See ADSL

An acronym for Asynchronous Transfer Mode. A network technology capable of transmitting multimedia data -- such as voice, video and frame relay traffic -- in real time. The data is disassembled into fixed-size packets which are then transmitted. ATM is currently being used in local area networks (LANs), but is expected to be adopted by telephone companies which will be able to charge their customers for the volume of data that they transmit rather than for their connect time.

The difference between the highest and the lowest frequencies a transmission line or channel can carry. The greater the difference, the higher the bandwidth and the greater the information carrying capacity of a channel. For a digital channel, the bandwidth is defined in bits per second (BPS). For an analog channel, the bandwidth is dependent upon the type and method of modulation used to encode the data. Bandwidth may also reflect the amount of information that can flow through a channel, which is expressed in cycles per second (hertz).

On the less technical side, bandwidth is used to measure the amount of time it takes for a Web page to fully load. Internet users occasionally refer to larger graphics on Web pages as "bandwidth hogs". In this case, the use of the term bandwidth is not quite accurate: what it means is that the graphic is loading slowly due to its large file size.

The baud rate is generally used when talking about modem speed. It's the rate that data transfers over the telephone lines or other media and is also known as bps, or bits per second. Modems are commonly rated at 14.4, 28.8, 33.6 or 56 Kbps (kilobits per second). It is generally said that where baud rates are concerned, more is better.

An acronym for Bulletin Board System. A computer system equipped with one or more modems or other means of network access-- that serves as an information and message-passing centre for remote users. Users dial-in to a BBS using their modems to post messages, send e-mail, download and upload files that include freeware and shareware software, and to access the Internet. BBSs are often dedicated to a specific topic. They may be run by clubs, companies or the government.

See BPS

A function of browser softwares such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer that allows one to save the location or URL ofthe Web site in the browser. Microsoft Internet Explorer refers to its bookmark function as "favorites" (as in Web sites). When wanting to return to a URL that has been "bookmarked", one simply may easily return to it using this short-cut under the bookmark feature rather than typing in the entire URL.

An acronym for Bits Per Second. The speed at which a device such as a modem can transfer data. For example, a 33.6k modem can move 33,600 bits of data per second.

A software program that allows a user to access and view documents on the World Wide Web (WWW), another network or the user's computer. Web browsers -- which can either be text or graphic -- read HTML coded documents and interpret the coding which determines how a document will be displayed. Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer are examples of Web browsers. Some Web browsers require helper applications or plug-ins in order to play audio and video files and execute small programs such as Java applets that can be embedded in HTML documents.

Most Web browsers permit users to send and receive e-mail and to read and respond to newsgroups

See BBS

An acronym for Common Gateway Interface. An open standard for connecting external applications with World Wide Web (WWW) servers. CGI programs function as a translation medium between the WWW server and proprietary information systems such as SQL or dBase IV databases (although any piece of software can be a CGI program if it handles input and output according to the CGI standard). In other words, with properly designed CGI programs, any proprietary information system can be tied into a WWW server and accessed through a WWW browser. In this way, an organization's presence on the Internet can extend beyond that of a normal Web site, and can actually serve as a viable information repository.

The use of CGI can make a Web page much more dynamic and add interactivity for the user. Some of the most common CGI scripts found on the Internet are programs which process the information a user might enter on a form, or which count the number of times a Web site is accessed.

A medium for transferring information. Depending on its type, a communications channel can carry information -- such as data, sound, and/or video -- in either analog or digital form.

A form of interactive online communication that enables a user to have real-time, text-based conversations with other users. Chatting with others on the Internet can take place via Web pages at places known as chat rooms or on IRC channels. [A casual term for "Internet Relay Chat" (IRC). See IRC.]

Commercially operated computer networks that offer user-friendly interfaces and useful services in a structured environment.

See CGI

To copy a message or news article from one newsgroup, e-mail system, or other communications channel to another. For example, copying a message from an e-mail to a newsgroup. Also, to send a message to several newsgroups simultaneously; this is usually frowned upon in Internet culture.

