Glossary

AppleTalk: The built-in communications protocol in all Macintosh computers that allows up to 32 Macs (or other machines) to be connected over very inexpensive LocalTalk cables. Maximum data transfer rate is 230.4 Kbps.
Archie: A system for locating publicly available files by file name using anonymous FTP (File Transfer Protocol).
Archive site: A site that stores files such as utilities, freeware and shareware programs for users to retrieve via email or FTP (File Transfer Protocol).
ARPAnet: Advanced Research Projects Agency Network. Arguably the first computer network. Built in 1968 by the American military, it eventually grew into the US backbone network and the current Internet.
ASCII: An acronym for American Standard Code for Information Interchange which assigns text characters (letters, numbers and control codes) to the 256 different combinations of ones and zeros in a byte.
backbone: A high-speed connector between high traffic network machines. At some large sites, a fiber optic ring connecting all departments to the LAN.
baud: The number of times the modem's signal changes per second when transmitting data (baud rate). A 14400 baud modem changes the signal it sends 14400 times per second. Faster modems can signal more than one bit for each change of state, so baud rate is only used below 9600, when the term used changes to bits per second (bps).
BBS: Bulletin Board Systems, or BBS, are computer systems accessible by modem. Usually established by hobbyists, they provide access to computer files, games, electronic mail, discussion groups, and other services, by selection from menus.
BinHex: A method of encoding digital files so that only the first seven bits of a byte are used. This ensures safe transmission through some Internet gateways which strip off the 8th bit.
BITNET: Because It's Time Network. A cooperative network run, in part, by its own users, connecting 2,300 hosts in 32 countries around the world. Started in 1981 as a network of IBM mainframes.
bps: bits per second, the rate at which data is transmitted between two modems. A bit is the basic unit of data, either 1 or 0, or in modem talk, high- or low- voltage (+ or -).
bridge: A "smart" device that acts as a bridge between Macs or PCs and a LAN.
broadcasting: When one node on a network sends out a message to all other nodes on the network.
client: The program or computer that requests information from a server program or computer. One half of the client/server relationship.
compress: To make a file smaller so that it can be sent or retrieved more efficiently over the Internet.
connection provider: A service bureau, usually a private business, that provides Internet access for a fee. Universities often provide free access to registered students, and private corporations to certain employees.
cyberspace: A term coined by Futurist author William Gibson, Cyberspace refers literally to"the space of cybernetics", the virtual space of computer memory and networks, global telecommunications and digital media.
decompress: To re-enlarge a file after reception in compressed format.
dedicated line: A permanently connected private telephone line between a user and the connection provider. Allows 24-hour Internet connection and often higher speeds, especially when it is a digital, ISDN connection.
dial in access: A method of connecting to a connection provider via an ordinary telephone call. The userÕs modem ÒdialsÓ the connection providerÕs modem bank.
directory: Equivalent to a folder in the Macintosh hierarchical file system.
domain name server: A computer which manages the names of other computers and their numeric Internet Protocol (IP) adresses. The domain name server allows the user to communicate using names which it then translates into numbers appropriate to the address.
download: To retrieve a file from another machine. Imagine that itÕs coming ÒdownÓ to you from the overhead telephone lines.
dumb terminal: A computer that is able to read information from a host computer, but is not able to process this information. For example, a dumb terminal at the local library that can search and read the information on the library's main computer catalogue, but cannot change information about the books listed. Many communications programs will allow your computer to act as a dumb terminal to any computer, while Telnet (q.v.) allows this through the Internet.
e-mail: Mail which travels through electronic networks rather than the post office.
Ethernet: A LAN (Local Area Network) developed by Xerox, Digital, and Intel. Uses the CSMA/CD access method and transmits at 10 MB/sec. Can connect 1,024 machines per branch. Same as IEEE 802.3 standard.
Eudora: Steve Dorner's user-friendly POP and SMTP email client program. Updated versions can be accessed via FTP at qualcomm.com.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions, a text file containing questions and answers usually gathered over the Internet, about a particular piece of software or topic.
FDDI: Fiber Distributed Data Interface. A newly forming ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standard for high-speed fiber optic-based LANs.
Fetch: A simple Macintosh program for retrieving files via FTP. Fetch is free for educational and non-profit users and $25 shareware for everybody else.
file server: A network computer that serves the computing needs of many users at once by time-sharing the power of its central processing unit.
