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| IT Help Desk: • Before You Call • Knowldege Base • Glossary of Terms • IP Phones • Laptop Borrowing • Submit a Request |
Help Desk Technology Glossary This glossary contains a list of definitions explaining various technical expressions, Internet lingo and certain Ivy Tech-specific terms as well. A
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L 802.11 - applies to wireless LANs and provides 1 or 2 Mbps transmission in the 2.4 GHz band using either frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) or direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS). 802.11a - an extension to 802.11 that applies to wireless LANs and provides up to 54 Mbps in the 5GHz band. 802.11a uses an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing encoding scheme rather than FHSS or DSSS. 802.11b (also referred to as 802.11 High Rate or Wi-Fi) - an extension to 802.11 that applies to wireless LANS and provides 11 Mbps transmission (with a fallback to 5.5, 2 and 1 Mbps) in the 2.4 GHz band. 802.11b uses only DSSS. 802.11b was a 1999 ratification to the original 802.11 standard, allowing wireless functionality comparable to Ethernet. 802.11g - applies to wireless LANs and provides 20+ Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band. Active Directory - A directory service from Microsoft that is a part of Windows 2000. Adware - software that records your internet habits and customizes pop-up windows to that effect. Archive - A collection of information stored elsewhere or in a compressed format sometimes for saving space but normally for security reasons. Altiris - Remote management client for lab machines and administrative PCs. Bandwidth - This is the capacity for traffic on any computer network or the Internet. Usually measured in bps (bits per second) or variants kbps (kilobits per second or thousand bits per second). Bookmarks - A list of favorite websites stored in a user's browser. They can also be found in documents as a tag to aid navigation. Boolean Logic - A way of expressing what a user needs from a database (e.g. an online search engine) in mathematical terms (such as AND, NOT, OR and XOR). Blackboard - The system on which eLearning is based. BPS - Bytes per second. bps - Bits per second. The standard measure for the speed of transfer of data. Also kbps (kilobits per second), Mbps (Megabits per second) and Gbps (Gigabits per second). Browser - A viewer for the World Wide Web - the most popular of these being Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape's Navigator. Chat Room - This is an online facility for real-time communication between people over the Internet. This is usually achieved through typed conversation. Cipher strength - Level of encryption supported by Internet Explorer expressed in bits (56, 64, 128, etc.) Cookie - A small file that a website leaves on a visitor's computer so that it can personalize itself for the user next time they visit. Cookies can eventually eat up space on the visitor's hard disk. They can be deleted periodically. Counter - Graphics or numbers on a Web page that state how many visitors have entered a site. Database - A collection of information rendered in such a way as to make it easily manipulated (such as performing searches for specific data). Discussion Board - A place in eLearning where students and teachers can post and reply to each others' comments. DMZ - Demilitarized Zone- A network that has a different set of firewalls into which servers are placed so that they are available outside of Ivy Tech Community College. DNS - A system to translate IP addresses from numbers into words. Domain - An area of information on the Internet, such as a website or even a collection of sites grouped together. Domain Name - The name that the Web uses to identify sites more easily. Domain Name Servers then translate this name into an IP address to reach the correct Web Server. Download - To transfer data from a computer accessible over the Internet (such as a Web Server) to a user's computer. Dynamic HTML - A language for building non-fixed pages, i.e. pages whose content changes on receipt of further information (such as the contents of a database). eLearning - System that hosts online courses offered by Ivy Tech Community College. http://elearning.ivytech.edu Email - Messages sent over the Internet in a standard format. Modern methods allow the inclusion of pictures and the attachment of other file types. Emoticon - A series of keyed characters used especially in e-mail, forums or instant messenging to indicate an emotion, such as pleasure :-) or sadness :-( . These symbols can be more easily distinguished by tilting your head to the left. Encryption - System of scrambling and descrambling data to prevent unauthorized viewing of data in transit. Enables secure communication. Exchange Server - Microsoft's e-mail messaging server. EXE (EXEcutable) - A file in a format that the computer can directly execute. Unlike source files, executable files cannot be read by humans. To transform a source file into an executable file, you need to pass it through a compiler or assembler. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) - A list of common problems and their solutions that has become a standard document with all forms of computer technology. FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) - A Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FileDrop - A server set up by Central Office for Ivy Tech employee's to securely share large files. Flash - A technology developed by Macromedia to create better and smaller (in terms of file size) animations using vector graphics. FormForge - An application created by Central Office that allows regions to easily generate their own online forms. FTP - File Transfer Protocol. A pre-web technology for the transfer of files of any sort across the Internet. GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) - A bit-mapped graphics file format used by the World Wide Web, CompuServe and many BBSs. GIF supports color and various resolutions. It also includes data compression, but because it is limited to 256 colors, it is more effective for scanned images such as illustrations rather than color photos. Home Page - The first page of a website that provides access to the rest of the site. