Internet
The following glossary is a small collection of Web related terms. If you can't find a term here, try the typography glossary or the publishing glossary.
Click an index letter below to jump to terms:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #
- Acrobat
- A suite of programs by Adobe that converts word processing and desktop publishing documents to PDF. Acrobat reader allows you to view PDFs. You can download Acrobat Reader for free.
- additive colors
- The additive colors are red, green, and blue. Adding these colors together creates white (all light reflects back to the eye).
- Adobe
- A family of programs used for electronic, Web and print publishing. Adobe produces great programs such as Photoshop and FrameMaker.
- aliasing
- Visual artifacts produced in graphics images that use pixels for display. One example of aliasing is jagged edges on curved lines.
- alpha
- A fourth color component in the RGB color model representing opacity. Alpha values can range from completely transparent to completely opaque.
- anchor
- The target end of a link between two files. You can use anchors as a target destination to jump to a section within a single page. For instance, I used anchors for each letter head in this glossary. Clicking on the letter at the top of the page jumps you to the letter head imbedded in the page.
- animated GIF
- Solid-color motion graphic file format that doesn't include audio. It's best suited for small frame sizes, and ideal for use on the Web.
- anti-aliasing
- Rendering techniques that reduce aliasing. It determines the color value of a pixel by averaging the color value of the pixels around it. This is usually based on some form of interpolation or oversampling.
- ASP
- Active Server Page. A Web page file that contains text, HTML, XML, and/or scripts that are executed on the server. ASP pages are used to create dynamic Web sites, typically for online stores.
- audience analysis
- Any technique used to learn about a target audience, such as site visits, surveys, and interviews.
- bandwidth
- Amount of information something is able to carry. Bandwidth is measured in bits per second.
- banner ad
- A graphic displayed on a Web page to advertise for a product or service. Banner ads act as a link to jump to the Web site that provides the product or service.
- bitmap
- An grid of pixels assigned a color and X and Y locations. Bitmap images are resolution dependent, unlike vector graphics (which are resolution independent). Bitmap graphics are also known as raster images.
- BMP
- Bitmap. A standard Windows uncompressed image format. It supports RGB, indexed-color, grayscale, and Bitmap color modes. It doesn't support alpha channels.
- Bobby
- A tool used to guide you towards and verify your compliance to accessibility standards such as WCAG and Section 508. The tool is available from their Web site for free and allows you to check one page at a time. You can also purchase the tool to get more robust features.
- bps
- Bits Per Second. The speed at which information is transferred.
- browser
- An application that displays HTML pages. There are several popular browsers to choose from, including Windows Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera, and the W3C's Amaya.
- cable MODEM
- Provide Internet access over cable TV networks. It's much faster than ISDN or T1 connections, and more expensive.
- character encoding
- The method a computer uses to represent letters, numbers, and other symbols.
- client
- A computer that accesses resources from another computer over a network or the Internet. You are currently reading this definition from a client (your computer) because the accessed the glossary over the Internet.
- client-side
- Used to describe any object or action that takes place on a client. For example, the XML glossary on this site uses client-side JavaScript.
- content
- Anything produced for inclusion in documentation. This includes written material, graphics, diagrams and charts.
- CSS
- Cascading Style Sheet. A set of formatting instructions that a browser uses to format a Web page. The instructions are usually maintained in an external text file that an HTML file can reference. CSS standards are defined and maintained by the W3C. Hokum Home uses valid CSS to format its Web pages.
- domain name
- The address of a site, such as freehomepage.com, www.cnn.com. Domain names also appear on email to the right of the @ sign, such as hokum@freehomepage.com. Domain names commonly end in .com for businesses, .edu for educational institutes, .org for organizations, or .gov for government.
- download
- Copying or moving a file from another computer to the computer you are using via a network. Whenever you save a file from a Web site, you are downloading that file.
- dpi
- dots per inch. The display resolution of devices such as monitors or printers.
- DSL
- Digital Subscriber Lines. An Internet connection that uses standard telephone lines to transfer data at a rate of 1.5 megabytes per second. DSL allows you to use your phone line while you are online, but you need a splitter installed.
- DTD
- Document Type Definition file. Identifies the language version with which an HTML, XML or SGML document is written and defines the tags that the document uses. XML has a set of standard DTD symbols that it uses.
- DWT
- Dreamweaver Template. Template file used in Dreamweaver.
- firewall
- Hardware and/or software that protects a computer network from unauthorized access.
