The transmission capacity (in kilobytes) of the communication lines that transport the Internet's electronic information.
(See byte, kilobyte.)
Baud
The number of times a communication line changes its level per second while transmitting data.
Bit-Binary digIT
The smallest unit of computerized data. A bit is a single-digit number in base 2- which can be either 1 or 0 .
(See byte, kilobyte, megabyte.)
BPS-Bites Per Second
The measurement of modem transmission speed.
(See modem, bit.)
Byte
A unit of computerized data. A byte is an 8-digit number in base 2, and it is used to represent a single character.
One byte contains 8 bits.
(See bit, kilobyte, megabyte.)
Cyberspace
All computers that can communicate with each other via the various communication networks. These networks include Internet, Compuserve, America On Line, Prodigy, and others.
(See also network, Compuserve, America On Line).
Device
A hardware or peripherial component (printer, modem, mouse, etc.) that can receive or send information.
(See device driver, modem.)
Device driver
A program that supplies an operating system with all necessary information for working with a specific device.
(See operating system, device.)
Dial up
Calling another computer via modem.
(See modem.)
Dialer program
Special software that dials to the Internet Service Provider and makes the connection for the user.
(See ISP, PPP).
E-Mail
Electronic mail is one of the Internet's most popular features. Internet users can send and receive E-Mail messages quickly and easily.
(See Eudora.)
FAQs- Frequently-Asked Questions
In many Internet tools and sites you'll find a list of commonly-asked questions and their answers. These include questions asked by users as well as questions posted to newsgroups. The aim of the FAQs list is to provide users with basic help and information.
(See newsgroups.)
Fiber optic cable
A cable made of glass fibers that transfers information with the help of laser beams.
Handshaking
A series of signals which two modems send to each other in order to confirm a satisfactory connection. Handshaking occurs when you try to connect two computers via modem.
Hard drive
A computerized storage unit used to store data. Unlike other storage units such as CD-ROM, a hard drive is available for both reading and writing.
Host
The Internet network computer that supplies Internet services (connection to Web sites, E-Mail service, etc.)
(See ISP.)
Internet
All networks and servers in the world that deal with Internet-related issues (WWW, Gopher, Newsgroups, E-Mail, FTP, IRC, etc.) and communicate with each other via TCP/IP.
(See TCP, IP.)
Internet in a Box
A software package that includes different programs providing Internet services such as Gopher, E-Mail, FTP, IRC, Web browser, IRC, etc.
(See Gopher, FTP, Usenet, E-Mail, Browser.)
ISP -Internet Service Provider
A host computer that provides Internet services to any user connected to it.
(See host.)
Kilobyte
A unit of computerized data. A kilobyte is approximately one thousand bytes.
(See bit, byte, megabyte.)
LAN - Local Area Network
A small computer network that connects a relatively small amount of computers, usually in close vicinity of each other.
(See network.)
Leased line
A permanently-connected private telephone line between two locations- regular phones, computers, etc.
Log in
The process of identifying yourself to a computer you want to work on, by providing your userid/username and password.
(See userid, password.)
Megabyte
A unit of computerized data. A megabyte is a million bytes.
(See bit, byte, kilobyte.)
Modem
The word "modem" stands for "modulator-demodulator". A modem allows your computer to "talk" to other computers via a telephone line.
(See network.)
Network
A system of two or more computers, which transmits information between various different computers.
(See WAN, LAN.)
On-line
When one computer is connected to another and performs various activities.
Operating system
A central system managing the activities of a computer, such as MS-DOS or Windows 95 on PC or System 7.5 on MAC.
Packet
On the Internet data is broken up into small chunks called packets.
Password
A code used to gain access to a system.
Peripheral
An external hardware component (printer, disk, etc.) that is externally connected to a computer and serves it.
PPP-Point to Point Protocol
Protocol which enables communication on the Internet using a modem and a telephone line.
(See modem, protocol.)
Protocol
A language for communication between computers. Protocol consists of a series of rules and commands meant to allow for satisfactory communication between computers. The protocol that allows for communication on the Internet is TCP/IP.
(See TCP/IP.)
Server
A computer (usually a large, central one) that provides Internet services to those who contact it. Some of the services such a server provides include storing Web pages, transferring electronic mail, storing and managing newsgroup discussions, etc.
(See Usenet, E-Mail, Web page.)
TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
The Internet's communication protocol.
(See Internet, protocol.)
Unix
A common operating system in host computers on the Internet.
(See host.)
Userid
The name a user uses to identify himself/herself when logging in to his/her computer.
(See login.)
WWW- World Wide Web
A system which stores and arranges information in Web page format. (See browser, Web site, Web page.)
