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ALPHA TESTING - If a new product is released for testing to a company's own employees before exposing it outside the company, then the product is said to be under alpha testing.

APPLET- A small Java program that can be embedded in an HTML page. Applets differ from full-fledged Java applications in that they are not allowed to access certain resources on the local computer, such as files and serial devices (modems, printers, etc.), and are prohibited from communicating with most other computers across a network. The current rule is that an applet can only make an Internet connection to the computer from which the applet was sent.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE - The term for software programs that perform specific tasks such as word processing, and database management.

ARCHIE - A tool (software) for finding files stored on anonymous FTP sites. You need to know the exact file name or a substring of it.

ARPANet - (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) -- The precursor to the Internet. Developed in the late 60’s and early 70’s by the US Department of Defense as an experiment in wide-area-networking that would survive a nuclear war.

ASCII - The American Standard Code for Information Interchange is the common code for computer equipment. The Standard ASCII Character Set consists of 128 decimal numbers ranging from zero through 127 assigned to letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and the most common special characters.

AT Command Set - The set of commands which is used to control the operation of a modem is called the standard Hayes AT Command Set. Most of the commands are prefaced with an AT which stands for ATtention.

AUTOEXEC.BAT - A special batch file used by DOS and OS/2 when booting up the computer. If DOS finds the AUTOEXEC.BAT file, it automatically carries out the commands contained in the file.

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BACKBONE - A high-speed line or series of connections that forms a major pathway within a network. The term is relative as a backbone in a small network will likely be much smaller than many non-backbone lines in a large network.

BACKUP - Copies of data and program files are called backups. It is always advisable to make backups of your data and programs.

BANDWIDTH - How much data you can send through a connection. Usually measured in bits-per-second. (bps)

BASIC - A computer programming language, an acronym for Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. Although it is a simple language to learn and use, it contains many advanced features for handling mathematical formulas and character strings.

BATCH FILE - Files that save you from having to retype often-used commands. With a batch file, you just type in the batch file's name, and the PC carries out the commands contained in the batch file as if you had typed them from the keyboard.

BAUD - Baud is a unit of measurement that denotes the number of discrete signal elements, such as bits, that can be transmitted per second. Bits per second (bps) means the number of binary digits transmitted in one second.

BBS - (Bulletin Board System) -- A computerised meeting and announcement system that allows people to carry on discussions, upload and download files, and make announcements without the people being connected to the computer at the same time.

BETA TESTING - The pre-testing of hardware or software products with selected customers to discover inadequate features or possible product enhancements before it is released to the general public.

BINARY - A number system based on 2. In binary, only two numbers, 0 and 1, represent all possible mathematical values. Computers use the binary number system because it best represents what a computer understands - on and off.

BINHEX - (BINary HEXadecimal) -- A method for converting non-text files (non-ASCII) into ASCII. This is needed because Internet e-mail can only handle ASCII.

BIOS - The Basic Input/Output System, resident on a chip which plugs into the motherboard of a microcomputer, is a system program. The BIOS is responsible for handling the details of the input and output operations, including the task of relating a program's logical records to a peripheral device's physical records.

BIT - The smallest unit of data recognisable by a computer. Eight bits equals one BYTE (or 1 character).

BOOT UP - The term describing the series of steps that takes place when you turn on the computer. In the BOOT process, the operating system (DOS for example), is loaded into the computer's internal memory (RAM).

BPS - (Bits-Per-Second) -- A measurement of how fast data is moved from one place to another. A 28.8 modem can move 28,800 bits per second.

BROWSER - A Client program (software) that is used to look at various kinds of Internet resources.

BYTE - Consisting of eight BITS, a BYTE is the amount of storage space required to hold one alphanumeric character such as the letter A, the number 5, a comma, question mark, and so on.

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C

CACHE - A cache (pronounced CASH) is a place to store something more or less temporarily. Webpages you visit are stored in your browser's cache directory..

CARD - An entry in the Address book that also shows the addresses information

CD-ROM - COMPACT DISC - READ ONLY MEMORY - A form of data storage that uses laser optics rather than magnetic means for reading data. CD-ROMs read compact discs similar to the audio CDs available in music stores.

CERTIFICATE AUTHORITY - An issuer of Security Certificates used in SSL connections.