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) - This is the basic language of the web, in which most pages are written. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) - The standard protocol for Internet communication. Hypertext - Text in a document that takes the visitor to another page when clicked on. Otherwise known as a link. IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) - A method of accessing electronic mail or bulletin board messages that are kept on a (possibly shared) mail server. In other words, it permits a client email program to access remote message stores as if they were local. For example, email stored on an IMAP server can be manipulated from a desktop computer at home, a workstation at the office, and a notebook computer while traveling, without the need to transfer messages or files back and forth between these computers. Internet - Often used as a synonym for the Web, the Internet refers to the physical network of servers and routers that extends around the world and includes all forms of data transfer (email, Web, proprietary communications). Intranet - This is a Web-style network that sits within the boundaries of a single company. However, many intranets span more than one location (for companies with more than one office) and/or can be accessed from anywhere (for example, by traveling sales reps). For Ivy Tech Community College, our Intranet is the Infonet. IP address - This number refers to the physical location of individual Web Servers or Mail Servers. Domain names provide an alias for these that is much easier to understand and remember. While many domain names can apply to one computer, a computer can have only one IP address. ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network. A digital phone connection that can transport information at speeds of up to 128,000 bps. ISP - Internet Service Provider. A company that gives users access to Internet content and communication. Java - An application language designed by Sun Microsystems to work on any platform (Windows, Mac, UNIX, etc.) and to allow applications on different platforms to talk to one another. JavaScript - A simple version of Java developed by Netscape for Web page controls that can be embedded in HTML to add better functionality. JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) - A lossy compression technique for color images. Although it can reduce files sizes to about 5% of their normal size, some detail is lost in the compression. Keyword - A word that explains the subject of a page (or similar). Used by search engines to find correct pages. LAN (Local Area Network) - Any network that is in only one physical location. LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) - A set of protocols for accessing information directories. LDAP is based on the standards contained within the X.500 standard, but is significantly simpler. And unlike X.500, LDAP supports TCP/IP, which is necessary for any type of Internet access. Because it's a simpler version of X.500, LDAP is sometimes called X.500-lite. Leased Line - A rented telephone line not used for phonecalls. These are usually given over to a specific task such as Internet data transfer, as they are permanently connected between two points. Link - Picture or text on a Web page that takes the visitor to another page when clicked on. Also known as Hypertext. Linux - Free, open source operating system Mailing List - A list of e-mail addresses identified by a single name, such as mail-list@sandybay.com. When an e-mail message is sent to the mailing list name, it is automatically forwarded to all the addresses in the list. Meta Tag - An optional HTML tag that is used to specify information about a Web document. Some search engines such as AltaVista use spiders to index Web pages. Their spiders read the information contained within a page's META tag. So in theory an HTML or Web page author has the ability to control how their site is indexed by search engines and how and when it will come up on a user's search. The meta contains keywords, abstract and description. Modem - A device connected to a computer and a phone line that changes the data coming from the computer into a suitable format for transmission over the phone line and vice versa. Network - Consists of two or more computers which have been interconnected to allow information to be transferred among them. Networks ranges from a small office network to the Internet itself. Newsgroups - Similar to a mailing list, subscribers to a newsgroup can contribute to the list and are often actively encouraged to do so. Newsgroups often have a moderator, who is there to keep order and can bar people if they become abusive. P0P3 - Post Office Protocol 3. An email delivery system. Pop-up - a browser window that opens without a user click. Often tries to sell products or services. Pop-up blocker - A pop-up blocker refers to any software or application that disables any pop-up, pop-over or pop-under advertisement window that you would see while using a Web browser. Some pop-up blockers may try to close all pop-up windows, some may remove all advertising from a publisher's Web site, and still others may help you choose which pop-up windows you want to be closed with block list feature. Payment Processor - Enables websites to accept