A casual term for the Internet.

The full spectrum of electronic document creation and distribution within an organization.

The unique name assigned to organizations when they establish a presence on the Internet. Part of every URL. An example of this would be the portion in red of the following:- http://www.clubplus.net

To transfer a copy of a file or program from the Internet or another computer to one's own computer via a network or a modem. Retrieving e-mail is an example of downloading files. Caution should be taken when downloading files or programs, as one could also download a virus and not know it until it is too late.

A new numeric optical disk format called to replace the CD Rom. With its considerably increased capacity, it permits recording of data, music, fixed or animated images, programs, etc. Its initial capacity is 4.7mb and can be increased to 17 mg. It is the way of the future if it is not outmoded by the very fast access to the Internet.

An acronym for Electronic Data Interchange. A set of standards for controlling the transfer of business documents -- such as purchase orders and invoices -- between computers. The goal of EDI is to eliminate paperwork and to increase response time and productivity.

See BBS.

See EDI

A shortened form of electronic mail. The most frequently used communications tool on the Internet where text messages are transmitted electronically over a communications network such as local area network (LAN) or the Internet between computer users. Linked by high speed data connections that cross international boundaries, e-mail allows one to compose a text message and transmit it in seconds to one or one thousand users in less time and for less money than it takes to communicate with another person via traditional telephone, facsimile or mail services (see mailing list). In addition to text, e-mail may be in the form of files sent as attachments. Most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) provide e-mail accounts for their users. The universality of the Internet e-mail programs permits this system to send and receive messages and communicate with the whole world. To use E-mail, you'll need E-Mail software or a browser with E-mail capabilities. The rules for writing an E-Mail address include the name of the person to whom you are writing, the symbol @ (commercial a) and the domain name.

The process of encoding data to prevent unauthorized access --particularly during transmission. Encryption may be necessary when sensitive and valuable information is sent from one computer to another via a network which technically can be accessed by anyone. For example, credit card numbers sent over the Internet when conducting commercial transactions are sent encrypted.

A type of network interface card that connects an individual computer to a network. Ethernet is widely used for local area networks(LANs) because it can network a wide variety of computers, it is not proprietary and its components are widely available from many commercial sources. The Ethernet standard has a provision to transmit data at a rate of 10 Mbps. It was developed in 1976 by the Xerox Corporation.

The connecting of two or more intranets. If one considers an intranet as a company's internal network which allows users inside the company to communicate and exchange information, an extranet could be defined as connecting that virtual space with another company's intranet, thus allowing two (or more) companies to privately and securely communicate and share resources over the Internet in their own virtual space. Extranet technology greatly enhances business-to-business communications between business partners, suppliers, distributors or customers.

An acronym for Frequently Asked Questions. A document listing frequently asked questions -- as well as their answers -- on a particular Web site or subject. FAQs are often posted on Internet newsgroups where new participants might ask the same questions that regular participants have already answered several times before.

See FTP

A program that filters the addresses and access priviledges to a particular site or part (certain Web Pages) of the site on the Internet. Its goal is usually to prevent hackers or viruses from going on their computer and doing damage. Individuals who are permitted can access the site via a password.

A strongly worded negative message -- that is, an abusive and insulting personal attack -- written about other Internet users which is transmitted via e-mail, USENET or mailing lists. Flames are generally sent out to someone who has broken the rules of netiquette -- the rules of etiquette that govern online interaction on the Internet. Flame wars occur when a series of flames are sent back and forth between two or more people.

A packet switching protocol for use on wide area networks (WANs).
Unlike leased lines which use dedicated lines permanently connected between sites, frame relays use telephone companies' shared networks on an as-needed basis; the protocol has a flat-rate billing structure rather than a per-hour usage charge. Frame relay is designed for data transfer only, so it is not well suited to videoconferencing or any other voice application.

Free software which is often available on the Internet, or through user groups, that can be downloaded, used and redistributed at no cost to the user. The owner of the software retains copyright privileges. Thus, users are not necessarily free to copy it or distribute it further. Freeware contrasts with shareware which is software that require a registration fee to be paid after a certain amount of time.

