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# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 
 24x7 Technical Support Technical support that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Be certain that an ISP claiming 24x7 Technical Support means that a technician is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ISPs can make the 24x7 claim while providing only a fax-back service or complicated voice menu system after hours. 24x7 technical support also is no guarantee that a user won't be put on hold for great lengths of time just to reach a support technician. 28.8 Modem A modem that connects at a maximum throughput of 28.8Kbps. 28.8 modem speeds are considered barely adequate in the increasingly graphics-laden Internet. 33.6 Modem A modem that connects at a maximum throughput of of 33.6Kbps. 33.6 modem speeds are considered barely adequate in the increasingly graphics-laden internet. 56.6 V.90 Modem - A modem that, despite its name, connects at a maximum of 53Kbps. V.90 refers to the standard used to communicate over voice phone lines. Two modems that use the same standard should, theoretically, be able to communicate without problems. The 53Kbps transfer rate is for downloads only; upload data travels at 33.6Kbps. 56K KFlex Modem - A modem that, despite its name, connects at a maximum of 53Kbps. KFlex refers to one of two competing standards (the other being X2) for 56K modems that has been made obsolete by the V.90 standard. The 53Kbps transfer rate is for downloads only; upload data travels at 33.6Kbps. 56K Leased Line - A telephone line that provides a dedicated data connection at 56Kbps. 56K X2 Modem - A modem that, despite its name, connects at a maximum of 53Kbps. X2 refers to one of two competing standards (the other being KFlex) for 56K modems that has been made obsolete by the V.90 standard. The 53Kbps transfer rate is for downloads only; upload data travels at 33.6Kbps. 64K Leased Line - A telephone line that provides a dedicated data connection at 56Kbps. 10BaseT The most common form of Ethernet is called 10BaseT, which denotes a peak transmission speed of 10 mbps using copper twisted-pair cable. Ethernet is a standard for connecting computers into a local area network (LAN). 100BaseT Another term for fast Ethernet, an upgraded standard for connecting computers into a local area network (LAN). 100BaseT Ethernet works just like regular Ethernet except that it can transfer data at a peak rate of 100 mbps. It's also more expensive and less common than its slower 10BaseT sibling.   Aggregate A collection of information in which no individual information can be distinguished or identified. Aggregated information can be used to determine the characteristics of a group, such as "Sixty percent of our users are over 35." Applet A small Java program which allows a file or Web page to display animation, calculators, sound effects or other interactive functions. (See also "Java") Antialiasing On computer monitors the pixels themselves aren't curved, but they have to show curves. Using polygons to simulate curves in alphanumeric characters or vector graphics makes the edges of objects appear jagged. The technique for smoothing out these jaggies is called antialiasing, and it usually takes the form of throwing in pixels of washed-out color along the curve. This actually makes text seem a little blurred but, strangely enough, more readable. (See also "jaggyor pixelated") This slang terms refers to the stepping effect you see along curves in onscreen text or in bit-mapped graphics.  Bandwidth The rate at which information travels through a network connection, usually measured in bits per second, kilobits (thousand bits) per second, or megabits (million bits) per second. Bit Binary Digit. A bit is the smallest unit of data in computing, with a value of either 0 or 1. Whenever you see a lowercase *b* associated with a number, it's likely to be a bit. A full text page in English is about 16,000 bits and can be prefixed with kilo- or mega- and sometimes finds its way into data transfer speeds (such as 14.4 kbps). (See also "byte, kilobyte, gigabyte, megabyte, kbps") Blocking software Computer programs that filter content from the Internet and block access to some Web sites or content based on specified criteria. Parents, teachers, or caregivers can use blocking software to prevent access to certain Web sites and other information available over the Internet. (See also "Client-based filter" and "Filtering software") Bookmark A file within a browser in which an Internet user can save the addresses of interesting or frequently used Web sites, so that they are readily available for re-use. Browser A program that allows a user to find, view, hear, and interact with material on the World Wide Web. Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer are examples of popular browsers. Bulletin board An area of a Web site where users can post messages for other users to read. In most cases, readers can contact the author of a bulletin board message by e-mail. (See also "chat," chat room," and "Discussion group") Byte A byte usually denotes 8 bits (also called an octet or a word), which the computer treats as a single unit. A byte generally represents one character and longer sequences like 16 and 32 bits are also possible. Abbreviated as uppercase B. (See also "bit, gigabyte, kilobyte, megabyte")  Cache A file on the hard drive in which a Web browser stores information such as addresses, text, and graphics from recently visited Web sites, making it easier and faster for the user to revisit a site. CD-ROM (Compact Disk - Read Only Memory) A computer storage medium which can store large amounts of information; generally used to distribute software or multi-media for use on computers with CD-ROM drives. CD-ROM disks look just like music CDs, and cannot be altered by a user. Characters When referring to text-based advertising, characters include any letter, symbol, number or space. Chat A feature offered by many online services or Web sites that allows participants to "chat" by typing messages which are displayed almost instantly on the screens of other participants who are using the chat room. Chatting is one of the most popular uses of the Internet. Generally the participants remain anonymous, using nicknames or pseudonyms to identify themselves online. Chat room Chat rooms are designed for synchronous discussion at one time. Unlike discussion boards where topics are typically available for review at any time, chat rooms have no data until a chat session begins. This online service allows people to "chat" with each other by typing messages which are displayed almost instantly on the screens of others who are in the "chat room." Chat rooms are also called "online forums." (See also "Discussion Group & Newsgroups") CPM Cost-Per-Thousand. CPM is a holdover from traditional media advertising, and does not take advantage of the Hypertext nature of the medium. It charges purely on the number of times the advertisement is served. It does account for branding effects, that are not accounted for in the other models. CPM is the cost per thousand ad impressions. A Web site that charges $15,000 per banner and guarantees 600,000 impressions has a CPM of $25 ($15,000 divided by 600). If an advertiser's CPM is $25 then you get 1000 impressions of your banner or ad for $25. CTR Click-through ratio or click-through rate. Metrics used in measuring the effectiveness of an advertising banner (and similar). The percentage of ad views that resulted in an ad click. A method of rating how many times a banner is clicked on. A ratio of the number of times a banner is shown to the number of times it is clicked on. For example, if a banner has a CTR of 20:1, it means that 1 out of 20 people have clicked on it (i.e. 5% of the people who viewed it). Client-based filter A software program that a user installs on his or her own computer to monitor Internet use, block access to specific types of material, prevent kids from accessing the Internet at certain times, or prevent kids from revealing personal information online. (See also "Filtering software" and "Blocking software") Cookie A piece of information sent by a Web server to a user's browser. (A Web server is the computer that "hosts" a Web site, and responds to requests from a user's browser.) Cookies may include information such as login or registration identification, user preferences, online "shopping cart" information, etc. The browser saves the information, and sends it back to the Web server whenever the browser returns to the Web site. The Web server may use the cookie to customize the display it sends to the user, or it may keep track of the different pages within the site that the user accesses. Browsers may be configured to alert the user when a cookie is being sent, or to refuse to accept cookies. Some sites, however, cannot be accessed unless the browser accepts cookies. (See also "Personally identifiable information") Cyberspace Refers to the various information resources that are available through computer networks and the Internet, as well as to "communities" which have developed through their common use of such resources, and to the culture which is developing in such electronically connected communities. May also be used to distinguish the physical world from the digital, or computer-based world.  Directories Indexes of Web sites, organized by subject. Discussion Group or Discussion Boards Discussion boards allow for asynchronous discussion between 2 or more people over a period of time. Usually an online area, like an electronic bulletin board, where users can read and add or "post" comments about a specific topic. Users can find discussion groups, also referred to as "discussion boards," for almost any topic. (See also "Newsgroups & Chat rooms") Domain name The unique name that identifies an Internet site. Domain Names are always comprised of two (2) or more parts, separated by dots. The nomenclature on the on the left of the dot, is the most specific (ie. ecstewart) and the nomenclature on the right of the dot is the suffix (ie. com, org, net, edu) is more general. A given machine may have more than one Domain Name but a given Domain Name points to only one machine. For example, the domain names:
The suffix indicates what type of organization is hosting the site. Below is a brief, although not comprehensive list of suffix examples:
