| Glossary
An attachment is the name given to a digital file such as a word processed document that is included with an e-mail message. Most e-mail programmes allow you to attach files with your message. When the message is received the reader can double-click on the attachment icon causing the file to open using the appropriate software. Sometimes the recipient does not have the right software to open your attachment - you should check before hand and consider other methods of sending the file.
You will visit some pages again and again - so bookmark them! Bookmarking saves you having to remember the address and type it into the Location box. You just click on the chosen page from your list to go to it. In Internet Explorer these hyperlinked references are called Favorites and work in a similar way.
A browser is a type of software application or programme that allows the user to view web pages. There are different types of browsers, some only allow the user to view text, but browsers such Netscape and Internet Explorer for instance allow the user to view images and other media that may be integrated into a Web page design.
Cache is a storage area on the computer's hard disk where recently visited web pages and images are stored. The amount of storage room can be changed by the user from the Options Menu choosing Network Preferences. The cache is used to keep local copies of frequently accessed documents and thus reduce the time connected to the Internet. The Reload button will always compare the cached document to the networked document and show the most recent one.
Downloading describes the process of retrieving and saving files from the Internet. Web pages, for instance, are downloaded from Internet servers (storage and delivery computers) to be displayed on the user's computer through a browser. All sorts of files can be downloaded including whole programs of software for instance. See Install for more information about downloading programs - including browsers. Tip: Create a folder or directory on your hard disk called Download. This should be the first stop for any file or program you download. You will then be able to manage you hard disk more easily.
E-mail is electronic mail used for sending messages and attachments (documents or files included with a message) across the Internet. Because e-mail is so quick and convenient it is not the best environment to write an essay which needs care and thought. A word proccessed essay can be refined and sent either as an e-mail attachment, or on disk or paper via the post.
FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Questions. An FAQ is an information document which takes the form of questions and answers. On the Internet FAQs are a popular means of disseminating information on a wide variety of subjects. They are particularly useful for introducing new users to the basics of a subject.
A web form is like a conventional form that needs to be filled in and then sent off or 'submitted'. Some web sites use them for gathering market research type information - they are ideal for prompting these kinds of short responses. Some On-Line Learning sites also use forms usually fot multiple choice and feedback situations. As with e-mail forms are not the best environment for writing anything which requires a lot of thought and care. When completed a form is transmitted back to the host server (for instance a University's internet computer) by the user pressing a Submit button.
Frames are a device used by web page authors to subdivide the web browser screen. Separate web pages appear in each frame-window of a frame set. This gives the web designer more flexibility in presenting information. One frame-window can be changed by another. Not all browsers can display frames. Recent version of Netscape and Internet Explorer (versions 2.0 and later) understand how to display framed sites.
Your computer's hard disk is the part of your computer where you store your document files and programme files. It is similar to a floppy disk but has a much greater capacity and works a lot faster. Typically on a Windows PC is will have the drive letter C and your floppy disks will use drive A.
History is a hypertext list of the pages you have looked at. At the end of the Location or Address box note the arrow button. Click on this and a list of the pages appears ready for you to click to. The list is also available from the Window menu in Netscape Navigator. Internet Explorer keeps an extensive history record - select the Go menu and choose Open History folder.
A home page is the page that first opens up when you start your browser. You can choose what page you want to appear. Some people choose a favourite site, some their favourite search engine or their bookmarks page. Others design their own page using HTML.
Hot text is text that can be clicked on with the mouse cursor. This interaction initiates a call to display either another web page or another part of the current web page.
HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language. HTML is the computer language used by web authors in creating web pages. HTML is understood by web browsers which display the HTML files as web pages. It is quite a simple language to learn. There are some software applications available now which can automatically create web pages.
Hyperlinks are links between one web page and another or one part of a web page and another part of the same page. Hyperlinks take the form of text or images on the web.
