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| As with any new idea, the world of the Internet and e-commerce is plagued by jargon and technical language. To help you through the maze, here’s khclick’s guide to the key phrases in plain English. |
The two most popular browsers are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Browser
A piece of software that allows you to find, view and manage information on the World Wide Web. Information is saved in all kinds of formats – a browser will bring a consistent look to this information and make it easier to access.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
A method of making different types of files compatible with each other and compressing and transferring them from one computer to another.
Hits
The number of visitors to a Web site – each visit to one of your web pages counts as a "hit".
Home page
The front page of a Web site.
Hyper Text Mark-up Language (HTML)
The computer language of the World Wide Web.
Hyperlinks
These are hotspots on a Web page (appearing as highlighted words or images) – click on one and it will take you through to another Web page.
Internet
The worldwide collection of interconnected computer networks.
Intranet
A private network within a single company, which uses the technologies of the Internet to link its computers together.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
A digital telephone line capable of transferring much more information, in much shorter times, than a normal analogue telephone line.
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
A company that provides access to the Internet.
Javascript
A programming language enabling the creation of complex Web sites.
Modem
A device that enables computer signals to travel over phone lines.
Network
Two or more computers linked together.
Newsgroup
A facility enabling groups of people to communicate and share ideas.
On-line
Connected to the Internet.
Point of Presence (POP)
A phone number through which users can access an Internet Service Provider.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
The part of a computer that stores volatile information such as software programmes and documents. The more RAM your computer has, the more programmes you can have open at the same time.
Search engine
A facility that helps you to find the information you are looking for on the World Wide Web by using key words to search out relevant sites. Popular search engines include Alta Vista, Yahoo and Lycos.
Surfing
A slang term for the process of moving around the Internet.
Web page
A hypermedia document as viewed through a World Wide Web browser.
Website
A collection of Web pages.
World Wide Web
A graphical front end to Internet information, accessed using a browser.