Download to transfer (copy) files from one computer to another. "Download" can also mean viewing a Web site, or material on a Web server, with a Web browser. (See also "Upload") DPI dots per inch. A measure of resolution in printers and scanners, dpi ratings describe how many pixels such devices can fit into an inch of space. A 400-dpi printer, for example, produces sharper printouts than a 300-dpi device. (See also "resolution, pixel") DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) A means of accessing the Internet at very high speed using standard phone lines.  E-Commerce E-commerce refers to all forms of business activities conducted across the internet. This can include E-tailing, B2B, intranets and extranets, online advertising, and simply online presences of any form that are used for some type of communication (customer service for example). E-mail (Electronic Mail) Messages sent through an electronic (computer) network to specific groups or individuals. Though e-mail is generally text, users can attach files that include graphics, sound, and video. E-mailing requires a modem to connect the telephone line to the computer, and an e-mail address. E-mail addresses include the @ symbol, such as president@whitehouse.gov. E-tailing E-tailing refers to retailing over the internet. Thus an e-tailer is a B2C business that executes a transaction with the final consumer. E-tailers can be pure play businesses like Amazon.com or businesses that have evolved from a legacy business, harristeeter.com. E-tailing is a subset of e-commerce. Encryption A means of making data unreadable to everyone except the receiver. Encryption is often used to make the transmission of credit card numbers secure for those who are shopping using the Internet. Ethernet | 10Base T Ethernet is a standard for connecting computers into a local area network (LAN). The most common form of Ethernet is called 10BaseT, which denotes a peak transmission speed of 10 mbps using copper twisted-pair cable. (See also "FastEthernet | 100Base T, Hub") Extranet An intranet that is accesible to computers that are not physically part of a company's own private network, but that is not accessible to the general public, for example to allow vendors and business partners to access a company Web site. Often an intranet will make use of a Virtual Private Network. (See also "VPN, Intranet")  FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Pages which list and answer the questions most often asked about a Web site, newsgroup, etc. The FAQ page often provides useful information for a new user of a Web site, mailing list, discussion group, or product. Fast Ethernet | 100Base T Fast Ethernet is an upgraded standard for connecting computers into a local area network (LAN). It works just like regular Ethernet except that it can transfer data at a peak rate of 100 mbps. Also referred to as 100BaseT, fast Ethernet is more expensive and less common than its slower 10BaseT sibling. (See also "Ethernet | 10Base T, Hub") File size The actual size of the file. When referring to online imagery, such as jpeg or gifs and banners, this is the actul size of the image file in kilobytes. Filtered ISP An Internet Service Provider (ISP) that sets criteria for determining content which is inappropriate for children, and automatically blocks subscriber access to that content. Parents and other caregivers who are choosing a filtered ISP should review the company's criteria for blocking, and make sure those criteria reflect their own values and judgments. Filtering software Software that screens information on the Internet and classifies its content. Some filtering software allows the user to block access to certain kinds of content. (See also "Blocking software," "Client-based filtering software," and "Server-based filtering software") Firewall Hardware or software that secures computer files by blocking unauthorized access. Flaming Posting or sending a deliberately confrontational message via newsgroup, e-mail, etc., usually in response to a previous message. FlashulenceTM  n.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) A way of transferring files over the Internet from one computer to another.  Gateway A computer system for exchanging information across incompatible networks by translating between two dissimilar protocols. May also describe any mechanism that gives access to another, such as an ISP which acts as a gateway to the Internet. GIF Graphic Interchange Format (pro: jif). The GIF format incorporates a compression scheme to keep files sizes at a minimum, and GIF files are limited to 8-bit (256 or fewer colors) color palettes. A common file format for web graphics (and banners). See "jpeg" for photo-realistic images. GIF89 Animated version of Graphic Interchange Format. A common file format for web graphics (and banners) that includes frames set to a specific frequency that provides for changing content within the graphic. Gigabyte 1,073,741,824 bytes. When you learn this month's requirement for harddrive space is between 30GB to 200GB, you know you've got some kickin' power! (See also "byte, bit, kilobyte, megabyte")  Hardware The mechanical devices that comprise a computer system, such as the central processing unit, monitor, keyboard, and mouse, as well