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• Pointers to Other Glossary References

- A -

A2Z

A search engine from Lycos, Inc. that offers a categorized directory of the Internet's most-often hyperlinked sites.

access filter

Client software that you install and use with a Web browser. An access filter blocks explicit sites locally at the user's machine, without restricting the access rights of other Internet users. For example, a parent or teacher might use an access filter on a PC to restrict children's access to selected Web sites, block access to inappropriate Internet sites, or limit access to certain times of day or to a total time to be spent online in a day. Products, such as Cyber Patrol or SurfWatch, provide lists of known adult-oriented sites and can be used to set access filters. See also network filter.

active platform

Microsoft strategy that provides a development infrastructure for creating new applications for the Internet and Intranet. Key components include DCOM and ActiveX.

active server pages

Microsoft's new ActiveX scripting environment for the Internet Information Server. Active server pages (ASPs) are a set of technologies that make it easy to develop and manage powerful, Web-based business solutions in any language, including Java. You can use ASPs to create dynamic Web sites and put a Web front-end on legacy applications. ASPs enable HTML authors to intermix HTML with in-line scripting. ASPs are compatible with any ActiveX scripting language and support multiple scripting languages on the same page, such as Visual Basic Script and JavaScript. ASPs also support ActiveX components running on the server. ASPs were code named Denali during development.

ActiveX

Microsoft object development framework. A critical factor in the evolution of network-centric and component-centric computing models. Provides highly scalable software object buses that transparently link network computers to client-server systems and mainframes across distributed networks. Microsoft introduced ActiveX to replace OLE.

ActiveX controls

An applet on the client side that adds active content to the Internet, such as displaying a dynamic graph, animation, audio, or accepting form input. ActiveX controls hide the complexity of creating Internet applications. Microsoft offers predefined ActiveX controls that programmers can modify for their needs. Programmers have a choice of many programming languages and do not need to learn about low-level APIs and protocols. Programmers install ActiveX controls as dynamic link libraries (DLLs); they are not interpreted. ActiveX controls can accomplish the same tasks as Java applets, but ActiveX controls run only on Windows and Windows NT systems and are only accessible from the Microsoft Internet Explorer Web browser. ActiveX controls were formerly called OLE controls.

ActiveX data_objects

See ADO.

ADO

A technology for Web page developers to add database access to online content. ADO requires only minimal programming skills. It condenses complex and lengthy programming tasks into simple statements.

ADSL networks

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line networks. A network architecture used by telephone companies. ADSL uses frequency demodulation to carry services, such as video and data, to telephone customers. ADSL is a new technology, based on their existing copper infrastructure, that has deeper bandwidth and greater reliability at a better price than older network technologies, such as analog, 56 Kbps, ISDN, and T1. ADSL service is dedicated and nonswitched, and it requires a modem to demodulate the signals and tie the data and other services to the appropriate equipment at the customer site. Contrast with HFC networks.

agent

A software search engine used to locate information on the World Wide Web. Also called a scooter, spider, Web crawler, or Web robot.

AltaVista search engine

A very complex and quick search engine from DIGITAL that combines a fast Web crawler with scalable indexing software to build a large index of words and their locations within documents on the World Wide Web.

AltaVista Forum

A DIGITAL product for the Internet that enables groups of people to share information in a conference format in either Internet or Intranet environments. AltaVista Forum requires a modified and separate Web server. Formerly called Workgroup Web Forum (WGWF).

AltaVista LAN Browser

A DIGITAL product targeted at the LAN environment for small local area workgroups. This product enables users to organize and share information, locate and update information easily, and initiate online conferences. The AltaVista LAN Browser does not require a Web server or TCP/IP connection. Formerly called Workgroup Web.

AltaVista Tunnel

A DIGITAL tunneling product, available in two forms: the Internet Group Tunnel and the Internet Personal Tunnel. The AltaVista Tunnel handles management of tunnel connections, routing information, encryption, and user authentication and authorization. The AltaVista Tunnel is firewall independent; which means that data goes through the tunnel, rather than just to the tunnel. The AltaVista Tunnel was formerly called the DIGITAL Internet Tunnel Product.

AM fiber

A single-mode fiber used to transport cable television signals.

America Online

Also called AOL. A large online service with more than a million users. AOL was the first of the online services to include a Gopher client for search and retrieval, Usenet news client, and mail connection to the Internet. See also Prodigy and CompuServe.

anchor

See hotspot.

anonymous FTP

An Internet utility that allows a user to connect to a remote computer as a guest to retrieve archived documents, files, programs, and other data without having to establish a user id or password on the host system. Anonymous FTP allows users to identify themselves as anonymous and bypass local security checks.

AOL

See America Online.

API

Application programming interface. A mechanism by which application programs interact with a Web server. Web server APIs include the common gateway interface (CGI), Microsoft ISAPI, and Netscape NSAPI.

applet

A small interactive application written to run in the Web browser on the client. Applets can be downloaded over the network. An applet usually handles a small chunk of programming, such as to display a graph, display a form and accept input from a user, or perform animation. The Web browser invokes the applet when it invokes the HTML page that references it. Applets are currently written in Java, but other languages are expected to be supported soon. Contrast with servlets.

applet tag

An HTML code element that tells the server to invoke an applet.

application areas

Business problems or computing needs that can be addressed with software. The key application areas relevant to Internet business problems are:

• Electronic collaboration
• Electronic commerce
• Information distribution
• System applications

application enabler

A service for building distributed client/server application areas. Examples of server application enablers include services for locating other programs in a network, establishing communication with them, passing information between applications, overcoming disparities between different computing platforms, and providing a uniform security model in a multivendor, multioperating system network. An example of a client application enabler might be the use of Java class libraries to write Java applets. The following examples list the Web-based application types and examples of server application enablers for each type:

• Information distribution -- a search engine or a service that generates an HTML file from a relational database table and converts it to a HTML3 file.
• Collaboration- a routine that captures a discussion thread.
• Electronic commerce - a service that deals with electronic payments.
• System applications-- a service that deals with user profile maintenance.

Also called middleware.

application programming interface

See API.

application protocol

The part of the TCP/IP protocol at the high end of the protocol stack (not IP or TCP). Includes all of the standard network protocols, such as HTTP for transferring documents on the Web; UDP protocol for Ping; FTP protocol for file transfers; SMTP and MIME for mail; NNTP for news; ODBC, Oracle, and SQLnet for database operations; DCE and RCP for transaction processing; and WAIS, Gopher, and Telnet.

Archie

An electronic directory service for locating information on anonymous FTP archives on the Internet. When you search an Archie database, you see information about files that match your search criteria, as well as the location of those files. Archie performs the same directory service for anonymous FTP servers that Veronica does for Gopher servers.

assymetrical cable network

A cable network that has a different bandwidth on the forward channel and the reverse channel. There is increasing demand for assymetrical connectivity. Contrast with symetrical cable network.

ATM

Asynchronous Transfer Mode. A communications protocol defined for high-speed data communications (155Mbps and higher). Commonly used with optical fiber connections, but can also be run on wire, although this is less common.

authentication

A verification of asserted identity. It is best if there are two or more components, such as something you are (badge with picture, fingerprint), something you know (password), or something you have (ATM card, key access card).

authoring tool

An application that supports document creation. Can refer to anything from an HTML helper application to an integrated publishing environment, such as FrontPage, which allows the user to create pages for the World Wide Web.

- B -

backbone

A centralized high-speed network that connects smaller, independent networks.

back-end server

A server that provides converters and gateways to databases, transaction processing systems, and legacy corporate software.

bandwidth

The capacity of a transmission medium. Stated in bits per second or as a frequency.

baud

The speed at which modems can transfer data. One baud is approximately one bit per second. It takes eight bits (one byte) for each letter or character.

billing and payment system

The range of activities involved in handling Web-based billing and payment for products and services.

bit

The basic unit of computer storage. Can have a value of 0 or 1.

bitmap

A graphical image composed of many tiny dots that are turned on or off to create the desired image. GIF files are a common form of bitmap image.

bookmark

A location or selection of text where hyperlinks can jump. See also hotspot.

browser

See Web browser.

bulletin board

An Internet conference whose purpose is to post read-only notices, rather than notices for people to discuss.

byte

Eight consecutive bits. Often interpreted as a character in the ASCII character code.

- C -

cache

An intermediate storage location that keeps a copy of information from the Web that has already been seen. Caching prevents the Web browser from having to fetch frequently-viewed data over the network repeatedly. Caching reduces network traffic and makes accessing pages faster.

cascading style sheet

A method for HTML authors and users to attach style characteristics, such as fonts, colors, and spacing, to HTML documents. A key feature is that style sheets cascade. HTML page authors can attach a preferred style sheet, while the user may have a personal style sheet to adjust for human or technological handicaps. The rules for resolving conflicts between different style sheets are defined in the W3C Cascading Style Sheet specification. Style sheets are needed only to suggest a specific style for a document. If none is specified, the Web browser uses its default style sheet.

Castanet

A technology, developed by the Java development team from Sun, for distributing channels over the Internet and Intranet. A channel can be a standalone Java application, a Java applet, or a Web site. Users can set up interests in a set of channels into which the server distributes files overnight or at low activity times. Channels are stored locally, users can use them repeatedly without waiting for them to reload every time. Castanet makes it possible to distribute large, dynamic, and multimedia applications even over a slow connection.

Catapult

The code name for Microsoft's new proxy server. Catapult helps corporate customers integrate their Intranets with the Internet. Catapult runs on a Windows NT Server, and acts as a secure access server for connecting an organization's desktop computers to the Internet. The proxy server enables desktop access to Internet sites for Web, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), telnet, RealAudio, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), and almost all other Internet protocol and application proxies. Catapult is an extension of the Microsoft Internet Information Server, a publishing tool for Internet/Intranet sites.

Cello

A Web browser from the Legal Information Institute at Cornell University.

centralized hosting

Hosting done in a centralized manner rather than a distributed manner.

CERN

Conseil Europèen pour la Recherche Nuclèaire (European Laboratory for Particle Physics). The birthplace of the Web. Many of the original Web protocols were tested at CERN.

