Web Glossary : Geek Dictionary of Technical Words, Phrases and Terms

At Byte Size Media, we try to avoid using techno-jargon when discussing Web sites and other forms of interactive media, but sometimes there's just no getting around those nasty acronyms and indecipherable technical terms only a fourteen year old can understand.

Therefore, to make your life a little bit easier (geek joke), we present our Geek Speak Glossary.

If after consulting the glossary your head is still swimming, we're also available to act as official translators between Geek and what the rest of us speak. Contact us for more info.

404 error (Page Not Found)
A web server message in the browser indicating that the file trying to be accessed doesn't exist or isn't available

Above The Fold
Term used to refer to information that appears in a Web browser window that doesn't require scrolling to view. The term originally referred to information on the front page of newspapers that appeared above the fold of the newspaper, and would appear in the window of a newspaper box.

active content
Interactive web content that changes dynamically based on user input.

Active Server Pages (ASP)
A Microsoft Web server-side programming technology that enables web pages to be generated dynamically from the server.

ActiveX
Code developed by Microsoft for interaction between Microsoft applications. It was developed as competition to Java technology from Sun Microsystems

AIFF or AIF
A sound file format that is compatible with both Windows and Macintosh operating systems

algorithm
In a general sense, it is a set of unambiguous rules for the solving of a problem. To a programmer, it is a set of commands in computer code.

aliasing
An undesirable graphic effect when smooth graphics look jagged because the resolution is not high enough

alpha channel
A portion of data that is reserved for transparency information in a graphic, which allows graphics to be “layered”.

alpha version
The first version of a computer program or Web site before all testing has been done, and problems worked out. Should be considered a ‘work in progress’

anchor
A type of html code that specifies a certain Web page, or location on a Web page. Used for links.

animated GIF
A file containing a series of pictures that are displayed in a rapid sequence to simulate movement

animation
A simulation of movement created in a graphics program. Web animation is often created as animated gifs, or Macromedia Flash.

antialiasing
The process that smoothes out jagged graphics by using higher resolution or converting pixel-based graphics to code based vector graphics.

Apache Web server
An open source Web server that is freely available and can be modified by programmers

ASCII (American Code for Information Interchange)
The standard code used by computers to represent characters with each letter assigned a number from 1 to 127

ASCII file
A text file in which each byte represents one character according to the ASCII code. ASCII files do not support in character formatting.

avatar
A computer generated representation of a person, generally used in multi-player games, and some chat programs

bezier
In graphic files, curved lines defined by a mathematical formula as opposed to graphics depicted by pixels

back end
Another name for the server or any applications or programming that provides functionality to a web site such as a database

backbone
Refers to the large capacity cables that support the majority of Internet traffic

backbone provider
The companies that provide a connection to the Internet to Internet Server Providers (ISP)

backdoor
A weakness in the security of computer code that allows users to gain access to a program, web site or computer

BAK file
A file type, indicating information that is a copy or back-up of another file

bandwidth
The amount of data that can transfer over a network in a specified period of time. Bandwidth determines the rate at which information can be sent through a channel - the greater the bandwidth, the more information that can be sent in a given amount of time. Usually measured in bits-per-second. A full page of English text is about 16,000 bits. A 56Kbs modem can easily move 16,000 bits in less than one second.

beta version
The first version of software that is considered stable enough to be released for testing, but not yet ready for commercial release

binary
A number system that has just two unique digits. In computer programming, generally represented by 1 and 0

binary file
Any kind of computer data that is not plain readable text (such as ASCII). Usually, but not necessarily, compiled executable code.

BinHex
An encoding scheme that converts binary data into ASCII characters. Used to compress files, often so they can be sent over the Internet.

bit
A fundamental unit of information having just two possible values, as either of the binary digits 0 or 1.

bit-mapped graphics
Graphics that are represented by pixels. What the computer can displayed is dependent on how many bits are assigned to each pixel, ranging from 1 bit (black and white) to 24 bit (16 million colors). 32 bit graphics have an additional alpha channel

blog (Abbreviation for weblog)
A publicly accessible personal journal stored on a Web site.

bomb
Refers to a computer software or hardware problem. An exploding bomb graphic that usually shows up when a program has shut down unexpectedly.

bot (short form of robot)
A software program that autonomously performs functions on the Internet, such as indexing information on Web sites. Also known as spider and crawler. You will see visits to your Web site by

bread crumbs
A type of navigation that lets users navigate back through the pages of a Web site

broadband
An internet connection having a bandwidth sufficient to carry multiple voice, video or data channels simultaneously.

browser
The computer program used to view Web pages.Common browsers are Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera, and Safari.

bug
A problem in computer code that causes an error, malfunction, or unintended results.

byte
A set of bits that represent a single character, or piece of digital information. Usually there are 8 bits in a byte.

capture
Refers to saving or capturing data ie. from a Web-based form submission.

CD-I (Compact Disc-Interactive)
A software and hardware standard developed jointly by Philips International and Sony Corporation for storing video, audio, and binary data on compact optical disks. Has been replaced by newer technology, such as CD-ROM and DVD.

