Computer Jargon Glossary

Adobe Acrobat Reader: The Acrobat Reader, a software program developed by Adobe Systems, Inc., is used to view files in PDF format. The software displays documents with the same layout and design as the original.

ASCII:  an acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange, a 7-bit code that represents the most basic letters of the Roman alphabet, numbers, and other characters used in computing. ASCII characters allow us to communicate with computers, which use their own language called binary made up of 0s and 1s. When we type ASCII characters from the keyboard (which looks like words to us), the computer interprets them as binary so they can be read, manipulated, stored and retrieved. ASCII files are called text files.

Asynchronous: Communication in which interaction between parties does not take place simultaneously.

Bandwidth: Information carrying capacity of a communication channel.

Binary: A computer language developed with only two letters in its alphabet.

Bit: Abbreviation for a single binary digit.

Byte: A single computer word, generally eight bits.

Browser: Software that allows you to find and see information on the Internet.

Central Processing Unit (CPU): The component of a computer in which data processing takes place.

Codec (Coder/Decoder): Device used to convert analog signals to digital signals for transmission and reconvert signals upon reception at the remote site while allowing for the signal to be compressed for less expensive transmission.

Compressed Video: When video signals are downsized to allow travel along a smaller carrier.

Compression: Reducing the amount of visual information sent in a signal by only transmitting changes in action. 

Desktop Videoconferencing: Videoconferencing on a personal computer.  

Download: Using the network to transfer files from one computer to another.

Electronic Mail (E-mail): Sending messages from one computer user to another.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP): A protocol that allows you to move files from a distant computer to a local computer using a network like the Internet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): A collection of information on the basics of any given subject, often used on the WWW. 

Home Page: The main document you see at an organization's website which contains pointers to other pieces of information.

Host: A network computer that can receive information from other computers.

Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML): The code used to create a home page and is used to access documents over the WWW.

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP): The protocol used to signify an Internet site is a WWW site, i.e. HTTP is a WWW address.

Hypertext: A document which has been marked up to allow a user to select words or pictures within the document, click on them, and connect to further information.

ISP (Internet service providers):  Also called an ISP or access providers, Internet service providers refers to the remote computer system to which you connect your personal computer and through which you connect to the Internet. Internet service providers that you access by modem and telephone line are often called dial-up services.  

Internet: An international network of networks primarily used to connect education and research networks begun by the United States government (originally called DARPANET). Internet Protocol (IP): The international standard for addressing and sending data via the Internet.

Listserv: The heart of an electronic mailing list, Listserv software automatically subscribes and unsubscribes list members and sends copies of every e-mail message to every list subscriber.

Local Area Network (LAN): Two or more local computers that are physically connected.

Modem: A piece of equipment to allow computers to interact with each other via telephone lines by converting digital signals to analog for transmission along analog lines.

Multimedia: Any document which uses multiple forms of communication, such as text, audio, and/or video.

Network: A series of points connected by communication channels in different locations.

On-Line: Active and prepared for operation. Also suggests access to a computer network.

Point of Presence (POP): Point of connection between an interexchange carrier and a local carrier to pass communications into the network.

Point-to-Point: Transmission between two locations.

Point-to-Multipoint: Transmission between multiple locations using a bridge.

PPP: A software package which allows a user to have a direct connection to the Internet over a telephone line.

Protocol: A formal set of standards, rules, or formats for exchanging data that assures uniformity between computers and applications.

RTF (rich text format):  A document format that is readable for most word processing programs.

Server: A computer with a special service function on a network, generally receiving and connecting incoming information traffic.

Synchronous: Communication in which interaction between participants is simultaneous. 

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): A protocol which makes sure that packets of data are shipped and received in the intended order.

Uniform Resource Locator (URL): The address of a document on the Internet.

Website: A website is a collection of network services, primarily HTML documents, that are linked together and that exist on the Web at a particular server. Exploring a website usually begins with the home page, which may lead you to more information about that site. A single server may support multiple websites.

World Wide Web (WWW): A graphical hypertext-based Internet tool that provides access to homepages created by individuals, businesses, and other organizations.

Zip: a popular standard for file compression on the PC. You can recognize it by the .zip file extension.