CERN httpd server

A Web server product originally developed at CERN and now maintained and distributed through W3C under the new name W3C httpd server. For more information, see W3C httpd.

CGI

Common Gateway Interface. A standard interface between a Web server and the application programs or scripts it invokes. CGI can be used to create virtual documents and interface with services outside the Web server. CGI is commonly used with forms-based applications to request information from users. The use of CGI ensures all Web servers support the applications or scripts in the same way.

CGI script

A program written in C or a scripting language, such as Tcl or Perl. Developers can use CGI scripts to extend the functions of the Web and create elaborate applications, including transaction processing applications or forms-based applications.

channel bank

A device that splits a T1 line into 24 digital or voice circuits.

chat

The process of communicating live to other network users.

CIDR

Classless Inter Domain Routing. A method of associating blocks of Internet NIC addresses through the use of a prefix.

Classless Inter Domain Routing

See CIDR.

client

A system or process that requests a service from another system or process, called a server. Internet clients can be enabled on almost all workstations, terminals, and PCs. Software includes Web browsers, Internet-enabled applications, Internet client applications, utilities, and more.

client application enabler

See application enabler.

client integration interface

An application programming interface (API) that the Web browser uses to access extensions, such as Java applets, plug-ins, ActiveX controls, and helper applications. For example, Netscape LiveConnect provides the interface for Java applets, plug-ins, and JavaScript. ActiveX provides APIs for different object types (a basic object interface and a specialized object interface). Helper applications have a special set of conventions or mapping between extensions of data types and applications to invoke.

collaboration

See electronic collaboration.

COM

Common Object Model. An open architecture from DIGITAL and Microsoft that enables the interoperation between ObjectBroker and OLE.

Common Gateway Interface

See CGI.

Common Object Model

See COM.

Common Object Request Broker Architecture

See CORBA.

communication service

A service that enables applications to transport messages to other applications within an organization or between organizations. Communication services include HTTP service, electronic mail, news, chat, and file transfer protocol (FTP).

compressed SLIP

See CSLIP.

CompuServe

A well-known online service with over two million users. CompuServe was one of the earliest of the large systems not directly connected to the Internet to offer Internet mail access to its users. CompuServe now includes Usenet news. See also America Online and Prodigy.

conference

See notes conference.

content development and management

The complete range of activities involved in designing Web sites, including information architecture, life-cycle management of Web files and programs, and user interface management.

content management

A method of managing a hierarchy of Web pages that ensures that page developers do not interfere with each other's work when creating and modifying content. Page developers can also use content management to track and catalog what is created and monitor process (for example, ensuring that Web pages get an editorial review before proceeding to production).

cookie

See HTTP cookie.

CORBA

Common Object Request Broker Architecture. An architecture and a specification for distributed object-oriented computing that has implementation currently available from several major software vendors.

CSLIP

Compressed SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol). A method of Internet connection that enables computers to use phone lines and a modem to connect to the Internet without having to connect to a host. Like SLIP, CSLIP transmits the IP protocol over a serial line, but CSLIP compresses the TCP/IP headers on the packets, which increases throughput. CSLIP and SLIP are being superseded by Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP).

CyberCash

A credit card payment product from CyberCash, Inc. that gives merchants the ability to accept credit card payments over the Internet just as if they were doing it in a physical store. CyberCash supports more than one merchant on one box and more than one transaction at a time. CyberCash automatically encrypts each transaction to ensure security for the customer and merchant.

CyberCents

A micro payment product from Outreach Communications Corporation that handles sales transactions as small as a fraction of a penny. CyberCents interfaces with existing bank accounts and merchant services accounts and does not require special client software, such as wallet software.

- D -

daemon

A program that is not invoked explicitly, but lies dormant, waiting for some condition or conditions to occur. Daemons can perform various management tasks, such as starting and stopping a client or server process, managing access to files or printers, caching Web pages for later access, or serving as a firewall that allows internal users access to external Web pages. UNIX systems use daemons for servers.

database management system

See DBMS.

data mining

The use of tools and techniques to look for significant patterns in data.

data warehousing

A database designed for decision-support applications.

DBMS

Database management system. A system for creating, accessing, and maintaining interrelated database records, which one or more applications can process without regard to physical storage.

DCOM

Distributed Component Object Model. Microsoft standard for distributed objects. DCOM is an object protocol that enables ActiveX components to communicate directly with each other across a network and perform tasks in unison. For example, a developer could integrate applications that run on different servers around the world so they work together in a single document or Web page. DCOM is language-neutral; any language that produces ActiveX components, including Java, can produce DCOM applications. DCOM is included in the Windows NT operating system Version 4.0.

de facto standard

A term applied to a product or system that captures a large market share and that other providers tend to emulate, copy, or use to obtain some of that market share. De facto standards occur when the market believes that a single solution is superior to anything else on the market. De facto standards can be open or proprietary and changed at the option of the originating provider. Examples of de facto standards include MS-DOS and PostScript. Contrast with de jure standard.

de jure standard

A standard created by a formally recognized Standards Developing Organization (SDO), such as ANSI, and developed under the rules of consensus in an open forum. De jure standards cannot be changed without going through the consensus process, monitored by an SDO, in which everyone who wishes can get involved. ISO, ITU-TS, X3, IEEE, and ANSI are accredited SDOs for de jure standards. Examples of de jure standards include HTML and Ethernet. Contrast with de facto standard.

Denali

See Active Server Pages.

DHCP

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. A protocol for assigning dynamic IP addresses to devices on a network (a device can have a different IP address every time it connects to the network). DHCP simplifies administration.

DigiCash

A credit card payment product from DigiCash that gives merchants the ability to accept credit card payments over the Internet just as if they were doing it in a physical store. DigiCash requires a special bank account, a special credit card account, and wallet software on the client.

digital audio

A method of storing music pieces on a computer. These files, usually .wav files, are similar to tape recordings of music. To listen to a digital audio file, you must download the complete file. Compare with streaming digital audio

DIGITAL Internet Tunnel

See AltaVista Tunnel.

Distributed Component Object Model

See DCOM.

distance learning

The process of using technology to connect students, teachers, and other information sources who are separated by space and time. Students can learn concepts without having to attend face-to-face training sessions.

distribution hub

The point where fiber nodes are terminated with coaxial cable. Also known as secondary headends, nodes, or AO sites.

See DCOM.

DLL

Dynamic Link Library. A Microsoft operating system feature that allows executable routines to be stored separately as files and loaded only when the program requires them. DLLs can hold icons, enable Visual Basic programs, and create network sockets that let users connect to the Internet.

DNS

Domain Name System/Service. The Internet naming scheme in the TCP/IP world that consists of a hierarchical sequence of names, from the most specific to the most general (left to right), separated by dots, such as user@mach1.max.dec.com. This hierarchy helps name servers locate a server or servers that contain the data for a particular name. See also domain name.

document

A unit of information sent from servers to clients. A document can contain plain or formatted text, inline graphics, sound, other multimedia data, or hyperlinks to other documents. Often referred to as a file.

domain

The last part of an Internet address (after the final dot). In the United States, the standard domains are:

• .com -- Commercial
• .edu -- Educational
• .gov -- Government
• .mil -- Military
• .org -- Non-profit organization
• .net -- Network

Outside the United States, the top-level domain is usually the country domain, such as .ca for Canada, .de for Germany (Deutschland), or .uk for the United Kingdom.

In 1997, the following new domain names were made available:

• .arts -- Entities emphasizing cultural and entertainment activities
• .firm -- Businesses, firms
• .info -- Entities providing information services
• .rec -- Entities emphasizing recreation and entertainment activities
• .store -- Businesses offering products for sale
• .web -- Entities offering activities related to the WWW
• .nom -- Individual or personal nomenclature

domain name

A label for an Internet site or a collection of computers that share a common domain database and security policy. The domain name includes a host name, subdomain, and domain, all separated by dots. Each domain name is unique. For example, digital.dec.com. See also DNS.

Domain Name System

See DNS.

download

The process of copying a file or software from a remote computer to a local computer. Contrast with upload.

drill down

The process of navigating through a sequence of pages on the Web, moving down to the lower levels.

DS0

Digital Signal level 0. See T1.

DS3

Digital Signal level 3. See T3.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

See DHCP.

dynamic HTML page

An HTML page that changes from one user access to the next. Each time the Web server receives a request for the page, the server generates a new HTML page. Dynamic pages can take more computing power than static HTML pages. However, they are useful and often required in presenting information that is continually changing, such as in a merchant page where users can select items for purchase by filling shopping carts. Contrast with static HTML page.

Dynamic Link Library

See DLL.

- E -

Each-to-Each Technology

A DIGITAL technology for automated personalized recommendation systems. Businesses in electronic commerce can use Each-to-Each Technology to develop high-quality, high-performance solutions across the Internet, on a retail point-of-sale kiosk, on a corporate Intranet, or on a personal digital assistant (PDA). Each-to-Each Technology enables businesses to provide personalized messages, recommendations, or promotions for products and services.

EDI

Electronic data interchange. A service that enables multiple disparate business applications to work together to handle business transactions both within an enterprise and between enterprises.

electronic bulletin board system

A shared file system where users can enter information for other users to read or download. Many bulletin boards are set up by topics of interest.

electronic collaboration

A method of sharing information in an online conference format across internal and/or external networks. The DIGITAL AltaVista Forum is a key product in this space.

electronic commerce

A method of exchanging business information and handling commercial transactions electronically, usually through the use of computer and telecommunication technologies.

electronic data interchange

See EDI.

electronic mail

A method of sending messages through the Internet to other Internet users. Also called e-mail or just mail.

EMWAC

European Microsoft Windows Academic Center. EMWAC is a part of the Computing Services division of the University of Edinburgh and was established to support and act as a focus for Windows NT within academia. EMWAC is sponsored by Datalink Computers, Digital Equipment Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Research Machines, Sequent Computer Systems, and The University of Edinburgh.