CD-R drive (Compact Disk Recordable drive)
A type of disk drive that can copy files onto recordable CD-ROM disks

CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory)
A type of optical disk capable of storing large amounts of data.

CD-RW disk (CompactDisc ReWriteable)
A disk that can be erased and recorded numerous times.

CERN
The major European international accelerator laboratory located near Geneva, Switzerland, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics. The Web was born in 1990, when Tim Berners-Lee, a computer scientist at CERN programmed the first types of computer codes called protocols, that allowed a computer anywhere to contact any other computer and communicate unfettered by log-in accounts and database incompatibilities.

CFML (Cold Fusion Mark-up Language)
A tag based server scripting language(like html), that runs on Macromedia's ColdFusion server.

CGI (Common Gateway Interface)
A set of rules that describe how a Web Server communicates with another piece of software on the same machine, and how the other piece of software (the 'CGI program') talks to the web server. Usually a CGI program is a small program that takes data from a web server and does something with it, like putting the content of a form into an e-mail message, or turning the data into a database query.

CGI-BIN
The most common name of a directory on a web server in which CGI programs are stored. The 'bin' refers to binaries, or executable files.

click-through
Refers to when a user clicks on a Web page advertisement and is sent to an advertiser’s site.

client-side
Any type of script processing or computing that is executed by the user’s computer, as opposed to the Web server.

clip art
Electronic illustrations that have be created to be inserted into a document. Many clip art libraries exist on the Web, and offer clip art either for free, or based on a per-use or buy-out royalty payment.

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black)
The color format used for print reproduction. All colors of the rainbow are created by combining the three colors plus black. Computer graphics are based on RGB or Red, Green and Blue.

co-location
Refers to having a Web server that belongs to one person or group physically located on an Internet-connected network that belongs to another person or group.

codec (compressor/decompressor)
A codec is any technology for compressing and decompressing data

ColdFusion
A Macromedia product that includes a server and a development toolset designed to integrate databases and Web pages. ColdFusion is a server-side program that integrates browser, server, and database technologies. ColdFusion runs entirely on the server, so no browser plug-ins are needed.

color depth
The number of bits assigned to each pixel in the image and the number of colors that can be created from those bits. 1-bit = Black & White. True Color uses 24 bits per pixel to render 16 million colors.

compact disc (CD)
A CD is a storage medium for information on a small disk that can be read by laser technology.

compiled executable code
Computer code that has been processed to make it into a binary application

compression
Compacting and storing data in a format that requires less space than usual. Common suffixes for compression formats include: zip, tar, sit, hqx

content management system (CMS)
Software that enables a person to add and/or manipulate content on their Web site from within a Web browser.

convert
To change data from one format to another. For example, sound files may have to be converted from .wav to .mp3

cookie
A small string of text sent by a Web server to a user's browser. It identifies that user should they return again. 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

copyright
Copyright protects intellectual property, conferring ownership to the creator of the creative work upon creation. Examples of intellectual property covered under copyright include text (poem, story, novel, lyric, computer code etc), images (photos, graphics and illustrations), music, etc.

CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
Refers to software used to track sales prospects and customers, both current and potential.

cron
A Unix command for scheduling jobs to be executed sometime in the future. A cron is normally used to schedule a job that is executed periodically - for example, to send out a notice every morning.

crop
To cut off parts of a graphic that are not necessary to the presentation of that graphic

CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
A text document that defines all the styles that will appear throughout a web site, including text colors, styles, sizes, etc. If the style on a site must changed, it can be changed in one place and is applied to all pages in the site.

CSV (Comma Separated Value)
A format used in a text file that separates pieces of information with commas. Information saved in this format can easily be imported and exported into databases and spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel

data compression
Storing data in a format that requires less space than usual. For instance, video and sound files require a large amount of data. By using certain compression algorithms, the file size can be made smaller without a noticeable decrease in resolution

database
An organized body of related information that can be processed and presented in a variety of ways

decoder
Hardware or software that receives information which has been encrypted and uses an algorithm to interpret the signals and reconstruct them into meaningful data

dedicated server
A single computer in a network reserved for serving the needs of the network. The server may service an internal computer network, or may be used to serve a single Web site.

deep link
Any Web page below the top level (ie home page) in a directory tree structure

delimiter
A group of characters used to delineate the beginning and end of a data field or fields. Common delimiters are commas, colons, semicolons and pipes ( | ).

digital photography
Pictures taken with a digital camera are stored as data as opposed to photographs that use a chemical process to change negative film by exposing it to light.

digitize
The process of converting traditional media such as photos, sound recordings, or video tape into a digital format for use on a computer.

Director
A program by Macromedia used for creating interactive applications. Commonly used for creating content for CD-ROMs and kiosks.

dithering
A technique for creating the appearance of a particular color by arranging pixels of different colors.

DLL (Dynamic Link Library)
A file containing a collection of Windows functions designed to perform a specific class of operations.