See FAQs

An acronym for File Transfer Protocol. A protocol used for copying files to and from remote computer systems on a network such as the Internet, using TCP/IP. With FTP, one can log in to another Internet site and transfer files from a remote computer to one's own. Some sites have public file archives where one may sign onas a guest rather than as an authorized user. In this situation, one would use anonymous as the account name and one's e-mail address as the password. Once logged on, one will be able to access specified directories as an anonymous user. This type of access is called anonymous FTP. One may access FTP sites using FTP software or browser softwares such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

A device that connects networks using communications protocols so that information can be transmitted from one to the other. A gateway both transfers information and converts it to a form compatible with the protocols used by the receiving network.

One billion bytes or characters.

Software that enables a group of users linked by a network to collaborate on a particular project. Groupware may provide services for collaborative document development, scheduling, tracking and communication-- such as e-mail.

Used freely to refer to the first page loaded when you visit a Web site, the first page you set your browser to load, or your personal Web page.

An acronym for Hypertext Markup Language. A standard coding language used to format documents on the World Wide Web (WWW). Webpages are able to be seen due in part to HTML codes -- or tags as they are more commonly called -- which are interpreted by a Web browser such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. HTML is not defined at the authoring stage of a document; rather, it determines how a document will be displayed. For example, HTML would indicate that a word or a block of text is to be in italics, or in boldtype. Additionally, one may also specify that a word or a block of text in a document be linked to another document on the Internet.

The protocol that tells your browser to search for a site on the World Wide Web. Usually followed by "www."

A link that connects one to other documents, other places within the same document, pictures or HTML pages. Think of a hyperlink as an invitation to another place. A simple click on the link -- in the form of an image, symbol, word or phrase (text) -- with a mouse will take one there. When a hyperlink is attached to text, it is called hypertext. In most web browsers, the linked element is usually underlined or in a different colour from the rest of the text in the document in order to indicate that the element is linked.

The links within the text of one document that allows it to connect to and display another section of the document or second document. Selecting a hypertext link automatically retrieves and displays the other section of the document or the second document.

See HTML

A variation of I Seek You. An Internet program that informs its user of who is online at any time. ICQ eliminates the need to conduct a directory search each time one wishes to communicate with a specific person as it alerts the user -- in real-time -- when this person has signed on.

Also referred to as the "Net". The worldwide collection of networks and gateway that use the TCP/IP protocols to communicate with one another. The Internet comprises high-speed data communications lines between host computers that consist of tens of thousands of commercial, government, educational and other computer systems that route data and messages. As no single computer or network controls the Internet, one or more of the host computers can go offline without the result of ceasing communications. Simply, the Internet is a noncommerical and self-governing "network of computer networks" Although it is unofficially coordinated by the Internet Society (ISOC) --a voluntary membership organization -- no single person is in charge of the Internet.

Originally designed by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) in the 1960s with the objective of establishing a network which could withstand a nuclear war and serve military institutions worldwide, the Internet was first known as the ARPAnet. During the 1970s, this network grew to support many organizations in the DoD and in other government agencies, in addition to university and research organizations.

On October 24, 1995, the Federal Networking Council (FNC) unanimously passed a resolution defining the term Internet. This definition was developed in consultation with the leadership of the Internet and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Communities. The term Internet refers to the "global information system that is logically linked together by a globally unique address space based on the Internet Protocol (IP) or its subsequent extensions/follow-ons and is able to support communications using the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite or its subsequent extensions/follow-ons, and/or other IP-compatible protocols.

The Internet also provides, uses or makes accessible, either publicly or privately, high level services layered on the communications and related infrastructure described herein."

see IP

See IRC

See ISP

A private network inside a company or organization that uses the same kind of software protocols and tools found on the public Internet-- such as Web pages, Web browsers, FTP sites, e-mail, newsgroups and mailing lists -- but is used only for internal use to exchange information between employees and departments.