as other equipment like printers and speakers. Home page The first page on a Web site, which introduces the site and provides the means of navigation. Hits When someone visits your page, their browser sends a number of requests to your web server. One request is for the HTML file but individual requests are also sent for each of the other elements that make up the web page - graphics files, audio files, and so on. Each of these requests is called a hit - a hit is a request to the server for a file not a page. (See also "Pageviews") HTML(Hypertext Markup Language) The coded format language used for creating hypertext documents on the World Wide Web and controlling how Web pages appear. Hub This chunk of hardware is used to network computers together (usually over an Ethernet connection). It serves as a common wiring point so that information can flow through one central location to any other computer on the network. (See also "Ethernet | 10Base T, fast Ethernet") HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) The standard language that computers connected to the World Wide Web use to communicate with each other. Hyperlink An image or portion of text on a Web page that is linked to another Web page, either on the same site or in another Web site. Clicking on the link will take the user to another Web page, or to another place on the same page. Words or phrases which serve as links are underlined, or appear in a different color, or both. Images that serve as links have a border around them, or they change the cursor to a little hand as it passes over them. (See also "Links")  ICRA (Internet Content Rating Association) An international, independent, non-profit organization which administers a rating system to identify potentially objectionable material included in rated Web sites. (See also "RSACi") Impression A measure of how many times a banner is displayed. Count one impression each time the banner is shown. Number of times an ad banner is downloaded and presumably seen by visitors. Corresponds to net impressions in traditional media. Impressions also refers to the number of times a page is accessed over a fixed period of time. IM or Instant Message IM (Instant Message) Technology similar to that of chat rooms, which notifies a user when a friend is online, allowing them to "converse" by exchanging text messages. (See also "Web-based instant messaging") Internet A global connection of computer networks, also referred to as the "Net," which share a common addressing scheme. (See also "World Wide Web") Interstitial Pages Interstitial pages are a form of advertisement on the web that appears between web pages that the user requests. Thus when a user elects to enter or exit a web-site, a page appears with its advertisement, in place of the requested page, the user then needs to select from that page to receive the page requested (or the advertisement page will disappear after a fixed time). This is a form of interruption advertising (similar to broadcast models) but this form of web advertising breaks information design rules, as the user had a certain set of expectation when making the page selection, the interstitial page did not match the expectation. Interstitial advertisements are a form of web advertising, other forms include banner advertisements and advertising buttons. Intranet A private network inside a company or organization, which uses software like that used on the Internet, but is for internal use only, and is not accessible to the public. Companies use Intranets to manage projects, provide employee information, distribute data and information, etc. (See also "Extranet") IP Number (Internet Protocol Number) The computer language that allows computer programs to communicate over the Internet. Sometimes called a dotted quad. A unique number consisting of 4 parts separated by dots, e.g. 165.113.245.2 Every machine that is on the Internet has a unique IP number - if a machine does not have an IP number, it is not really on the Internet. Many machines (especially servers) also have one or more Domain Names that are easier for people to remember. IRC (Internet Relay Chat) A protocol and a program type that allows participants to "chat" online in a live forum that usually centers around a common interest. IRC is the earliest form of online chat. ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) Digital telephony scheme that allows a user to connect to the Internet over standard phone lines at speeds higher than a 56K modem allows. ISP (Internet Service Provider) A company that sells direct access to the Internet, most often through dialing a local phone number. Unlike some online services, ISPs provided little or no proprietary content or online services in the past, but are now due to customer demand.  