DNS (Domain Name Server)
Used to map names to IP addresses and vice versa. Domain Name Servers maintain central lists of domain name/IP addresses and map the domain names in your Internet requests to other servers on the Internet until the specified web site is found.

DNS parking
Securing a domain name for future use and reserving it until it is ready to be used for a website.

DOM (Document Object Model)
The specifications for how objects in a web page (text, images, headers, links) are represented.

dpi (dots per inch)
The term dots usually refers to pixels. The more dots per inch, the higher the resolution of the image. Most computer monitors display graphics at 72 or 96 dpi.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
A method for moving data over regular phone lines. A DSL circuit is much faster than a regular phone connection, and the wires coming into the subscriber's premises are the same (copper) wires used for regular phone service.

duplication
To reproduce an exact copy of a computer data. Often used when talking about making multiple copies of CDs, CD-ROMs and DVDs.

DVD (Digital Video Disk)
Visually, a DVD disk looks like a CD or CD-ROM, but can hold 4.7 gigabytes of data. A CD can hold a maximum of 700 megabytes of data.

DVD+RW (Digital Video Disk + ReWriteable)
A disk that can be erased and recorded numerous times.

DVD-Video
A video format for displaying full length digital movies on a DVD player attached to a television.

Dynamic HTML (dHTML)
Based on traditional HTML formatting, dHTML supports multiple ‘layers’ of content on a Web page. This web content can be manipulated by the code so that it can move, resize and appear/disappear. DHTML code is not always compatible between Netscape and Internet Explorer browsers.

dynamic IP
An IP address assigned to your computer or network by your ISP that changes every time you connect to the Internet.

e-zine
A digital magazine. It can either be an adjunct to an existing printed magazine or can be a strictly web-based

easter egg
A secret message, credit or screen buried in an application. Often includes the names of the developers responsible for the application.

email (electronic mail)
Messages sent from one person to another via computer. Email messages can be sent as plain text, or visually formatted using HTML. Email can also sent to group of people on a mailing list.

Email Client
A program, such as Microsoft Outlook, that allows a user to compose, send and receive email.

Enhanced CD
A music CD that has a data track containing computer files, usually in the form of an audio/visual presentation.

Ethernet
A common method of linking several computers together into a network, using copper cables.

Exchange Server
Microsoft email server that manages the messaging and email connection needs of a number of computers on a network.

EXE (Executable file)
The designation on a Windows PC for an executable binary file, usually a software program.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Set up to provide answers to the most commonly asked users’ questions

favicon (favorite icon)
A file type that allows a custom icon to be displayed beside a favorite on Internet Explorer. When Internet Explorer visits a site, it will look for the favicon file, and use it if the site is saved as a favorite.

Favorite
A method of saving a Web site address in Internet Explorer. Called Bookmark in Netscape.

feathering
Using a computer algorithm to arrange pixels to apparently soften the edges of an image.

feature creep
A term used to describe how a project can go off schedule and over budget when new features that were not included in the original specifications are added to a project during the production phase.

file format
The term used for specifying a file type. For example, doc = Microsoft Word document, psd = Photoshop file, etc.

fill
When creating graphics, a solid patch of color inserted into an image is called fill

firewall
A software or combination hardware/software system that prevents unauthorized entry into a computer or network of computers.

Flash
An animation application by Macromedia that allows the use of vector graphics and is compatible on all net browsers using a small player that is freely available on the Macromedia Web site. The most recent versions of Flash also support a rich programming environment.

flat file
A text file that contains delimited data that might otherwise be stored in a database

font
Also called typeface, it is the style of a set of characters in text. Common fonts are Arial, Times and Helvetica.

font family
As above, this is the same set of characters but rendered in a number of styles such as bold, italic, oblique, etc.

form
A document that contains any number of data input devices or text fields that can be filled in by users online.

format
The preparation of a storage medium such as a hard drive to receive information. Also used in reference to text that has visual formatting applied to it, such as changes in font, color, size, etc.

frames
A method used within a Web page that allows the page to subdivided into independent areas where separate files can be displayed. This Glossary is a framed page, with the navigational index in one frame, and definition in another.

front end
Usually refers to the graphic interface seen by the user of a piece of software or a website.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
A way computers transfer information and files over the Internet. A Web site is usually created on a desktop computer, then transferred to the Web server through a program that uses FTP.

functional specification
Specifies what you want the web site or interactive application to do. Visit our Pricing area to generate functional specifications for your project.

garbage in, garbage out
A derogatory term used by programmers. To paraphrase: You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.

geek
A person who eats, sleeps and lives computers. Programmers are often refered to as geeks.

ghost site
A web site that remains live and functional but is no longer maintained or updated.

GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
A type of graphic file format, originally created by Compuserve. It can represent a still image, or a number of still images displayed consecutively to form animation.

glitch
Synonymous with bug, it is an error discovered in software code that returns unexpected or unintended results.