Finger: A program that allows users to find information about users of any Unix-based computer network. Often disconnected for security reasons.
flame: Arguments, name calling and all round nasty behavior in a UseNet group. Also can be applied to private e-mail, especially if ccÕd to others.
ftp: File Transfer Protocol. A standard Unix method for transferring files from one computer to another across the Internet.
full group list: All the lists of all the thousands of UseNet groups available on a news server. Users may subscribe to specific news groups and form their own subscription lists.
gateway: Also known incorrectly as a "router." A device that transmits data between two computer networks that may be dissimilar. The gateway determines the direction of data flow, forwarding bundles of data to the appropriate network.
GIF (also GIFF): Graphic Image File Format developed by Unisys and licensed by CompuServe to distribute graphics by modem. A common Internet graphics format used by the World Wide Web.
Gopher: A menu-based system for presenting Internet resources, which may be at that site or at other Internet sites. Also the name of a computer program that structures and reads the data.
GUI: graphic user interface, a method of interacting with a computer using icons, windows, menus and other graphical devices.
host: The computer or computer network you connect to for via the Internet.
hot lists: Lists of frequently visited, new and/or interesting sites on the Internet which allow the user to shortcuts to favorite locations. See Using Hotlists
HTML: HyperText Markup Language, the language used to mark text with links for World Wide Web browsers, such as Mosaic.
Hypercard stack: HyperCard is a hypertext, multimedia software tool that used to be distributed free with each new Macintosh computer. Information is placed on electronic "cards", each of which focuses on a specific item, and the cards are arranged in stacks. The cards and stacks work like interactive flash cards: the user clicks on a button, icon or area of the card and HyperCard shows more information or moves to another card in the stack.
hypertext: A term used to describe documents which allows the reader to follow non-linear paths of interest via highlighted text within documents. Clicking on a hypertext link takes the reader to another document, or another section of the same document, displays a graphic, or plays a video or sound.
Internet: A worldwide set of joined networks, or internets, which exchange data through TCP/IP protocols, the largest of which are ARPANET, MILNET, NSFNET, and in part CSNET.
IP: Internet Protocol, the most important of the protocols on which the Internet is based. Allows data to be routed from one network to another until it reaches its destination.
IRC: Internet Relay Chat is similar to a telephone conference call or Citizens Band radio, except that IRC is text-based. When you are "talking" on IRC, everything you type is instantly transmitted around the world to everyone else connected to the same discussion group. Thousands of discussions with anywhere from two to 2,000 participants happen at all times. You need a program called Ircle to do IRC on the Macintosh.
ISDN: Integrated Services Digital Network. An international standard for digital communications over existing telephone lines that allows the mixing of voice, video, and data on a single line. ISDN transmits data at 64 Kbps or 128 Kbps, but availability depends on your local telephone exchange.
JPEG: Joint Panel of Experts on Graphics file compression standard, increasingly used on the World Wide Web as it offers better compression than GIF.
Kbps: Kilobits per second, the rate at which data is transmitted between two modems, actually 1028-bit units, but more usually taken as 1000-bit units.
LAN: Local Area Network. A group of computers and related devices (like printers and modems) that are connected together by physical cabling and communications software. A LAN can be connected to the Internet so that any computer on the LAN can surf the ÕNet.
LocalTalk: The low-cost Apple cabling system that connects Macintosh computers, laser printers, and other devices in an AppleTalk LAN.
login: The way in which a user identifies herself to a host computer, usually with a password and a username.
MacTCP: A control panel which implements Transmission Control Protocol and is required to run such programs as TurboGopher and Fetch on the Macintosh.
MILNET: A long-distance production network for military contractors. ARPANET split into ARPANET and MILNET in 1983. Subset of the Internet.
MIME: Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions, a new Internet standard for transferring nontextual data such as text formatting, graphics, sound and video via e-mail.
mirror site: An FTP site which contains the same contents as another site and which helps to spread out the demands on a particularly popular site.
modem Init string: A list of commands that configures a modem and controls settings such as speaker volume and dialing speed.
modem: Modulator/demodulator. A modem allows your computer to communicate with other computers over telephone lines by turning the stream of bits Ñ the ones and zeros that come from your computer Ñ into sounds that can be transmitted on analogue phone lines.
Mosaic: A Point & Click, graphical browser for the World Wide Web which supports hypertext and multimedia.
NFS: Network File System. Sun Inc.'s distributed file system that allows many users to share files in a network. Insensitive to processor type, operating system, network architecture, or protocols.
node number: The unique address assigned to each device on a network, so that information can be routed to the correct computer or device, such as a printer.