EMWAC server

A Web server created by EMWAC. The EMWAC server runs as an NT service and works well for applications with light to medium loads. The EMWAC server also supports CGI applications, but because the EMWAC server runs as a service, all applications must be Windows-32 console mode applications.

encryption

The process of scrambling a message so others cannot read it without a key. Encryption ensures users privacy when sending messages and enables users to verify the identity of a sender of a message.

Enterprise

A Netscape software product that is a subset of Netscape SuiteSpot. Netscape Enterprise is the Web server component of SuiteSpot for content development, authoring, and management. Netscape Enterprise is useful for managing a single Web server in an enterprise and has network and cluster capabilities. Contrast with SuiteSpot.

European Microsoft Windows Academic Center

See EMWAC.

Extensible Markup Language

See XML.

extranet

Extended intranets that connect not only internal personnel, but select customers, suppliers, and strategic partners. In both Intranets and extranets, it is critical to be able to create high-quality interaction while ensuring confidentiality, security, and controlled access. Contrast with Intranet.

- F -

Falcon

The code name for Microsoft's message-oriented middleware technology, designed for the Windows NT Server. Falcon lets developers build large-scale distributed systems with reliable communications between applications that can operate reliably even when networked systems are unavailable. Falcon is designed to interconnect thousands of connected and disconnected application nodes through a common queuing model. Falcon is integrated with ActiveX Technologies and tools.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions. A list of questions that are often asked and their responses. FAQs are useful in reducing support time to respond to questions that are asked repeatedly.

FastTrack

Netscape general-purpose Web server software. FastTrack is a secure, easy-to-use Web content creation tool that provides easy access to data across an enterprise. Contrast with SuiteSpot and Enterprise.

fat CGI

A Web-based development environment that emits dynamic HTML based on scripts you design. They are called fat CGIs because each of these products is a single general-purpose program that defines a script language that is more suited to producing HTML than Perl, for example. The "fat" is added to the CGI script that is running on the server, rather than on the client. Such scripts are easy to write, run at the central (Web server) site, and let users perform interactive data entry through a Web browser. The script language also provides access to a database, such as Oracle, SQL Server, Paradox, or Access, through native calls or Open Database Connectivity (ODBC). See also CGI.

feedback form

An online means of sending comments and questions to the designated person at an Internet site.

feeds

A source of live data that users can view as it becomes available, such as a stock report. Users can access live data feeds through interactive Web applications.

federated database

A single database that can maintain data across multiple types of data sources (such as Oracle or Sybase) and platforms.

file

The data the server displays and applications the server runs. Examples range from basic HTML files to complex applications developed with JavaScript or Java applets that can run on a Web browser.

File Transfer Protocol

See FTP.

filter

See network filter.

finger

A common network utility that displays information about users or services on remote systems. Finger is available on most UNIX systems and any node that runs TCP/IP.

firewall

A computer or router that protects private systems from encroachment. A firewall permits greater access from one side of a network link than from the other. Firewall technology is important for commercial operations that need to protect proprietary information while allowing internal users access to remote services outside the firewall. A firewall limits the number of gateways between the network and the outside world through which information packets can travel. These gateways restrict the types of accesses to a defined set of users or nodes.

Firewall Service

A DIGITAL product that supplies a flexible solution and configuration for firewall capability tailored to customer's needs.

forward channel

A broadcast or downstream channel for network information. The downstream allocation is likely to range from 50 MHz to 750 MHz, depending on equipment. Contrast with reverse channel.

frame

An extension to a Web browser that allows subwindows within the browser's window. The use of frames allows multiple documents to display in the browser's window. Currently, only the Netscape browser supports frames.

freeware

Software that users can copy and use free of charge. Contrast with shareware.

freqency agile modem

A modem that can sense noise on a line and automatically shift to a clean frequency (if available). Shifting to a clean frequency is called a frequency hop.

Frequently Asked Questions

See FAQ.

FrontPage

A Web authoring and management tool from Microsoft. FrontPage enables users to create and manage a Web site without programming skills. FrontPage is designed for a distributed, collaborative, and multiuser work environment.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol. A TCP/IP utility that lets users copy files from remote computers that support TCP/IP to their PC. If the user clicks on a hotspot whose URL specifies a file on an FTP server, the FTP server downloads that file to their PC. FTP does not handle data conversions. A very large amount of information is available through anonymous FTP, a variant of FTP where a set of files is made available for public access.

FTP archive

A repository for documents available on the network. DIGITAL maintains one of the largest FTP archives (ftp.digital.com), which is a major source of shareware and freeware for many different kinds of systems.

- G -

gateway

A computer or router that forwards and routes data between two or more networks that have different protocols. For example, a mail gateway enables users who have only mail access to get files from the Web.

GIF file

Graphics Interchange Format file. A graphics bitmap file stored in the GIF format, which is the de facto Internet image standard. GIF compresses the image and stores color information within the file. See also JPEG file.

Gopher server

A global information server that allows easy access to FTP sites and supports index search and document retrieval. Gopher allows users to browse FTP files and their summaries easily, and insulates users from text FTP commands. The Mosaic browser includes Gopher functionality. Gopher is considered particularly easy to use because of its menu system. Web browsers present a Gopher server as a menu of hotspots.

Graphics Interchange Format file

See GIF file.

groupware

Software tools that enable collaboration on projects across business enterprises and extranets.

- H -

head end

The central distribution plant for a cable system, such as a telecommunications central office.

helper application

An application that a Web browser runs to enable users to access information other than HTML or ASCII pages. Examples of helper applications include video viewers, audio players, and common PC applications, such as Microsoft Word. A helper application is not as tightly integrated with the Web browser as a plug-in, which displays in the Web browser window. A helper application stores data in a file until it is all received and then starts up the application in a separate window from the browser and displays the data.

HFC cable networks

Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial cable networks. A network architecture used by cable TV companies. HFC uses frequency demodulation to carry services, such as video and data, to cable customers. HFC is a new technology that has deeper bandwidth and greater reliability at a better price than older network technologies, such as analog, 56 Kbps, ISDN, and T1. HFC offers two-way communication over unused bandwidth of the wire. Contrast with ADSL networks.

HFC-500

A hybrid fiber-coaxial distrubution center that passes 500 residences for each fiber node.

history list option

A list of the titles of the URLs you have accessed. You can access these URLs by invoking the history list and selecting the title of the information or service you want to access again. The Web browser automatically creates and maintains this list.

hit

An access to an individual item or file on a Web site. With most Web server software, a hit will cause the creation of one entry in the server log file. As a consequence, a hit is the most easily measurable unit of Web usage. See also page view.

home page

1. The first page in a set of related pages. For example, DIGITAL has a home page that points to information about DIGITAL products and services.
2. The page the Web browser first displays in its window when you invoke the Web browser.

host

A computer on which server software runs. The host provides services to other larger computers or workstations. Hosts are usually end systems, but some hosts do routing.

hosting

The operational support of an application or Web site. The scope generally includes one or more computers and necessary support staff. See also centralized hosting.

Hot Java

A Web browser from Sun Microsystems. Hot Java, which is written in Java, is the first Web browser to support Java applets. Sun introduced it as a prototype for demonstration purposes only. HotJava no longer works with Java V1.0 and no longer worth mentioning.

hotspot

Also called a hot link. A text or graphical pointer to information or to a service possibly located on another computer. When the user clicks on a hotspot, the information or service to which it points displays. By default, hotspots usually appear highlighted in color, with recently used hotspots highlighted in a different color. Hotspots are also called hyperlinks or anchors. Recently used hotspots are called visited links.

HTML

HyperText Markup Language. Refers both to the HTML document type and the markup language for representing instances of the HTML document type. HTML is the source code used to create pages for viewing in a Web browser's window. HTML allows for the creation of hyperlinks and specifies the formatting of the document (paragraphs, lists, titles, and so on). HTML source files have an .HTM, .HTML, .HTL, or .HML file extension. HTML is based on the SGML standard.

HTML browser

See Web browser.

HTML file

A file written in the HTML formatting language the Web uses. Every HTML file begins with a title that gives useful information about its contents.

HTML form

A special portion of an HTML document that defines document components with which the user can interact. An HTML form is a collection of simple input elements that the user manipulates to provide input, such as to a remote application. HTML forms require a scripting language, such as Tcl or Perl, for processing.

HTTP

Hypertext Transport Protocol. The principal protocol used to transfer documents and data on the Web. Also a search and retrieval protocol for use on the World Wide Web. HTTP is designed to operate in a client-server mode whereby the client submits a document request in the form of a line of ASCII characters. The response is a message in HTML. HTTP is defined by an Internet RFC that describes the interaction between the Web browser and the HTTP servers and daemons.

HTTP cookie

Hypertext Transport Protocol cookie. A mechanism that maintains state information on the Web. Server-side connections, such as CGI scripts, can use HTTP cookies to store and retrieve information on the client side of the connection. The use of HTTP cookies significantly extends the capabilities of Web-based client-server applications. For example, HTTP cookies enable applications, such as shopping applications, to store information about the currently selected items or to store registration information to free the client from retyping it. HTTP cookies can also store user preferences and have the client supply those preferences every time the user connects to the site. This stored information is called state.

HTTP daemon

The Web service on a UNIX system. Called an HTTP service on NT systems. Examples include the Netscape Server, Purveyor Server, and WWW Information Service in Microsoft's Internet Information Server package (includes Gopher, FTP, and HTTP services).

HTTP server

Hypertext Transport Protocol server. A server designed to understand hotspots and to facilitate browsing through information and services on the World Wide Web. Also called a Web server.

HTTP service

The Web service on an NT system. Called an HTTP daemon on a UNIX system.

hypergraphics

Graphic images that contain links to other documents or data. In its simplest form, the user clicks a single graphic that has an associated link just like hypertext. An image map is a more complex form of hypergraphic, which is a graphic that has multiple links within it, such as a geographical map that has hot spots for different regions of the map.

hyperlink

A text or graphical pointer to information or to a service possibly located on another computer. Clicking on a hyperlink with a mouse pointer lets you access the information or service where it is pointing. By default, hyperlinks usually appear highlighted in color, with recently used hyperlinks highlighted in a different color.

hypermedia

Richly formatted documents, including text, graphics, and audio that contain hyperlinks to other forms of media.

hypertext

Text within a document that contains a link to other documents or data. Hypertext is highlighted online and serves as a pointer to information or a service possibly located on another computer. When the user clicks on hypertext, the cross-referenced text displays. Contrast with hypergraphics.

