Bandwidth commonly refers to the amount of data that can be sent along a particular Internet connection (such as from your computer to your ISP or from your ISP into the Internet).
Client/server
Computers within networks, including the global network of the Internet, operate within a client/server environment. Clients are software programs located on user’s computers and request information from servers (your web browser is an example of client software). Client software also presents the information to users in a user-friendly, point-and-click way. Server software, on the other hand, serves up information to the client and does all the donkey work and is written in programming language. The web servers run by ISPs are examples of server software.
Cookies
These are small data files that certain web sites build up about your specific interests when you visit them and which they then store on your computer while you are connected with them. The next time you visit that particular web site, the first thing they do is to check whether they have sent you a ‘cookie’ before and if so, they check the cookie data file to see where you went and what you were interested in during your previous vist to their web site. Their site is then customised on the fly to address (or meet) these interests.
Cyberspace
This is a phrase coined in the book “Neuromancer” by William Gibson and has been used to describe the electronic bits and bytes environment of the Internet.
Dial-up
Connecting to another computer using a telephone network.
Download
The transfer of a file from another computer to your own.
E-commerce
E-commerce refers to all the activities on the Internet and Web that have to do with business. E-commerce is primarily about doing business on the Web and represents tremendous and exciting opportunities for both large and small companies.
Extranet
The Extranet is a Internet-based (IP) network available outside of an organisation but the use of which is limited to a select number of users within a secure environment.
An electronically distributed ‘magazine’
Flames
Abusive or personal electronic attacks against the sender of a message.
Intranet
When computers within a company are connected to one another using a secure Internet-based (IP) connection, then this is termed an Intranet (and refers to an internal network). Intranets are not available to the general public.
ISDN
This stands for Integrated Services Digital Network and is a form of digital telephone connection instead of the standard analogue telephone lines most of us have at home. Because the telephone line is digital, you can send information down the line at faster speeds than across your standard line. You still need a modem – a digital modem – and Telkom will need to install and activate the digital line at your home or office. In addition, most ISPs can offer you ISDN access if you require. The cost is higher, but the service is faster and is worth considering if the Internet is likely to play an important part in your business or social activities.
IP
Stands for Internet Protocol and is part of the set of standards (TCP/IP) that govern how the Internet works. IP addresses that computers connected to the Internet can understand are often called the .dot address and appear as follows: 196.16.242.9
LAN
LAN stands for Local Area Network and refers to a number of computers that are connected over small local area such as an office or building.
Listservers
Automated electronic mail distribution systems.
Login
The process of identifying yourself by entering a login (or user) name and password.
Log-on
To establish a connection with an online system.
Log-off
To disconnect from an online system.
POP
Besides for standing for Point-of-Presence (PoP – see previous page), POP also stands for Post Office Protocol and is the standard used by Internet users to access e-mail they have received. See also SMTP.
SMTP
This stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol and refers to the set of standards used to send e-mail.
Spam
Also known as junk mail – this is unwanted or otherwise obnoxious mail or information.
Upload
The transfer of a file from your computer to another computer.
WAN
WAN stands for Wide Area Network and refers a network of computers that are linked across a large geographical area. The ATMs of banks represent a WAN.
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