Novell/NetWare: Popular LAN for Macs, PCs, and VAX machines.
NSFNET: National Science Foundation Network. Connects supercomputer centers, campuses, and mid-level nets throughout the United States.
offline: Actions performed when the userÕs computer isn't connected to another computer.
online: Actions performed when the userÕs computer is connected to another computer via a modem.
OSI: Open Systems Interconnection. A recently-completed new ISO (International Standards Organization) worldwide standard for a seven-layer communication protocol.
packet: A bundle of information. Information on the Internet is parcelled into chunks called packets which travel independently through the Internet.
Ph: Phonebook, the client software program used to access information on a Unix CSO server, which is a phone book of computer residents.
POP: Post Office Protocol, a protocol used by programs that serve mail to and receive mail from, local and dial in users. Eudora uses POP3.
PPP: Point-to-Point Protocol, a protocol which allows the user to use Internet protocols with a high-speed modem and a standard telephone line. PPP is a new standard, replacing Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP).
protocol: a definition of how two computers or telecommunication devices such as modems, ÒtalkÓ to each other in order to agree on how to exchange data.
remote sites: Any computer with which you communicate on the Internet. When your computer connects with another computer, your computer is called the local site, and the other computer is called the remote site.
remote user: Any person using the computer known as the remote site.
root directory: The uppermost directory in a hierarchy.
router: A device that forwards bundles of data to their appropriate destinations based on intelligent routing algorithms and system maps. Often combined with a gateway to act as a gateway/router.
searchable index: An index which can be searched for information by using keywords.
server: A computer which makes services available on the network. One half of the client/server relationship.
service provider: An organization which provides Internet access to individuals and organizations, usually for a flat rate or an hourly fee.
shell: On a Unix computer, the software that accepts and processes commands. Various shells, including C shell, Bourne shell and Korn shell, are available.
signature: pre-written lines of text that are added to the end of each e-mail message to give information about the author. A signature can be as simple as a name and telephone number, or with complex graphics made up of ASCII characters. Some very amusing signatures can be found on the ÕNet.
SLIP: Serial Link Internet Protocol, the protocol which allows the Macintosh to participate on the Internet with only a standard phone line and a high speed modem. It is slowly being replaced by the more efficient PPP.
SMTP: Simple Mail Transport Protocol, the protocol used on the Internet to transport mail. Eudora uses SMTP.
Stuffit: A commonly used compression/decompression program for Macintosh. Stuffit Deluxeª is a commercial version of the shareware Stuffit Liteª.
TCP: Transmission Control Protocol, one of the protocols on which the Internet is based. A connection-oriented, reliable protocol that makes sure all data arrives safely at the intended destination. Used in conjunction with IP as TCP/IP.
TCP/IP: Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. Communications protocols upon which the Internet is based. Designed to connect a wide variety of different computer networks without any central control and to respond to changing network conditions, such as loss of a network due to malfunction or destruction.
Telnet: A terminal emulation protocol which allows the user to log on to other computers and their programs.
thread: A group of messages in a Usenet discussion group which share the same subject and topic.
TIF or TIFF: Tagged Image File Format used for images which can be retrieved and displayed on Macintosh and other systems.
TurboGopher: A fast information retrieval service developed at the University of Minnesota.
UNIX: The operating system of choice on the Internet. Developed by AT&T in the 70s and still growing mainly because of its easy-to-implement client/server model and its distributed file system.
URL: Uniform Resource Locator, a method of defining resource locations anywhere in the World Wide Web. The resource is usually a file.
UseNet: User's Network. This global computer conferencing system or bulletin board began in 1979. One of the oldest user operated networks and possibly the largest with over 15,000 hosts on 5 continents. Decentralized, very anarchistic and devoted to news and gossip. Scene of many flame wars.
UUCP: UNIX to UNIX CoPy. UNIX protocol for copying files between networks. Mail and news networks were originally built on this, largely superceded by SMTP and the Internet.
Veronica: A service similar to Archie which allows the user to search for files, directories and other resources.
WAIS: Wide Area Information Servers, a collection of full-text databases containing information on hundreds of topics and which are searchable with everyday language queries.
WAN: Wide Area Network, a group of geographically separate computers which are linked together via dedicated lines, satellite links or the Internet.
WWW: World Wide Web, the best and brightest of new Internet services, The WWW allows users full access to HyperText Markup Language documents and easy to use links to Gopher and WAIS.