Terminology...

Table of Contents

IMS has gathered a small list of common terms used in the online community. Many of these terms are specific to Marketing, Programming, and other related areas. We hope these terms help you on the WWW.

A

• ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN & MANAGEMENT
- Advertise specifically to your industry and monitor return.
• AFFILIATE
-Programs that generate leads and sales from other websites, paying commissions for those sites that host their products.
• ALT TAG
- Text placed within a web page, for when you mouse over an item, text, graphic, or logo, displays text matching that explaining what it is. Specifically needed for the seeing impaired who rely heavily on alt tags to view web pages. Also, key in weighting down a page with key words optimizing it for Search Engine Placement.
• APPLET
- A small JAVA program that can be embedded in an HTML page.
• ARCHIVE
- A collection of files stored on a computer.
• ASCII
- ( American Standard Code for Information Interchange) Standard code numbers used by computers to represent all the upper and lower-case Latin letters, numbers, punctuation etc.
• AUTHENTICATION
- A security measure for checking authenticity of users identity.
• AUTORESPONDER
- People use this to inform others when they are away from there computers and unable to answer e-mail for awhile automatically.
• AVI
-Short for Audio Visual Interleave. The file formats for Microsoft’s video for Windows Standard.

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B

• BANDWIDTH
- Measures the amount of data passing through a communication connection at one time.
• BINARY
- Information consisting of ones and zeros as well files referring to not to test such as images.
• BINHEX
-(BINary HEXadecimal) the process to convert non-text files in ASCII. Email can only handle ASCII.
• BOOKMARK
- A feature supported by web browsers to access frequently viewed web page when saved to this file. Rather then looking up a URL each time.
• BPS
- The speed of which data is traveling from one place to another.
• BROADBAND
- High-speed data transmission in which a single cable carry several channels of data at one time.
• BROWSER
-A program used to view documents. i.e.: Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape and many others.

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C

• CACHE
- Stores recently used information in a place where it can be accessed faster, instead of downloading a page in its entirety from the Web each and every time.
• CGI
-A protocol that allows as organized exchange of data between client and server.
• CGI BIN
- The place on a web server where CGI programs are stored.
• CLICKABLE IMAGE MAP
- A map or graphic that has hyperlinks in it extending information for specific areas when clicked on.
• CONSULTING
- One on one guidance to enhance your efforts and understanding for a complete informed WEB experience.
• COOKIES
- To identify users and possibly prepare customized web pages. When asked to fill out a form , this information is stored for later use and when viewed again will personalize the page to what you have entered.
• CSS
-( Cascading Style Sheets) An answer to the limitations of HTML,where the structure of documents was defined and not the display. CSS formats documents for display in browsers that support it.
• CUSTOMIZED ONLINE FORMS
- The ability to create forms to meet the needs of clients and their industry. I.e. Contact, Inquiries etc.
• CUSTOMIZED SHOPPING CART
- Development of software customized to a clients protocol and products that allows a viewer to place or retrieve contents when buying or selling items into one place before proceeding with their purchase or sale.

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D

• DATABASE DEVELOPMENT
- The collection of data and information prudent to client for retrieval and search.
• DATABASE FRONT END
- The interface that integrates the WWW applications with higher qualified database programs.
• DEDICATED LINE
- A permanent communication line specifically for access to the internet for your computer.
• DHTML
-1) Refers to web content that changes each time it is viewed. 2) HTML extensions enables a web page to react to user input with out sending requests to the server.
• DLL
-(Dynamic Link Library) A library of functions stored on your hard drive that allows programs to use its resources, memory, disk drive etc. more efficiently.
• DOC FILES
- Microsoft word format
• DOMAIN NAME
- The name used to access your site through the WWW usually ending in .com, .org, .net etc.
• DOWNLOAD
- Ability to transfer files from one computer to another.
• DSL
- (Digital Subscriber Line) The method of using phone lines to move data much faster then a regular phone connection.

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E

• E-COMMERCE
-The ability to shop and exchange funds electronically online via the internet or a network. Simply put the ability to buy and sell on the internet.
• ELECTRONIC STOREFRONT
- A virtual space in an electronic mall, conisists of space on a server where HTML documents are stored.
• E-MAIL
- A message sent by computer from one user to another over a network.
• EMBEDDED HYPERLINK
- A hyperlink that is incorporated into a line of text.
• ENCRYPTION
- The way of making data unreadable to everyone except the receiver. Perfect for secure sites that use credit card numbers for commercial transactions.

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F

• FIREWALL
-A security measure that protects networks from unauthorized access into the inner file system of a computer.
• FLATFILES
-ASCII text files that contain data in a pre-set format.
• FLASH/ANIMATION
-A presentation of art and information.
• FTP
- (FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL)- Common way to transfer or move files between two internet sites.

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G

• GATEWAY
-A hardware or software set-up that translates between two dissimilar protocols, providing access to another system. AOL is a gateway to the internet.
• GIF
-A format for image files, great for images with a large area of same color. Smaller then JPEG and does not store photographic images as well as JPEG.
• GRAPHICS/LOGO DEVELOPMENT
-Ability to create and develop customized logos or images received from or for a client.

