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ASDL
Stands for Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line. ADSL is another name for high speed or broadband
internet connections. JetStream is a brand of an ADSL connection.
Attachment
If you want to send a Word document, image or some other type of file to someone by email, you include
it with your email message as an attachment.
Bandwidth
The measurement of the size of your internet connection - for example, 256Kbps or 1MB. Think of it as a
pipe, but one through which you can send data. Bigger bandwidth means you can send more stuff at once.
Bookmarks
Bookmarks or Favourites are addresses of websites you want to keep for visiting later. They are usually
saved together in a folder; if using Internet Explorer the folder will be called 'Favouties', accessible
via the menu at the top of the screen.
Bounce
When your email gets returned because of a problem with the address you have sent it to (you have made a
spelling error or the machine at the other end is malfunctioning), or a problem with the person's email
mailbox.
Byte
Combinations of eight bits, called bytes, represent one character of data. If you see 508B in a file size
field, this will mean 508 bytes. KB stands for kilobyte (1,024 bytes), and MB stands for megabyte
(1,048,576 bytes).
Cache
A temporary storage in your computer.
CD-R
A CD which you can record onto.
Cookies
A cookie is a small text file that is stored on your hard drive by a web page to be used in a subsequent
page. An example of where a cookie is used is to remember a login name and password entered on a previous
page.
Data
Data is another word for information. Data could be words/text, sound/audio or pictures/images.
Database System
A program that enables you or a site to store and manage large amounts of information, like a long list
of email addresses.
Download
To download means to transfer a file or something like a piece of software from a web site to your computer.
Domain Name
A web address on the internet. For example, www.cnn.com, www.you.net, www.e3.net.nz. Domain names are
unique, and you need one to be able to have your own website. You can find out more about domain names and
register one with e3 here.
Domain Name System (DNS)
The system of internet names and addresses.
Encryption
A way of making data unreadable to everyone except the person who is supposed to receive it - kind of like
a secret code.
File
One collection of data stored in the computer. Each file has a name and is followed by a full-stop
then
file extension which tells your computer what sort of data it is. For example, invite.doc or my_budget.xls
Firewall
A program that helps protect your computer or computer system from unauthorised access.
Floppy Disk
A small black plastic disk people use to save files on. Most people now use CD-R's to save their files to,
as they have a much higher storage capacity.
Folder
Files are saved inside folders. Sub-folders within these folders can be used to help you to find things easily.
Format
This is when you do adjust the text to make it how you want it. For example, you can make text bold, a
different color, capatilize it, add an underline - these are all ways of formatting text.
Hacker
Refers to someone who gains unauthorised access to a computer system. They are usually the ones who write
computer viruses.
Homepage
The first page you come to on a Web site, and will usually be called index.html or main.html
HTML
Stands for Hyper-Text Markup Language. It's the computer language used to create web pages.
HTTP
You see this at the start of web addresses. HTTP stands for Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol and refers to the
transferring of documents in HTML between our computer and the internet.
Intranet
A company's internal Web site accessed only by those within the company or who have obtained permission to
do so.
IP Address
A unique address assigned to every machine on the internet, usually represented by numbers like 215.77.98.34.
When we type in a web address like www.me.com, the address is converted into an IP address behind the scenes,
so our computer can find the right website.
ISP
Stands for Internet Service Provider. You need to connect to an ISP to get onto the internet, just as you need
to connect to a power company to get electricity. e3 is an ISP.
Linux
An operating system created by Linus Torvalds, who made the code available so others could freely develop it as
an alternative to Windows or Mac.
Mail Server
Server which handles emails for one or more domain names. Your name@e3.net.nz emails are handled on the
e3 Mail Server.
Modem
Short for 'Modulator-Demodulator'. It codes and decodes the data that goes between your computer and the
internet via a telephone line, so they can understand each other.
Plug-In
A piece of software you can download from the internet to enable your web browser (like Internet Explorer)
to access something like a movie preview or play music files. An example of a plug-in is RealPlayer, which
plays music and movie clips.
POP
You might hear this mentioned when talking to your ISP. POP stands for Point of Presence, and is usually the
location where you can dial into the ISP's computer.
RAM
Stands for Random Access Memory. Parts of programs are stored in RAM when the program is launched so that it
will run faster.
ROM
Stands for Read Only Memory. This type of memory contains only permanent information put there by the
manufacturer.
Search Engine
An engine or program that searches the web or a website. Some websites have links to their own search
engine, whereas others like Google and AskJeeves exist almost entirely for their search engine.
Server
A computer that gives services to other computers. Services include hosting and serving web pages, and
email handling. Your computer got this page you are reading from the e3 web server.
Shareware
Software you can download from a web site and at least try out for free.
Shopping Cart
Just like in the supermarket; items selected at an online shop are stored here prior to purchase.
Streaming
A feed of audio and/or video from a web site that requires no prior downloading and because of this cannot
be saved on your computer.
Surfing
The common term used to describe going from one web site to another, browsing through web pages.
URL
Stands for Uniform Resource Locator - it's the full address of a web page and is made up of a domain name
plus several other elements. The URL for this website is http://www.e3.net.nz and the domain name for
it is e3.net.nz
Virus
A malicious program spread over the internet usually by email, but you could also get a virus off a floppy
disk or CD.
World Wide Web
Refered to as WWW. It's not the internet itself, just a part of it. The WWW or web consists of web sites
and to look at them you need a web browser - a software program such as Netscape Navigator or Internet
Explorer that enables you to access and view the documents put on the Web.
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