Glossary of Terms

ADSL - "Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line" is a type of DSL. It works by splitting your existing telephone line signal into two, one for voice and the other for data. The most popular services in the UK at the moment are running at speeds of 512Kbps (approx. 9 times faster than a modem).

Attachment - This is a file that you attach to an e-mail. You can attach all sorts of files, such as pictures, documents or even sound and video clips. You can attach a file to an e-mail by clicking the 'Attach' button on your e-mail program and then browsing through the files on your computer until you find the one that you want to send. Some files can be quite large so always check the size before you send.

Bandwidth - When people talk about bandwidth they mean the amount of information that can be carried by your Internet connection at any one time. That is, how much data can be sent down your phone line or modem simultaneously.

Low bandwidth - means your connection will be slow because it takes time for all that information to be sent down your line. So, pages and pictures will take longer to load.

High banwidth - also called Broadband, generally means that your connection will be much faster allowing you to watch high quality videos and multimedia presentations.

Bookmark/Favourite - You can save a list of websites that you like so that you can visit them again and again without having to remember the address. If you were reading a book, you might put a bookmark on a page that you would like to return to later. It's the same with Internet bookmarks.

Browser - You are using your browser now! Your browser is a piece of software that enables you to look at web pages. The browser reads the code from a web server and converts it into a page that you can view. Two of the most popular browsers are Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape's Navigator. Technology moves fast, to get the best web experience you should really use a copy of the latest software. You can download the latest versions from Microsoft or Netscape for FREE!

Cache - The cache is the part of your computer that stores web pages and images. This can help your computer to speed-up the loading of web pages that you visit often. If a page is cached any new information won't automatically update and you will need press Reload or Refresh on your browser.

Cookie - Cookies store information about where you have been on the Internet and what you have done. They can record what things you were interested in on a particular site and show it next time you visit. They also store information such as passwords and the contents of your shopping basket.

Cursor - A cursor is a symbol that moves along automatically as you type and blinks or can be moved around manually if you use the mouse.

Cut and Paste - Cutting and pasting is when you select some text, use the Edit Menu to cut or copy it and then paste it into a new place. This could be the same document or in a different one.

Desktop - The desktop is what you see on your screen before you open any programs. It consists of icons - that you can click on to open documents or programs.

Dial-Up - This is a type of connection to the Internet that uses a normal phone line. You have to dial the number and enter your details to access your e-mail account or surf the net.

Domain Name - Every website has an address that is made-up from numbers - this is called an IP address. So that you don't have to remember a list of numbers websites are given a user-friendly address made of words, known as a domain name. (example www.wirral-mbc.gov.uk)

Download - This is how you transfer software from a website to your own computer so that you can use it.

Drop-Down Box - This is a menu which drops down from an arrow on the webpage giving you a series of options to choose from. Once you have selected an option, your choice appears in the box.

E-mail - Short for electronic mail it refers to messages or information that are sent via the Internet.

Error Message - There are many occasions and reasons you may see an error message. This indicates something has gone wrong with the program or website that you are using. Restarting your computer and trying again will usually solve the problem. Not all error messages will be your fault sometimes websites have problems displaying content. It can help the webmaster with the reliability of their website if you report faults that you find.

Flash - Flash is a web development tool that allows you to create graphical, quality multimedia presentations for use on the internet.

Firewall - A firewall is a special type of program that acts as a protective wall between an internal network and the Internet. It is designed to protect the internal network of computers from hackers who could damage important data such as company files.

Hard Drive/Hard Disk - Your hard drive is the part of your computer where you store all of your data.

History - The history function on a web browser allows you to revisit sites that you looked at earlier in the day or week.

Hyperlink - The hyperlink can be a picture, text or any other object that you click on to take you to another place. It can link to the current site or to a different site entirely. The cursor will change to a hand if you hover the hand over it.

Homepage - The homepage of a website is most often the first page shown. All other areas of the website will follow on from links on this page.