CHAT - A feature available in most online services, allowing you to chat on a one-to-one or group basis with other people using the Internet. You simply type your text, press enter, and the text will appear on another person's screen.

CGI - Common Gate Interface. A bridge created with a small script or set of instructions that sits between HTTP servers .

CGI-BIN - The most common name of a directory on a web server in which CGI programs are stored. The “bin” part of “cgi-bin” is a shorthand version of “binary”, because once upon a time, most programs were refered to as “binaries”.

CLIENT - A software program that is used to contact and obtain data from a Server software program on another computer, often across a great distance. Each Client program is designed to work with one or more specific kinds of Server programs, and each Server requires a specific kind of Client. A Web Browser is a specific kind of Client.

CLIP ART - Graphic images or files that can be imported to word processing and desktop publishing documents are called electronic clip art.

COMMUNITIES - Netscape Online has sections known as Communities. These are subject areas, such as News, Games, TV, Sci-Fi. From here you can access Web sites, newsgroups, and chat areas on that subject, allowing you easy access to the areas you want to go on the Internet.

COM PORT - A COM port is a communications channel or pathway over which data is transferred between remote computing devices. IBM-compatible microcomputers can have as many as four COM ports, COM1, COM2, COM3, and COM4.

CONFIG.SYS - A text file which is used by DOS and OS/2 during system startup. This file contains commands that tell DOS how to communicate with the new hardware, to customise communication with existing hardware or to adjust your computer's memory usage.

CONNECTOID - Components of Dial-Up Networking, the connectoids store the information needed to connect to an ISP or remote computer. Connectoids can be found by double clicking on My Computer, and then double clicking on Dial-Up Networking.

COOKIE - The most common meaning of “Cookie” on the Internet refers to a piece of information sent by a Web Server to a Web Browser that the Browser software is expected to save and to send back to the Server whenever the browser makes additional requests from the Server. Cookies might contain information such as login or registration information, online “shopping cart” information, user preferences, etc.

CURSOR - A short blinking line that appears underneath the space where the next character is to be typed or deleted. The cursor indicates that the computer is waiting for the user to input a command or information.

CYBERSPACE - Term originated by author William Gibson in his novel Neuromancer, the word Cyberspace is currently used to describe the whole range of information resources available through computer networks.

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D

DATABASE - A collection of information organized for easy retrieval. Databases are organized in to a hierarchy of files, records, and fields.

DESKTOP PUBLISHING -(DTP) - One of the fastest-growing applications in personal computing. Desktop Publishing software offers a relatively inexpensive way for a PC to generate typeset-quality text and graphics.

DEVICE DRIVER - A program loaded by the CONFIG.SYS file or AUTOEXEC.BAT file that controls devices such as a mouse or CD-ROM drive.

dialog BOX - An on-screen box found in graphical user interfaces which provides users with information and explains limited options.

DIRECTORY - A directory is an area on a disk for storing files. Directories consist of files and/or subdirectories. Each formatted disk contains a main directory also called the root directory. With DOS, the most common hard disk root directory is referred to as "C:\" or just "C:".

DIRECTORY TREE - A way of organizing data into a hierarchical structure, beginning with a root directory and branching into subdirectories and files.

DISKETTE - A flat piece of plastic covered with a magnetic coating which is used to store data (also called a FLOPPY DISKETTE). The existing standard for diskette size is 3.5 inch.

DLLs, Dynamic Link Libraries - DLLs are libraries of object files or executable code modules available to programmers writing code for the Microsoft Windows operating environment. Functions and procedures written in languages like Pascal and C can be compiled and the object file stored in a DLL. These modules can be loaded at run time, and then unloaded when the code is no longer needed.The use of DLLs allows for a high degree of customization.

DOMAIN NAME - The unique name that identifies an Internet site. Domain Names always have 2 or more parts, separated by dots. The part on the left is the most specific, and the part on the right is the most general. For example, the domain name: netscapeonline.co.uk.

DOS PROMPT - The signal that DOS is awaiting your command. The prompt is usually displayed as the current drive letter and the greater-than symbol (>). Thus C> is a DOS prompt with C representing the hard drive as the CURRENT DRIVE (i.e. C:\>, A:>, or C:\DOS>).