- FLA
- Flash project. Flash is used to create vector-based animation, interactive Web sites, and even games. Flash is a Macromedia product.
- font
- One style, width, and weight of a typeface. A typeface can have multiple fonts. Fonts can be serif (those that have marks at the end of each stroke, such as Times New Roman or Bookman) or sans-serif (those that do not have strokes, such as Arial or Tahoma). Hokum Home is designed to use Tahoma for its headings and Arial for its text by default. You may see different fonts depending on how you have your Web browser set up.
- freeware
- Software you can download and use for free.
- FTP
- File Transfer Protocol. A method of transferring files across the Internet.
- GIF
- Graphics Interchange Format. A common file format used to display indexed-color graphics and images for HTML documents. It can display interlaced lines of an image as it downloads. It can also store multiple bitmaps in one file, producing animated GIFs. GIF 89a supports transparency.
- GIMP
- GNU Image Manipulation Program. A freeware graphics application developed and maintained by Gimp.org as part of the open source movement. It's features are as robust as for-profit applications, like Photoshop.
- graphic
- An icon, illustration, or image used to visually depict information contained in a the surrounding body of text.
- GUI
- Graphical User Interface. The buttons, fields, headers, and other graphical elements a user interacts with to execute actions within an application.
- hard copy
- Printed version of an electronic document.
- hexadecimal
- 16 digits, 0-9 and A-F used to define color values in HTML. Hokum Home has a list of hexadecimal color values you can use when creating your own Web pages.
- homepage
- A Web page that serves as an entry point into a Web site. Homepages usually have introductions and links to content within the site.
- HTM (HTML)
- Hypertext Markup Language. Nonproprietary language used primarily for developing content on the World Wide Web. The HTML specifications are created and maintained by the W3C.
- HTTP
- Hypertext Transfer Protocol. Standardized format for transferring information between servers using the World Wide Web.
- hypertext
- Text that is displayed electronically and contains links.
- ICO
- Icon. Standard format for icon files.
- illustration
- A diagram, drawing, photograph, etc. which further explains or clarify the information contained in the surrounding body of text.
- International Organization of Standards
- see ISO
- Internet
- Network of computers interconnected through the use of hardware and software. You access the Internet through an ISP.
- intranet
- Internal network used to distribute information within an organization but not to the general public. Most companies use their intranet to post company news and events.
- IP
- Internet Protocol. A standardized set of rules used to transfer information using the Internet.
- ISDN
- Integrated Services Digital Network. A type of phone line that transmits data faster than standard phone lines.
- ISO
- International Organization of Standards. An organization responsible for developing standards for business practices.
- ISP
- Internet Service Provider. A company or organization that provides access to the Internet, either for free or a fee.
- Java
- An object-oriented programming language used to create interactive Web pages.
- JavaScript
- A popular scripting language used for Web pages. You can use it for creating special effects, processing information from forms, and for any number of other tasks. There are many Web sites that provide JavaScript that are free to use on your own Web site, such as The JavaScript Source. Hokum Home uses JavaScript to display its Related links.
- JPG (JPEG)
- Joint Photographic Experts Group. A commonly used graphics file format that uses lossy compression. It supports up to 24 bit color. Its small size makes it ideal for web graphics.
- JS
- JavaScript file. Text-based file that contains Javascript applets, functions, or other JavaScript code. Because the JavaScript code is in an external file, you can link several HTML pages to it, eliminating redundancy and reducing the overall size of your Web site. Hokum Home uses some external JS files.
- JSP
- Java Server Page. Contains Java code that is executed on the server to create a dynamic Web page.
- LAN
- Local Area Network. An interconnected group of computers and peripherals limited to a single geographic location, such as a building. Most companies use LANs to network their computers.
- link
- A connection between two documents. When you click on a link in the first document, you "jump" to the second. Links may appear in Web pages, PDF files, online help, and other electronic media. Hokum Home uses blue links to jump between pages and green links to open its definition popups.
- Linux
- A freeware operating system for servers derived from UNIX.
- local area network
- see LAN
- Macromedia
- A family of programs used for graphics and web development. They produce programs such as Dreamweaver and Flash.
- markup
- Text added to the content of a document to convey information about the content, such as its format or its purpose. HTML, XHTML, and XML are all markup languages whose standards are defined by the W3C.
- mirroring
- Storing data on multiple servers to allow for faster access of that data.