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H

• HIT
- A single request from a browser for a single item from a web server.
• HOME PAGE
-The home page serves as a sort of road map in a multi-page website and is usually the first page a user sees.
• HTML
-coding language used to structure text and documents for viewing on the website also for hyperlinks, consisting of tags that hold pertinent information.
• HTTP
-The protocol for moving hypertext files across the internet.
• HYPERMEDIA
-Multimedia links on the web that lead to sound, graphic, or text resources.
• HYPERLINK
- A synonym for hypertext link meaning the same thing. A link inside text leading to another document or page.
• HYPERTEXT
-Any text that contains links to other documents. Words and phrases in a document can be chosen by a viewer in which would cause another document or page to open. Excellent for keyword weight in the search engines as well.

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I

• ICON
-Represents an object or program on your hard drive usually by a graphic or logo.
• IMAP
-Internet Message Access Protocol- using this an email client can not only retrieve email but view it and manipulate it on the server as well.
• INLINE IMAGE
- A built in graphic that is displayed by the browser as part of an HTML document and is retrieved along with it.
• INTERNIC
-The company responsible for maintaining domains on the web.
• IP ADDRESS
- The identifier for a computer or ISDN-Integrated Services Digital Network- a way to move more data over existing regular phone lines.
• ISP
- (Internet Service Provider) A person or business that supplies connectivity to the internet and through the internet.

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J

• JAVA
- To create programs that can be safely downloaded to your computer through the internet and immediately run without fear of viruses or other harm to your computer files. Using small JAVA programs (called APPLETS) web pages can include functions such as animation, calculators, and other fancy tricks.
• JAVA SCRIPT
-A scripting language not a programming language. The difference is mainly that scripting languages are parsed at runtime while programming languages are pre-compiled. In addition JS is designed to work specifically with the DOM (Document Object Model) the structure of your browser and the document it displays.
• JPEG
-( Joint Photographic Experts Group) – Most commonly used format for image files. Great for photographic images as opposed to line art or logo art.

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K

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L

• LAN
- (LOCAL AREA NETWORK)- A computer network that spans a relative small area. Most connect work stations and personal computers. Each computer has its own CPU with which it executes the program but it is also able to access data and devices anywhere on the Network.. Great for sharing printers, files, And storing programs to one CPU as compared to 5 or 6.
• LINK
- A connection between two HTML documents. IE: what happens when you click on an image or highlighted text in a web page.
• LINUX
- A widely used OPEN SOURCE UNIX like operating system. The inner workings of LINUX are open and available to anyone to examine and change as long as they make their changes available to the public.

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M

• MAIL FILTER
-A program that allows the user to sort email messages according to information contained in the header.
• MAILBOT
-An email server that automatically responds to requests for information.
• MAILING LIST
- A discussion forum where a user subscribes to receive information by email.
• META TAGS
-The coding on the back end of your website that allows the search engines to locate you. Including Titles, Keywords, and Description. Also content is important in this area on the actual web page to support the tags.
• MIME
-( Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) An extension to the traditional internet mail protocol that allows binary, or non text, files,(ie: graphics,executables, audio files. Etc.) to be sent as attachments to regular email messages.
• MIRROR
- To maintain an exact copy of something. Web site or FTP sites that maintain copies of material originated at another location, usually in order to provide more widespread access to the resource.
• MODEM
-A device that connects a computer to a phone line. A telephone for a computer allowing computer to speak to each other over the phone line.
• MULIT-MEDIA
-Means more than one of the following media devices being used at one time. Animation, Sound, Video, 3-D, and or Virtual Reality.
• MySQL
- A relational database management system famous for being OPEN SOURCE, usually free and highly efficient. Essentially a database is defined as an organized collection of data. The DBMS sits “on top of” this data providing and interface between the database and the user.

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N

• NETIQUETTE
- The etiquettes on the internet.
• NETWORK
-Any time 2 or more computers are connected together to share resources.
• NIC
- Network Information Center- An office that handles information for a network.

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O

• ONLINE MARKETING
-Real world marketing on the WWW. Strategies and concepts that have proven to be of success to be SEEN on the Net.
• ONLINE RESEARCH
- Services to research information in your industry to better meet your needs on the Net.
• OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE
- Software for which the underlying programming code is available to the users so that they may read it, make changes to it, and build new versions of the software incorporating their changes.
• ORACLE
-Another relational database management system famous for being very good with many add-ons and a long internet history.