DOT MATRIX PRINTER (DMP) - A type of printer that employs a movable printhead with pins, or wires, that shoot out and strike a ribbon. Each strike of a single pin creates a dot on the paper. Letters are formed as a pattern, or matrix, of dots. The most common are 9 or 24 pin printers.

DOWNLOAD(DMP) - Retrieving information or files from the Internet directly to your computer. For example, you can download the Netscape Online software from this site.

DRIVER - A software program that allows the operating system (like DOS or OS/2) to work with a specific hardware device like a printer, a mouse, or trackball.

DUN (Dial-Up Networking) connects you to remote networks using your modem, ISDN or other WAN adapter.

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E

Email - (Electronic Mail) -- Messages, usually text, sent from one person to another via computer. E-mail can also be sent automatically to a large number of addresses (Mailing List).

EMOTICON - Symbols representing human-face drawings. They are created using text characters on your keyboard and help express emotions online. For example, :-) is a smiling face (tilt your head to the left to see this properly).

ETHERNET - A very common method of networking computers in a LAN.

EXPANSION CARDS - Electronic circuit cards that fit into slots on the main circuit board inside the case of the computer. Expansion cards are used to add such items as modems, sound capability, ports, etc. to a PC.

EXPANSION SLOT - A socket inside the computer case that is designed to hold expansion cards.

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F

FAT, File Allocation Table - The File Allocation Table is a system area on a disk that keeps track of disk clusters allocated to all the files on a DOS partitioned disk. The FAT also keeps track of available disk space.

FAQ - (Frequently Asked Questions) -- FAQs are documents that list and answer the most common questions on a particular subject.

FILENAME EXTENSIONS - In DOS, filenames are from 1 to 8 characters long and can be followed by an optional short name called an extension. An extension starts with a period, has 1, 2, or 3 characters, and follows immediately after the filename. The following are examples of extensions used to identify the type of data or the format of data to be found in the file:

.EXE Executable program, used to run a program. .COM Executable program, also usually used to run a program. .BAT A batch file consisting of a series of commands. .SYS A system file, often a device driver. .TXT Usually a text (ASCII) file created with a text editor.

FIRE WALL - A combination of hardware and software that separates a LAN into two or more parts for security purposes.

FIXED DISK - The term "fixed disk" is used interchangeably with the term hard disk. It's a removable disk system housed "inside" your PC where a large amount of data is stored. Sometimes called a hard file or mass-media storage.

FLOPPY DISKETTE DRIVE - Floppy drives write data to, and read it from, floppy diskettes that can be removed at will. Floppy diskettes are so named because they are flexible to the touch, in contrast to "hard" disks. The existing standard for floppy diskette size is 3.5 inch floppy diskettes (which are still called "floppy" even though they come in rigid plastic cases).

FORMAT - To prepare a disk or diskette so it can store information. Formatting organises the tracks and sectors that store information. When you format a disk, you in essence erase any information already stored on it.

FTP - File Transfer Protocol, a protocol to transfer files to a point to point protocol ( TCP /IP ) over the network i.e. the Internet.

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G

GATEWAY - The technical meaning is a hardware or software set-up that translates between two dissimilar protocols. Another, meaning of gateway is to describe any mechanism for providing access to another system, e.g. AOL might be called a gateway to the Internet.

GIF - Graphics Interchange Format, GIF is an abbreviation for Graphics Interchange Format, it is pronounced 'Jiff'. GIF can handle up to 256 simultaneous colours, and uses a sophisticated data compression method to reduce the file size to less than half, saving in download time.

GIGABYTE - One Gigabyte equals 1 kilobyte times 1 megabyte. That's 1,073,741,824 bytes, or (2 to the 30th power). 'Giga' is a binary analogue to the U.S. decimal unit 'billion'

GUI - Graphical User Interface. Pronounced "gooeys," these are a user-friendly alternative to character-based interfaces such as DOS. GUIs allow the user to point at a list of command options instead of typing a character-based command. The more popular GUIs is Microsoft(R) Windows.

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H

HARD DISK - A data storage device for personal computers that consists of a rigid platter that is fixed inside a sealed case. A hard disk can store more information and retrieve data faster than a diskette.

HAYES COMPATIBLE - The originator of the de facto standard for modems in the world of microcomputers was Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc. In 1981, the company produced the first modem to operate with a command set. The set of commands that is used to control the operation of a modem is called the standard Hayes AT Command Set. Most of the commands are prefaced with an AT which stands for ATtention. Today, the term Hayes-compatible is used as an adjective to describe modems from other manufacturers that operate with the same command set as the popular Hayes modems.