- mirror site
- A site used to store a copy of data to allow for faster access of that data.
- MOV
- Movie. Apple's QuickTime movies.
- MODEM
- Modulator/Demodulator. Hardware that allows a computer to transfer information over a phone line.
- MP3
- Mpeg Layer 3. A type of audio compression that produces relatively small file sizes while maintaining high quality audio. It's difficult to tell the difference between a song recorded to an MP3 file and a song from a CD.
- MPG (MPEG)
- Motion Picture Experts Group. A compressed video file format.
- multimedia
- An application or presentation that uses any combination of animation, audio, images, text, and video to deliver information to an audience.
- navigation bar
- A collection of links that take you to different areas in a web site. The contents of a navigation bar remain constant throughout the entire site. Navigation bars can either be graphical (like the Hokum navigation bar) or text-only. Navigation bars usually appear on the right-side of a web page, but they also appear on the top of a page.
- netiquette
- The set of behavioral norms you're expected to follow when online, such as not using all caps when sending a message, or looking through a listserv's archives before posting a question.
- newsgroup
- A collection of electronic message exchanges about some topic, such as technical writing or fiction writing.
- Office
- A suite of productivity programs offered by Microsoft that includes Word (for word processing), Access (for databases), Excel (for spreadsheets), and Power Point (for presentations).
- OpenOffice.org (OOo)
- A suite of freeware productivity applications offered by OpenOffice.org that includes Writer (for word processing and document layout), Calc (for spreadsheets), Draw (for graphics and illustrations), and Impress (for presentations). The software is as robust as for-profit suites, such as Microsoft Office.
- pathname
- A description of a file location. The pathname for this glossary is /content/glossary/glossary_Web.html.
- Portable Document Format. Computer file format that contains vector and bitmap graphics, and can contain electronic document search/navigation features. The format allows for easy sharing of files between platforms.
- pixel
- picture element. The smallest element that can be independently assigned color.
- popup
- A secondary browser window that appears when you visit a web site. Popups are typically used by advertisers in the hopes of enticing a net surfer to visit their home page. Popups usually just piss people off.
- PNG
- Portable Network Graphics. Developed as a patent-free alternative to GIF, it's used for losslessly compressing and displaying images on the Internet. It supports 24-bit images and produces background transparency without jagged edges. It supports grayscale and RGB color modes with a single alpha channel, and Bitmap and indexed-color modes without alpha channels.
- pull quote
- Quoted portion of body text that appears graphically different, larger, bolder, or in a different type, from the surrounding text. Pull quotes often appear in magazines.
- Quicktime
- A compressed video file format developed by Apple.
- resolution
- For a CRT, the maximum number of displayable pixels in the horizontal and vertical directions. For a printer or plotter, the number of pixels per inch.
- RGB (red, green, blue) color model
- A color model. A large percentage of the visible spectrum can be represented by mixing red, green and blue (RGB) in various proportions and intensities. Where the colors overlap, they create cyan, magenta, and yellow. RGB colors are known as additive colors because they combine to form white. RGB colors are used for lighting, video and monitors. Hokum Home has a list of RGB color values that you can use.
- rollover image
- An image on a Web page that changes when you position the mouse cursor over it. The navigation bar on the Hokum site uses rollover images to brighten options when you place your mouse cursor over them.
- sans serif font
- A typeface without extra marks at the ends of characters. Arial and Tahoma are both sans-serif fonts, while Times New Roman is a serif font.
- Section 508
- A government regulation that mandates that all electronic media and information technology for government agencies be accessible to persons with disabilities. The regulation includes a set of rules, based on the Web Accessibility Initiative guidelines put out by the W3C, that must be followed for a Web site or application to be Section 508 compliant. The regulation and the methods to use to become Section 508 compliant can be daunting to the novice, but the actual impact on the design of Web sites and applications is actually quite minimal. In most cases, a Web site that uses valid markup is already partly Section 508 compliant.
- serif font
- A small, decorative element that appears on letters in a typeface. Times New Roman and Garamond are serif fonts, while Arial is a sans-serif font.
- server
- A computer which hosts (stores) web pages and the multimedia files related to those pages. In the case of this site, Freehomepage is the server.
- server-side
- Used to describe any object or action that takes place on a server.
- SGM (SGML)
- Standard Generalized Markup Language. A nonproprietary standard used to organize and tag elements in a document. It was developed and standardized in 1986.
