Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
- Acrobat Reader
Acrobat reader is a software program that allows you to open and view Portable Document Format (PDF) files. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded for free from the Internet (http://www.adobe.com).
- Application software
A computer program or set of programs designed for end users to complete particular tasks
- ATM
Automatic Teller Machine - used by banks to allow customers to complete their own electronic financial transaction eg withdrawal of cash
- Attachment
A computer file attached to an e-mail message — for example, a document, spreadsheet or image. Sending files as e-mail attachments allows people to exchange computer files quickly, and without using floppy disks to transport the files between their computers.
B
- B2B
Business to business Internet commerce.
B2B websites are for businesses (think wholesale), and only other businesses can access or buy products on the site. One of the purposes is to streamline operations between two businesses that already have a relationship. Internet analysts predict this will be the biggest sector on the Web.
In B2B e-Commerce a buyer (business) can interact with a seller (business) to:
- Purchase raw materials, components and services for the production of goods and services that are to be on-sold, i.e. where the seller and buyer (both business enterprises are part of a supply chain).
- Purchase for consumption, sometimes referred to (particularly in the context of manufacturing) as ‘supplies’, indirect goods and services, or maintenance, repairs and operations.
- B2C
- Business to Consumer Internet commerce
The term B2C is commonly used to refer to sales by a business enterprise to a person (or ‘consumer’).
In B2C e-Commerce consumers can interact with a seller (business) to:
- learn about products through electronic publishing eg e-catalogues;
- buy products with elec-tronic cash and other secure payment systems; and
- have information based goods delivered over the internet eg music.
- B2E
Business to Employee electronic transactions
This term refers to electronic communications and transactions that occur between businesses and their employees. By paying close attention to integrating various functions in the organization and especially communication with employees, businesses can use technology to:
- increase the dissemination of information, resulting in better informed employees
- provide the information to enable better strategic and tactical decision making throughout the firm and
- collect market intelligence quickly and analyze it more thoroughly.
Some of the most common types of information provided by B2E electronic transactions are: human resources information, employee communications, product development and project management data, internal catalogs, sales support data, equipment and shipment tracking, and accessing corporate databases.
- B2G
Business to Government Internet commerce
This term refers to the use of the Internet by Government to reach its citizens for a variety of information dissemination purposes and transactions. For example, the Australian Taxation Office allows taxpayers to download forms, submit electronic tax returns, submit Business Activity Statements (BAS), ask questions and receive information on a variety of tax matters. As another example, the WA Government Electronic Marketplace (GEM) uses the internet to provide a comprehensive government buying service. These GEM services cover the full range of government buying including purchasing of low value commodities and public tendering for high value goods and services.
- Bandwidth
Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted over a telecommunications link in a fixed amount of time. In computing terms it is usually measured in bits-per-second. Bandwidth governs how much data the link can carry, and at what speed it can be sent.
- Banner Advertisement
A banner advertisement (banner ad) is usually a rectangular advertisement placed on a Web site and is linked to the advertiser's own Web site.
- Business Enterprise Centres
The Business Enterprise Centres (BEC) offer free assistance and support to new and existing businesses through the following services:
- Free practical business assistance
- Referral to specialist advisers (accountants, lawyers, etc.)
- Assistance through the maze of government departments and regulations
- Business workshops
- Business information
- Problem solving
Business Enterprise Centres (BEC) are located in city and country areas to assist you to expand your existing business or explore new business ideas. For more information on programs and services offered by BEC visit the SBDC website and select Business Enterprise Centres from the main screen.
- Bookmark
A URL (web site address) that you have saved so that you can revisit it at a later time. Most web browsers provide a bookmark feature.
- Browsers
Short for Web browser, a computer software program used to locate and display Web pages on the Internet. The two most popular browsers are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Button
A button is a small outlined area on the screen usually a small graphical representation of an option or feature of the program being used. You can click on the button to select an option or command.
C
- CD-ROM
Abbreviation of Compact Disc Read-Only-Memory. A type of optical disk capable of storing large amounts of data. To read a CD, you need a CD-ROM player. All CD-ROMs conform to a standard size and format, so you can load any type of CD-ROM into any CD-ROM player. In addition, CD-ROM players are capable of playing audio CDs, which share the same technology.
CD-ROMs are particularly well suited to information that requires large storage capacity. This includes large software applications, graphics, sound, and especially video.- Chat
Real-time text based communication between two users via computer. Once a chat has been initiated, either user can enter text by typing on the keyboard and the entered text will appear on the other user's monitor.
- Communication software
Computer programs that run on personal computers that allows the computer to communicate with other computers via a modem and telephone lines.
- Cookie
The term cookie refers to information sent from a web site to your computer's hard disk. Cookies can contain information such as log-ins or registration information and user preferences. The cookie can also be sent back to the web server. Users must give permission for cookies to be saved for them. The main purpose of cookies is to identify users and possibly prepare customized Web pages for them.