Google
A very popular search engine. The word google has now entered the vernacular as a verb, as in "I googled him", meaning you used the person's name on the search engine to find out more information about him.

graphics
The display of pictures digitally. Used by Web designers to refer to the visual elements of a Web page or interactive media application

greek text
Sometimes referred to as 'Lorem Ipsum' because it is the first two words of a block of text used to fill space that will eventually replaced by the final text.

hacker
Someone who changes code, usually in an unauthorized manner. Also used to refer to legitimate programmers.

hard coded
Computer code that utilizes fixed numbers and text instead of variables. Code using variables is more transportable to other documents, but may take more time to program.

hexadecimal
(base-16) numbers. Colors used on the Web can all be represented in a hexadecimal format. For example #FFFFFF represents white, #000000 represents black. The purple color used on this page is #8D3C86.

hit
Each time a file is accessed from a Web server, it is called a hit. Most Web pages are made up of at least one text file, and any number of graphic and other files. So displaying one Web page can result in many hits to the server. Hits are not an accurate representation of visitors to a Web page.

hot link
A function on a site that allows a user to ‘click’ between two areas of information.

hotspot
Common in multimedia presentations and now on web sites, a hotspot allows activation of a function when selected. In browsers, hotspots are invisible. Users can tell that a hotspot is present by the changing appearance of the mouse pointer.

HotSpot
A term used to describe a physical area that provides wireless internet connectivity. Several coffee shops and airports now provide HotSpots.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language)
The tag format language used to create documents on the Web.

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
The protocol used to transfer Web pages over the Internet.

hybrid
Refers to a CD-ROM that is formatted to be used on both Windows and Macintosh computers.

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.

hypertext
As above, referring specifically to text that links to another web page.

ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers)
The organization that is responsible for IP address allocations.

image map
A number of x/y coordinates that defines areas on a web graphic. These areas are usually linked to other files.

image processing
The program (PhotoShop is a good example) that allows the manipulation of photos or graphics for digital display or hard copy reproduction.

impressions
The number of views per page of a client or advertiser’s advertising.

initialize
To format a disk, to assign a starting value to a variable or the starting up of a program or system for the first time

inline graphics
Graphic image formats that can be displayed within a Web browser. Jpg, gif and png image file formats can all be displayed by Web browsers without requiring any additional software.

installer
A software utility that uncompresses a file and copies the various elements to your hard drive.

intelligent agent
A Web program that performs and automates repetitive tasks and searches for information on the Internet on behalf of a user

interstitial
Meaning ‘in between’, an Web advertisement that appears in a separate browser window while you wait for a Web page to load. Also referred to as a pop-up, because the other window ‘pops-up’ onto your screen.

IP (Internet Protocol) address
A device’s unique number used as an identifier when connected to the Internet. For example, the IP address of this Web site is 206.47.4.33

IPIX
A proprietary technology by Internet Pictures Corporation used to create and display 360 degree pictures on a web site.

ISP (Internet Service Provider)
The company that provides your connection to the Internet.

jaggies
Stair-like lines that occur in graphics that aren’t of a high enough resolution or are not vector based

JAR (JavaARchives)
Files used to store all components required for a Java Applet to function.

Java Applet
A short program written in Java that is attached to a world wide web page and executed by a web browser.

JavaScript
A scripting language that is executed by the browser to add functionality to a Web page. Not to be confused with the Java programming language.

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
A compression technique for color images that is supported on Web browsers. The greater the compression the more detail is lost. (called Lossy compression, because data is deleted during the compression process)

Jscript
Microsoft’s extended implementation of Netscape’s JavaScript programming language.

LAN (local-area network)
A connection or computers, a network of computers, over a relatively small area.

line art
A type of graphic that consists of lines only, no shading. It is usually a very small file because of its simplicity.

Lingo
The programming language used to create rich media applications using Macromedia Director.

link farming
The exchange of reciprocal links with other web sites to increase ranking on search engines. Considered a type of spamming by many search engines, it can result in a site being banned by a search engine.

listserv
A popular automatic mailing list server. People sharing an interest may "subscribe" to a given discussion, and other subscribers' contributions to the thread are distributed to the entire subscriber base via e-mail. The result is similar to a newsgroup or forum, except that the messages are transmitted as e-mail and are therefore available only to individuals on the list.

localization
Taking any digital media/text and translating it to another culture or region.

log file
The file that records actions. All Web servers keep a record or log of all activity. The Web log contains useful information that can provide insight into the popularity and usage of a Web site.

loop
A function, usually in animation, sound or video, that allows the file to loop back to the beginning so that it can be replayed in a continuous loop, automatically. In programming, it is an iterative technique for processing data.

lorem ipsum
Indicates a place holder for text on a web page. Also referred to as greek text.

lossless
A compression algorithm that refers to data compression where no data is lost.

lossy compression
A type of compression that results in loss of some of the original data. (See JPEG)

mailing lists: opt in, opt out
The ability to subscribe and unsubscribe to an email list, by filling out a form provided for that purpose.

markup languages
A type of programming that defines how data is to be presented. HTML is a markup language.

marquee
This refers to a scrolling area of text on a web pages, often in the form of a java applet.

meta refresh
Code that tells the browser to re-display a Web page, or a new page, within a defined period of time.

meta tag
Code that appears in the top or ‘header’ portion of an HTML page that provides information about that page to search engines, but doesn’t affect the page display.

microsite
A small web site, sometimes with it’s own Web address, and usually created as an adjunct to a company’s main Web site. For example, a store may create a microsite to advertise a special sale they are having.

midi (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)
An industry-standard interface used on electronic musical keyboards and PCs for computer control of musical instruments and devices. Because a midi file is a text file that controls a computer sound card, they are very small in size.

MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions)
An internet protocol that allows you to send attachments to email including graphics, sound and video files.

mirror site
A Web site that is an exact duplicate of the original and is used to reduce network traffic.

modem ( MOdulator-DEModulator)
A hardware device or program that enables a computer to transmit data over analogue telephone lines. Computer information is stored digitally, whereas information transmitted over telephone lines is transmitted in the form of analogue waves. A modem converts between these two forms.

module
An individual part of a computer program. Modules can be added or subtracted to provide different functionality

mouseover
A Web event that triggers an effect in JavaScript such as a change in color or movement of a graphic in response to the cursor moving over it.

MP3
A standard for compressing audio data. Mp3 music files are considered controversial because they make easy for individuals to copy and distribute music freely over the internet.

MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)
A standard for digital video & audio compression.

MPEG-21
A comprehensive standard framework for networked digital multimedia designed by the Moving Picture Experts Group. MPEG-21 includes an REL and a Rights Data Dictionary. Unlike other MPEG standards that describe compression coding methods, MPEG-21 describes a standard that defines the description of content and also processes for accessing, searching, storing and protecting the copyrights of content.

MPEG-4
A standard lossy compression algorithm that allows the transmission of video and images over a narrower bandwidth.

Microsoft FrontPage
A software program developed by Microsoft to create and manage Web pages.

Multi-Session
A CD that it is formatted so that data can be written at different times over different sessions

MX Record (eMail eXchanger)
Part of the zone file which specifies which Internet mail server should process the email for a particular domain.

.NET
A Microsoft XML Web services platform. XML Web services allow applications to communicate and share data over the Internet, regardless of operating system, device, or programming language

Netscape
A Web browser, originally based on the Mosaic program, the first graphical Web browser.

new media
Digital media of all types. Usually interactive and associated with, but not exclusive to, the Internet. Digital media was called ‘new’ media to distinguish it from traditional, or ‘old’ media.

newsgroup
Collections of related messages on a particular topic that are posted to a news server by users, which then distributes them to other participating servers. There are thousands of newsgroups covering a wide range of subjects. You must subscribe to a newsgroup in order to participate in it or to track the discussion on an on-going basis. Newsgroups are found primarily on USENET.

open source
Any software whose code is available for users to look at and modify freely.

optimize
In terms of graphics, to compress the image to the smallest file size possible while retaining the highest visual quality possible. Also refers to reorganizing data on a disk or hard drive to reduce seek time, and increase the speed and reliability of the drive.

page view
A web page that has been viewed by one visitor. Used to demonstrate to advertisers the popularity of a Web site.

palette
The range of colors available for an illustration, graphic or photograph.

parse
A programming term that refers to dividing a command or string of characters into its component parts, often to eliminate unwanted data.

password
A code word used to gain entry to a secure program or website and to prevent unauthorized access. Usually used in conjunction with a user name or ID.

PDF (Portable Document Format)
A file format created by Adobe, initially to provide a standard form for storing and editing printed publishable documents. Because documents in .pdf format can easily be seen and printed by users on a variety of computer and platform types, they are very common on the World Wide Web.

Perl (Practical Extraction and Report Language)
A programming language designed specifically for processing text. Perl is used to create many CGI scripts.

permissions
A set of code-based rules that allow a Web master to specify what files or directories are allowed to be read, written or executed on a Web site.

persistent cookie
A cookie that is stored on a users hard drive until a specified expiry date, or until it is delete by the user. Also see cookie, session cookie.

PGP (Pretty Good Privacy)
A popular public-key encryption application for exchanging files or messages with confidentiality/authentication. Files are encrypted using a data key. The recipient must also have a data key to unencrypt the message on their end.

PHP (Self-referentially short for PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor)
An open source programming language that allows for the creation of dynamic web pages. PHP commands are embedded into a standard Web page, but are processed and removed from the page by the Web server when the page is displayed. PHP is a server-side programming language which is executed by the server, as opposed to Javascript, which is a client-side programming language, and is executed locally by the Web browser.

ping
A digital signal that is sent to, and returned from, a server, somewhat like a digital form of radar or sonar. Ping is used to ascertain if an IP address is working and accessible.

PIPEDA (Personal Information and Electronic Documents Act)
Canadian Government Act that that specifies directives for the protection of personal information in any digital form.

pixel (An abbreviation of the term 'picture element.')
The smallest picture element of a digital image.

pixelated
An undesirable effect where the pixels of an image or video are visible to the users eye. A pixelated image or video appears blotchy or spotty

PKZIP
A widely used file compression program that compresses and uncompresses zip files, as well as other compression formats.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
A file format for bitmapped graphic images that is supported by Web browsers.