HyperText Markup Language

See HTML.

Hypertext Transport Protocol

See HTTP.

- I -

IAP

Internet Access Provider. See ISP.

iband

See Macromedia Backstage.

IDL

Interface Definition Language. A definition language used in CORBA to describe an object's interface; that is, the characteristics and behavior of a kind of object, including the operations that can be performed on those objects.

IIS

Internet Information Server. IIS is Microsoft's Web server, which includes a set of tools for creating, managing, and finding information. These tools include FrontPage for creating Web pages; Index Server for searching Web documents, including Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel; and built-in database connectivity for access to your data from any browser. IIS is available with the Windows NT Server.

IETF

Internet Engineering Task Force. The organization responsible for the definition of most standards on the Internet.

image map

A Web image that "maps" individual bits to their respective positions. Users can click with the mouse on different areas of the image. For example, a grocery store might use an image map to show its store layout. Users viewing the Web page could click on various departments to see what products are available there. Also called an ISMAP.

image map editor

A program for building and editing image maps.

ingress

Radio frequency noise that finds its way into coaxial cable.

inline image

A graphic image that the Web browser displays along with the text, as opposed to an image that opens in a separate window using an external viewing program.

InfoCenter

A set of related Web information within DIGITAL that a responsible entity, such as a marketing group, collects and maintains. An InfoCenter provides one place for users to view information about a subject.

information distribution

The process of making information widely available. The Web is an excellent medium for disseminating all types of information, ranging from sales and advertising information; news, weather, and sports; company internal policies and procedures; and many other uses.

Information Repository (IR)

The DIGITAL information storehouse on VTX for most of its communications, especially those necessary to market, promote, and sell DIGITAL products and services. The IR is an ideal resource for those who need to access and disseminate timely information to customers.

Interface Definition Language

See IDL.

Integrated Services Digital Network

See ISDN.

Internet

A worldwide collection of computers that communicate through a set of open software protocols. World Wide Web software runs on the Internet and provides users with easy access to information and services through a Web browser. See also Intranet.

Internet Access Provider

See ISP.

Internet address

A 32-bit address assigned to computers using TCP/IP. Also called IP address.

Internet Assistant

A Microsoft product that enables users to create HTML files from structured data and share it on their Intranet or on the Internet. Internet Assistant can work with data stored natively in a Microsoft Word file, a Microsoft Access database, or with any other ODBC-compliant data source.

Internet backbone

The centralized high-speed Internet network that connects smaller, independent networks.

Internet broadcasting

See webcasting.

Internet client application

An application that deals directly with the Internet and does custom protocol-based programming, such as for transferring data from one machine to another. For example, an Internet client application might be used to connect a client to a chess server, allowing the client to play chess and displaying moves the client and server make. Internet client applications are similar to utilities, except that utilities are available off-the-shelf.

Internet-enabled desktop applications

Desktop applications that have access to the Internet in some way. For example, Microsoft Word Internet Assistant enables users to create an HTML file from a Word document file, and Lotus Notes enables Internet access. Internet-enabled desktop applications handle only data type conversions; they do not handle protocol conversions.

Internet Engineering Task Force

See IETF.

Internet Exchange

A facility where ISPs exchange data among their networks. A DIGITAL Internet Exchange maintains a neutral policy that allows customers the benefits of a combined switching and commercial data center independent of any one ISP or telephone company affiliation. This neutral policy attracts multiple Internet backbone companies and Telco companies to a single facility. Internet Information Server

See IIS

Internet Protocol

See IP.

Internet Relay Chat

See IRC.

Internet Service Provider

IRC

Internet Relay Chat. A way of communicating in real time with people from all over the world. IRC consists of various separate networks of IRC servers that allow users to connect to IRC.

See ISP.

internetwork

A set of networks connected using gateways. Also known as the Internet.

interlaced image

A graphics image that a Web browser can partially display as soon as it receives it, rather than waiting for the complete image to arrive. Contrast with transparent image.

InterNIC

Internet Network Information Center. A United States government-funded group that provides information about the Internet and registers domain names. InterNIC is a good source for groups that support Internet users. InterNIC is a service of the U.S. National Science Foundation. See also NIC.

Intranet

A private network inside a company or organization. The Intranet uses the same kinds of technologies used on the public Internet, but it is for internal use only. The Intranet is usually protected from the Internet with a firewall.

IP

Internet Protocol. The Internet standard protocol that provides a common layer over similar networks. Computers use IP to move packets among host computers and through gateways if necessary. See also TCP/IP.

IPv6

Version 6.0 of the Internet Protocol, which will be released early in 1997. IPv6 will handle 128-bit addressing, up from 32-bit addressing in the previous version (IPv4).

IP address

The numeric address that identifies a particular computer on the Internet.

IP subnet

A collection of computers and other devices that are all located on the same logical network based on a common network address.

ISAPI

Internet Server API. An interface from Microsoft for integrating the Web server with commercial or custom applications. ISAPI has two major components:

• ISAPI applications -- conceptually an in-process, free-threaded version of CGI that developers can use to enrich HTML pages and to provide dynamic data.
• ISAPI filters -- conceptually sit between the HTTP server and the HTTP socket. Developers can use ISAPI filters to add new authentication schemes, support new encryption or compression methods, change the content based on the client or other conditions, or provide enhanced logging capabilities.

ISDN

Integrated Services Digital Network. A digital telephone connection that can transmit up to 128K bits per second.

ISMAP

See image map.

ISP

Internet Service Provider. A company that provides local connection services for users to the Internet. These services include a local phone number to call (or a high-speed leased line) and an IP address to use. An ISP might also provide equipment and services, such as electronic mail. Common examples are America Online and Prodigy. ISPs use NSPs to access other ISPs. Also known as an Internet Access Provider (IAP).

- J -

Java

An object-oriented programming language created by Sun Microsystems that enables content providers to create application software that can run on a Web browser. Two features of Java make it stand out from other object-oriented programming languages:

• Java can run on any platform (theoretically).
• Java's machine-independent byte codes (similar to object modules) are transportable across the network.

This means that a Java application, called a Java applet, can run on any platform that supports a Java-enabled browser. Unlike other programming languages, you need to compile a Java applet only once. The Web server downloads these applets to the client's browser where they run. Clients cannot see the Java source code, it is referenced in the HTML file, but not included. Java is suitable for multimedia development.

Java applet

A small interactive application written in the Java language that are downloaded from Web servers to run in the Web browser on the client. Developers can use Java applets to include advanced functions on Web pages, such as animations and calculations. The Web browser invokes a Java applet when it invokes the HTML page that references it. The reference points to the Java applet on the Web server and the Web server downloads it. You need the Java Development Kit to write Java applets. There are no changes needed for Web servers to deliver Java applets.

Java Database Connection

See JDBC.

Java Development Kit (JDK)

Contains tools to develop Java applets. The JDK includes the Java compiler (javac), Java Documenter (javadoc), class libraries, and documentation. The JDK runs on Windows 95, Windows NT/Intel, Solaris, SunOS, and Linux/Intel.

JavaScript

One of a class of programming languages called a scripting language. JavaScript is a subset of Java targeted for use by HTML content providers who are not programmers. JavaScript is included in the HTML file. It is simpler to use than Java, which is targeted at the software developer, but JavaScript is not as flexible. JavaScript is an open standard, non-proprietary language supported by many companies, including DIGITAL. You only need a text editor to write JavaScript. JavaScript is most suitable for simple tasks; it is best to use Java for multimedia development. Originally called LiveScript.

JDBC

Java Database Connection. A low-level API that lets developers write Java applets that can access databases influenced by X/Open's SQL command line interface and Microsoft's . JDBC can support multiple drivers and multiple database connections.

Jeeves

A Web server written in Java. Jeeves is like Hot Java, which is a Web browser toolkit. Jeeves is intended to be a toolkit for creating custom Web servers.

Joint Photographic Experts Group file

See JPEG file.

JPEG file

Joint Photographic Experts Group file. JPEG is an alternative graphics standard to GIF for online graphics images. When formatting graphics images with JPEG, some graphics information is omitted in varying amounts, which is generally not noticeable. This reduces the JPEG file anywhere from 2 to 100 times its original size. Users can display JPEG image formats from a Web browser using an external viewer. See also GIF file.

- K -

key encryption

A form of data encryption that relies on keys to encrypt or decrypt messages or files.

- L -

LAN

Local area network. A private data communications system that covers a limited geographical area, such as a section of a building, an entire building, or a group of buildings. Contrast with WAN.

link

See hotspot.

Linux

A freely available UNIX clone that runs on Intel and Alpha systems. Ports are in development for PowerPC, MIPs, SPARC, and others.

listserv lists

Distribution lists enabled through a listserv mechanism that allows users to sign up to automatically receive documents through electronic mail as they are posted.

Local area network

See LAN.

legacy programs

Existing programs that serve mission-critical needs. Although these programs are often large and difficult to change, they are valuable to their users.

Lycos

A search engine from Carnegie Mellon University that indexes key words on the Internet. To locate information, Lycos searches its preformatted index of Web content, rather than the Web itself.

Lynx

A text-mode Web browser developed at the University of Kansas. It enables users to access the Web from character-cell terminals or from PCs that do not have SLIP access to the Internet. Lynx cannot display graphics and has only limited support for forms.

- M -

Macromedia Backstage

A family of object-oriented Web development tools from Macromedia that enable developers to create interactive Web sites with no programming, scripting, or HTML coding. Backstage ships a set of predefined objects and code for developers to build custom template objects. Formerly called iband.

mail

A method of sending messages through the Internet to other Internet users. Also called electronic mail or e-mail.

markup language

A set of tags used to identify sections of text that should appear in a certain style. HTML is the markup language of the Web.

master server

A special staging area that provides an exact copy of the public "live" Web site. The master server is used to update and recover pages.

