A
Acrobat. Adobe Acrobat is software that creates quality, un-editable, printer-friendly documents. Acrobat documents are recognized as PDF files. You can download the Acrobat PDF viewer plug-in at the Adobe web site www.adobe.com.
Applet. A small program that can be downloaded from a web site and executed on the user’s computer. Usually a Java Applet.
Archive. A directory of related information, press releases, and other data.
ASP. Active Server Pages is a method of generating dynamic web pages. The ASP language was developed by Microsoft. The web hosting company that hosts the site must have a Windows OS servers.
B
B2B. B2B is an acronym for Business-to-Business eCommerce.
B2C. B2C is an acronym for Business-to-Consumer eCommerce.
Back-End. Anything that a website visitor does not see, such as a Content Management System.
Bandwidth. Bandwidth is how fast data transfers on a given transmission path. It is expressed in bits per second (bps). Web hosting businesses can provide you with summaries of bandwidth consumption.
Banner. A banner is a graphic image that is placed on a web site as an advertisement. The banner generally links to a web site that relates to the advertisement.
Bitmap. A graphic image that is composed of dots, or pixels. Web sites display bitmaps.
Browser. See Web Browser.
C
Captcha. A SPAM prevention system now standard amongst websites. It requires the user to read and type a word from a distorted image. This is what you encounter when you sign up with Yahoo! Mail for the first time. Click here to see what it looks like.
CGI. Common Gateway Interface is an interface that connects web sites to other software and databases.
CMS. See Content Management System.
Co-location. This word is commonly used to refer to a server that belongs to another person or group that is connected to a high-speed internet connection. Usually, businesses tend to choose this method of web site hosting because it is more secure and faster.
Consultant. An individual who provides guidance and information to another individual. A professional that helps you plan that appropriate course of action.
Content Management System. Any system that allows the easy updating of website content. Popular CMS are WordPress and Joomla while some CMS are custom-made for more specific websites.
Cookie. Cookies are small data files that are saved when viewing certain types of web sites. Information is sent from the web server each time your browser logs on to a web page. Not all cookies are bad. Cookies remember form fields, group lists, item lists and other info that is a bother to enter.
Crawling. “Crawling” or “Indexing” is the process in which the search engines review and catalogue a website.
D
Database. A database is a collection of information categorized by specific fields. Databases are usually searchable by keywords. MySQL is a popular databased used on the web.
Directory. A directory is a list of web sites categorized into appropriate categories. A directory is not a search engine; however, directories can increase your chances of being found through search engines.
DNS. Domain Name System is a global network of servers that translate domain names (www.c7.ca) into IP addresses 192.124.111.40.
Domain Name. Domains identify one or more IP addresses, but with words. eg. www.google.com
DPI. Dots per inch specifies the resolution of an output device, such as a scanner or printer. The higher the resolution, the finer the detail of the image.
DSL. A Digital Subscriber Line is a fast continuously available internet connection that uses a phone line and DSL modem. A DSL connection to the internet does not interfere with voice transmission.
Dynamic Content. This term describes web site content that can be altered or updated very easily.
F
FAQ. Frequently Asked Questions is a file or page that lists commonly asked questions and answers.
Flash. See Macromedia Flash.
Forms. Forms provide easy fill fields for collecting valuable marketing information from web site traffic.
Frames. Frames can be used to organize a site into sections. Frames are seldom used nowadays because usually, it does more harm than good to a website.
Front-End. The interface of a web site or eCommerce shop is commonly referred to as “The Front-End”.
FTP. File Transfer Protocol is an agreed-upon format for transferring data between two computers.
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Gateway. A piece of hardware or software that translates between 2 dissimilar protocols
GIF. Graphics interchange format is a common format for an image file. Usually appropriate for large, few colour images. The file size of GIF’s is significantly smaller than jpegs.
Gigabyte. A GB is 1024 Megabytes
Gradient. A range of different colour tones. The transition of one colour to another.
Grayscale. A range of different shades of black. The transition of a shade of black to black.
H
Hit. This term is used to describe a user accessing a web site with their web browser. It describes how many individuals have viewed a particular web site,
Host. Any computer on a network that is a repository for services available to other computers on the network.
HTML. HyperText Markup Language is the most basic language to create a web design. It is a descendant of XML.
HTTP. Hypertext Transfer Protocol is used to format and transmit data over the Web.
Hyperlink. A hyperlink, or a Link, links a web page to another web page. When a user clicks on a hyperlink, it takes them to a new web page.
Hypertext. Is a system that links text, graphics, music, and software to each other in a non-linear manner. AKA Hypermedia.
I
Information Page. A static page that is designed to optimize search engine visibility.
Intellectual Property. Intellectual Property can be defined as Creative ideas and expressions of the human mind that have commercial value and receive the legal protection of a property right. The major legal mechanisms for protecting intellectual property rights are copyrights, patents, and trademarks. Intellectual property rights enable owners to select who may access and use their property and to protect it from unauthorized use.
Intranet. A private network inside an organization or company that uses the same kinds of software. An intranet is used for internal use. IP Address. Internet Protocol is a 32-bit numeric address that serves as an identifier for a computer on a TCP/IP network.
IRC. Internet Relay Chat is an application that allows users to participate in text-based communication with multiple users.
ISDN. Integrated Services Digital Network is a system of all-digital, high bandwidth telephone lines. Information travels at 128Kbps
ISP. an Internet Service Provider is a company that provides you with a connection to the internet via either a dial-up or broadband connection.
J
Java. Is a network-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems that is specifically designed for writing programs that can be safely downloaded to your computer through the internet.
JPEG. Joint Photographic Experts Group is the most commonly used image file format for displaying photographic images.