HEXADECIMAL - The hexadecimal numbering system has 16 as its base, as contrasted with the decimal system that has a base of 10. Hexadecimal refers to whole numbers in positional notation with 16 as the base. The first ten digits are represented by 0 through 9, and the last six digits represented by A, B, C, D, E, and F. Computer memory addresses are conveniently expressed in hexadecimal notation since the word length is a multiple of four. Four bits can be expressed with one hexadecimal digit. For example, 1011001010000111 binary is B287 in hexadecimal notation. A hexadecimal number is the 1-byte equivalent of an EBCDIC character.

HISTORY - A list of the most recently visited sites visited stored in your browser's cache

HTML - Hypertext Markup Language, the Document Type Definition used for displaying composed documents on the Internet. These pages are laid out to look like normal printed pages with images and typographic composition making them easier to read and use.

HTTP - (HyperText Transfer Protocol) -- The protocol for moving hypertext files across the Internet. Requires a HTTP client program on one end, and an HTTP server program on the other end. HTTP is the most important protocol used in the World Wide Web (WWW).

HOMEPAGE - This term is usually used for a page you have created yourself. You can create your own Web page by using graphics, text and other features.

HYPERTEXT - Generally, any text that contains links to other documents - words or phrases in the document that can be chosen by a reader and which cause another document to be retrieved and displayed.

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I

ICON - A visual symbol used to represent programs or documents in a GUI. For example, in a DOS interface you see LETTER.DOC in a directory listing. In a GUI, you'd see a little picture (such as a piece of paper and pen) representing the same document.

INKJET PRINTER - This type of printer uses a printhead which has a series of little holes called nozzles. In each nozzle, the ink heats up, and bubbles. When the bubbles burst, ink sprays out onto the print surface.

INPUT DEVICES - A piece of computer hardware (the keyboard and the mouse being the most popular examples) that is used to enter and manipulate information on a computer. Other input devices include but are not limited to Light Pens, Scanners, and Trackballs.

INSTANT MESSENGER - A way to chat online. Netscape Online Instant Messenger is software that allows you to chat with other users.

INTRANET - A private network inside a company or organization that uses the same kinds of software that you would find on the public Internet, but that is only for internal use.

IP ADDRESS - (Internet Protocol Address) - Sometimes called a dotted quad. A unique number consisting of 4 parts separated by dots, e.g. 195.113.245.2. Every machine that is on the Internet has a unique IP number - if a machine does not have an IP number, it is not really on the Internet. Most machines also have one or more Domain Names that are easier for people to remember.

IRC - (Internet Relay Chat) - Basically a huge multi-user live chat facility. There are a number of major IRC servers around the world which are linked to each other.

IRQ - Interrupt Request - Interrupt request lines are physical connections between external hardware devices and the interrupt controllers. When a device, such as a floppy controller or a printer needs the attention of the CPU, handshaking signals are sent back and forth until a task is completed. On the PC and XT IBM-compatible systems, there are eight IRQ lines numbered IRQ0 through IRQ7. On the AT and PS/2 systems, there are sixteen IRQ lines numbered IRQ0 through IRQ15. In a particular system, the goal is to configure expansion boards so that each board has its own IRQ line. If you have two serial ports on your system, you know that IRQ3 and IRQ4 are taken.

ISDN DEVICES - Integrated Services Digital Network. The high bandwidth, high speed point to point telephone network.

ISP - (Internet Service Provider) -- An institution that provides access to the Internet.

INTERNET - A global network of interconnected computers that is, a vast collection of inter-connected networks that all use the TCP/IP protocols around the world. It evolvedfrom the ARPANET of the late 60’s and early 70’s.

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J

JAVA - Java is a network-oriented programming language invented by Sun Microsystems that is specifically designed for writing programs that can be safely downloaded to your computer through the Internet. Using small Java programs (called "Applets"), Webpages can include functions such as animations, calculators, and other fancy tricks.

JAVASCRIPT - Originally called LiveScript, JavaScript was developed by Netscape and soon modified and renamed in order to tap into the Java craze that was sweeping the Internet. JavaScript code can be included right in the HTML and read on the fly by your browser. Thus, JavaScript saves a good deal of server access time for loading a Webpage. JavaScript is a programming language and is not just a mark-up language like HTML.