POP (Post Office Protocol) / POP3 (Post Office Protocol3)
An internet protocol used to retrieve email from a mail server. When setting up an email account in your email program, you will be asked to supply the pop or pop3 information.

pop-under
An advertising window that pops behind your browser window when you visit a site

pop-up
An advertising window that pops up in front of your browser window when you visit a site

post
A message published to an online forum or newsgroup. Also used as a verb to describe publishing the message online.

Privacy Policy
A policy set up by a company to inform visitors what information is collected on a Web site, and how that information will be used and protected.

program
An organized set of instructions that tells a computer to perform certain tasks.

propagation
Refers to the process of changes in domain information being distributed to Web servers throughout the world. When you change your Web site to an new computer, often the associated IP address will change as well. Because your domain name is associated with your IP information, this change must be communicated to computers that direct traffic on the Internet. While a domain name change is propagating on the Internet, there will be some overlap as some browsers will be pointed towards your old IP address, while some browsers will be pointed to your new IP address. This can also happen with email.

public key
The publically available digital key in a Public Key Cryptography system, used to encrypt messages bound for its owner and to decrypt signatures made by its owner.

Quark Xpress
Document layout software used by many graphic artists to create digital files that will be printed.

QTVR (QuickTime Virtual Reality)
QuickTime VR is Apple's photo-realistic cross-platform virtual reality technology. It require a Quicktime plug-in or active-x control to be viewable within a Web browser.

Quicktime
A video format developed by Apple. The file format also supports midi, mpeg, still images and text.

raster image format
The generation of graphics that sees an image as a collection of small independently controlled dots or pixels arranged in specific rows and columns.

rasterize
The converting of computer defined vector-based points, lines, and areas into raster image format.

RealOne, (RealAudio, RealVideo)
A file format and method of streaming audio, video and other rich media over a network.

REL (Rights Expression Language)
A language for specifying rights to content, fees or other consideration required to secure those rights, types of users qualified to obtain those rights, and other associated information necessary to enable e-commerce transactions in content rights. (See MPEG-21)

render
A time consuming process used by the computer to process a complex task like finalizing a change in a digital photograph, or an effect in a video file.

replication
Any process that reproduces a program. Often used in conjuction with CD-ROMs and DVDs.

resolution
The pixel dimension of an image or computer screen, based on a number of pixels per inch. Common screen resolutions are 640 x 460, 800 x 600, 1024 x 768, 1280 x 1024, and 1600 x 1024. Because the physical size of a computer monitor screen doesn’t change, it means that the images become smaller as the resolution is increased.

reverse engineering
Taking something apart to see how it was created in the first place. Most software licenses specify that you are not permitted to reverse engineer the program.

RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
The three colors that when used in combinations of brightness and quantity, display all available colors on a computer monitor or television.

rich media
Term used to describe Web sites that use technologies such as streaming video, audio files or other similar technology to create an interactive atmosphere with viewers.

ripper
Digital audio technology that converts audio data, usually into mp3 format.

robot
An autonomous program which follows hypertext links in order to index web pages for data or email links. Also known as bots, spiders and crawlers.

router
A device that determines the next network point to which a data packet should be forwarded enroute toward its destination

RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol)
Used by networks to control delivery of streaming audio and video.

runtime error
An error that is generated when a program cannot properly execute computer code.

sampling
Sampling is the key technique used to digitize analog information. For example, music CDs are produced by sampling live sound at frequent intervals and then digitizing each sample. Electronic instruments often produce sounds that are based on a digital sample of an acoustic instrument.

sans serif
Typefaces without serifs. Helvetica, Arial and Verdana are standard san serif fonts supported by Web browsers.

scalable
The ability of hardware or software to adapt to increased demands, usually in terms of the amount of information that is being requested over a specific period of time. Systems and servers that will be streaming a live video broadcast must be scalable to handle the sudden increase bandwidth requirement.

screensaver
A small graphical application that launches after a certain period of inactivity. No longer required to avoid an prolonged static image from ‘burning’ onto the computer monitor screen, they are now used primarily for advertising and entertainment.

SCSI (Small Computer System Interface)
Pronounced ‘Scuzzy’, it is a type of hardware connector that allows computers to interface with peripheral devices.

