Glossary of Computer and Internet Terms     ( J-Z )     

Click on a term below for a breif description

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Java: A programming language, similar to C++, that is designed to run on many different platforms and operating systems. Java applets were once said to be the future of the web.

Kilobyte: Defined as 1,024 bytes. Abbreviated as KB.

LAN: Local Area Network. A number of machines within a small area, such as a floor of a building, or even a whole building, that are linked together with network cable, so they can exchange information.

Link: In HTML, a link is any text, image, or object on a web page that can be selected to connect a user to some other form of information or service. In most web pages, a link is used to bring up a new section of text, view an image, download a file, or open an entirely new web page on the screen.

Linux: An operating system based on the UNIX operating system, but designed for personal computers. Linux was started by one man, linus Torvalds, but is now a collaborative project of thousands of engineers.

Macintosh: A computer built by the Apple corporation, first introduced in 1984. The Macintosh has built and lost a sizable following. The latest incarnation, the iMac, single-handedly saved Apple Computer from bankruptcy.

MacOS: The operating system that runs on Apple Macintosh computers. With its revolutionary point and click interface, the MacOS changed the way we used computers in the mid 1980s.

Megabyte: Defined as 1,048,576 bytes. Abbreviated as MB.

Megahertz (Mhz): A measure of the clock speed of computer processors. A higher number is better. A 386 processor ran at a top speed of 33 Mhz. By comparison, the latest Pentium III processor runs at 500 Mhz.

Modem: The hardware used to establish connections to other computers over standard telephone lines. The modems' chief role is to convert the digital information of computers into analog signals that can be carried over conventional copper phone lines.

Monitor: A computer screen. It's what you are looking at right now!

Motherboard: A panel that holds all of the circuitry of your computer, including the processor. The motherboard also has connections for add-in cards, called slots.

Netscape: A company whose web browser product, Netscape Navigator, revolutionized the art of surfing the web.

Network: Any collection of interconnected points tied together by communication paths (wiring, satellite, wireless broadcasts). A network may be described by its physical size, type of connection, level of access (public or private), or some other distinction.

Operating System (OS): A conglomeration of programs that manage your hardware. The operating system serves as a translation layer between the hardware and the applications that you run. Examples of an OS include Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Linux, and the MacOS.

PCI: Peripheral Component Interface. A type of slot interface that is used inside your computer to connect internal add-in cards. This is the most common type of slot inside your computer.

Pentium: A popular type of computer processor made by the Intel corporation.

Processor (CPU): The chip that performs the majority of calculations and instructions needed to make your computer run. The processor is attached to the motherboard.

RAM: Random Access Memory. These are fast computer chips that hold information for a very short time. The information on this page is currently being held in your computer's RAM, but will be erased when you browse to another web page.

Registry: A database used by Windows 95/98/NT to store information about your hardware and software. The registry is used internally by Windows, and should only be changed manually by an expert user.

Safe Mode: When Windows detects problems, or is shut down abnormally, it will load itself up in Safe Mode. All "extras" such as sound and advanced video are turned off. Returning to normal mode usually just requires you to restart the machine.

Server: A high-tech computer with extra memory and extra storage, designed to house a network operating system. Servers provide services over a network, such as network storage, remote printing, centralized programs, and Internet access. When you dial into an ISP, you are connecting to a remote server, which in turn provides an Internet service to your machine.

Shortcut: Used in Windows 95/98/NT, and referred to as an "alias" in the Mac OS, a shortcut is a pointer to another file, directory, or program. Clicking on the shortcut will bring you to the specified file or directory, but deleting a shortcut will not delete the original file or directory. These are usually signified with a small arrow superimposed on the icon.

Task Bar: The bar at the bottom of a Windows 95/98/NT screen that lists the programs that are currently open. The Task Bar also holds the "Start" button and the current time.

Telecommuting: Using telecommunications technology to conduct business from locations outside the traditional office setting.

Trackball: A device that attaches to your computer that replaces a "mouse". You move the cursor on the screen by manipulating ("rolling") a ball. There are also traditional "mouse buttons" that allow you to "click" on an item.

UNIX: An operating system that has been around for decades, UNIX is complex, yet very powerful. It is only used on powerful workstations or servers, and is very stable.

Unzipping: The process of extracting compressed files from a single archive. To save space, many files that can be downloaded from Internet. servers are in a compressed format (i.e. .ZIP or .RAR) and must be unzipped before they can be accessed by a user. Special software, such as WinZip, is required to unzip an archive.

UPS: Uninterruptible Power Source. A machine that regulates that electricity that flows into your computer. A UPS also stores a set amount of electricity, allowing you to use a computer for a short time after a brownout or blackout.

USB: Universal Serial Bus. A new standard that allows you to connect external devices to your computer with a minimum of configuration effort (plug and play). Most new computers come with 2 USB ports. Some sample devices that are coming out with USB connectors include joysticks, scanners, and printers.

Virtual: An overused term that describes some item, service, or other element that reflects or mimics a real version of that thing. Virtual reality, for example, is a computer-generated approximation of a real setting and/or series of events without true physical dimensions.

Virus: A small program that "hides" on a victim's hard drive, usually written to invoke some kind of malicious act. Virus effects include the deletion of data, the erasing to hard drives, and the corruption of system files.

Windows: An operating system created by the Microsoft Corporation to replace DOS. Windows' first successful version was Windows 3.1, which provided a point and click interface for DOS, similar to the Macintosh operating system. Windows 95 soon followed, replacing DOS altogether. The current version of the OS is Windows 98. A business-oriented version was also released, dubbed Windows NT. The next version, Windows 2000, is expected in mid-2000.

WWW: The World Wide Web is the conglomeration of all material that can be accessed through the Internet and the community of users accessing that material. The web is distinct from the Internet in that the net is the hardware and the web is the information conveyed by that hardware.

Y2K: An abbreviation for the Year 2000, identified by many technologically savvy individuals as the point when many critical computer systems will experience operational problems. The extent of these problems is a subject of heated debate within the computer industry.

Yahoo: A web site that provides a directory listing of the most popular web sites.

Zip Drive: A disk drive created by Iomega that reads special Zip disks, which store upwards of 100 megabytes..

Zip file: A file that has been compressed by a ZIP utility. To read the information, the file must be uncompressed into its original form.

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