JOYSTICK - A joystick is a two-dimensional potentiometer, an electromechanical input device with a vertical lever, pivoted so that it may be manipulated within 360 degrees. When connected to a computer, it can provide positional information for the movement of the cursor on a video display screen. The application program that is designed to receive input from a joystick, responds by moving a cursor or an image on the screen in the same direction as the movement of the joystick lever. Joysticks are connected to a computer with a cable and are primarily used to play video games.

JPEG - (Joint Photographic Experts Group) - JPEG is most commonly mentioned as a format for image files. JPEG format is preferred to the GIF format for photographic images as opposed to line art or simple logo art.

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K

KB - KILOBYTE, A unit of measure for computer memory or storage equivalent to approximately one thousand (1,024) bytes.

Kbps - Kilobytes per second, a way of measuring a data transfer speed. The number of Kilobytes (1024 bytes) sent or received per second.

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L

LAN, Local Area Network - When two or more computers are linked together for the purpose of sharing information and/or peripheral devices, a network is created. When the network is confined to a geographically restricted area, such as within the same building or perhaps on a college campus, it is referred to as a Local Area Network. There are three types of data transmission media used on most of today's LANs: a twisted-pair of wires, coaxial cable, and the newest, fiber optical cable.

LASER PRINTER - A computer printer that uses the electrophotograhic method of printing (like a photocopier) with a laser beam as the light source. Laser printers produce high resolution copy and are especially popular with business users. Laser printers are also very quiet and usually faster than DMPs (Dot Matrix Printers).

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M

MAILLIST - (or Mailing List) A (usually automated) system that allows people to send email to one address, whereupon their message is copied and sent to all of the other subscribers to the maillist. In this way, people who have many different kinds of e-mail access can participate in discussions together.

MAINFRAME - Large computers are referred to as mainframes. More precisely, the mainframe is the piece of equipment on large computers that contains the CPU. Mainframe computers most commonly operate with word lengths of 32-bits or more, have large memory capacities, and are used where large volumes of data are stored and processed. The term 'mainframe' is really a holdover from the days when most computer systems occupied the space of several rooms. There really was a main frame, and several secondary frames or large rack and panel cabinets that held thousands of vacuum tubes.

MB - MEGABYTE, A unit of measure for computer memory or storage equivalent to approximately one million (1,048,576) bytes.

MEMORY - The area where your computer stores data. Data can be permanently stored in ROM (Read Only Memory) or stored temporarily in the computer's RAM (Random Access Memory). A computer's RAM storage space is emptied when the power is turned off; whereas ROMs will retain information with no power.

MENU - A list of choices that appears in menu programs. You select an option by using a mouse or arrow key to highlight (select) it. Some menus are pull-down menus located at the top of the screen, and the options for that heading appear when choosing that category.

MHz, megahertz - MHz is an abbreviation for megahertz. It is a unit of measurement. One Hertz (Hz) is equal to one cycle per second. Heinrich R. Hertz, a German physicist, first detected electromagnetic waves in 1883. 1 Megahertz is a unit of measurement for indicating the frequency of one million electrical vibration cycles per second. The original IBM-Personal Computers in the early 1980's were controlled by Central Processing Units (CPUs) that were synchronised with clock crystals vibrating at 4.77 megahertz.

MICROPROCESSOR - An integrated circuit containing all of the central processing functions of a computer. (See also CPU)

MIDI - an acronym for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. An interface card or adapter board for connecting a musical instrument to a microcomputer is called a MIDI Adapter. Multiple musical instrument keyboards can be daisy-chained together and played simultaneously with the help of the computer and related software. The various operations of the musical keyboard can be captured, saved, edited, and played back to one or more musical instruments. Each instrument, of course, must be MIDI compatible. Your music can be digitally recorded, then have previous tracks played back as you record new tracks, creating the sound of an entire orchestra.

MIME - (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) -- The standard for attaching non-text files to standard Internet mail messages. Non-text files include graphics, spreadsheets, formatted word-processor documents, sound files, etc.

MODEM - A piece of computer hardware that allows a computer to communicate with other computers (if they also have a modem attached) via a telephone line. Modem is an acronym for MOdulator/DEModulator.