M-Bone

An extended area of the Web that supports true multimedia, such as audio and full-motion video.

MediaVista

A DIGITAL project to develop an infrastructure for indexing, browsing, and delivering low-bit videos and audio over Intranets and the Internet.

Merchant Server

A product from Microsoft Corporation used to create and manage Web store fronts. The Merchant Server is targeted for retail business, in particular hard goods sales, such as books and clothing that can be shipped, and also internal purchasing (business to business). The initial product release is not recommended for soft goods sales, such as software, because it does not have the capability to verify that soft goods that were shipped online were received.

metadata

Data about data. Metadata might describe the types, formats, or ranges of data; associate related data and define the relationship; or describe rules for accessing the data and point to its location. Relational database schema are a form of metadata that describe the columns of the tables, the keys, and so on.

Microsoft Transaction Server

A component-based transaction processing (TP) monitor product that includes object request brokers and message-oriented middleware. Its main goal is to make it easy to develop, deploy, and administer component-based applications. The Microsoft Transaction Server combines transaction processing with component development. Developers can use the Transaction Server to build high-performance and scalable server applications with any ActiveX tool, such as Visual Basic 5.0. The Transaction Server provides transactions, threading, connections, context management, cleanup, and more. Supports the X/Open XA interface. Code named Viper during development.

middleware

See application enabler.

MIDI

Musical Instrument Digital Interface. A standard for storing musical pieces on a computer. MIDI does not encode the actual sounds (as in regular or streaming digital audio), but stores information about the sounds, such as bend pitch, change volume, note on, note off, and so on.

mid-split bandwidth

Cable bandwidth (5-108 MHz) used by colleges and most cable companies including cable TV companies. Mid-split enables access and broadcast to be made from different points. Contrast with sub-split bandwidth.

Millicent

A lightweight and secure protocol from DIGITAL used for electronic commerce over the Internet. Millicent is designed to support purchases that cost less than one cent. It is based on a decentralized validation of electronic cash at the vendor's server without any additional communication, expensive encryption, or off-line processing. A company might use the Millicent protocol to attract a reader who is not likely to open a ten-dollar account, but who is willing to spend a few cents to buy an interesting-looking article.

MIME data type

Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension data type. A method for attaching documents of various kinds (such as images, executables, PowerPoint files) to an electronic mail message. MIME is a combination of encoding/decoding along with headers that identify each piece of a message so that the mail system can translate it correctly. MIME is also a data type for processing multimedia messages on the Internet.

mirror site

A Web site that contains a complete copy of the contents of another Web site. You can use a mirror site to reduce load on a popular site, to enable access to a Web site that is otherwise restricted by a firewall, or to distribute sites geographically for better access.

MiWeb

A Web server performance benchmark designed and maintained by Microsoft. MiWeb is a Windows NT benchmark for measuring the maximum capacity and throughput of a Web server. It simulates traffic from up to 100 clients and increases the transfer rate until the server can no longer make connections. It reports on the maximum throughput at the end of the run. See also Netperf, SPECWeb, and WebStone.

Mosaic

A mouse-driven Web browser interface to the World-Wide Web developed by the NCSA. Mosaic integrates the ability to retrieve, search, and store information using a wide variety of methods and protocols. Mosaic was developed by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois and is recognized for popularizing the use of the Web.

Motion Picture Experts Group

See MPEG.

Mozilla

Original name for Netscape. Also the name of a cartoon character on their early Web pages.

MPEG

Motion Picture Experts Group. A data compression scheme for video. The MPEG standard compression typically reduces the data size of an uncompressed file by a factor of 100. MPEG can produce higher compression ratios than JPEG compression schemes. The compressed data stream enables users to play a video forward or backward. MPEG is well suited for video publishing, where developers compress a video once and users decompress it many times for playback.

multihoming

The association of multiple IP addresses with multiple host names, which all map to the same machine. The HTTP server uses different directories as the document root for these different host names

multimedia

A combination of text, graphics, audio, and video formatted to display or be played online.

multiple site hosting

The ability of some servers to host many different Web sites on the same server. Even the DNS names of the Web sites can be completely different, so that direct competitors could be hosted on the same server without knowing it and without any ill effects (as long as the server is properly managed to ensure security and integrity).

- N -

NAP

Network Access Provider. A company, such as Pacific Bell, Ameritech, or Sprint, that provides the physical communication lines for Network Service Providers (NSPs).

navigation

The process of moving from one node to another with the Web browser. This is normally done by following hyperlinks. Various features of a particular Web browser can make navigation easier, such as keeping a history of where the user has been, and drawing diagrams of links between nearby nodes.

National Center for Supercomputing Applications

See NCSA.

NC

Network Computer. A device that connects to a network using IP protocols and WWW standards to deliver information to the NC user. Includes nearly any device that can connect to the Internet, including PCs. However, most often refers to a network-centric hardware device similar in concept to a terminal. NCs are defined by the Network Computer Reference Protocol. See also NetPc.

NCSA

National Center for Supercomputing Applications. A federally-funded organization whose mission is to develop and research high-technology resources for the scientific community. NCSA developed the Mosaic Web browser.

NCSA Server

A Web server commonly used on UNIX systems, but also available on VMS systems and used internally in DIGITAL. The NCSA Server has one of the most complete sets of configuration and run-time capabilities of any Web server, but is consequently more complicated to configure than the EMWAC server or Purveyor server.

netcasting

See webcasting.

NetMeeting

Software that enables remote collaboration including chat, whiteboard, and shared applications for small groups of people. NetMeeting is a component of Microsoft Internet Explorer V4.0, but can be installed and run as a separate application.

NetPc

A Microsoft and Intel initiative to define fixed-hardware configurations for PCs. The goal is to reduce the cost of PC ownership by reducing costs for support and upgrade. The NetPC has no upgrade costs because it cannot be upgraded.

Netperf

A a general measurement of the performance of a network maintained by Hewlett-Packard. Netperf works on both UNIX and Windows NT systems, and provides a measure of the latency between request and response of generic transactions across a TCP/IP network. Netperf is not specifically designed for Web server benchmarking, but you can use it to test the performance of a Web server across a network. See also MiWeb, SPECWeb, and WebStone.

NetPodium

A product from MetaBridge, Inc. that enables a speaker at a desktop computer to deliver a live, one-to-many presentation supported by visual slides, streaming audio, or streaming video, and interactive audience feedback. Users can see and hear the presentation at their desktops.

Netscape Server Application Programming Interface

See NSAPI.

Netscape Navigator

A graphical Web browser produced by Netscape Communications. Currently, Netscape Navigator offers more features than any other Web browser.

Netscape Server

A commercial Web server from Netscape available in two versions:

• Communications Server, which has functions equivalent to the NCSA Server.
• Commerce Server, which implements Netscape's SSL security mechanism for secure transactions over the Internet. Developers can set up this version to use various length keys for encryption.

Unlike the NCSA Server, which needs a text editor to edit the configuration files, the Netscape Server handles configuration and administration through the Netscape Web browser.

NetShow

A Microsoft product that enables one-to-many multimedia communications and information distribution. The NetShow Player lets users (with Windows 95 or Windows NT multimedia personal computers connected to a voice-grade telephone line or to a corporate LAN) play streaming audio, illustrated audio, and video content on demand.

netstat

A common network utility available on most UNIX systems and any node that runs TCP/IP. The netstat utility returns information about the status and operation of TCP/IP protocols on the local node.

network

A group of nodes connected together so they can transmit information to one another. There are two kinds of networks: local networks and remote networks. Networks are joined by gateways into an internetwork.

Network Access Provider

See NAP.

network computer

See NC.

Network Computer Reference Protocol

A written description of a network computer (NC) that specifies hardware guidelines and required protocols. Published in July of 1996 by Network Computing, Inc. (NCI), a subsidiary of Oracle Corporation, and endorsed by Apple, IBM, Netscape, Oracle, and Sun.

network directory

A directory that members of your network can read from and write to. Also called a shared directory.

network drive

A virtual drive on your PC, designated by a letter, that corresponds (or is mapped to) a network directory.

network file system

See NFS.

network filter

Network software that puts restrictions on network access, such as blocking access to inappropriate Internet sites, limiting access to certain times of day, or limiting total time spent online in a day. For example, a corporation might use a filter to prevent employees from accessing undesirable information, or an Internet service provider might offer filtering to their customers. A network filter is typically part of a firewall, but you can also put filters on individual Web sites. See also access filter.

Network Information Center

See NIC.

Network News Transfer Protocol

See NNTP.

Network Operations Center

See NOC.

network protocol stack

A series of communication protocols based on the OSI 7-layer network model. The network protocol stack includes protocols used for data presentation, session control, data transport, network routing, remote network connections, and more. TCP/IP and DECnet consist of a network protocol stack based on the OSI model.

Network Service Provider

See NSP.

network stack

See network protocol stack.

network and systems management

The range of activities involved in managing the network and systems connected to it, such as monitoring and repairing equipment.

newsgroup

An open forum on the Internet for discussion of a given topic by anyone on the network. Newsgroups are similar to VAX Notes Conferences. A moderator can post a topic and readers can reply to that topic. Both postings and replies are distributed worldwide, but only kept for a short period of time. There are a huge number of newsgroups on various topics. See also Usenet.

newsreader

A client program that communicates with a newsgroup server to retrieve articles; for example, the Netscape Web browser includes a newsreader. Most newsreaders keep track of the user's read and unread articles in a file.

NFS

Network File System. A protocol suite that allows different computers running different operating systems to share files and disk storage across a network in a way that makes them appear as if they are local to the system.

NIC

Network Information Center. An organization responsible for supplying information for component networks that comprise the Internet.

NIC address

An Internet address. The NIC assigns NIC addresses in blocks to ISPs who distribute them to users. The NIC address associates node names with addresses. See also CIDR.

NNTP

Network News Transfer Protocol. An application-level protocol used to transfer network news articles, such as those on the Usenet.

NOC

Network Operations Center. The organization responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Internet's component networks.

