GLOSSARY
TERMS TO KNOW
Advanced Web CO404
www.bc.edu/newbee/projects/default.html
protocol // server / folder / subfolder / file name
Bitmap: Images that are based on the color of each pixel (a small square) in a grid. Photoshop makes these types of graphics. When these images are enlarged, they can get fuzzy, or pixelated, along the edges.
Clients: Any computer connected to the Internet running software that can display or respond to information being served (sent) to it using a certain protocol.
DNS: An acronym for Domain Name Server, DNS refers to a database of Internet names and addresses which translates the names to the official Internet Protocol numbers and vice versa.
FTP: File Transfer Protocol is a protocol that allows the transfer of files from one computer to another. FTP is also the verb used to describe the act of transferring files from one computer to another.
Flash: A program by Macromedia that makes animated movies that can be viewed on the web by anyone with the Flash plug-in. The movies use vector graphics which keep file sizes small. The movies can also incorporate video and sound.
GIF: This acronym stands for Graphic Interchange Format, a commonly used file compression format developed by CompuServe for transferring graphics files to and from online services.
HTML: An acronym for HyperText Markup Language, HTML is the language used to tag various parts of a Web document so browsing software will know how to display that document’s links, text, graphics and attached media.
HTTP: The abbreviation for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, HTTP is used to link
and transfer hypertext documents.
Hypermedia: The hypertext concept extended to include linked multiple media.
Hypertext: This term describes the system that allows documents to be cross-linked in such a way that the reader can explore related documents by clicking on a highlighted word or symbol.
IP: The abbreviation for Internet Protocol, IP refers to the set of communication standards that control communications activity on the Internet. An IP address is the number assigned to any Internet-connected computer.
JPEG: The acronym for Joint Photographic Experts Group, JPEG is an image compression format used to transfer color photographs and images over computer networks. Along with GIF, it’s one of the most common ways photos
are moved over the Web.
Links: These are the hypertext connections between Web pages. This is a synonym for hotlinks or hyperlinks.
PDF: Portable Document Format; this type of file is created by Adobe Acrobat. The files are like snapshots of text and graphics documents. These files can be read by anyone with the Acrobat Reader program which is distributed by Adobe for free.
Plug-in: A file installed in a folder that allows your browser to view files in different formats, such as pdf files or Shockwave Flash files.
Protocol: the rules pertaining to etiquette and ceremonial observances among diplomats, heads of state, and the military.
Protocol: A set of standards that define how traffic and communications are handled by a computer or network routers.
Search Engine: This term refers to a program that helps users find information in text-oriented databases.
Server: A computer system that manages and delivers information for client computers. Servers have special software installed that allows them to receive and send information over the Internet.
Tags: These are formatting codes used in HTML documents. Tags indicate how parts of a document will appear when displayed by browsing software.
TCP-IP: The basic protocols controlling applications on the Internet; it stands for “transmission control protocol/Internet protocol.”
URL: This is the abbreviation for Uniform Resource Locator, the addressing system used in the World Wide Web and the path of any file to be accessed on the server.
Vector Graphics: Mathematical calculation are used to render the images in vector graphics. This format makes small file sizes, and objects can be enlarged without being distorted.
Web Browser: This is the software that allows a user to access and view HTML documents. Examples of Web browsers include Firefox, IE, Netscape, Opera, Mozilla.
Web Document: An HTML document that is viewable with a browser on the Web.
NOTE: This glossary was compiled with the assistance of The Windows Internet Tour Guide by Michael (Ventana Press, 1994); Mosaic Quick Tour for Windows by Gareth Branwyn (Ventana Press, 1994) and Cybermarketing by Len Keeler (Amacom Books, to be released 1995). Minor additions and corrections were made by Eric Meyer. Further corrections were submitted by Tom Vassos of IBM.