MOTHERBOARD - The printed circuit board that is the foundation of a PC system. This board contains the computer's CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory) chips and expansion slots that enable you to add more functions/features to your PC.

MOUSE - A device about the size of the palm of your hand that you roll around on a flat, smooth surface to quickly move the computer's cursor (pointer). As the mouse moves, it relays signals that move the cursor on the screen. The mouse is attached to your computer via a cable. There are even a few wireless mouse devices.

MULTIMEDIA - The presentation of information on a computer using a combination of sound, graphics, animation and video.

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N

NETSCAPE COMMUNICATOR - Software incorporating a Web browser, email package, Web page publisher and newsgroup reader. If you order a Netscape Online CD you will receive this software.

NETSCAPE COMPOSER - Web publishing software available as part of Netscape Communicator.

NETSCAPE MESSENGER - Email software available as part of Netscape Communicator.

NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR - Web browsing software available as part of Netscape Communicator.

NETSCAPEONLINE - The free Internet service offering unlimited email addresses, 20Mb Web space, Instant Messenger and Web publishing tools.

NETWORK - When two or more computers are linked together for the purpose of sharing information and/or peripheral devices, a network is created. A network is also a database design technique for managing a collection of related programs for loading, accessing, and controlling the information that makes up the database.

NEWSGROUP - A newsgroup is an electronic discussion group consisting of collections of related postings (also called articles) on a particular topic that are posted to a news server which then distributes them to other participating servers. There are thousands of Newsgroups covering a wide range of subjects. You must subscribe to a newsgroup in order to participate in it or to track the discussion on an on-going basis. Subscription to a newsgroup is free.

For more information on Newsgroups, visit the Netscape Online Newsgroups area.

NODE - When any number of computers are connected together in a network, each of the workstations or terminals are referred to as nodes, and are assigned unique addresses within that network. A node is also an electrical connection point on a printed circuit board or component. With online services, a node is the local collection of relay modems.

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O

OCR, Optical Character Recognition - An information processing technology that converts human readable data into another medium for computer input is called Optical Character Recognition. An OCR peripheral device accepts a printed document as input, to identify the characters by their shape from the light that is reflected and creates an output disk file. For best results, the printed page must contain only characters of a type that are easily read by the OCR device and located on the page within certain margins. When choosing an OCR product, the prime consideration should be the program's level of accuracy as it applies to the type of document to be scanned. Accuracy levels less than 97% are often considered poor.

OLE, Object Linking and Embedding - Pronounced oh-lay, OLE is a software technology, an inter-process communication within the Windows operating environment. It allows the operator to embed one object within another, even though the different types of objects may have been created using different programs. OLE differs from traditional export/import methods. If the embedded object is updated by the originating program, the changes are also reflected in the embedding program. For example, a graph from a spreadsheet can be embedded in a word processing document. If the numbers in the spreadsheet are changed, the updates are reflected in the graph in the word processing document.

ONLINE - When you're online, you're connected to your Internet Service Provider (e.g. Netscape Online) who then connects you to the Internet. All the time you're online, normal phone charges apply, as your telephone line links your computer to your service provider.

ONLINE SERVICE - A dial-up service that provides news, information, an Internet connection and discussion areas for users with modem-equipped computers.

OPERATING SYSTEM - The master control program that translates the user's commands and allows application programs to interact with the computer's hardware. The more common operating systems are Windows, Macintosh OS, DOS, Unix and OS/2.

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P

PARALLEL PORT - A parallel port is a channel to which a peripheral device, such as a dot matrix printer, can be connected. With parallel transmission, the eight bits of data representing characters are transmitted over several lines. Typically, a parallel transmission of data is faster than a serial (RS-232) transmission.

PATH - The route that tells DOS where to search for a program or batch file if its not found in the current directory. The PATH statement is usually found in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file for Windows, DOS and OS/2.

PCMCIA - The Personal Computer Memory Card International Association and the Japanese Electronic Industry Development Association developed a standard for integrated circuit cards called PCMCIA and it establishes a standard for input/output cards and creates a new I/O bus for portable computers. The cards are about the size of a credit card, 85.6 by 54 mm, and are plugged into portable and pen-based computers. Cards from different manufacturers, if they conform to the standard, can be interchanged between computers. The cards are lightweight, small and rugged, and are used for a variety of functions. There are modem, network interface and other cards.