Jaggy This slang terms refers to the stepping effect you see along curves in onscreen text or in bit-mapped graphics. (See also "antialiasing or pixelated") Java A computer programming language invented by Sun Microsystems. Using Java, Web developers create small programs called "applets" that allow Web pages to include animations, calculators, scrolling text, sound effects and games. (See also "Applet") JPEG Joint Photographic Experts Group. Unlike GIFs that are limited to a maximum of 256 colors in an image, JPEG images are best suited for photography, color and grey scale detail illustration, and other details requirements for which color fidelity cannot be compromised. (See also "GIF")  Keyword A word that is entered into the search form or search "window" of an Internet search engine to search the Web for pages or sites about or including the keyword and information related to it. kbps Your modem's speed is measured in the number of bits it can transfer in a second. Modems rated in kilobits per second are now the standard. Kids' Web Sites Web sites designed for children under 13 years old, or which attract visitors who are under 13. Kilobyte Although kilo is Greek for a thousand, a kilobyte actually contains 1,024 bytes (that's 2 to the 10th power). In other words, a thousand bytes is actually less than one kilobyte. Remember that the next time you download a file. Abbreviated as K. (See also "bit, byte, gigabyte, megabyte") Kiosk Sometimes called presentation mode. When toolbars on your browser are clicked to "off", this mode drops all the visual clutter of your browser to leave more room for the Web page. (See also Marketing applications for "kiosk")  Link A word, phrase, or image highlighted in a hypertext document to act as a navigation aid to related information. Links may be indicated with an underline, a color contrast, or a border.  Meta Tag An HTML tag that gives information about a Web page. There are many different types of metatags that perform many tasks, but the most common ensure that the Web page can be found by search engines. As in: I used the search engine Google to search for 'ECStewart.' It came up with ectewart.com, because the word 'ectewart' is in ECStewart Design & Communication's metatags. The site has also been registered with Google. MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) Originally a standard for defining the types of files attached to standard Internet mail messages. The MIME standard has come to be used in many situations where one cmputer programs needs to communicate with another program about what kind of file is being sent. Modem A hardware device that allows computers to communicate with each other by transmitting signals over telephone lines, enabling what is called "dial-up access." Modems come in different speeds. The higher the speed, the faster the data are transmitted. The fastest widely available modems are "56K" (or 56 kilobits per second). Megabyte Although mega is Greek for a million, a megabyte actually contains 1,048,576 bytes (1,024 x 1,024 bytes). In other words, a million bytes is actually less than a megabyte. Remember that the next time you buy a hard disk or try to fit files onto a floppy disk. Abbreviated as MB. (See also "bit, byte, gigabyte, kilobyte") Monitoring software Software products that allow a parent or caregiver to monitor or track the Web sites or e-mail messages that a child visits or reads, without necessarily blocking access. Mouse A palm-size device attached to a computer by a cord, which allows the user to select items displayed on the screen by controlling the cursor, and to give commands by clicking the device's buttons. (See also "Hardware") Multimedia Information presented in more than one format, such as text, audio, video, graphics, and images.  Navigation A system of hypertext paths set up on a Web page to enable visitors to find their way around the site. Netiquette The informal rules of Internet courtesy, enforced exclusively by other Internet users. Netizens Citizens of cyberspace. (See also "Cyberspace") Newsgroups Discussion groups on the Internet (not on the Web, which is only one area of the Internet). Newsgroups are classified by subject matter and do not necessarily deal with journalism or "news." Health, hobbies, celebrities, and cultural events are the subjects of many newsgroups. Participants in a newsgroup conduct discussions by posting messages for others to read, and responding to the messages posted by others. (See also "Discussion Group & Chat rooms")  Operator The person who is responsible for maintaining and running a Web site. Opt-in A policy for giving permission under which the user explicitly permits the Web site operator to either collect the information, use it in a specified manner and/or share it with others when such use or disclosure to third parties is unrelated to the purpose for which the information was collected. (See also "opt-out") Opt-out A policy under which the user's permission is implied unless the user explicitly requests that his/her information not be collected, used and/or shared when such use or disclosure to third parties is unrelated to the purpose for which the information was collected. (See also "opt-in")  Pageview Counting hits is not the same as tracking pageviews. It takes multiple hits to view a page. A pageview is the number of times a page is accessed as a whole. (See also "Hits") Personally identifiable information Information that can identify an individual user, such as name, home address, or e-mail address. PICS (Platform for Internet Content Selection) Technology that allows Web browsers to read content ratings of Web sites. Content ratings are administered