The trend is to replace internal networks based on proprietary client-server architectures with open-standard intranets in order to process information within a company or organization.

An acronym for Internet Protocol. The protocol within that governs the disassembly of data messages into packets and the routing of them to the destination network from the sender. This also includes the reassembly of the packets into the original data messages at the destination computer.

An acronym for Internet Relay Chat. A service that enables a user to have real-time text-based conversations with other users over a channel maintained by an IRC server. Each channel begins with a "#"symbol and is dedicated to a different area of interest. As special software is required to participate in IRC, many people tend to conduct discussion in chat rooms found on the Internet. Children should be supervised to avoid exposure to inappropriate material.

Integrated Services Digital Network. A technology offered by telephone carriers that allows for the trapid transfer of voice and data. The rate can attain 128 kb/s (kilo-bytes per second).

An acronym for Internet Service Provider. Club Plus Internet is an ISP. A business that provides access to the Internet. Before one can connect to the Internet, one must first establish an account with an ISP which will provide one with an Internet connection, an e-mail address and Internet browser software. One may choose an ISP based in one's area that offers an access telephone number in the local calling area, or a national ISP that provides local access telephone numbers across the country (or a 1-800 telephone number). ISPs have a wide range of prices and packages for users from which they may choose. For example, there are accounts custom tailored for high-level users and Web designers, as well as accounts for the more moderate Internet user.

A small Java program that can be embedded in a HTML page. Developed by Sun Microsystems, Java is a programming language that is specifically designed for writing programs that can be safely downloaded to your computer through the Internet and immediately run without fear of viruses or other harm to your computer or files. Java applets differ from full-fledged Java applications in that they are not allowed to access certain resources on the local computer -- such as files and serial devices (e.g., modems and printers) and are prohibited from communicating with most other computers across a network. The current rule is than an applet can only make an Internet connection to the computer from which the Java applet was sent.

Java applets are frequently used to add multimedia effects and interactivity to Web pages such as background music, real-time video displays, animations, calculators and interactive games. Applets can be activated automatically when a user views a page, or they may require some action by the user -- such as clicking on an icon on the Web page.

Descriptive words or phrases that help specify a concept when using a search engine.

One thousand bytes, when talking about a transmission by modem.

An acronym for Local Area Network. A network that connects multiple computers and other peripheral devices in a relatively limited geographic area -- such as a room, a floor of a building, a building or a set of buildings -- which distinguishes it somewhat from a Wide Area Network (WAN). LANs typically consist of a number of computers, shared printers and shared directories and files.

Hypertext links are URLs that are part of a Web page. They are shortcuts to other Web sites or to another portion of the same Web page. They are usually underlined and coloured differently from the rest of the Web page's text. Your arrow on your mouse usually changes to a hand when over a link.

A shortened form of LIST SERVer. One of the most popular commercial mailing list managers that facilitates one-to-many communication. LISTSERV lists are electronic discussion lists that are supported by a special software application called LISTSERV. LISTSERV is also a general purpose file server -- that is, an application that provides users with access to files.

See LAN

An e-mail -based discussion group. Mailing lists allow people to send an e-mail message to one e-mail address, where upon their message is copied and sent to all of the other subscribers to the mailing list. If one belongs to a mailing list, one would receive every message that is posted to that list, and must "unsubscribe" from the mailing list in order to stop receiving messages. This tool is either used to promote discussion between members on specific topics or bounce timely information, such as product announcements, to anyone who subscribes to the list.

One million bytes or characters.

A shortened form of MOdulator, DEModulator. A communications device that enables a computer to transmit information over a standard telephoneline (serial line). Because a computer is digital and a telephone line is analog, modems convert digital to analog and vice versa. For example, modems modulate a computer's digital signal into an analog one so that it may be transmitted over the telephone line. The receiving modem then demodulates the analog signal back into a digital one so that it maybe understood by the computer. Modems are available in a variety of"speeds" that are measured in bits per second (bps). The larger the number of bps, the faster the modem speed. However, one's connection to the Internet will only be as fast as the modems run by one's Internet Service Provider (ISP).