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P

• PERL
-A scripting language that borders functionality on being a programming language famous for being portable, and reliable. It is probably the most common language for CGI. It is OPEN SOURCE
• PHP
-Hypertext Processor is a server-side HTML embedded scripting language used to create dynamic Web pages.
• PLATFORM
-The type of computer or operating system on which a software application runs. PLUG-IN-A downloadable program that attaches to your browser to allow the use of certain multi media.
• POP
-Post Office Protocol- Refers to the way an email client gets email from a server. When you sign up for an email account from your ISP you get a POP account with in it.
• PORTAL
- Used as a marketing term to describe a web site that is or is intended to be the first place people see when using the Web. Typically a “Portal Site” has a catalog of web sites, a search engine or both. A portal site may also offer email to entice a user to use that site as their MAIN POINT OF ENRTY to the WWW.
• PREFERNCE SETTING
-A set of parameters on software tools, especially WWW BROWSERS, that allow the user to attach a signature file to email or newsgroup messages, change the color and the appearance of text etc.
• PROTOCOL
-A specification that describes how computers will talk to each other on a network.
• PROXY SERVER
-Sits in between the client and the Real server that a client is trying to use. Client’s are sometimes configured to use a proxy server usually as an HTTP server. The client makes all its requests form the proxy server which then makes a request form the real server and passes the result back to the client. Commonly established on LAN.
• PROFESSIONAL COPY EDITING AND CONTENT DEVELOPMENT
-Development of content for your web site and editing of your material to meet WWW standards.

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Q

• QUICK TIME
-Apple computer’s entry in the video format arena.

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R

• REAL TIME CHAT
- This is one use of that internet that allows live conversation between by typing on a computer terminal. The most common are Talk and Instant Messaging.
• ROUTER
-Hardware or software that connects a local network to the Internet. Routers spend all their time looking at the destination address of the packets passing though them and deciding which route to send them on.

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S

• SDSL
-(Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) A version of DSL where upload and downloads speeds are the same.
• SEARCH ENGINE
-A service that will search the entire WWW according to your search request. Like YAHOO and MSN
• SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION
-Getting your website search engine friendly as to be received and submit as requested by the search engines protocol.
• SERVER
- A computer or a software package that provides a specific kind of service to a client software running on other computers. Can refer to software on the WWW or a specific machine for where the software is running.
• SERVER CO-LOCATION
-an address for your website.
• SESSION TRACKING
-Ability to track who is coming to your site and from where and how long.
• SMDS
-(Switched Multimegabit Data Service- A standard for a very high speed data transfer.
• SNAIL MAIL
-Mail sent via the US post office as opposed through the internet.
• SPAM
-An inappropriate attempt to use a mailing list or USENET or other networked communications facility as if it was a broadcast medium, by sending the same message to a large of people who didn’t ask for it.
• SQL
-( Structured Query Language) A specialized language for sending queries to databases.
• STREAMING
-Data streaming, commonly used in the terms “audio streaming” or “video Streaming” is when data moves from one computer to another and doesn’t have to be completely downloaded for the receiving computer to do something with it.
• SSL
-(Secure Sockets Layer)- A standard for encrypted transmissions of the web. A protocol developed by Netscape for transmitting documents via the internet. SSL works by using a public key to encrypt data that’s transferred over the SSL connection. Both Netscape and Internet Explorer support SSL and many web sites use the protocol to obtain confidential user information, such as credit card numbers. By convention, URL’s that require an SSL connection usually start with HTTPS: instead of HTTP:
• SYSOP
-System Operator- Anyone responsible for the physical operations of a computer system or network resource.

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T

• TCP/IP
-(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)-This is the suiteof protocols that defines the Internet. Originally designed for the UNIX operating system. TCP/IP is now included in every major kind of computer operating system. To be truly on the internet you must have TCP/IP software.
• T-1
-A leased line connection capable of carrying data at 1,544,000 bits per second. Commonly used to connect large LAN’s to the Internet.
• T-3
-A leased line connection capable of carrying data at 44,736,000 bits per second. This is more than enough to do full screen, full motion video.
• TELNET
-The command and program used to login from one internet site to another.
• TERMINAL
-A device that allows you to send commands to a computer somewhere else. At minimum this means a keyboard and a display screen and some simple circuitry.
• TERMINAL SERVER
- A special purpose computer that has places to plug in many modems on one side and connection to a LAN or Host machine on the other side. Thus the terminal does that work of answering the calls and passed the connections on to the a appropriate work station.
• TEXT BASED BROWSER
-A browser that cannot handle hypermedia files.

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U

• URI
-(Uniform Resource Identifier) As address for a S resource on the internet.
• URL
-(Uniform Resource Locator) This is the actual address of your web page including the server you are using.
• URN
-( Uniform Resource Name) A URI that is supposed to be available for a long time. USENET-A worldwide system for discussion groups, with comments passed along hundreds of thousands of machines.
• UUENCODE
-( UNIX to UNIX Encoding)- A method for converting files from Binary to ASCII (text)so that they can be sent across the internet via email.

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V

• VPN
-(Virtual Private Network)- Usually refers to a network in which some of the parts are connected using the public internet, but the data sent across the internet is encrypted. So the entire network is Virtually private.

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W

• WEB HOSTING
- Access to data through modem or network.
• WEBMASTER
- The person responsible for administering a web site.
• WEB PAGE
- A text document made up of HTML tags that may contain links, graphics, downloadable files, other web pages, audio, and or video sources.
• WEB PRESENCE
- Your accessibility and availability on the NET. Your ability to be found easily by viewers.
• WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT|MANAGEMENT
- The ability to take your visions and implement them into a viable reality.

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X

• XHTML
- A hybrid between HTML and XML specifically designed for Net device displays, ensures that layout and presentation stay true to form over any platform.

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