Acrobat: Software from Adobe Systems for looking at fully formatted documents that are saved in PDF (Portable Document Format), and may be viewed in their original form.

Address: Used for finding people, URLs, email, newsgroups.

ASCII: A standardized computer language that uses binary code to represent alpha-numeric and other symbols.

Automated degree audit: A computerized system that matches a student's coursework with his/her degree requirements.

Bandwidth: How much data can be sent over the net in a period of time.

Bookmarks: A feature of a browser that allows a user to mark a site and save the URL for easily returning to it.

Browser: A software program used to access the World Wide Web. The two most common are Netscape and Internet Explorer.

Cache: (Pronounced "cash" which I, as a State employee, do not have a lot of.) Stored information for quick access. Usually images that are saved in a cache file, which allows for quicker loading of pages, since the browser does not completely recreate the file every time the page is loaded, but rather draws upon a stored version. A problem can arise when a user is looking at a cached version of a page, and changes have occurred on the page. Can always reload the page to get the most recent version.

Cookie: A method of storing personalized data about a user, usually in a browser folder. Cookies allow web sites to deliver personalized information to users (i.e. current coursework, directory information, etc.).

CPU: Central Processing Unit. The brain of a computer. This is where the real work takes place, and is the most important part of the computer.

Database: A collection of data made up of fields used to search and reference information (i.e. student's SSN, major, address, etc.).

Download: Transmitting information from a remote computer to your local machine.

Electronic imaging: Process of converting paper documents to digital format.

Email: Electronic mail. Sending mail over networks.

Emoticon: ASCII figures used to show emotional content of a message.  :-)

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions. Either loved or despised. Some say if you need FAQs, you haven't done your job by designing your site well enough to answer those questions. Others swear by their accessibility to quick answers, without being forced to look through lots of pages for information.

File Server: Computer that stores data and makes that information available to other computers.

Firewall: A method of protecting information from unauthorized (and/or undesirable) access.

Flame: Personally attacking another person in email or in a newsgroup. Considered to be in bad form.

Frame: Breaking a browser window into multiple sections. Typically each frame will have independent navigation. Some people swear by them, but in truth, frames are often problematic for many browsers, and so probably should be used with caution.

Freeware: Free software. Much freeware is available on the web.

FTP: File Transfer Protocol. Used for transferring files from one computer to another. It's common to use client programs to do this, such as Fetch for the Macintosh.

GIF: Graphics Interchange Format. One of two common compression methods for graphic files. Used commonly for small color images (not the best format for photographs).

Home Page: The entry page for a web site.

Host: A computer, usually remote, where data is stored and accessed.

HTML: Hypertext Markup Language. Programming language most commonly used for creating web pages.

HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol. Used for transferring data from servers to your computer.

Hyperlink (or Link): Allows the user to jump from one web page to another, or to send email. The link can be textual or graphical.

Icon: A small picture. May be used as a link.

Internet: The "net." It's one of those things that we all know what it is, but can be difficult to define. Basically, interconnected networks that allow for access to shared information, email, file transfer, and many other wonderful uses (like shopping).

Intranet: A local network. Typically only accessible to users within a defined group (company, institution, department, etc.).

Java: A south Pacific island, a cup of coffee, and a general-purpose object-oriented programming language. Java can do lots of nifty things, but again should be used judiciously, as many people do not load their browsers with Java enabled.

Javascript: A scripting language that allows the user to run applications over the web. Javascript can be used to help create dynamic web pages, where users are prompted to enter information, and that information is then processed. Some good examples of js use include warnings prior to deleting information and opening new windows from a link.

JPEG: Joint Photographic Experts Group. Another graphic format. Most commonly used for photographic images.

Listserv: A system for distributing email to the participants of an email list.

Lurker: Someone who reads email or posts in a newsgroup, but doesn't answer.

Mainframe: A large computer which performs and controls all the tasks of a given computer system. Typically accessed via terminals on your desk.

Netiquette: Rules for participating on the net, in email, in newsgroups, etc.

Network: Two or more computers linked together for the purpose of sharing information.

Newbie: Someone new to the web.

PIN: Personal Identification Number. A unique method of identifying a user who is trying to access and/or update information (about themselves usually). A good example is the use of PINs by students who are registering via electronic methods (telephone and/or computer).

RAM: Random Access Memory. Computer memory that temporarily stores information. Having more memory allows for more applications and documents to be open at a time, or allows them to work more efficiently.

Search Engine: An application used for searching the web.

Secure server: A secure computer. Authorized users will need passwords/pins to access. Used for accessing, updating and storing sensitive and/or confidential information.

Server: A computer used to provide information to remote computers.

Shareware: Software available at no cost, but after a trial period, you pay a small fee to keep it. Sometimes with the fee, you'll get access codes to keep the program running, or a full version, and upgrades.

Spam: Junk email, or a Hormel canned pork product.

Toolbar: Navigational buttons used on a browser.

Upload: Moving information from a local computer to a remote computer.

URL: Uniform Resource Locator. The "address" used to find a web site. More specifically, it's the location of the web site. URLs have a standard format: protocol://server-name/path/subdirectory/

In web page design, there are two kinds of URLs that are designated in links: absolute and relative. Absolute URLs are the full URL, and designate a fixed point. Relative URLs are used for links to files within the same site. They usually consist of just the file name, or the directory and file name. The good thing about these is that they are portable. If you move your entire site to a different directory, and have relative URLs in your pages, you will not need to redo all your links. If you have absolute URLs, you'll have to redo them. Relative URLs only work for files within the same directory.

Web: Abbreviation for World Wide Web. A browser program is needed to access the web.

Web page: A document on the web, with its unique URL.

Web site: A location on the web. A web site typically consists of a home page and a variety of other pages.

Web Master: Person responsible for a web site.