Normandy

The Microsoft code name for the Microsoft platform for Internet services. Normandy is a set of Windows NT Internet servers that are part of Microsoft's Internet Services Platform. Normandy consists of nine individual Internet servers and services that help customers conduct business online, address Web content publishing and site management issues, and help corporations build external Web sites. These include:

• Internet News Server
• Internet Chat Server
• Internet White Pages and Locator Server
• Information Retrieval Server
• Content Replication System
• Personalization System
• Internet Mail Server
• Membership System
• Merchant Server

notes conference

An online discussion that contains messages and replies. A notes conference can contain document titles that point to documents or URLs.

NSAPI

Netscape Server Application Programming Interface. A set of functions that developers can use to interface with the Netscape Server and extend its core functions. NSAPI can be used as a framework for implementing custom facilities and mechanisms.

NSP

Network Service Provider. A company, such as MCI, that provides access to the Internet backbone and enables ISPs to connect to each other.

- O -

object

A software entity that can have actions, called operations, performed on it. An object is defined by its interface.

object-oriented database management system

See OODBMS

ODBC

Open Database Connectivity. A call-level interface that allows applications to access data in any database for which there is an ODBC driver. ODBC provides an API that allows your application to be independent of the source database management system (DBMS).

OLE

Object linking and embedding. A set of Microsoft technologies that address problems in software development, ranging from embedding documents from one application into another application to more complex problems. OLE enables the linking of clients and servers in a manner that is transparent to the user. Microsoft has since introduced ActiveX to replace OLE.

OODBMS

Object-oriented database management system. A DBMS that implements a variety of functions based on object concepts.

Open Database Connectivity

See ODBC.

operating system

Basic software that runs on a computer and enables it to keep track of components, such as files, disks, and printers. MS Windows, UNIX, VMS, and System 7 are all operating systems.

operational support

The range of activities involved in handling Web-based business activities, such as billing, customer services, management reports, log analysis, and billing and payment systems.

- P -

packet

A group of bytes sent from one Internet host to another host. Packets can contain any kind of information.

page view

An access to all the content that makes up a complete visible Web page. This is typically a base HTML page and some images. If HTML frames are used in the base page, page view includes additional accesses to HTML pages. Some pages will cause accesses to other types of content, such as applets and ActiveX controls. A page view usually causes multiple hits; this number varies with the Web page design. The use of page view as a metric is important in environments where advertising is involved, but it is also important when you need to understand the load that a Web site design puts on a Web server.

PARB

Program Authorization Review Board. The mechanism in NSIS that provides approval for DIGITAL to bid on a customer project or program, based on stated, agreed-upon terms.

PDF

Portable Document Format. A format used frequently by governmental agencies to reproduce the actual look of a document. Traditionally, you use PDF to download information, such as Public Laws, Congressional Bills, or IRS forms that look the same as the original document.

PEM

Privacy Enhanced Mail. The standard from IETF for encrypting Internet mail. PEM enables you to make mail messages unreadable by anyone other than the desired recipient. With PEM, you can also authenticate your mail to assure the receiver that you sent it. PEM is useful for secure transactions in merchant orders.

Perl

Practical Extraction and Report Language. An interpreted scripting language used for string manipulation and parsing tasks. Developers often use Perl to write CGI scripts because it is so easy to use.

personal tunnel

A software product that lets you pass information securely between one computer and another over a public network as if the two were connected by a single physical wire.

personal web

A private set of folders located on your PC hard drive that you use to point to the documents, services, and shared Webs that you use most often.

ping

A network utility that allows testing of gateway operations by sending packets to a computer that is expected to echo them back. The ping command depends on the lowest level of networking software, so if ping cannot reach another computer, it strongly suggests the other computer is down or there is a network break. The ping utility is available on most UNIX systems and any node that runs TCP/IP.

player

See helper application.

plug-in

A software extension to a Web browser that enhances the capabilities of the browser. For example, Netscape offers a plug-in called Amber that lets users view PDF files. Plug-ins are more tightly integrated with the Web browser than a helper application. Plug-ins display in the Web browser window (not in a separate window as with helper applications) and they display data as it is available.

Point of Presence

See POP.

Point-to-Point Protocol

See PPP.

policy

A high-level overall plan that states the general goals and procedures for an organization, such as in business or government. Policies are designed to influence decisions, actions, and other matters. Contrast with guideline.

POP

Point of Presence. A place you dial into to get Internet access. Many ISPs have POPs in many cities. Typically, there are local phone lines that subscribers use to dial into a POP.

POP3

Post Office Protocol. A PC-based Internet electronic mail protocol.

Portable Document Format

See PDF.

Post Office Protocol

See POP3.

POTS

Plain Old Telephone Service. Standard telephone network service.

PPP

Point-to-Point Protocol. An Internet connection that allows users to use phone lines and a modem to connect a computer to the Internet. PPP enables routing of any protocol (IP, AppleTalk, Novel NetWare) over a modem using all the standard network utilities (FTP, telnet, and others). PPP is an extension to the SLIP protocol. It was designed to reduce packet overhead and automatically configure connection parameters for ease of use.

PPTP

Point-to-point tunneling protocol.

Privacy Enhanced Mail

See PEM.

Prodigy

A popular online service offering mail connections to the Internet. See also America Online and CompuServe.

Program Authorization Review Board

See PARB.

programming language

A set of grammatical statements and rules that can be combined to give instructions to the computer, such as C, C++, and Fortran.

protocol

A mutually determined set of formats and procedures governing the exchange of information between systems.

Also an agreed-upon method of sending information between systems. Any two systems that understand a given protocol can communicate what the protocol allows regardless of actual implementation of data on each system.

proxy server

An intermediate server that can provide one or both of the following services:

• Temporary storage (called a cache) for Web information as browsers fetch it. This enables the browser to display the same information more quickly for clients who later request access to it.
• Application-level relay to pass information through a firewall between an Internet and an Intranet. A firewall often requires the installation of a proxy server.

push technology

See webcasting.

Purveyor server

A commercial Web server based on and similar to the EMWAC server. Purveyor has more capabilities than the EMWAC server, but does not have as many configuration possibilities as the Netscape Server or the NCSA Server. Using Purveyor, developers can set up virtual paths to point to directories outside the Purveyor server's directory path and also set up Purveyor as a proxy server. Purveyor is the only commercial Web server that runs on OpenVMS VAX and OpenVMS Alpha systems.

Python

A structured, object-oriented scripting language. Using Python, developers can define objects with data and methods that scripts can access. Python has a number of unique features not found in other scripting languages. Python comes with a set of libraries that provide access to most of the Internet services, such as those needed to write CGI scripts, to create a complete HTTP client, and to parse HTML code. Developers can embed Python code in other programs, such as Tcl and Perl.

- Q -

query

A search request on a database to locate one or more pieces of information (records) that meet selected criteria, such as an AltaVista search query.

- R -

RAS

Remote access service. A service that provides remote networking for users. Users with RAS on a Windows NT or Windows 95 computer can dial in to access their networks remotely for services such as file and printer sharing, electronic mail, scheduling, and database access.

RDBMS

Relational database management system. The main database technology used in data warehousing. See also OODBMS.

RealAudio

A product from Progressive Networks that enables playback of audio in real-time over the Internet. Users can hear the audio clips as they stream into their computer, rather than waiting for an entire audio clip to download into their system. This technique is called streaming audio.

RealVideo

A product from Progressive Networks that lets Internet surfers watch video clips in real time without lengthy downloading time to their hard disks. This technique is called streaming video.

relational database management system

See RDBMS

relative URL

A method of using relative addressing for URLs in HTML coding. The use of a relative URL assumes that the new page is at the same location as the current URL and therefore, only includes the filename of the new page. The use of relative URLs makes it easier to restructure hierarchies of HTML pages because the URLs in the pages generally do not need to be changed.

relay

An intermediate server that can pass information through a firewall between an Internet and an Intranet. A firewall often requires the installation of a relay or proxy server. A relay generally has restrictions on which systems the relay can pass information to, especially on the Intranet. In contrast to a proxy server, a relay does not cache information or make any attempt to interpret it. You might use a relay to set up Internet access to a Web server inside an Intranet. One relay can advertise many server addresses.

remote access protocols

Software that allows a PC to access a network remotely. Such protocols include PPP and SLIP.

remote access services

Services that allow users to connect to a network from a remote site. One such service is the RAS software.

Remote Access Service software

See RAS.

Remote Method Invocation

See RMI.

Request for Comments

See RFC.

Request for Proposal

See RFP.

reverse channel

An upstream channel for network transmission. The frequency range, between 5 MHz and 42 MHz, can be allocated to let end nodes communicate with the head end. Contrast with forward channel.

RFC

Request for Comments. Public documents that detail most of the standards that define methods of Internet communications. You can retrieve RFCs from a number of anonymous FTP archive sites.

RFP

Request for Proposal. A customer request to DIGITAL or other organization for a proposal for requested work. The RFP details the work to be done, time schedules, and costs.

rlogin

A remote login protocol commonly used on the Internet. The rlogin protocol is generally available on UNIX systems, but also supported by other systems, such as VMS systems with the UCX protocol. See also telnet.

RMI

Remote Method Invocation. Java's version of remote procedure call; Java invokes methods instead of procedures. All components on both the client and server side must be written in Java. RMI is like CORBA, except it uses Java declarations instead of the CORBA Interface Definition Language (IDL). You can use RMI to create remote objects and invoke methods on them.

router

A dedicated computer, or other device, that determines the path that Internet traffic takes to reach its destination. A router can also filter network packets to restrict traffic in or out of its local network.

- S -

scooter

An automated software program that scans the Web to collect information for search indexes. A scooter can be programmed to follow certain kinds of links or to search the Web aimlessly. Also called an agent, spider, Web crawler, or Web robot.

script

A sequence of programming instructions (called statements). The program goes through each statement and performs the tasks the script indicates. This is the same as programming, except that a script has simpler rules and requires less learning time to write.

scripting language

A cross between a programming language (such as C or C++) and a markup language (such as HTML). A scripting language serves the same purpose as a programming language (provides a series of instructions to the computer), but its rules are less strict and less complex. A scripting language is best suited for small programming tasks, such as those needed in a Web page, rather than a major development project. For example, a scripting language lets developers extend the functions of the Web to handle such tasks as forms processing and transaction processing. Scripting languages commonly used for Web pages are Java, JavaScript, Tcl, Perl, or Python.