K
Keyword. A keyword from the web site builder’s point of view is a carefully selected word that is targeted specifically to what the site’s target market would type in a search engine.
Kilobyte. A KB is 1024 bytes
Keyphrase. A key phrase is composed of multiple keywords. It is the phrase that a searcher uses on a search engine (e.g. “web developers in new york”).
L
LAN. A computer network limited to the immediate area of computers. Usually limited to a building or floor.
Leased Line. Refers to a phone line that is rented exclusively for an internet connection 24 hours a day, seven days a week. High-speed connections tend to require a leased line.
Link. Please see Hyperlink.
Login. The account name used to gain access to a system, application, or web site.
M
Mailing List. A (usually automated) system that allows people to send e-mail to one address, whereupon their message is copied and sent to all of the other subscribers to the mail list. In this way, people who have many different kinds of e-mail access can participate in discussions together.
Megabyte. 1024 kilobytes.
Meta-tag. Meta-tags are HTML tags that are used to identify the creators of web sites, HTML specifications, keywords and descriptions of the page. Search engines do not give much weighting to this anymore because it was being abused by SEO spammers.
MIME. Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions are the standard for attaching non-text files to standard Internet mail messages. Non-text files include graphics, spreadsheets, formatted word-processor documents, sound files, etc.
Modem. A device used that you connect to your computer and phone line to the internet.
Multi-Media. A method of communicating using text, graphics, animations, video, audio and layout.
Macromedia Flash. It is a vector-based animation tool, commonly used on websites for welcome pages, advertisements, games and god forbid, using it for the whole website!
N
Netscape. A web browser developed by Netscape, AKA Netscape Navigator.
Network. When you have 2 or more computers connected to each other. Networking is used to share application files.
Newbie. An individual lacking the knowledge of application functions. Someone who has little or no knowledge of computer programs.
News Group. A news server posts information to bulletin board like environment. Each bulletin board is referred to as a Newsgroup. E.g. http://groups.google.com
Node. Any single computer connected to a network.
P
Packet Switching. The method used to transfer data through the Internet. Data is disseminated into small packets and disbursed to an address, then reassembled at that address.
Password. A code used to gain access to a locked system or application.
PDF. AKA Adobe Acrobat File, it stands for Portable Document Format. PDF’s are viewable with the PDF viewer plugin developed by adobe. www.adobe.com
PHP. Is an abbreviation for Hypertext Pre-Processor. A scripting language commonly used on websites to create dynamic content.
Plug-in. A software extension that enables added capabilities. Plug-ins are usually available at software developers web sites.
POP. Post Office Protocol or Point of Presence – A Point of Presence usually means a city or location where a network can be connected to, often with dial-up phone lines. Post Office Protocol refers to the way e-mail software such as outlook gets mail from a mail server.
Posting. When a message is sent or submitted to an individual or bulletin board.
Q
Query. A search request submitted to a database or search engine. Used to find specific content and files.
Quicktime. Is Apple video technology that allows video, digitized sound, 3D objects, and virtual reality.
R
Robot. AKA a spider used to search HTML documents and web sites.
Router. A special-purpose computer or application that handles the connection between 2 or more networks. Routers determine the appropriate destinations for packets.
S
Security Certificate. Encryption (often a text file) that is used by the SSL protocol to establish a secure connection.
Server. A computer or application, that provides a service to client software on other computers. Servers are used for web hosting and other web applications.
SMTP. Simple Mail Transport Protocol is the main protocol used to send electronic mail over the Internet.
SPAM. An obnoxious practice of mass advertising to clients through e-mail, IRC, a browser, or any other communication device.
SQL. Structured Query Language is a special programming language used for sending queries to a database.
SSL. A Secure Socket Layer is a protocol designed by Netscape that enables encrypted communication over the Internet.
Streaming. Streaming media is when an audio or video file can be viewed even though it isn’t completely downloaded.
SEO. SEO or Search Engine Optimization or Search Engine Optimizers is a procedure in which a website is made “readable” to the search engine robots so your website is not just recognized by your visitors, but also the search engines. There abounds a lot of SEO companies claiming to catapult you to the top position but employ dirty tricks, which when exposed by the search engines, will get your website banned. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the methods of the company you are hiring. For more information visit Google’s page regarding search engine optimizers.
T
T1. A leased line connection capable of transferring data at 1,544,000 bits-per-second.
T3. A leased line connection capable of carrying data at 44,736,00 bits-per-second. This type of connection is typically used to transfer high-quality full-screen video feeds.
TCP/IP. Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol is the suite of protocols that define the Internet.
Terabyte. 1000 gigabytes.
Terminal. An application or device that allows you to send commands to a computer somewhere else.
Thumbnail. A small sample if a graphic image.
U
Unix. An operating system for a computer that is capable of handling activity from multiple users. It is the most common OS for servers on the Internet.
URL. This an alphanumeric address that replaces IP numbers. E.g. https://realcode.co.uk/
V
Vector Image. A graphic image drawn in shapes and lines called paths. These images are usually developed using Macromedia and Adobe software.
VPN. A Virtual Private Network refers to a network in which some of the devices are connected using the Internet, and data transfers are encrypted. Companies tend to use VPN’s to network offices in different cities.
Web Browser. It is the software that enables you to see this page that you are reading now. Popular browsers are Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari (Mac).
Website Contents. Website Contents are the text and images that constitute the information on the website. These are frequently updated to suit the needs of the website owner.
Website Design. The visual elements that make up the theme and style of the website.
Website Layout. The positioning of the various elements that make a website. The layout is the hardest to change and thus must be settled and agreed upon early on the development process.