Browser
Software that allows maneuvering on the World
Wide Web. Most common browsers are Netscape and Microsoft
Internet Explorer.
Domain
Hierarchical levels in a web address to
specify geographic location, category (such as commercial or
educational), and other more specific information (such as
author's directory).
Ex: Colorado Department of Education is located at:
http://www.cde.state.co.us
Standards are located at:
http://www.cde.state.co.us/index_stnd.htm
Music Standards are located at:
http://www.cde.state.co.us/download/pdf/music.pdf
(indicates that file
is for download in pdf format, requiring software such as Adobe
PDF reader)
Download
While connected to a website, save text,
graphics, or audio information to the local hard drive so that it
can be viewed without being online. Time to download
depends on how big the file is and how fast the modem connection
is.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol; software language for
transferring information from one location to another via
modem. Requires software such as Fetch (Mac).
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HTML
Hyper Text Markup Language; programming
language used for the web; allows linking information for quick
access.
HTTP
Hyper Text Transfer Protocol; language
used by WWW pages.
Internet
Global communication network connecting
government institutions, commercial organizations, educational
institutions, and other interested parties through email, telnet,
file transer protocols, newsgroups and other means.
Originally for military use, no one organization is in charge of
or regulates the Internet.
ISP
Internet Service Provider; AOL and CompuServe
are examples of companies that provide clients with services to
use the Internet and WWW.
Modem
Hardware that dials another computer; can be
internally built into the computer or connected externally
(separately attached)
Network
Group of computers interconnected for
communication with each other (such as a school network for
connection of classrooms).
PDF
Portable Document Format; allows a
printed document to be converted to electronic image; needs a
software program such as Adobe to "read" the electronic
image, navigate within the file, and print. Reader can be
downloaded free as a plug-in.
Ex: Educator Licensing information can be downloaded from the
Colorado Department of Education for re-certification.
Forms are downloaded as pdf file, then opened in Adobe.
PPP
Point to Point Protocol; unique
numerical address (IP Protocol) that allows modem to connect
directly to Internet
Plug-in
Small program application that interfaces with
the browser to allow specific applications such as playing
animation or sound; enhances the browser capabilities.
Plug-in often has to be downloaded separately. Examples are
Quicktime, Shockwave, Real Audio and Beatnik (one of newer)
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Search Engine
Software that searches locations on the web to
find information. Not all search engines search all web
data bases. Meta search engines such as HotBot or
WebCrawler search entire web. Searches typically use
keywords, titles, or phrases to find information. Results
vary depending on how search engine functions and what option was
used (such as what keyword). Some search engines
automatically categorize or provide intuitive assistance (such as
additional references or links to other resources such as
bookstores).
Server
Computer designated specifically to host web
sites.
Shareware
Files that are available for download
at either a very nominal cost, or free (freeware).
Surf
To explorer websites without a specific
agenda; wandering from one site to another.
TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol; established "language" for computers to
communicate with each other, regardless of operating system;
software for modems to dial another computer modem.
URL
Uniform Resource Locator; gives location of a
website; must be typed exactly, case sensitive, punctuation
sensitive.
Ex: Music Educators National Conference is located at
http://www.menc.org/index.html
WWW
World Wide Web; one format of the Internet
developed by Tim Berners-Lee; first server released in 1991 by
CERN. Originally based on graphics and text, the format now
incorporates video, audio, 3D Virtual pictures, and
animation. Information is linked to other pages or sites
for quick access.
Read Me files often contain important information about features of a program, upgrades, and known incompatabilities. These are sometimes buried in a folder inside the program location on the hard drive.
Technical Support are locations for software and hardware (such as Apple Tech Support) that can be helpful. FAQs (usually located in tech support) are Frequently Asked Questions that might give an indication of difficulties others are having, as well as answer specific problems.
Apple
http://www.apple.com/
Microsoft
http://microsoft.com/
Netscape
http://netscape.com/
WhatIs
http://www.whatis.com/
Site gives definitions for technical terms
concerning technology and computers
Robin, Bernard, Elissa Keeler & Robert Miller (1997). Educator's Guide to the Web. New York: MIS:Press.
A History of the Computer Network PBS.Org [Online] Available: http://www.pbs.org/nerds/timeline/network.html
How the Internet Works (1999, October). WhatIs.com
[Online] Available, 1999:
http://www.whatis.com/tour.htm
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last updated:
5/2/08