SEAL

Screening External Access Link. Former name for the DIGITAL Firewall Service.

search engine

A program that helps users find information in text-oriented databases. Examples of search engines include AltaVista, Lycos, WAIS, and Yahoo.

Search Server

Microsoft's content-indexing and searching technology. Search Server provides automatic content indexing of HTML pages and other documents stored on corporate Intranet servers, such as those created in Microsoft Office. Search Server indexes full-text content and also OLE document properties and HTML tags, which lets users search on the contents of these properties and tags. Search Server can index multiple servers and provides support for multiple languages. Search Server also supports sophisticated linguistic analysis in each language, which allows users to find documents or properties based on grammatically correct variations of nouns and verbs. Microsoft's code name for the Search Server is Tripoli.

Secure electronic transaction

See SET.

Secure Sockets Layer

See SSL.

security

The protection of information and resources from unauthorized modification, disclosure, or use. Internet security methods include the use of firewalls, tunnels, and encryption, such as SSL.

Serial Line Internet Protocol

See SLIP.

server

A computer, or a software package, that provides a specific kind of service to client software running on other computers. The term can refer to a particular piece of software, such as a Web server, or to the computer on which the software is running. A single computer (server) could have several different server software packages running on it, thus providing many different services to clients on the network.

server application enabler

See application enabler.

server load

A measure of how many accesses a Web server receives.

servlets

Server-side applets that are a platform-independent alternative to NSAPI and ISAPI. Servlets can be dynamically loaded at startup time or on demand from a local disk or the network. Examples of servlets include CGI-bin scripting, dynamic HTML page generation, file servers, database connections, and more.

SET

Secure electronic transaction. A security method used to ensure information is not intercepted on the network. Often used to ensure security for commerce transactions using credit cards over the network.

SGML

Standard Generic Markup Language. An international standard for the publication and delivery of electronic information. HTML is a subset of SGML.

shared web

A set of folders for use by your entire team. A shared web must be located on a network directory, which is a directory that your coworkers can read from and write to across a network.

shared directory

See network directory.

shareware

Software that users can copy and try before buying it. After a specified amount of time, users must send money to the author to license the software. Contrast with freeware.

Simple Mail Transport Protocol

See SMTP.

Simple Network Management Protocol

See SNMP.

SLIP

Serial Line Internet Protocol. A method of Internet connection that enables computers to use phone lines and a modem to connect to the Internet without having to connect to a host. SLIP transmits the IP protocol over a serial line. SLIP is being superseded by PPP. See also CSLIP.

SMTP

Simple Mail Transport Protocol. An application-layer protocol that provides electronic mail services in an IP network. The Internet uses SMTP to transfer electronic mail.

SNMP

Simple Network Management Protocol. An application-layer protocol that provides network management control and monitoring services in an IP network.

SpecJava

A graphical user interface (GUI) builder for Java built with Tcl and Tk. SpecJava uses a constraint-based model to create layouts that automatically adjust to different screen sizes, different fonts, and other changes that occur in a cross-platform environment. SpecJava is the same as SpecTcl, except SpecJava generates Java code while SpecTcl generates Tcl code.

SpecTcl

A graphical user interface (GUI) builder for Tk built with Tcl and Tk. SpecTcl is the same as SpecJava, except SpecTcl generates Tcl code while SpecJava generates Java code. Sun predicts that SpecTcl will evolve into a fully integrated development environment that will include a debugger, menu editor, program manager, and other features.

SPEC

Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation. An organization of computer industry vendors dedicated to developing standardized benchmarks and publishing reviewed results.

SPECint95 benchmark

A performance measurement for CPUs from the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC). The SPECint95 benchmark measures CPU integer performance.

SPECweb benchmark

A performance measurement for Web servers from SPEC. The SPECweb96 benchmark measures, in HTTP operations per second, the response time for server requests with different workloads. The tool sends HTTP requests to the server and calculates the overall throughput at the end of a run. SPECweb takes into account request rate and request type, security, database transactions, file set, and slow networks. See also MiWeb, Netperf, and WebStone.

spider

An automated software program that scans the Web to collect information for search indexes. A spider can be programmed to follow certain kinds of links or to search the Web aimlessly. Also called an agent, scooter, Web crawler, or Web robot.

spike

A change in demand for connections to a Web site. Fluctuations vary depending on the time of day or day of the week. Also traffic might increase due to special events, such as creative marketing programs intended to generate traffic or other, less predictable events, such as being selected as the best site on the Web.

SSL

Secure Sockets Layer. A security mechanism standard proposed by Netscape Communications for handling secure transactions over the network, such as credit card transactions. SSL involves full end-to-end encryption of all sockets communication, server authentication, and message integrity.

staging area

A physical location or a logically addressable global space where authors, editors, and publishers store work in progress. A staging area allows page developers to load information on to an intermediate server to check the content before it appears online. The staging area can be used for both revising and integrating information.

Standard Generic Markup Language

See SGML.

state

The current status of a Web page access. HTTP cookies are used to maintain state on the Web.

static HTML page

An HTML page that does not change until the user or process decides to replace the files. These are the most common web pages. Contrast with dynamic HTML page.

streaming digital audio

A method of playing live and on-demand music and audio from a Web browser over Internet connections; audio begins playing instantly, without download delays. Compare with digital audio.

streaming video

A method of playing videos from a Web browser over Internet connections; video begins playing instantly, without download delays. Users can view videos that are larger than local disk storage.

StrongARM

A family of RISC 110 high-performance, low-power microprocessors developed by DIGITAL. The StrongARM family includes: high-performance processors for high-bandwidth network switching, intelligent office machines, and storage systems; low-cost processors suitable for traditional embedded control and consumer applications; and very low power processors optimized for battery-operated systems such as personal digital assistants (PDAs). StrongARM microprocessors are supported by a growing infrastructure of hardware, software, and simulation tools, including those built around earlier products in the Advanced RISC Machines Ltd. (ARM) family.

subscriber

An individual consumer of services. A subscriber is assigned a username and password for access/authentication.

sub-split bandwidth

Cable bandwidth (5-42 MHz). Some cable companies use subsplit to keep options open, although extra bandwidth is not needed by most users. Contrast with mid-split bandwidth.

SuiteSpot

A Netscape software product that lets you manage an enterprise full of Web servers and combine them into a cohesive Intranet. SuiteSpot is ideal for Intranets and ISPs looking to provide more dynamic Web site capabilities. Contrast with Netscape Enterprise.

synchronous connection

An analog to analog or digital to digital connection that is able to perform two or more processes at the same time by means of a mutual timing signal or clock.

symetrical cable network

A cable network that has the same bandwidth on the forward channel and the reverse channel. Contrast with assymetrical cable network.

system applications

Applications on a Web server, such as system management applications.

- T -

T1

A high-speed data line connection that operates at 1.544M bits per second. Can serve 48 modems at 28.8kb or 96 modems at 14.4kb. Can also use T1 circuits for voice telephone connections. A T1 line can carry 24 telephone connections with 24 telephone numbers. When used for voice telephones, a T1 connection must be split into 24 separate circuits.

T3

A high-speed data line connection that operates at 45M bits per second. Equivalent in bandwidth to 28 T1s.

Tagged Image File Format

See TIFF.

tags

Formatting codes used in HTML documents. Tags indicate how parts of a document will appear when a Web browser displays it.

Tcl

Tool Command Language, pronounced tickle. One of a class of programming languages commonly found on UNIX systems and known as a scripting language. Tcl enables developers to create interactive applications that let users ask questions, query databases, or place orders using HTML forms. Tcl is an interpretative language that can be run interactively, which is useful for testing small code fragments. Tcl a good choice for legacy needs because there are no resource constraints.

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A set of protocols developed to allow cooperating computers with different architectures and operating systems to share resources across a network. Any real application will use several of these protocols. Information is transferred in packets, which are sent through the network individually.

TCP is responsible for breaking up the message into packets and reassembling them at the other end, resending anything that gets lost, and putting the information back in the correct order. IP is responsible for routing individual packets. See also application protocol.

telnet

An application-level protocol that handles terminal connections. Telnet is part of the TCP/IP suite of software protocols. Among other functions, telnet allows a user to log in to a remote computer from the user's local computer as if the user were directly connected.

The Internet Adapter

See TIA.

thick client

A traditional PC used on a desktop and connected to a network. Includes any desktop device that can run large (thick) applications and has significant local, persistent storage.

thin client

A desktop client device that connects to a network and is not a PC. See also NC.

thumbnail

A partial sketch or a reduced size image of a graphics image used for faster page display. Users can click on the thumbnail to display the full image map or use an alternative text-only selection.

TIA

The Internet Adapter. A SLIP emulator for text users.

TIFF

Tagged Image File Format. A graphic file format that the Mosaic Web browser supports.

tk

A toolkit for building graphical user interfaces with Tcl.

Tool Command Language

See Tcl.

TRACERT

Pronounced trace route. A UNIX utility that displays the path the network is using to route TCP/IP packets, often using several computers along the way. TCP/IP packets are sent on the network from one intermediate stop (called a router) to another until they reach their destination. A route is the entire sequence of router connections. TRACERT shows the full route. A network manager might use TRACERT to locate where packet delays are occurring and to analyze performance problems and outages. TRACERT cannot pass through a firewall; you need to use telnet to get out the firewall and then continue the TRACERT.

transparent image

A graphics image that displays on a transparent background when viewed in a Web browser. The Web browser changes the image background so that it blends with the general background that the browser provides. Transparent images can substantially enhance the presentation of a page when there are objects that have non-rectangular shapes. Contrast with interlaced image.

Tripoli

The code name for the Microsoft Search Server that is integrated in the Windows NT Server Version 4.0 operating system. For more information, see Search Server.