To move around on the World Wide Web (WWW) by following hyperlinks from document to document.

An access to the Internet program. The two main browsers are Microsoft Internet Explorer (which is the programs we use) and Netscape.

The commonly accepted polite activities and behaviours when using the Internet. An unwritten code of conduct. <

A group of computers and other peripheral devices that all use the same protocol in order to exchange information among themselves.

A simplified micro-ordinator which has no hard disc or program designed for working in a network that gives programs and information to it. It is a economical version of the traditional PC.

A new user of the Internet.

A shortened form of User's Network newsgroups; often simply referred to as newsgroups.

A USENET newsgroup is a forum on the Internet that allows threaded discussions on a specified range of subjects. Although a newsgroup does not really contain news, it offers articles and follow-up posts (posted comments) on various subjects. An article with all of its follow-up posts constitutes a thread; the follow-up posts are supposed to be related to the subject named in the original article's subject line.

There are over 11,000 newsgroups accessible via the Internet. Internet users may subscribe to many different newsgroups which will entitle one to post a comment or an article to the newsgroup. Some newsgroups are moderated. In these newsgroups, the articles are first sent to a moderator for approval before appearing in the newsgroup. Newsgroup titles usually begin with a three or four letter prefix followed by a ".".Major newsgroup categories include:

The state of using a computer that is connected to the Internet.

Any external device which can be attached to and is controlled by a computer.
Examples of peripherals include printers, disc drives, display monitors, keyboards, joysticks and modems.

A numeric picture element. It corresponds to a grain in a normal picture.

An acronym for Point-to-Point Protocol. A protocol that allows a computer to use a regular telephone line (serial line) and a modem to make TCP/IP connections to the Internet. Both PPP and SLIP are packet protocols for transmitting IP traffic across serial lines. However, unlike SLIP, PPP validates the data itself rather than relying on other protocols to ensure that data is not garbled during transmission. For this reason, PPP is the preferred protocol for low-quality telephone lines.

A set of rules or standards designed to enable computers to connect to and communicate with each other on a network.

A data distribution model in which selected data -- generally specified by the user -- is automatically delivered into the user's computer at prescribed intervals or based on some event that occurs. This is in contrast to the pull model, in which the user specifically asks for something by performing a search or requesting an existing report, video or other data type.

Instant communication. Usually in reference to IRC. Messages and replies appear on the chat participants' screens as they are typed.

A program which attempts to help a user isolate desired information or resources -- such as a Web site, e-mail address, or article posted on a newsgroup -- by searching for the key words that the user specifies. All search engines comprise three basic elements: the spider, the index and the search engine software.

While all search engines are intended to perform the same task, each goes about this task in a different way, which sometimes leads to dramatically different results. Factors that influence search results include the size of the database, the frequency of its updating, as well as the parameters of its search engine software. Some search engines are used for a single Web site.

The principal search engines are Infoseek , and Yahoo, (both which are available from the Club Plus Home or Guide Page on our site), however, there are others which are more or less specialized.

Any computer that stores and serves information over the Internet.

An acronym for Serial Line Internet Protocol. A protocol that allows a computer to use a regular telephone line (serial line) and a modem to make TCP/IP connections to the Internet. Both SLIP and PPP are packet protocols for transmitting IP traffic across serial lines. SLIP used to be the most popular way for users access the Internet with a modem, although PPP overcame SLIP for several reasons. Unlike PPP, SLIP does not work on LAN connections. Additionally, SLIP does not validate the data itself like PPP; rather, it relies on other protocols to ensure that data is not garbled during transmission.

The Internet version of "junk mail". Also, to spam is to send an unsolicited identical and irrelevant message or article -- usually to promote a product or service -- to a large number of people via an e-mail to a mailing list, or via an article to newsgroups.
Spamming is considered to be a serious violation of netiquette -- the rules of etiquette that govern online interaction on the Internet.