HTML - HTML stands for 'HyperText Markup Language'. HTML allows the person viewing a World Wide Web page to view the information in the order that they want. The browser translates the HTML and makes it appear how you want it on the screen.

HTTP - Internet addresses start with http://. This stands for 'Hyper Text Transfer Protocol'. It is the tool that is used to send web pages across the World Wide Web.

Icon - An icon is a small picture. When you click on it with the mouse, it opens a piece of software or launches a hyperlink.

Internet or 'The Net - The word 'Internet' is short for the 'International Network'. It contains millions of computers all over the world that are linked to each other via a huge network.

Internet Explorer - Please see 'Browser'.

ISDN - This stands for 'Integrated Services Digital Network'. An ISDN line is a high-speed digital connection to the Internet. Although it uses a standard phone line, it is much faster at receiving and transmitting data.

IP - This is short for 'Internet Protocol'. Every computer that is linked to the Internet has an IP address.

ISP - ISP is short for 'Internet Service Provider'. It is the company that provides your connection to the Internet.

Link - Please see hypertext.

Login - Your login name is the series of letters and/or numbers you input into your computer or Internet account to tell it who you are. It usually requires a password to authenticate your identity.

Media Player - Media Player is a type of plug-in that will enable you to play sound and video clips. You can download it FREE from the Media Player download section of the Microsoft website.

Memory - Memory is a bit like the 'brain' of your computer. Therefore, the more memory it has, the more things your computer can do at the same time.

Modem - Modem is short for modulator-demodulator. It is a device which enables your computer to communicate with other computers via a standard phone line.

Multimedia - Multimedia means audio and video content. A 'multimedia computer' is one that has a sound card, CD-ROM drive and speakers with which it can play sound and video content. Multimedia learning resources contain sound and video clips to help you learn.

Net - Net is an abbreviation for 'Internet'.

Netscape Navigator - Please see Browser.

Network - A network is a way of linking a series of computers together so that they can communicate with each other. You can have local area networks (LAN) or wide area networks (WAN).

Operating System - The operating system is the software that your computer uses for all of its most fundamental tasks. It tells the computer how to work. The most common operating systems are Windows and Macintosh, however there are other types such as Linux and Unix. These systems are usually not compatible with each other.

Password - A password is an individual identifying code. You can protect information that you want to keep private or accessible only to you. Often, you are asked to create a password when you specify a username or when you register with a new site.

Plug-In - A plug-in is a piece of software - usually downloaded from the Internet - that adds extra features or functionality to a program that you already have on your computer. Some plug-ins enable browsers to use special content such as online animations.

RAM - The RAM ('Random Access Memory') is the place within your computer's memory where information is stored while you are working on it.

Refresh/Reload - All web browsers have a Refresh or Reload button. If a page seems to be taking an unusually long time to load, or if it has loaded but some graphics or text seem to be missing, then press Reload or Refresh to force the page to load again.

Right-Click - If you are using a PC, you will see that your mouse has two buttons on it. Right clicking will give you extra options depending on the software you are using.

Server - A server is a powerful computer that holds all of the information that people on the same network will need to access. This web page is held on a server.

Sound Card - You will need to have a sound card in your computer to play multimedia content. The sound card produces the audio content that is played by your computer through your speakers.

Source - The source of a web page refers to the code that the computer reads in order to create the website. Web pages can be written in a variety of computer languages such as HTML, XML or Java Script to name a few. You can view this source code by clicking on View Source in your browser.

Video Card - Sometimes called graphics cards, the video card produces the display viewed on your screen which is made up of dots called 'pixels'. Usually a video card will show at least 800 pixels wide by 600 pixels high and they can use millions of colours. Older cards operate at 640 by 480 pixels and use only 256 colours.

Website - A website is a collection of web pages that are linked together by their first page, or homepage.

Web Page - A web page is one page of a website. It can be viewed through your browser window.

Windows Media Player - Please see 'Media Player'.