- CPU
The “Central Processing Unit” (CPU) of a computer controls all of the functions of the computer. It is sometimes referred to as the processor or microprocessor. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer system. CPU’s can have different processing capabilities or speeds. Older CPU’s may be 386’s, 486’s or 586’s. These have generally been replaced by faster CPUs, such as Intel’s Pentiums, Pentium II’s, and Pentium III’s.
D
- Database
A collection of information stored on a computer and organized in such a way that a computer program can quickly select desired pieces of data. You can think of a database as an electronic filing system.
A database could be used to store customer contact information, stock/inventory details, or customer orders.- Desktop
In graphical user interfaces, the term desktop is a metaphor for the familiar office desktop. It refers to the computer screen display area. A desktop consists of pictures, called icons, that show cabinets, files, folders, and various types of documents (that is, letters, reports, pictures). You can arrange the icons on the electronic desktop just as you can arrange real objects on a real desktop — moving them around, putting one on top of another, reshuffling them, and throwing them away.
- Digital Economy
The term digital economy refers to an economy based on the digitisation of information and the respective information and communication infrastructure. The rapid growth of electronic commerce, along with changes in information, computing, and communications, has led to the emergence of digital economies around the world.
- Digitally Based Products
Products that are computer based eg newspapers, maps, music, video etc These products can be bought and sold over the internet.
- Domain name
Domain names are used in web addresses to identify particular Web pages. For example, in the web address http://www.sbdc.com.au/index.html the domain name is sbdc.com.au. Every domain name has a suffix that indicates which top-level domain (TLD) it belongs to. There are only a limited number of such domains. For example:
gov - Government agencies
edu - Educational institutions
org - Organizations (non-profit)
mil - Military
com - commercial business
net - Network organizations
au - Australia
us - USAYour domain name is also included in your email address eg help@sbdc.com.au
- Dotcom
This term refers to businesses that have their entire business operations based on the internet. They usually do not have a physical store.
- Download or Downloading
The process of copying computer files from the Internet to your own computer.
- DVD
An abbreviation for digital versatile disc, a new type of CD-ROM that has a very large storage capacity. They hold approx. 7–26 times more than CD-ROMs. DVD drives are backward-compatible with CD-ROMs. This means that DVD players can play old CD-ROMs, as well as new DVD-ROMs.
E
- e-Catalogue
Short for electronic catalogues. They are like paper catalogues. They provide customers with prices, descriptions and pictures of products for sale, but are presented on the internet.
- e-Commerce
e-Commerce can be simply defined as conducting business electronically. e-Commerce describes how businesses are using information gathered electronically to improve their business processes and relationships with suppliers and consumers. This potentially covers all business areas, such as design, production, operations, customer service, as well as buying and selling.
- e-Commerce Strategies
Refer to ways that businesses and organizations can conduct business electronically. Examples of strategies include ways to conduct online sales, marketing, customer service and retention, as well as internal communications, operational efficiencies and other potential cost savings.
- EFTPOS
EFTPOS is an acronym for “Electronic funds transfer at point of sale”. EFTPOS terminals are increasingly common. They can accept either credit or debit cards. Depending on the type of card you use, funds may be instantly debited from your account.
- Electronic Bill Payment
The payment and receipt of bills electronically eg over the internet
- Electronic Catalogue
Electronic catalogues are like paper catalogues. They provide customers with prices, descriptions and pictures of products for sale, but are presented on the internet.
- Electronic Commerce
Electronic Commerce (e-Commerce) can be simply defined as conducting business electronically. e-Commerce describes how businesses are using information gathered electronically to improve their business processes and relationships with suppliers and consumers. This potentially covers all business areas, such as design, production, operations, customer service, as well as buying and selling.
- Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
The exchange of documents in a structured form between computers via data networks. EDI is used most commonly for purchasing and distribution - orders, confirmations, shipping papers and invoices.
- Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
Computerized systems that process financial transactions and information about financial transactions, or that affect an exchange of value between two parties.
- Electronic mail (email)
The exchange of messages over a computer network. Early systems transmitted text-only messages over local area networks, but today e-mail is primarily sent over the Internet and can range from typed text to photographic images to downloadable music. In the last decade, e-mail has become a transforming force in global communications.
- Electronic Mailing List
A list of e-mail addresses identified by a single name, such as clients-list@sbdc.com.au When an e-mail message is sent to the mailing list name, it is automatically forwarded to all the addresses in the list.
- Electronic Marketplace
An electronic marketplace is an internet marketplace in which goods, services, and financial instruments are traded electronically. Electronic marketplaces can be global and operate on a 24/7 basis. Such exchanges have the intrinsic advantage of exposing true cost, value, and price and tend to eliminate the waste and inefficiencies. The resulting savings can be shared among buyers, sellers, and exchanges.
- Electronic Money
Also known as E-cash, this brand-based currency is purchased from financial institutions and is legal tender on the Internet to those vendors that accept the specific brand. It is aimed at low value payments, both cross border and domestic. Electronic money can be stored on various ways including on smart cards, in hardware based electronic purses, or on the computer system of a trusted third party.
- Electronic Payment
The payment and receipt of payment over the Internet.