Computer program software needs to be installed for it to work. Often when you download a program (such as a browser) it will come down neatly as a single file. This file will often have a name that ends with '.exe' or '.zip'. Think of such a file as a parcel that contains other files that togther will make you program work. Therefore this parcel has to be opened before the files within it can set themselves up in the right place on your machine. This process is called installation and nowadays is usually automated. All you have to do is 'run' the .exe file by double-clicking on it. A zip file type parcel is slightly different - this kind of 'parcel' is shrunk or 'compressed' to make it smaller to deliver. To open a zip file you will need some software such as Winzip, Stuffit, or PKunzip. Do a web search for any of these or look out for them on the cover CDs of computer magazines. Tip: Software usually comes with a small text file called Readme.txt. This file should be read! Apart from details to do with the licencing, it will give you detailed instructions about installation and any know problems or bugs you may come across. If you are lucky it will contain a manual for operating the software itself! Delete the 'parcel' or exe file once you have 'exploded' it - its contents are no longer required after installation and take up room. Finally, remember to Uninstall software you have finished with. Increasing software comes with uninstall programs that will remove all associated files.
The Internet describes a global network of computers linked together. This network has evolved rapidly in most sectors though was originally established by the military in the USA and then educational institutions. Business and domestic users have added to the rapid expansion of this communications network. The Internet can be used in many ways for transferring information. The most popular applications for the Internet are the World Wide Web and E-mail.
Internet Explorer is a very popular web browser developed by Microsoft. It is likely that the web browser will become totally integrated into the working environment of the PC user. Version 4 of the freely available Internet Explorer, for instance, imposes itself upon the user even when the user is not browsing. Microsoft maintain that this direction encourages the user to see the web as being integral to everything they do on their computers.
Your Internet Service Provider is the company who administer your Internet connection. Compuserve, Demon and Pipex are three ISPs. It may be that your connection is administered by the Computer Services Department of an educational institution, organisation or business.
Links are instructions hidden within hot text or hot images. The instruction commands the browser to display a named web page or to target a different part of the current web page.
A mail-to is a link in a web page that when clicked opens up the user's default e-mail programme. A new message automatically directed to the person named in the mail-to link is ready to be completed. This can be a handy way of prompting students to communicate with their tutors in on-line learning courses. It is bad practice to include too many mail-tos in an on-line course as each message causes more expense and work for all concerned. Students expecting to use mail-to communication should make sure their browser knows which e-mail software to use.
A modem can be thought of simply like a telephone. It is the device either inside or attached to your computer that passes on digital information to the Internet - often using your telephone line.
Mosaic is a popular web browser. It once held a supreme position in the browser market which was lost to Netscape and more recently to Internet Explorer.
Navigation describes the act of browsing or 'surfing' around web pages using various means including following links and entering URLs or addresses to other web pages.
Netscape Navigator is a popular browser. It is part of the Netscape Communicator software. Version 2.0 and later are particularly powerful.
Strictly speaking 'on-line' means being connected to the Internet. If you 'go' on-line you are making that connection live. The term is also used to describe having access to electronic media generally. An on-line archive may be a collection of information stored in one place or on a CD-ROM for instance.
Many search engines exist that scan the World Wide Web in order to locate web pages (and other Internet resources sometimes) that will satisfy a user's query. Some web sites such as university web sites have their own search engine which will search just their site. These search engines make the World Wide Web very special and all users should spend some time getting to know how to use the search engines properly.
The status bar is the grey strip at the bottom of the web browser. As the user interacts with a web page information appears in this area keeping the user informed about what is happening and what is available. When the mouse cursor moves over a link the status bar displays the address (URL) of that link. If a user clicks on a link information is displayed relating to the request to be connected to the new site and the status of the downloading (how big is the file being downloaded and how long is it expected to take, etc).
URL (Uniform Resource Locator) The Uniform Resource Locator is the address of a given page. When typing the URL into the Location field or Address box you should be exact.
A web page is a single document. It may be very long and not fit the user's screen in one go. Scroll bars then become available allowing the user to view the rest of it. When printed it may be several paper pages long. A web page can contain text, images and other media. Links to other pages can usually be found in web pages.
A web site is a collection of related web pages that are usually located in one place. The pages will be inter-linked. Each of the web pages will probably have a similar but unique address.
The World Wide Web (also referred to as WWW and 'the Web') is part of the Internet. It is made up of Web pages on Web Sites. These web sites can offer links to other web sites. Search engines offer a means of locating pages of interest on the World Wide Web. |
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