Glossary of Internet Terms –
Access Number
Blog (or weblogs)
Bookmark
Browser
Chat Room
Cookie
Dialup
Domain Name
Download Speed
DSL
Email
Ethernet Card
Freeware
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
Hard Drive
Instant Messaging
ISP (Internet Service Provider)
MB (Megabyte)
Mbps (Megabits Per Second)
Modem/Router
Nationwide Roaming
Networking
Newsgroup
Operating System
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Router/Modem
Search Engine
Shareware
Upload Speed
USB Port
Webmail (Web-based email)
Access Number
A telephone number that is programmed into a computer’s modem to access the Internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
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Blog (or weblogs)
A personal journal or diary posted on the Internet that is frequently updated and written in a personal tone.
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Bookmark
A tool used by a browser (such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Firefox) to mark websites, so that you can quickly return to them from the menu.
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Browser
A navigation tool (i.e. Microsoft Internet Explorer or Firefox) that enables you to view websites on the Internet from your computer.
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Chat Room
Virtual rooms that readers “chat” in. Chat rooms are a good way to meet people. Upon entering a chat room, you’ll see a typed conversation on your screen between two or more people. You can jump right into the conversation by typing your comments. Some chat rooms require software that can be downloaded from the Internet.
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Cookie
A small file that a Web server sends to your computer so that it can identify you when you return. Cookies are generally used for demographics, but can also be used to record your web habits.
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Dialup
The ability to dial-up the Internet (at speeds up to 56Kbps) through a modem using a standard telephone line.
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Domain Name
The address of a computer on the Internet. For example the address of Granite State Communications is www.myGSC.com.
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Download Speed
The rate of speed at which a file is copied from another computer to your computer over the Internet.
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DSL
Stands for Digital Subscriber Line, a dedicated, high-speed connection to the Internet over a telephone line. DSL uses one line to carry voice and data traffic, so you can use the telephone and surf the Internet on one phone line, at the same time.
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Email
Electronic mail or messages that can be sent to people with email addresses all over the world. Email is postage-free and extremely fast.
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Ethernet Card
A circuit board that provides an interface between a computer and a network such as a Local Area Network (LAN) or Internet Protocol (IP) connection through a DSL modem or router.
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Freeware
Software that you can download from the Web and use for free.
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FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
A standard method used for exchanging files over the Internet.
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Hard Drive
A semi-permanent magnetic storage device in your computer.
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Instant Messaging
A type of communications service that enables you to create a private chat room with another individual and communicate via text messages in real time over the Internet.
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ISP (Internet Service Provider)
A company that provides your computer with access to the Internet for a fee (i.e. GSInet).
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MB (Megabyte)
A term used to describe data storage. A megabyte is a little over a million bytes (binary information unit) of storage space (1,048,576 bytes).
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Mbps (Megabits Per Second)
A term used to describe data transfer rates; it shows how many bits of information are traveling through the bandwidth per second. Mbps designates 1,000,000 bits per second.
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Modem/Router
A device that connects your computer to the Internet.
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Nationwide Roaming
Enables you to connect to GSC via a toll-free number to access your email and the Internet from over 8,700 local access numbers covering every state.
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Networking
To link devices together such as computers or phones.
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Newsgroup
An electronic bulletin board that allows people with similar interests to discuss issues in an open forum.
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Operating System
A software program that manages the basic operations of a computer system such as memory, central processing unit, peripheral devices, etc.
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Random Access Memory (RAM)
Computer memory that is used by software programs and files. When programs and data are retrieved from storage, they operate in RAM.
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Router/Modem
A device that connects your computer to the Internet.
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Search Engine
A tool on the web that you can use to track down specific information and web pages (i.e. Yahoo!, Lycos, etc.)
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Shareware
Software that you can download from the Internet and use for a limited time for free, but you must pay for it when the trial period is over.
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Upload Speed
The rate of speed at which a file is sent from your computer to another computer or web server over the Internet.
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USB Port
Short for Universal Serial Bus. A USB Port is a rectangular socket usually found on the back or front of your computer that supports data transfer rates up to 12 Mbps. It can be used to connect peripheral devices (such as a modem or keyboard) to your computer.
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Webmail (Web-based email)
A method of accessing email through a web browser rather than a traditional email program (such as Microsoft Outlook). Great for accessing email when you are away from your home computer. All you need is a computer with Internet access and a web browser.
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