Internet Basics

By Pat Tyler, Computer Enthusiast

We often find that once the terms are understood the whole topic becomes clear. So here we will offer some definitions of the more commonly used Internet terms. We hope this will help clarify some of those instructions you may have been trying to understand.

• applet: A small application written in Java language that can be downloaded with your Web document to add programmable features to Web pages. (See also Java.)
• ASCII: (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) Data that is limited to letters, numbers, and punctuation. A standard exists that defines how the letters, punctuation, and numbers are stored in the lower seven-bits of a byte (each character is represented by a unique number).
• binary file: File whose data contains nonprintable characters, including graphics files, programs, and sound files.
• browser: A utility that lets you look through collections of things. For example, a file browser lets you look through a file system. Applications that let you access the World Wide Web are called Web browsers. Internet Explorer (IE), and Netscape Navigator (Netscape) are the two most popular browsers.
• bit: The basic unit of digital communications. There are 8 bits in a byte.
• byte: A digital storage unit large enough to contain one ASCII character. See also ASCII. Compare to bit.
• client: User of a service. Also, often refers to a peice of software that gets information from a server.
• download: Move a file from a remote computer to your own local computer.
• GIF: (Graphics Interchange Format) A compressed graphic file format. GIF files can be displayed without helper applications by WWW browsers.
• host address: A unique number assigned to identify a host on the Interned (also called IP address or dot address). This address is usually represented as four numbers between 1 and 254 and separated by dots (periods) - for example, 192.58.107.230.
• HTML: (Hypertext mark-up language) the formatting language that is used to created World Wide Web documents.
• HTTP: (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) The communications protocol that allows WWW hypertext documents to be retrieved quickly.
• HTTPS: (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) This identifies a secure document, such as the Shopping Cart page where you enter your credit card data.
• hypertext: An online document that has words or graphics containing links to other documents. Usually, selecting the link area on-screen (with a mouse or keyboard command) activates these links.
• IE: (Internet Explorer) This is often followed by the version number, as in IE5. (See browser.)
• ISP: This is and acronym for Internet Service Provider. The ISP provides the necessary gateway to the Internet. His office is physically (by telephone lines) connected to the Internet "backbone." We connect, usually by a dial-up connection with a modem, to the ISP's office, which, facilitates our connection to the Internet.
• Java: A language developed by Sun MicroSystems, Inc. that allows small applications to be downloaded with a Web document to add programmable features to Web pages. (See also applet.)
• JPEG: (Joint Photographic Experts Group) A compressed graphic file format. JPEG files can be displayed without helper applications by most WWW browsers.
• links: The areas (words or graphics) in a hypertext document that cause another document to be loaded when you activate them.
• local: Pertaining to the computer you are now using.
• MIME: (Multi-purpose Internet Mail Extensions) An extension to Internet mail that allows for the inclusion of not-textual data such as video and audio in e-mail.
• modem: An electronic device that allows digital computer data to be transmitted via analog phone lines.
• Netscape: (Netscape Navigator) (See browser.)
• online: Existing in electronic form (for example, an online documentation) also, connected to a network.
• parallel: Means of communication in which digital data is sent multiple bits at a time, with each simultaneous bit being sent over a separate line.
• search engine: This is an Internet application which has indexed most of the contents of the internet by title and key word. The user can enter keywords and receive a list of URLs that should be related to those keywords.
      Some of the more popular search engines are located at: www.altavista.com, www.infoseek.com, www.lycos.com, and www.yahoo.com.
      Users of later versions Internet Explorer need only to push the Search button on the browser window to pop up a search panel on the left side of the window. One can customize that panel so that it uses the search engine preferred.
• server: Provider of a service. Also often refers to a peice of hardware or software that provides access to information requested from it. (See also client.)
• serial: Means of communication in which digital data is sent one bit at a time over a single physical line.
• text file: File whose data is limited to ASCII characters that can be printed without an application program to interpret the contents.
• URL: (Universal Resource Locator), a term that describes the address of every page that exists on the internet. An URL is made up of parts that identify the transfer protocol, the computer, the directory, and the file. Here's an example: http://www.companyname.com/index.html
  http: is HyperText Transfer Protocol telling the browser what kind of document to expect. WWW is World Wide Web - the network or computer name. Companyname is the human readable domain name that is registered somewhere in a central registry so all the connected computers can find it. Com is short for commercial, describing the kind of domain that is being addressed. And index.html is the name of the file to be loaded.
      You must insert the exact address on the address line of your browser to find the desired page. On most of the server computers case does matter. That is, if the address is companyname.com CompanyName.Com won't get there. And conversely if the address is CompanyName.Com, companyname.com won't find your page.
• user name: The ID used to log in to a computer.
• zip: Probably the singular most popular file compression and archive program for PCs.

Become familiar with these terms and you will be much better able to follow instructions and conversations about computers and the Internet.