The activity of browsing the World Wide Web.

HTML code which is used to describe a type of command or instruction for a Web page. For example, the command <italic>would instruct that this text is to be italicized(</italic>). The command or instruction always falls with a pair of brackets (<>) which indicate the beginning of the command or instruction; a forward slash within a pair of brackets (</>)indicates the end of the command.

An acronym for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A combined set of protocols that performs the transfer of packets of data across multiple networks; it is the standard communications protocol required for Internet computers. TCP monitors and ensures the correct transfer of data. IP receives the data from TCP, breaks it up into packets and ships it off to a network within the Internet. This protocol is also used by computers which are part of a LAN.

A series of messages and replies related to a specific topic in a newsgroup. Threads include an article and its responses. Together, threads form a conversation of sorts as people add responses, or start a new message which in turn will have its own thread of responses. Indentation is often used to indicate a response to an article positioned above it.

A method of packet transmission used to avoid protocol restrictions. A message or a packet in one protocol is encapsulated or wrapped in another protocol. The wrapped packet is then transmitted over a network via the protocol of the wrapper.

See URL

A multi-user, multi-tasking operating system originally developed at AT&T Bell Laboratories in 1969 for use on minicomputers. Because of the language in which it is written, UNIX is more portable than other operating systems and is thus considered to be a more powerful operating system.

The process of sending information from your computer to another Internet computer.

An acronym for Universal Resource Locator. A URL describes the location and access method of a resource on the Internet. For example, the URL http://www.clubplus.net describes the type of access method being used -- that is, http -- which is followed by a colon and two forward slashes, and then the server location which hosts the Web site -- that is, clubplus.net. All Web sites have URLs; each one is unique. One could say that a URL is to a Web site what a telephone number is to a telephone or a street address is to a house. Although Web site URLs are often long and difficult to remember, Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer each have bookmark features which will allow one to save the location or URL of the Web site to which one may wish to return at a later time or date.

A shortened form of USEr's NETwork; often simply referred to as newsgroups.

An acronym for UNIX-to-UNIX CoPy. A program that allows UNIXsystems to transfer files over telephone lines (serial lines). Currently, the term is used to describe the protocol that passes news and e-mail across the Internet.

See VAN

An acronym for Value-Added Network. A business that offers additional services such as message routing, resource management and conversion facilities for computers communicating at different speeds or using different protocols.
For example, a VAN can set a buyer company with a mailbox, as well as a seller company with a separate mailbox. Once both companies have mailboxes and they notify the VAN that they are trading partners, the VAN will then deliver and sort each company's mail and place it in the correct mailbox.

An intrusive computer program that is intentionally designed to sneak into a computer by attaching itself to another program. A computer has the chance to become infected with a virus each time files are downloaded. Viruses are programs that can damage the files on your computer programs -- and are often intentionally created to do so -- or can take up memory space that could otherwise be used by other programs.

An acronym for Wide Area Network. A network that connects multiple computers and other peripheral devices in a relatively large geographic area -- such as an area larger than a single building or campus --which distinguishes it somewhat from a Local Area Network (LAN). A WAN is essentially a linked network of LANs. TheInternet may be considered to be the largest WAN in existence.

Abreviation of World Wide Web or WWW. It is the multimedia shutter of the Internet.

Any single page of information that is accessible through the World Wide Web.

A collection of Web pages.

See WAN

Also known as the Web. See WWW.

An acronym for World Wide Web. Also referred to as the"Web" or W3. It is a global (worldwide) hypertext system that uses the Internet as its transport mechanism. In a hypertext system, one navigates by clicking hyperlinks which allow the user to move among menu pages, directories, files and other documents which may, in turn, also contain hyperlinks. Users have access to data in a format that can include text, images, multimedia (sound, video, animation) and Java applets. What makes the Web such an exciting and useful medium is that the next document one may see could be housed on a computer next door, or half-way around the world.

The last portion of any domain name. Zones indicate the type of organization that publishes the Web sites and/or the country where it originates. Common zones include:-