Trumpet Winsock

A popular TCP/IP protocol stack.

tunnel

A known and legitimate way to bypass a firewall to get data from one point to another. Tunneling has been used in computer networking for quite a few years. It is a method of transporting data from one point to another, encapsulating the data in wrapper packets. Tunneling lets authorized users access a secure Web site from outside a firewall. When a tunnel is used, the source and destination of the encapsulated traffic do not know the data has traveled through a tunnel.

tunnel end point

The part of the tunnel at the client or server connection that is the source or destination of the tunnel traffic. See also tunnel.

- U -

UDP

User datagram protocol. UDP provides an API by which messages can be sent using a connectionless transport protocol, with no sequencing, acknowledgment, or guaranteed delivery. Ping uses UDP.

Uniform Resource Locator

See URL.

upload

The process of sending a file or software from a local computer to a remote computer. Contrast with download.

URL

Uniform Resource Locator. A URL is a pointer to any resource accessible on the World Wide Web, such as another web site, an image file, document, gopher object, or news archive. The URL allows a Web browser to find a resource across the network. The URL contains the access method (such as http), the host name, and the path to the resource in the following format:

access_method://host[:port]/path/filename

Usenet

A global Internet service that contains numerous special-interest discussion groups (called newsgroups).

User datagram protocol

See UDP.

utility

A program available off-the-shelf that transfers data from one machine to another. Examples of utilities include FTP, Ping, and TRACERT.

- V -

Value-Added Network

See VAN.

VAN

Value-Added Network. A traditional network used for EDI or other electronic commerce. VAN access can be through a private line, closed line, leased-line, or dial-up access.

VeriFone

A set of products from VeriFone, Inc., that support credit card payments. As of March 1997, products support only one merchant on a box and one transaction at a time, and do not run on Alpha systems or work with CyberCash boxes.

Veronica

A network service that allows users to search Gopher systems for documents. Veronica performs the same directory service for Gopher servers that Archie does for anonymous FTP servers.

version management

A design process that tracks and controls information as it is obtained, created, and updated. For example, version management might track who made a change, the reason for the change, a description of the change, and the date the change was made.

viewer

See helper application.

Viper

See Microsoft Transaction Server.

Virtual Private Network

See VPN.

Virtual Reality Modeling Language

See VRML.

virtual server

A Web server that is on a computer that hosts multiple Web servers. Installers set up virtual servers by configuring multiple domain names on the same physical computer. Virtual servers are useful when hosting multiple Web sites in an Intranet or for Internet service providers (ISPs) who are hosting more than one company's Web site.

visited link

A link to a hotspot that you have already visited.

Visual Basic (VB)

A scripting language from Microsoft used in applications, such as Excel, and to script the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser.

VPN

Virtual Private Network. A private network that uses the Internet to transmit information between company Internet Protocol networks. VPNs encrypt data streams between two or more points in the network. This creates private "tunnels," which safeguard all data sent between those points. VPNs are an appropriate choice when a customer wants secure internetworking for remote offices or among business partners.

VRML

Virtual Reality Modeling Language. A programming language for interactive simulation on the World Wide Web. VRML defines a set of objects useful for doing three-dimensional graphics.

- W -

W3

Another name for the World Wide Web.

W3C

A World Wide Web consortium of Internet vendors that produce specifications and reference software. W3C is funded by industrial members but its products are freely available to all. MIT LCS and INRIA run W3C, in collaboration with CERN where the Web originated.

W3C httpd

A generic full-featured hypertext server that developers can use as a regular HTTP server. The W3C httpd server is free, public access software that runs on UNIX and VMS platforms. The W3C httpd server typically runs on port 80 to serve hypertext and other documents, and also runs as a proxy server on a firewall machine, which provides access for people inside a firewall to the outside world. When developers run the W3C httpd server as a proxy, they can configure the http daemon to cache Web pages, which can reduce response times and network traffic. The W3C httpd server originated at CERN and is now available from W3C.

WAIS

Wide Area Information Server. An information server and a search engine. The search engine provides an automated method of searching for and retrieving various kinds of information on the World Wide Web.

WAN

Wide area network. A public or private data communications system that covers a wide geographical area and transmits data primarily over telephone lines. Contrast with LAN.

WAV

The file type for a real audio file.

Web

1. A client-server application that works over a wide area network (WAN) and is capable of tying together many different clients and servers from diverse locations. The Web puts hypertext, multimedia, and wide area networking together such that the network is almost transparent.
2. A series of hotspots (connections) from one piece of information or service to another.
3. A set of interconnected folders, possibly located on different computers in different directories, such as the AltaVista LAN Browser. See also personal web and shared web.

Web application

A collection of content and application code that provides some particular function. An important aspect of a Web application is that some of the content perceived by the user is dynamic; that is, access to the same URL typically will not produce the same results. Web applications enable information exchange and collaboration.

Web browser

Client software used to view the many kinds of information on the Web, such as HTML documents, Gopher pages, and FTP directories. The Web browser understands how to interpret the hypertext links and makes the appropriate network connections and requests to servers. The Web browser is responsible for navigation and may cache retrieved information so that subsequent retrievals of pages are very quick. The Web browser also launches helper applications, where possible, to interpret or display data types it cannot deal with directly. Netscape Navigator is the most popular Web browser today, followed in popularity by NCSA Mosaic. Other browsers include Cello and Lynx. Also known as an HTML browser or client.

webcasting

A method, similar to broadcasting over radio or television, whereby special encoding software processes the transmission of audio and video data and makes it available over the Internet. Webcasting combines the strongest features of newspaper, magazine, radio, and television, and allows instant updates and user interaction. Also known as push technology, netcasting, and Internet broadcasting.

Web client

See Web browser.

WebCrawler

A search engine from the University of Washington that indexes key words on the Internet. To locate information, WebCrawler searches its preformatted index, rather than the Web itself.

Web crawler

An automated software program that scans the Web to collect information for search indexes. A Web crawler can be programmed to follow certain kinds of hyperlinks or to search the Web aimlessly. Also called an agent, scooter, spider, or Web robot.

Web document

An HTML file that you can browse on the Web. A Web document can consist of text, image, sound, video, or a combination of these.

web hosting

The operation and support of Web applications and the serving of Web content. See also hosting and centralized hosting.

webmaster

The person responsible for the management and often the design of a Web site. This person usually has technical skills.

Webmaster Training

A DIGITAL Internet training course available through the Applied Internet Technology (AIT) group. Webmaster Training is designed to train systems integration consultants to be able to develop Internet and World Wide Web applications using the latest technology that meets the customer requirements. This course focuses on the needs of application designers, developers, and technical architects.

Web page

An HTML base page and the included elements that make up the visible page on the Web, such as images, applets, ActiveX controls. A Web page usually contains links (called hotspots) to other documents on the Web.

Web robot

A software search engine used to locate information on the World Wide Web. Also called an agent, scooter, spider, or Web crawler.

Web server

A machine and associated software from which Web content is served and/or a Web application is run. Multiple Web sites can be on a single Web server and a single Web site can be on multiple Web servers. The term Web server can also refer to the software component that performs Web serving. Also called an HTTP server. See also EMWAC server, NCSA server, IIS server, Netscape, and Purveyor.

Web server API

An application programming interface (API) used for application programs to interact with a Web server. Web server APIs include the common gateway interface (CGI), Microsoft ISAPI, and Netscape NSAPI.

Web site

A collection of Web content or application(s), which are typically identified by a single home page and managed as a single entity.

WebStone

A Web server performance benchmark maintained by Silicon Graphics. WebStone is a UNIX-based performance test that measures the raw throughput of a standard HTTP workload based on latency, in seconds, and the number of connections per second. WebStone can also collect data, such as throughput in bits per second. See also MiWeb, Netperf, and SPECWeb.

Web University

A WWW-based information network developed and maintained by the DIGITAL Applied Internet Technology (AIT) group. Web University includes information on technology, training, news, and general information.

WHOIS

"Who is?" A keyword-lookup database that contains domain names, organizations, and individuals. You reach WHOIS by using the WHOIS protocol, which a small number of other sites support. Also known as the Internet white pages.

Wide Area Information Server

See WAIS.

Wide area network

See WAN.

WGWF

See AltaVista Forum.

workflow management

A design process that ensures information follows a defined sequence or flow so that the appropriate individuals can create, edit, and manage the information as it proceeds through its lifecycle. For example, if an editorial check is needed after authoring, workflow management ensures the check is done and in the correct sequence.

workgroup

A team of coworkers in a small computing environment with limited access to large networks. Workgroups often have no access to the Internet or to a World Wide Web server.

Workgroup Web Forum

See AltaVista Forum.

Workgroup Web

See AltaVista LAN Browser.

World Wide Web

A distributed, multimedia network of hypertext documents. The World Wide Web consists of a series of hotspots that connect one piece of information or service to another across the Internet. Also known as WWW or W3.

worm

A computer program that replicates itself. The Internet worm was perhaps the most famous. It successfully (and accidentally) duplicated itself on systems across the Internet.

- X -

X.400

A CCITT and ISO standard for handling international electronic mail (e-mail). X.400 is different from Internet e-mail standards. The Internet can transfer mail from one system to another through gateways.

X.500

A CCITT- and ISO-recommended standard for electronic directory services. X.500 uses a distributed database of X.400 information, such as usernames, postal addresses, telephone numbers, FAX numbers.

XA interface

The X/Open programming interface between a resource manager and a transaction manager. When a transaction processing (TP) monitor and database system both support the XA interface, they can be plugged together and coordinate a transaction between them.

XML

Extensible Markup Language. The universal format for data on the Web. XML lets developers easily describe and deliver rich, structured data from any application in a standard, consistent way. XML does not replace HTML, but complements it.

- Y -

Yahoo

An Internet search engine. For more information, see http://www.yahoo.com.

yellow pages

An informal name for the InterNIC Registration Service database of machine names and addresses.

- Z -

zip

To compress a file, such as with the pkzip or winzip utility.

	Pointers to Other Resources
	See the following Web pages for terms, abbreviations, and acronyms not defined in this glossary. » PC Webopaedia » The World Wide Web Acronym and Abbreviation Server » Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing » O'Reilly Dictionary of PC Hardware and Data Communications Terms » Jargon File