Internet Glossary

Bits & Bytes

Computers code all information, including text, graphics and sound, into digits. The smallest unit of computer information is a one or zero, or a bit. Eight bits make up a byte. A byte, which can have 256 different values, usually represents one character of text.

bps

Bits per second. A unit that measures how fast computer information is transmitted.

Kbps

Thousands (kilo) of bits per second.

Mbps

Millions of bits per second.

Network

Two or more computers connected together with cables, telephone lines or radio transmissions.

Modem

A computer accessory that uses regular telephone lines to connect two computers into a network. Most modems transmit data at 14.4 or 28.8 Kbps.

ISDN

Integrated Services Digital Network. A special type of telephone line that usually transmits computer data at 64 Kbps or 128 Kbps.

BBS

Bulletin Board System. A small computer network that supports discussion forums and file systems. Usually sponsored by an individual or small organization.

On-Line Service

A large computer network that supports the sharing of information among its members. Services usually include large international discussion forums, financial and legal databases and well-organized file systems.

The Internet

The global network that connects thousands of computer networks together. After one computer is connected to the Internet with a cable or a modem that computer may communicate directly with any other computer connected to the Internet.

ISP

Internet Service Provider. A company that supplies public access to the Internet using modems. ISPs are directly connected to the Internet using special high-speed telephone lines.

Dial-up number

The telephone number used to connect a personal computer modem to an ISP, On-Line service or BBS. Sometimes referred to as a Point Of Presence (POP).

Shell

A textual interface to the Internet that requires the use of commands typed into a Òterminal emulationÓ program that runs on a personal computer. Usually the cheapest, but most difficult, way to get access to the Internet.

IP

Internet Protocol. The special communications language that computers connected to the Internet use to communicate with each other. An IP connection provides complete access to all services available on the Internet, including sound and graphics.

IP address

The unique address associated with an individual computer on the Internet. IP addresses are always in a Ònumber dotÓ format similar to 140.174.208.1.

Domain name

An English-like alias for an IP address or an e-mail route. For example, the domain cybertoday.com translates to the above IP address.

E-mail address

In the form Òusername@domainName,Ó these addresses are used to deliver e-mail messages to an individual person.

DNS

Domain Name System. The Internet system that translates domain names into IP addresses. Experiencing a ÒDNS errorÓ usually means you have used an invalid domain name.

IP dial-up

A type of account offered by ISPs that connect personal computers to the Internet using IP.

SLIP

Serial Link Internet Protocol. A type of IP dial-up account.

PPP

Point-to-Point Protocol. Another type of IP dial-up account. Note that for most Internet users there is no significant difference between SLIP and PPP.

Server

A computer connected to the Internet that provides information to other computers connected to the Internet.

WWW

World Wide Web. WWW servers offer ways to view text, graphics, movies and sound an easy-to-use manner. A mouse is used to click on buttons to navigate from one Web document to others linked to it.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol. FTP uses IP to transfer files from an Internet server to a personal computer.

USENET

The worldwide bulletin board system made up of over 10,000 newsgroups. Messages posted to a USENET newsgroup are automatically propagated worldwide to the entire Internet a few days.

NNTP

Network News Transport Protocol. The name of the Internet communications standard that is used by personal computers to read USENET news.

Web Browser

A program used on a personal computer to access World Wide Web, FTP and NNTP servers. Requires an IP connection to the Internet.

URL

Uniform Resource Locator. An address used by Web Browsers to receive information published by a server. URLs usually refer to WWW servers using a form like http://www.cybertoday.com/, but they may also refer to FTP and NNTP servers.

vern@cybertoday.com