- SWF
- Flash Movie Player. Standard format used by Flash to create movies. Generally, you save work in the SWF format and then export your finished work to another file format, such as an animated GIF, MOV file or even an EXE file.
- SVG
- Scalable Vector Graphics. Graphic file format developed for the web that uses vector graphics. The format produces higher resolution graphics with smaller file sizes.
- T1
- An Internet connection faster than ISDN that is capable of transferring 1.5 megabytes per second.
- T3
- An Internet connection faster than T1 that is capable of transferring more than 44 megabytes per second.
- table
- An area composed of cells (smaller spaces). Cells are defined by rows and columns. Many Web designers use tables for page layout despite there being other, and some would say better, methods, such as CSS.
- tag
- An HTML element that contains information other than content for a document. A tag can specify the weight of a font or specify that a body of text is a link to another Web page.
- TCP/IP
- Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A communications protocol developed by the Department of Defense to connect to networks.
- TEM
- FrontPage Template. Template for files created in Microsoft FrontPage.
- TGA
- Targa. Graphic file format that supports any bit depth, and includes features such as alpha channels, gamma settings and built in thumbnails.
- thumbnail
- A small version of a graphic used on a web page as a preview, especially when the graphic is meant to be downloaded.
- TXT
- Text. A plain ASCII text file. It's cross platform and contains no formatting tags
- typeface
- The design for all the characters in a font. Typefaces usually have family names along with additional terms defining specific characteristics.
- Unicode
- A character encoding system defined by the Unicode Consortium and used by computer systems.
- upload
- Copying or moving a file from your computer to another computer via a network.
- URL
- Uniform Resource Locator. A standardized specification for identifying any file on the Internet. A URL consists of the protocol used to access the file, the name of the server on which the file is stored and the pathname of the file. The URL for the hokum home page is http://hokum.freehomepage.com/index.html. The protocol appears in red, the name of the server appears in green and the pathname appears in blue.
- usability
- The ease with which a person can use a product to achieve a desired end.
- usability testing
- The process of testing the usability of a product.
- user
- A person who uses a product or service. The term can be ambiguous in that complex products or services may target several different users, each with different needs or goals. Unfortunately, individuals in a company may have different ideas of who a user is, what the user's skill levels are, and why the user is using a product or service. Moreover, individuals may change their idea of the user depending on different contexts that have nothing to do with the product or service.
- user profile
- A characterization and synopsis of a typical user of a product or service. User profiles can provide a basis for design decisions.
- valid markup
- Markup, such as HTML or XHTML, that conforms to the standards laid out by the W3C. Valid markup helps to ensure that your Web site will be viewer regardless of the browser a visitor might have and increases the accessibility of a Web site.
- W3C
- World Wide Web Consortium. Organization responsible for developing and maintaining recommendations for Internet technologies.
- WAI
- Web Accessibility Initiative. An organization that promotes accessibility of the Web through:education, guidelines, outreach, technology, and tools.
- WAV
- Sound file for Windows.
- WCAG
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. A set of standards put out by the WAI to ensure that persons with disabilities can access Web pages. Making a Web site accessible does not take as much effort as one might think. If you're using valid markup, then you're already partly in compliance with the WCAG standards.
- Web Accessibility Initiative
- see WAI
- Web browser
- see browser
- Web page
- What you're looking at right now. It is a text document that uses HTML tags to display information and links to access other web pages. Web pages are also simply referred to as pages.
- Web site
- A collection of Web pages all accessed through a single home page. Hokum is a Web site
- white space
- The blank areas on a page where text and illustrations are not printed. White space is a very important element in page.
- World Wide Web
- see WWW
- World Wide Web Consortium
- see W3C
- WWW
- World Wide Web. An Internet "service" that allows people to access files via Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
- WYSIWYG
- What You See is What You Get. A way programs help a user develop page layout or web page designs. WYSIWYG represents user input the way it will appear in the final product. This is especially useful in Web design, where a user can place graphics and content where they want it to be. Dreamweaver, FrontPage, and GoLive all use a WYSIWYG interface.
- XHTML
- Extensible HyperText Markup Language. A W3C standard that incorporates certain characteristics of XML with HTML. Hokum Home uses valid XHTML for its Web pages.
- XML
- Extensible Markup Language. A W3C standard for a markup language for structured documents. It's derived from SGML just like HTML.
- XSL
- Extensible Stylesheet Language. A W3C standard for a stylesheet for XML-based applications.