credit card details with real-time confirmation and electronic settlement. PDF - Portable document file. Used on the Internet for downloading sensitive materials locally in a file format that cannot be manipulated, only read. Ideal for pricelists or brochures. Requires a plugin to allow files to be read. Ping - A signal sent out to test connection to another server or computer on a network. Named after the metaphorically similar procedure of SONAR in submarines. Plugins - Additions to programs to increase their functionality. On the Internet, this usually refers to plugins for browsers. The most popular include Apple's Quicktime video player, Real Networks RealPlayer for its streaming media format and Macromedia's Shockwave player for its Flash animation. Protocol - A technology based communication standard. All computers need certain protocols to be able to communicate. Router - A "way-station" on the backbone of the Internet that directs information towards its final destination. Search Engine - A page or website that allows users to find other sites. Search engines generally are one of two types. The first, such as Yahoo, grades sites and summarizes their content. The second, such as excite, only offers links but often contains more of them (as they do not need to be graded before they are added). Shareall - A folder on the administrative server that is open for all users to share information. SMTP - Single Mail Transfer Protocol. An email delivery system. Spyware - software that automatically installs on your computer, usually without your knowledge, and tracks information about your online habits. Streaming Media - A method of distributing audio or video across the Internet that does not pre-download the whole media file (such as a movie or piece of music). Instead, the file is played as it is being downloaded. This is particularly good for large files that would take a long time to download or for continuous broadcasts. T-1 - A phone connection on a leased line that has more bandwidth (and is therefore faster) than an ISDN line, transporting information at speeds of up to 1,544,000 bps. T-3 - A phone connection on a leased line that has more bandwidth (and is therefore faster) than a T-1 line, transporting information at speeds of up to 40,000,000 bps. TCP/IP - Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. The communication protocol of the Internet. Telnet - An old and little used form of Internet communication that allowed access to programs stored on the hard disk of a computer. Allowed multiple users to access a single computer simultaneously. Upload - To transfer data from a computer not accessible over the Internet (such as an office desktop) to an accessible one (such as a Web Server). URL - Uniform Resource Locator. The correct technical term for a web address, the location of a page on the Web. Vector Graphics - the creation of digital images through a sequence of commands or mathematical statements that place lines and shapes in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional space. One advantage of vector graphics over bitmap graphics is that they makes it possible to change any element of the picture at any time since each element is stored as an independent object. Another advantage of vector graphics is that the resulting image file is typically smaller than a bitmap file containing the same image. Virus - A program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Viruses can also replicate themselves. All computer viruses are manmade. A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over and over again is relatively easy to produce. Even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly use all available memory and bring the system to a halt. An even more dangerous type of virus is one capable of transmitting itself across networks and bypassing security systems. VPN (Virtual Prvate Network) - A network that is constructed by using public wires to connect nodes. For example, there are a number of systems that enable you to create networks using the Internet as the medium for transporting data. These systems use encryption and other security mechanisms to ensure that only authorized users can access the network and that the data cannot be intercepted. W3C - The World Wide Web Consortium. This is the nonprofit organization that sets technology standards for the Internet. However, technology manufacturers often do not want to wait for W3C to ratify standards and therefore create their own proprietary, and sometimes incompatible, standards (such as Microsoft's Active X). WAN - Wide Area Network. Any network that exists in more that one physical location. The Internet is the biggest WAN of all. WAP - Wireless application protocol. A communication protocol for wireless communications such as mobile phones. Web Host - A company that provides space on its Web Servers for other companies to put their websites. Host companies often provide other services such as email handling and Ecommerce facilities (such as credit card handling). WWW - The World Wide Web. Slightly different from the Internet, although most people use these terms interchangeably. The Web technically refers only to the interconnected pages of information that people access through web browsers, not other services such as email or newsgroups. This is why most Web addresses start with WWW, referring to the Web part of a domain rather than the mail or other parts. XML (eXtensible Markup Language) - A specification developed by the W3C. XML is a pared-down version of SGML, designed especially for Web documents. It allows designers to create their own customized tags, enabling the definition, transmission, validation, and interpretation of data between applications and between organizations. |
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