SDK (Software Development Kit)
A package that allows programmers to develop applications for a specific platform or software program.

search engines
A Web indexing database tool that allows a user, by typing in a key word, to find Websites related to that subject or word.

security update, security alert
A message that is sent out by a software developer to let a user know that there is a flaw in the program and where to go to get a ‘fix’ or ‘patch’.

selection
In programming, a user chooses certain information by ‘selecting’ it, and the program provides one or more courses of action based upon that selection. For example, in a word processing program, you have to select specific text before you can apply an action or format to it. On a Web page form, clicking certain checkboxes or using a pull down menu determines your selection.

self-extracting file
A compressed file that doesn’t require any specific software to uncompress it.

serif
Small strokes that are added to the end of a letters main stroke in order to improve readability by allowing the eye to follow along the line. Times, and New York are examples of standard serif fonts that are supported on all Web browsers.

server-side
Functions and processes that are executed on the server as opposed to the Web browser, or client side. ASP and CGI are examples of server-side scripting technologies.

server-side include (SSI)
A line of text inserted into an html document that tells the server to insert specific server generated information into the Web page. The information can be another Web page, the date, time or a number of other objects.

session cookie
A cookie that only persists from the time a Web browser visits a site, until it is erased when a user quits the Web browser application.

Shockwave
A technology developed by Macromedia that allows web pages to include dynamic content created by the Director program.

SIT
The suffix of files created by Alladin’s Stuffit application, a Macintosh file compression program.

site map
A Web page created to allow the user to visualize all pages of a Web site, and quickly navigate through to a specific page.

SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
The standard protocol for transferring electronic mail messages from one computer to another. When setting up an email account in your email program, you will be required to enter the SMTP information.

socket
A socket is like a doorway that allows information to be transferred in and out of an application. Like a doorway, sockets can be opened or closed. They can also permit data transfer in one direction, or in both directions.

spam
Unsoliticed email messages of a commercial nature. Also refers to inappropriate promotional or commercial postings to discussion groups or bulletin boards.

special character
A character not in the standard 7-bit ASCII character set, such as the copyright mark or ampersand. In HTML, these special characters should be represented by computer code, or they may end up displaying improperly on the web page.

spider
A program that automatically traverses the Web by following links in Web pages. Spiders are used to index information from Web sites. Also known as bots, robots and crawlers.

splash page
Some Web sites will have an introductory page that is accessed prior to the home page on a Web site. Generally used more for effect than content or navigation purposes.

spoof
When used in relation to email, it means to send a message that appears to be from someone else. For example, a spammer might use your email address in the From or Reply To fields of their messages. Another case is when a miscreant sends an email preporting to be from a bank or credit card company, asking you to go to the company site to verify your account information, when in fact they have created a lookalike site and are actually stealing that information from you.

sprite
A term used in rich media authoring software to refer to a graphic that can be manipulated or animated over time.

spyware
Software that covertly gathers user information through the user’s Internet connection.

SQL (Structured Query Language)
A programming language used to request information from a database.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
An Internet protocol developed by Netscape for transmitting private documents securely over the Internet. Commonly used on e-commerce sites.

sticky
A website that entices users to spend more time on a site. Very desirable in a commercial site or when attracting advertisers.

Stuffit
A Macintosh file compression program by Alladin. Stuffit files have the suffix .sit

tag
A command inserted in a document that specifies how the document or page should be formatted. For example, in HTML a <BR> tag tells the browser to insert a line break in the text.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol)
The technical protocol that allows computers to transmit data over a network.

Terms of Use
Guidelines that specify what terms exist that may limit the user’s use of certain parts or all parts of a Web site.

text file
A file that contains characters, words, sentences and paragraphs. Usually it refers to a 7-bit ANSII file format that doesn’t support any formatting or special characters. However, it can also refer to any text-based file, such as those generated by programs like Microsoft Word.

time-out
If a program detects no user activity, or if an operation takes more than a specified period of time, the application will ‘time out’ or end the transmission or process. This can happen with email programs, Web browsers and FTP programs.

traffic
The amount of activity generated on a web site, represented through the number of hits, page views and unique visitors recorded in the Web server log.

troll
A person who posts an outrageous message to a newsgroup or mailing list or message board to bait people to answer. Trolling is a form of harassment that can take over a discussion. Well meaning defenders can create chaos by responding to trolls.

trojan horse
A malicious and often destructive program that disguises itself as a benign application and then, once installed, wrecks havoc on a computer.

tweak
To make small changes that tighten up or improve computer code, and other media files such as graphics, videos and sound files.

unique visitor
Refers to a person who visits a web site more than once during a short period of time.

unpack
To uncompress a compressed file into its original format. A packed file is a file that has been compressed to take up less storage area.

unzip
To uncompress a compressed zip file into its original format. Many files are stored on servers in a compressed format, making them take up less disk space, and reducing the time it takes to download them. You must uncompresses these files to make them usable by your computer. WinZip and pkunzip are popular free software programs that will uncompress files.

USB (Universal Serial Bus)
Standard hardware ports and connectors that allow you to connect external devices, such as scanners, printers, to your computers.

