BGI Glossary: Internet, Communications and Networking

Internet, Communications and Networking

10-Base T: A popular type of EtherNet wiring that connects a single computer or printer to a Network Hub. (Sometimes called twisted pair.)
100-Base T: A new type of EtherNet wiring that connects a single computer or printer to a Network hub. The performance of 100-Base T is about 10 times that of 10-Base T. 100-Base T requires compatible network interfaces in the computer or printer and it also requires a compatible Network Hub. (Sometimes called fast EtherNet.)
AppleTalk: A networking standard that has been available on all Macintosh computers. There are AppleTalk ports on both computers and Macintosh compatible laser printers. Once connected with appropriate wiring, the AppleTalk networking standard allows users to share information with each other and also share access to any laser printers connected.
Bulletin Board Service: Often shortened to BBS. Available to anyone with a modem and communications software, they offer the caller information, software, and the chance to share information and ideas with other callers. There are commercial BBS's such as CompuServe and America On-Line. There are also hundreds of small private BBS that exist for individuals that share special interests.
E-Mail: Electronic mail. E-mail is a capability given to a computer user by installing e-mail software on their network. Once installed, it allows the user to send typed messages or other computer files to other users connected to their e-mail network. E-mail systems can be connected world wide to allow messages to be exchanged with any other connected user. The Internet is one example of a worldwide network.
E-Mail Gateway: An e-mail gateway is a combination of hardware and software that facilitates the connection of one complete e-mail network with another one. Through the gateway, any user on one network can share messages with any user on the other.
EtherNet: A high speed networking standard that is available on newer Macintosh computers. There are EtherNet ports on both computers and laser printers. Once connected with appropriate wiring, the EtherNet networking standard allows users to share information with each other and also share access to any laser printers connected.
Fax Modem: A piece of computer hardware that has two functions: Fax transmission and reception. Data file transmission and reception.
File Sharing: A term that refers to a network connection between two computers that allows them to share document files.
File Transfer: A term that refers to the transmission of data between two computers on a network, or across telephone lines using modems.
HTML: Stands for HyperText Mark-up Language. Authors create (often called coding) documents in the HTML language and put them on a Web Server. Once there, users with a Web Browser can view them and follow any HyperText Links they may contain.
HyperText Link: A HyperText Link is what weaves the World Wide Web together. Authors of HTML Web Pages can cause certain words within their copy to act like a button transporting the reader to the related topic. HyperText Links are also found in many multimedia titles. As an example, when reading this text, imaging having the ability to click on the word HTML above and jump directly to a definition. HyperText Links are said to be perhaps the most significant difference between paper based and computer based documents.
Internet: The Internet is a global web of interconnected computer networks. There are tens of thousands of networks consisting of millions of individual computers. An individual or an organization can pay a monthly fee for connection to the Internet and then share e-mail and file transfers with other users. There are a great many information sources (databases) on the Internet and if the user has the proper type of Internet connection, they can access them. The Internet is not owned by any one company but was begun by the US government to interconnect universities and department of defense facilities. Today, it is an ad-hoc accumulation of wires owned and managed by a wide range of public and private firms involved in academic and commercial disciplines.
Local Area Network: A LAN as it is called is a set of wiring within the building connecting computers to one another. Having your computer on a LAN allows you to share information with any other computer on the network.
Network: A term a series of computers connected together with wires for the purpose of sharing information. See Local Area Network.
Network Hub: A hardware device providing the interconnection between networked devices. It is called a hub because the network wiring can be sketched like a spoked wheel with the hub at the center. A Network Hub is used with 10-Base T and 100-Base T EtherNet wiring. Hubs differ in the number of ports they have and in large networks multiple hubs can be bridged together.
URL: Stands for Universal Resource Locator and sometimes pronounced like "earl". On the Internets World Wide Web, a Web Pages URL is its address. Users wanting access to that page type the URL into their Web Browser.
Web Browser: A Web Browser is software allowing the user to view HTML documents on the World Wide Web. In addition to having this software, the user must also have Internet access. Once connected to the Internet, any user who enters the proper URL can view any Web Page and follow any HyperText Links they may contain.
Web Page: A Web Page is a document written in the HTML language and viewed on-line with a Web Browser. These documents reside on a Web Server which is connected to the Internet. A Web Page can include text, graphics and sounds. It can also include a form where a user can enter information to order a product or to request information.
Web Server: A Web Server is a computer which is connected to the Internet and is running specialized World Wide Web Server software. Web Servers come in various sizes depending on the amount of data they must handle and the expected number of daily requests for information from Internet users around the world.
World Wide Web: A facet of the Internet which allows users to view and download information containing text, still and moving pictures and sound. Users can also upload information such as orders for products which they've seen on "The Web". It is called a web because many thousands of Web Pages are interconnected and a user can jump from one to another with a click of their mouse.