PINPOINT ADDRESSING - A setting that allows auto-completion of an address if you type in the first few characters of a stored address.

POP3 - (Post Office Protocol version 3) is the Internet email standard. It is a system which allows you to use a dedicated email client to send and receive email messages via the Internet.

POSTSCRIPT - PostScript is a page description language developed mainly by John Warnock for converting and moving data to the laser-printed page. Instead of the antiquated method of transmitting simple information to a 'dumb' printer, telling it where to place dots one-by-one on a page, PostScript provides a way for the laser printer to mathematically interpret and enhance a full page of shapes and curves.

PPP - (Point to Point Protocol) -- Most well known as a protocol that allows a computer to use a regular telephone line and a modem to make TCP/IP connections and thus be really and truly on the Internet.

PROMPT - The DOS prompt usually takes the form of either C>, C:\DOS>, or A>. The C refers to the hard drive located inside your computer and the A refers to the floppy drive diskette.

PROTOCOL - A protocol is a set of rules governing the communication and the transfer of data between two or more devices. The rules define the handling of certain communication problems, such as framing, error control, sequence control, transparency, line control, and start-up control. There are three basic types of protocol: character oriented, byte-count oriented, and bit oriented.

PROXY - A proxy server is an interface between your browser and the destination server. The proxy server will take your page request and handles the connection to the destination for your browser. These proxy servers are also able to cache pages. If such a proxy is configured to cache it will at first take look to its local cache if the requested page already exist. If not it can search in other caching proxy servers or makes the request directly to the destination.

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Q

QWERTY keyboard - The standard typewriter or computer keyboard, with the characters "Q, W, E, R, T, and Y" on the top row of letters. The QWERTY keyboard was developed in the 1800's to slow-down swift typists and to prevent jamming of the old mechanical typewriters.

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R

RAM - RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY - Also referred to as a computer's dynamic or volatile memory, in that data is stored in RAM only temporarily. A computer's RAM storage space is emptied when the power is turned OFF.

ROM - READ-ONLY MEMORY - Also referred to as a computer's permanent or non-volatile memory, in that the data stored in ROM is permanent or not effected by a power loss.

RESOLUTION - Resolution refers to the capability of an optical system, such as a video screen, or of a scanning device such as an OCR, or of a printer, of making clear and distinguishable the separate parts or components of an object. In video graphics, the resolution refers to the number of pixels in which the display area can be divided, determined by the number of horizontal and vertical pixels. For example, a resolution of 640 by 200 pixels indicates a display area with 640 pixels across the screen and 200 pixels vertically. The greater the resolution, the more display memory is needed to produce the screen image. With high resolution printers, the output is "Letter quality".

ROOT DIRECTORY - The root directory is the base level of the directory structure. Branching from the root are various subdirectories, each of which can contain one or more files and subdirectories of its own. Individual files can also reside at the root directory level. With Windows and DOS, the root directory of every disk drive is identified with the backslash character (\) and is the main directory on that drive. For example, C:\ represents the root directory of drive C:

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S

SCANNER - A scanner is a peripheral device connected to a computer to capture graphic images from a page, and convert the data into a binary code. Once captured, the image can be edited with a painting program, pasted into a desktop publishing document, or sent over the telephone lines with a facsimile device.

SERIAL PORT - A serial port is an asynchronous communication channel or address to which a peripheral device such as a modem, a character printer, or a mouse, can be connected. Serial ports are also referred to as COM ports, (COM1, COM2, etc.) With serial communications, bits of data are transmitted one at a time over a single line as opposed to parallel communications where multiple wires in the cable allow data to be sent in multiple bits. Serial interfaces are also called RS-232.

SERVER - A computer, or a software package, that provides a specific kind of service to client software running on other computers. The term can refer to a particular piece of software, such as a WWW server, or to the machine on which the software is running. A single server machine could have several different server software packages running on it, thus providing many different servers to clients on the network.

SHAREWARE - Shareware is a distribution method for software programs developed by independent programmers or authors. It is a marketing technique rather than a type of software. It allows the author to market the program with minimal start-up expenses while encouraging feedback from the users. Programs acquired through the Shareware method may be freely copied and passed on to others, but each user is expected to register with the author and pay a usage fee. The fee may include some or all of the following: printed documentation, the latest version of the program on disk, telephone support, free updates, and commissions, but most importantly a legal license to continue using the software.