by the Internet Content Rating Association (ICRA), an independent, non-profit organization. (See also "ICRA" and "RSACi") Pixel Picture Element. The image displayed on monitors or in a graphic produced by a scanner or paint program is made up lots of dots called pixels. Collectively, the number of pixels displayed is referred to as the image's resolution. A pixel on a monitor is a number of red, green, and blue phosphor dots. These dots are "excited" to varying degrees by the monitor's three electron guns, and the results mix additively to generate a specific color. By manipulating large numbers of pixels in precise ways, patterns emerge to make up an identifiable picture. (See also "dpi, resolution") Pixelated This slang terms refers to the stepping effect you see along curves in onscreen text or in bit-mapped graphics. This also happens when you resample your images without the adequate information to (See also "antialiasing, jaggy, resample ") Plug-in A small piece of software that enriches a larger piece of software by adding features or functions. Plug-ins enable browsers to play audio and video. Posting Sending a message to a discussion group or other public message area on the Internet. The message itself is called a "post." Privacy Policy The policy under which the company or organization operating a Web site handles the personal information collected about visitors to the site. Many Web site operators publish their privacy policy on their Web site. The policy usually includes a description of the personal information which is collected by the site, how the information will be used, with whom it will be shared, and whether the visitors have the option to exercise control over how their information will be used. All TRUSTe Web site licensees are required to post privacy statements. (See also "Opt-in," "Opt-out," and "TRUSTe")  Q.E.D quod erat demonstrandum (Latin); which was to be demonstrated. ECS|DC demonstrations can be found throughout our Web site. To have your marketing structure analyzed, contact the VP of Consulting Services, Andrew Hayden. To have your Web site analyzed or a usablity review, contact our Interactive Design Expert, Lisa Stewart. The benefits of our professional critiques can and will validate the direction of your business services.  Resample Resampling an image usually results in a loss of image quality because pixels must either be interpolated or thown out. The exception is when the resolution of an image is changed without modifying the pixel dimensions. For example, an image with pixel dimensions of 1200 by 1600 can be printed at a size of 4 x 5.3 inches at 300 dpi or at 8 x 10.6 inches 150 dpi. Reducing the resolution while increasing the print size does not result in image destruction, but it will result in a loss of print quality.(See also "Resize") Resize Resizing an image involves changing the print dimensions without changing the total pixel dimensions. As the resolution is increased, the print size becomes smaller, and vice versa. When you increase resolution without changing pixel dimensions, there is no loss in quality, but you must sacrifice print size. Resizing an image using resampling, however, involves changing the pixel dimensions and will always introduce a loss in quality. (See also "Resample") Resolution A measure of graphics that's used to describe what a printer can print, a scanner can scan, and a monitor can display. In printers and scanners, resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi)--the number of pixels a device can fit in an inch of space. A monitor's resolution refers to the number of pixels in the whole image, because the number of dots per inch varies depending on the screen's dimensions. For example, a resolution of 1,280 by 1,024 means that 1,024 lines are drawn from the top to the bottom of the screen, and each of these lines is made up of 1,280 separate pixels--and in turn, each dot may have any number of combinations of red, green, and blue intensities. Common resolutions in the PC world include:
RSACi (Recreational Software Advisory Council on the Internet) Rating system managed by ICRA (Internet Content Rating Association) to provide consumers with information about the level of sex, nudity, violence, offensive language (vulgar or hate-motivated) in Web sites. Ratings provided by RSACi are recognized by PICS technology. (See also "ICRA" and "PICS")  Search engine -A tool that enables users to locate information on the World Wide Web. Search engines use keywords entered by users to find Web sites which contain the information sought. Some search engines are specifically designed to find Web sites intended for children. Server A special computer connected to a network that provides (serves up) data. A Web server transmits Web pages over the Internet when it receives a Web browser's request for a page. A server can also be called a host or node. Server-based filter Software which is installed on a host server, such as a Web server, to filter out Web pages which include content which meets specific criteria. Users who connect to a server which uses a filter will only be able to access those pages which get through the server's filter. Skip Intro The button labelled "Skip Intro" that