So you are interested in websites and the internet but you can't make head nor tail of all the jargon. Hopefully the following glossary of terms will be of assistance.

activeX analogue browser cookies dial-up account directory domain e-commerce email favicon hosting internet ISDN link(s) modem plug-in search engine shopping basket site site traffic web website website hosting webspace

ActiveX
A Microsoft technology, properly referred to as an ActiveX control, used to run small programs on the users computer. ActiveX controls are often used in standard application software but can also be downloaded and run.

analogue
Used to refer to the traditional telephone line. For computer communication to work the use of a modem is required to convert the computer's digital information into analogue. See also ISDN

browser
Software used on computers to enable them to, for example, view content on the web. Browsers are also being used as an interface for kiosks and for computer applications. Two of the best known browser products are Internet Explorer from Microsoft and Navigator from Netscape.

cookies
Small files stored by your browser either temporarily or permanently. They are used, for example, to identify the user so that previously stated preferences are presented on your return to a website. Cookies are also used for internet shopping and more controversially by advertisers to track user browsing habits.

dial-up account
The vast majority of home users have dial-up accounts to gain access to the internet. The user's computer is connected to a telephone line via a device called a modem which in turn is connected to another modem and computer at the internet service provider. The user has an account with the internet service provider which will probably have a name and password requirement to allow access. Additional services provided often include email and webspace.

directory
see search engine

domain
The virtual location for a website (or other content), often written in the form http://www.yourdomain.co.uk.

e-commerce
Shortened version of electronic commerce most often used to refer to purchases made over the internet using credit card for payment.

email
Shortened version of electronic mail. Most email is now sent via the internet though some is also sent to recipients via internal company networks. Many organisations with email have interfaces from their internal systems to the internet. Email can be sent from computers, mobile devices and via some television sets. Popular email client software include Outlook and Outlook Express from Microsoft and Messenger from Netscape.

favicon
Icon or small graphic which is displayed in Microsoft's Internet Explorer when a website is selected as a favourite.

hosting
A term used to describe allocation of space on a computer, attached to the internet, which holds a domain and website.

internet
The huge international network of computers which are linked together and make possible services such as email, the web, instant messaging, file transfer and others. The population of connected computers swells enormously by the addition of personal computers (and other devices such as mobile 'phones and refrigerators!) connected temporarily by dial-up account. New technologies, such as DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) will mean many home computers will be permanently connected by fast connections.

ISDN
Stands for Integrated Services Digital Network. Uses a digital standard rather than analogue for communication by telephones, faxes and of course computers. Is typically faster than analogue because of near instant connection times and faster upload/download speeds. A version is marketed by BT as HomeHighway.

link(s)
A piece of text or image which is used to operate a command. Using a mouse or keyboard a user can select the link which may open another browser page, take you to a new domain or activate some animation. Links are often indicated by underlined text.

modem
A hardware, and sometimes software, device used to connect a computer to an analogue telephone line. Converts computer digital information into analogue so it can be transmitted down a telephone line.

plug-in
Most often used to refer to an additional piece of software added to your browser to enable some extra functionality. Popular plug-ins include Adobe Acrobat which provides a document format, and Macromedia Flash for animation.

search engine
A very large database which can be accessed and interrogated to find information on the Internet The owners of search engine use software tools, called robots, to go out and search the Internet for information, including websites, which are stored in databases. Popular examples are Alta Vista and Lycos. A related area are directories which list information under predefined sections. A popular example is Yahoo. Many search engines also provide directory services and vice-versa.

shopping basket
Used in e-commerce websites to enable multiple purchases at once.

site
See website

site traffic
A term which describes the number of visitors to a particular website or web page. Statistics for very popular websites often refer to 'hits' or 'clicks' per day or hour.

web
The part of the Internet which is accessed using a browser. Information can be presented in the format of text, images and sound. The analogy is that of a spider's web because you can find many ways of getting from one place to another.

website
A definable part of the web allocated to one person, company or other organisation. Each site typically has one or more pages with a set of links which enable navigating around the site or between sites. See also domain.

website hosting
See hosting

webspace
A service offered to enable people and companies to have websites which require hard disc space. Services offered often refer to the amount of space, for example 20Mb.

The above list is not intended to be exhaustive only covering the terms used on this website. Any suggestions for additions please make them to webmaster@cranntara.net.

If you want to call Crann Tara about your website or internet requirements don't worry we won't talk down to you or blind you with technological terms, just explain things in plain language.