USENET
A worldwide bulletin board system that can be accessed through the Internet or through many online services. The USENET contains more than 14,000 forums, called newsgroups, which cover every imaginable interest group. Many USENET forums can be viewed on Google Groups.

user session
A session of activity recorded in a Web server log, and measured in hits for one user on a web site.

vanity search
Using your own name as a search term in a search engine such as Google.

vbScript
A server-side scripting language, based on Microsoft Visual Basic, created by Microsoft. VbScript is often used as the programming language for ASP Web pages.

vector graphics
Refers to graphics that are created and displayed using computer algorithms and coordinates as opposed to pixels. Programs like Illustrator use vector graphics.

virtual reality
A computer representation of reality that only exists within the confines of a computer.

virtual server
A server, usually a Web server, that shares computer resources with other virtual servers. In this context, the virtual part simply means that it is not a dedicated server -- that is, the entire computer is not dedicated to running the server software

virtual tour
A computer representation of a three dimensional tour taken through an existing or digitally generated location. The 3d images may either be based on a panoramic photograph of a location, or a computer simulation of a location. Virtual tours are created with technology such as QTVR and IPIX.

virus
A malicious and often destructive piece of code or a program that can copy itself onto a computer hard drive, reproduce itself and then execute any number of commands, including sending copies of itself to other computers, or even erasing everything from your hard drive.

W3C (Short for World Wide Web Consortium)
The International group of companies set up to develop open standards so that the web can develop in a single direction instead of being splintered by competition.

web address
Another name for an URL, a Web address is the unique name assigned to a Web page or other Internet resource.

web browser
Applications used to locate and display internet pages. Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator are the most popular.

web bug (AKA web beacon, pixel tag, image tag)
An invisible graphic, usually no bigger than 1 pixel by 1 pixel, that is placed on a web page or within an email to covertly monitor a user’s behaviour.

web developer
A company that develops programs and applications for the Web. This can include Web sites as well as database and rich media Web applications. Byte Size Media is web developer.

web host
A company that provides computers equipped with Web server software and hard drive space, and that are connected to the internet. You transfer your Web site files to the Web host server so they can be made available on the Internet.

web mail, webmail
A email application that is hosted within a Web browser, and allows you to access your email account from any computer hooked up to the Internet, from anywhere in the world.

web page
An file written in the HTML programming language that has a specific URL and is accessible over the Internet.

web platform
Refers to the operating system used by the computer that hosts your Web site. Most sites run on either Windows or a version of Unix, although some sites are hosted on Macintosh computers.

web portal
A Web site or service, like AOL or MSN, that offers a plethora of resources and services all on one site. A Web portal is sometimes referred to as an aggregator of content, bringing a wealth of content all into one specific site.

web ring
A group of sites linked together because of common interests or subjects, and is a way of generating additional traffic. Most sites that are part of Web rings are run by individuals or very small companies.

web server
Software that process requests from Web browsers, and displays Web pages and files based on those requests.

web site
A collection of Web ‘pages’ or files linked together and available on the World Wide Web.

webcam
A digital camera that records still or video images that are then transmitted over the Internet.

webcast
An audio or video-based Internet broadcast of an event or program. Webcasts can transmit live events, or prepackaged programs.

Windows Media Player
A Microsoft media player that receives and plays back streaming audio and video media over the Internet or intranet.

wireless
The use of radio frequencies to transmit and receive digital signals to devices such as computers and handheld devices.

wizard
A software utility within an application that assists in the set-up and use of that application. Help files are often presented in a wizard format.

WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)
A wireless network that uses high-frequency radio waves rather than wires to communicate between electronic devices.

World Wide Web
A system of Internet servers that uses HTTP to transfer specially formatted documents. The documents are formatted in a language called HTML (HyperText Mark-up Language) that supports links to other documents, as well as graphics, audio, and video files. One can jump from one document to another simply by clicking on hyperlinks. The Web is a subsection of the Internet, which also supports a number of other protocols. Not all Internet servers are part of the World Wide Web.

worm
Similar to viruses, worms are malicious and often destructive pieces of code that replicate and can damage a computer, or generate so many copies of itself that it can slow down transmission of data over a network.

WYSIWYG - "What You See Is What You Get"
A WYSIWYG application is one that enables you to see on the display screen exactly what will appear when the document is printed. Pronounced "wiz ee wig"

XHTML (Extensible Hypertext Markup Language)
A reformulation of HTML 4.0 in XML 1.0. XHTML is a new language for building web pages that has recently been proposed as a W3C Recommendation. It has not been widely adopted.

XML (eXtensible Markup Language)
A subset of SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) constituting a particular text markup language for interchange of structured data. Whereas HTML defines the display of data on a Web page, XML is applied to the content of the page.

Yellow_Book
Published by Philips and Sony, the 'Yellow Book' used the Red Book as its basis for the physical specifications of sectors in a CD-ROM--designed for computer data. The Yellow Book specified two types of sector layout (Mode 1 and Mode 2), additional 'layered' error detection and correction to insure higher integrity of the contents, and much more. It also contains the standards for CD-ROM XA (extended architecture) providing higher quality for audio and video.

ZIP
To compress a file using a zip utility. Compression is generally used to speed up the transport of large or multiple files. After the file has been downloaded, a decompression application is needed to "unzip" it.

zone file
The file that contains all the information to direct internet traffic to your Web server. The zone file also contains the MX record, which directs email to your email server. Whenever there is a change to your domain name, or IP address, the changes must be reflected in the Zone file, or your Web site and/or email may become inaccessible.