is mercifully inserted into Web sites that ignorantly mandates the use of FlashTM introduction. (See also "FlashulenceTM") Software A computer program, which provides the instructions which enable the computer hardware to work. System software, such as Windows or MacOS, operate the machine itself, and applications software, such as spreadsheet or word processing programs, provide specific functionality. Spam Unsolicited "junk" e-mail sent to large numbers of people to promote products or services. Sexually explicit unsolicited e-mail is called "porn spam." Also refers to inappropriate promotional or commercial postings to discussion groups or bulletin boards. Spider A software program that "crawls" the Web, searching and indexing Web pages to create a database that can be easily searched by a search engine. Surf To search for information on the Web in a random, non-linear way.  TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) The protocols, or conventions, that computers use to communicate over the Internet. Time limiting software Software that allows users to set time limits for access to the Internet, computer games, or other software programs. TRUSTe An online seal program. Web sites which display the seal have agreed to abide with certain principles regarding user privacy. A user can access the site's privacy policy by clicking on the seal. Trustmark An online seal awarded by TRUSTe to Web sites that agree to post privacy statements which describe their policies toward user privacy, and to adhere to procedures that enforce their compliance with the published privacy policy. A user can access the privacy statement by clicking on the TRUSTe trustmark.  Upload Copying or sending files or data from one computer to another. A Web developer, for example, could upload a document to a Web server. (See also "Download") URL or URI (Uniform Resource Locator or Identifier) The World Wide Web address of a site on the Internet. The first part of a URI is called the "scheme". The most well known scheme is http, but there are many others. Each URI scheme has its own format for how a URI should appear. Here are examples of URIs using the http, telnet, and news schemes:
 Virtual Private Network (VPN) A secure network which appears to be local but in fact uses the public network (Internet) to connect remote users to a private network. Users access the company network via the Internet and establish a secure connection (tunnel) between the remote system and the server. Allows companies to support large numbers of remote users without the maintaining a large dial-up center.  Web The World Wide Web. An Internet system to distribute graphical, hyper-linked information, based on the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). The World Wide Web is also known as WWW or W3. The Web is not synonymous with the Internet; rather, it is just one service on the Internet. Other services on the Internet include Internet Relay Chat and Newsgroups. The Web is accessed through use of a browser. Web Address See Domain Name or URL. Web-based chat Chat rooms that are found in Web sites, which allow people to chat with each other using their browsers. Another kind of chat room, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), requires additional software. (See also "Chat room," and "IRC") Web-based e-mail A technology that allows users to send and receive e-mail using only a browser, rather than using an e-mail program such as Eudora. Web-based instant-messaging - Instant-messaging technology that works in Web sites, as opposed to that provided by commercial online services. (See also "Instant messaging") Web site A collection of "pages" or files linked together and available on the World Wide Web. Web sites are provided by companies, organizations and individuals. Webmaster The person responsible for administering a Web site. WWW The World Wide Web. (See also "Web")  xDSL The DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. The 'x' stands for any number of variations on the technology. The most common in the United States is Asymmetric DSL, or ADSL. The Asymmetric designation means that the technology provides different upload and download speeds. A variant called HDSL, for High bit rate DSL, is already widely used to provide T1 lines. The DSL technology makes it possible to use the excess capacity in standard copper telephone lines to carry network traffic. The speed varies, depending on how far the user is from the nearest switching station. It can theoretically provide up to 8Mbps, but more typically provides something less than 2Mbps.  Yearly Fee The cost, per year, for Internet service. This cost is separate from setup fees and technical support charges. Many companies offer discounts for users/companies willing to sign up for a year in advance.  Zany After working long hours hammering out your outstanding communications solution, we sometimes get a little, oh, nutty, or zany as some would prefer to say. Come talk to us about our zany operations. Zealot a person who is excessively and often intolerantly zealous, esp. about a cause or religious faith; fanatic. Essentially, at ECS|DC we're fanatics when it comes to providing solutions to your communications needs. |