how data is to
be transmitted across the Internet.
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R
resolution
Resolution refers to the density of pixels that occur in a square
inch of an image on the computer screen. Density is expressed in
dots per inch [dpi] and the higher the density (ie. resolution),
the sharper the image appearing on the screen. You should always
set the resolution of any image you display on your website to 72
dpi.
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S
scanner
A scanner is a device you can buy at a computer store that allows
you to convert photographs and images on paper into a file format
that can be displayed on the computer screen. Scanners often allow
you to save these paper images in a JPEG or GIF type file.
search engine
A search engine is a free program you can access on the Internet
that allows you to search the Internet for websites that are related
to specific words or phrases (called keywords). A search engine
produces a list of websites that are related to words and phrases
identified by an Internet user.
server
A server is a computer or other device that manages (ie. stores,
runs, etc.) specific resources on a network. For example, the mail
server on your ISP's network manages your email. A web server manages
your website's web pages.
shareware
Shareware is free software, products or programs you can download
from the Internet and use without paying for their use. Many shareware
owners hope that you will pay for the software later but you are
under no obligation to do so.
shopping cart
The shopping cart is a term synonymous with internet shopping over
the internet at e-commerce enabled websites.
site activity
Site activity refers to the visits and visitors your Internet website
has received.
spamming
Spamming is the process of sending a large volume of unsolicited
emails to one email address, or one email to many email addresses.
Spamming is often employed by people wanting to advertise a product,
service or Internet website. Spamming is often a violation of an
ISP's rules and conditions regarding Internet usage. Sensis
WebWorks does not condone spamming.
SSL
SSL [Secure Sockets Layer] is a protocol for securing data communication
access computer networks.
streaming
Streaming is a technology that allows you to listen to audio and
watch video continuously as a signal is transferred to your computer
from a website.
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T
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol [TCP/IP] is
a language on the Internet that computers use to communicate with
each other. TCP/IP separates information into packets and sends
these packets through the Internet.
text link
See link.
theme
A theme refers to the general layout of a page, including the images,
colours and text displayed on a page. A theme consists of four main
areas: logo, banner, navigation menu and body.
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U
upload
Uploading is the process of copying files, information and images
from your personal workstation to the Internet. The terms upload
and import are synonymous.
URL
A Universal Resource Locator [URL] is an Internet page's unique
address (ie. location). Every page on the Internet has a unique
URL. You can see a web page's URL in the address field at the top
of your browser window each time you access the page on the Internet.
For the most part, you and your site's visitors do not have to be
concerned with a page's URL.
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V
visitor
A visitor is an Internet user who opens a page on your Sensis
WebWorks Internet website.
visit
A visit occurs every time an Internet user accesses any page on
your website. If an Internet user views twenty pages on your website
(including viewing a page more than once), your site has received
twenty visits from this Internet user.
W
web browser
See browser.
web page
A web page is a document on the Internet which can include text,
pictures, sound and video. The terms page and web page are synonymous.
website
A website is a collection of web pages that is owned and maintained
by an individual, business, government department, institution etc.
WebWorks website address
Your Sensis WebWorks website address
is created for you when you register your website. The address is
www.sitename.com.au, where sitename is the name you enter in the
sitename form field when you register your website. This address
is used by Internet users to access your website. Internet users
can also access your site using your domain name if you register
a domain with webworks (see domain name).
workstation
A workstation refers to your computer (PC or MAC) and the hardware
and software you have attached to, or loaded on, your computer.
World Wide Web [WWW]
The World Wide Web [WWW] is a global system of Internet servers
that host pages and other resources that are accessed using a web
browser. The WWW is another term for the Internet.
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