SITE - A location on the Internet where specific information or software is found.

SOFTWARE - A general term for all types of programs used to manage a computer's operations. Software is essentially a set of instructions the computer uses to perform a task.

SPREADSHEET - A program that simulates an accountant's worksheet which is made up of Rows and Columns. It's mainly used to quickly calculate budgets and perform financial analysis. By using a spreadsheet, you can set up and monitor budgets, checking accounts, and inventory.

SUBDIRECTORY - A directory located within another directory (called the Parent directory). The ROOT directory (C:\>, A:\>, or B:\>) is the only directory which is not also a subdirectory.

SUPER VGA or SVGA - As a standard introduced by IBM in 1987, the VGA, Video Graphics Array provides for a screen resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. Super VGA, introduced a year later offers a resolution of 800 x 600. And then, along came super-extended VGA, or 1K-resolution VGA, at 1024 x 768 pixel resolution.

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T

TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol. A routable protocol used for connectivity (on the Internet) with many different types of operating systems.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS - A general term for the electronic transmission of information including data, television pictures, sound and faxes. In order to send data from one computer to another over a phone line, it is necessary that both computers have a MODEM. A fax machine uses the phone line as well to transfer data read from a printed page by use of a special machine that converts the printed data to an electronic signal, then back to printed information on the other end.

TELNET - Technology that allows you to access computers anywhere in the world, and to search through them for information, as if you have logged on locally.

TIFF - TIFF is an acronym for Tagged Image File Format. TIFF provides a way of storing and exchanging digital image data. Aldus Corp, Microsoft Corp, and major scanner vendors developed TIFF to help link scanned images with the popular desktop publishing applications. It is now used for many different types of software applications ranging from fax modem data transfers, CAD programs, and 3-D graphics packages.

TRACKBALL - Is usually described as looking like an upside-down mouse. A trackball remains stationary on your desk; as you move the sphere (ball) in the centre with your fingers or palm, sensors detect movement and cause the on-screen cursor to move. Some notebook computers have this type of directional device that attaches to one edge of the computer.

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U

UPLOAD - Sending information or files from your computer to someone else via the Internet. So when you send an attached file with an email you are uploading that file.

URL - Universal Resource Locator the "address" fr an Internet site.

USENET - A system for distributing news stories around the Internet, working via a series of bulletin boards known as Newsgroups.

For more information on Newsgroups, visit the Netscape Online Newsgroups area.

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V

VCARD - An attachable card containing the sender's information that can be sent with an e-mail so that the recipient has a ready made card to use in the Address book.

VGA, Video Graphics Array - The VGA is an analogue video controller. It handles colour in much the same way as a TV receiver. The VGA produces a signal that can vary in small increments over a large spectrum of colours. The VGA requires an analogue colour monitor. The VGA provides a text mode with a 9-by-16 dot box for characters, it emulates the EGA modes and the two graphics modes of MCGA, and it provides its own graphics mode with 16 colours and 640-by-480 pixel resolution.

VIRTUAL MEMORY - When a program requires more space than is available in main memory, a direct access storage device can be used to hold program segments until needed in memory. The program utilising virtual storage appears to be held entirely in memory. The virtual memory system allows a program to be broken up into segments, called pages. Instead of bringing the entire program into memory, it brings in as many pages that will fit and leaves the remaining pages on disk. When instructions are called for that are not in memory, the appropriate disk page is read in, overlaying a page in memory. The input and output of program pages is called paging or swapping.

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W

THE WEB - see WWW

WYSIWYG - An acronym for What You See Is What You Get. The term WYSIWYG, pronounced "wizzy-wig", is used to refer to computer programs such as word processors that generate screen images that are identical in position and type appearance to the final document, as opposed to those that show the formatting or special type requested only when the document is printed. The advantages are twofold: the planning of a visually pleasing final document is easier and errors in the printed document can be found quicker when the document is on the screen.

WWW - An acronym for World Wide Web. The most vibrant part of the Internet consisting of pages containing information and graphics which link to other pages and information.

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XYZ

ZIP file - A ZIP file is a type of compressed file created with a program such as WinZip or PKZip.

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