- e-Marketing
Electronic marketing (e-Marketing) is simply using the internet to market products and services. There are a variety of online marketing strategies currently being used on the internet.
- Encrypted Credit Card
Enables secure credit card transactions on the Internet. Credit card details are transformed into unreadable data, transmitted and decrypted at the merchant end.
- Encryption
The use of complex mathematical alogarithms to transform data into a secure, unreadable form to protect against unauthorized use. Files are encrypted for safe storage and transmission. Original data can be reconstructed only by using a decryption process.
- e-Procurement
The automation and integration of the entire procurement process. This includes requisition, approval, ordering, payment, delivery, and implementation. It allows buyers to make purchases online.
- e-Tailers
There are retailers who are conducting online retail or electronic retail activities eg selling on the internet.
- e-World
Generally refers to the people, businesses and organisations that are involved in activities based or related to computers.
F
- FAQ (frequently asked questions)
A file or location containing basic information and, not surprisingly, the answers to frequently asked questions.
- Floppy Disk
A soft magnetic disk. Unlike most hard disks, floppy disks (often called floppies or diskettes) are portable, because you can remove them from a disk drive. Disk drives for floppy disks are called floppy drives. Floppy disks are slower to access than hard disks and have less storage capacity, but they are much less expensive. Most importantly, they are portable. Floppy disks may also be referred to as a 3.5-inch disk, because they are 3.5 inches square.
- FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
A set of standard codes for transferring files over the Internet. FTP is usually used for retrieving large files or files that cannot be displayed through a browser. Windows FTP and Fetch are examples of FTP software.
G
- Gateway
In computer networking, a gateway is a combination of hardware and software that links two different types of networks. Gateways between e-mail systems, for example, allow users on different e-mail systems to exchange messages.
- Globalisation
People around the globe are more connected to each other than ever before. Information and money flow more quickly than ever. Goods and services produced in one part of the world are increasingly available in all parts of the world. International travel is more frequent. International communication is commonplace. This phenomenon has been titled “globalisation.”
- Graphics card
A circuit board that plugs into a personal computer to give it display capabilities. The display capabilities of a computer, however, depend on both the logical circuitry (provided in the graphics card) and the display monitor.
- GUI (graphical user interface)
A computer program interface that takes advantage of the computer's graphics capabilities to make the program easier to use. A user interface consisting of icons, resulting in minimal keyboard use.
H
- Hard Disk
A hard disk is a magnetic disk within your computer that is used to store, and provide access to, files and programs. The term hard is used to distinguish it from a soft, or floppy, disk. Hard disks hold more data and are faster than floppy disks.
- Hardware
The physical components of a computer, including things such as the disks, disk drives, display screens, keyboards, printers, boards, and chips.
- Home page
The first and main page of any web site presented on the Internet. Typically, the home page serves as an index or table of contents to other documents stored at the site. The home page often provides a virtual storefront, front door or business card facility.
- HTML
Short for “Hypertext Markup Language”. This is the standard computer language used to format, display, and link the information contained in web pages on the Internet.
- Hyperlink
An element in an electronic document that links to another place in the same document or to an entirely different document on an entirely different web site. Typically, you click on the hyperlink to follow the link.
- Hypertext
The system in which objects (text, pictures, music, programs, and so on) are linked to each other. When you select an object, you can see all the other objects that are linked to it. You can move from one object to another even though they might have very different forms.
I
- Icon
An icon is a symbol or a graphical representation of a feature or function.
- ICQ
ICQ or (“I Seek You”) is a computer program you can download that will let you know when employees, friends or contacts are also online on the Internet. You can then page them and chat with them. Once a chat has been initiated, either user can enter text by typing on the keyboard and the entered text will appear on the other user's monitor.
- Information Technology
Information Technology (sometimes called IT) is a term covering all forms of technology used to manage and process information.
- Integrated Technologies
Refers to two or more hardware and/or software technology components merged together into a single system to perform generally more than one task.
- Intellectual property
Intellectual property is any product of the human intellect that is unique, novel, and unobvious (and has some value in the marketplace).
Examples include:- an idea
- invention
- expression or literary creation
- unique name
- business method
- industrial process
- chemical formula
- computer program process
- presentation
- Internet
A global network connecting millions of computers including local area, regional and national backbone networks. These interchange data using a set of communication standards called TCP/IP.
- Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer is the name of Microsoft’s web browser. It is used to view web pages on the internet. Another popular example is Netscape.
- Internet Service Provider (ISP)
An organisation that provides access to the Internet. For a fee, the service provider gives you a software package, username, password and access phone number. Using your computer modem and phone line, you can then log on to the Internet and browse the World Wide Web and send and receive e-mail.
- Internet technologies
Computer hardware and / or software programs and / or telecommunications related to, or enabling access to the Internet.
- Interoperability
Interoperability refers to the capability of software or hardware on different machines to operate effectively with other software or hardware from other vendors.
- Intranet
A private computer network used by an organisation and accessible only to those authorised to use it. Eg employees, members. Intranets use the same type of communication program as the internet ie TCP/IP
- IP address
The Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique number, which is used to represent every single computer in a Network. All the computers on the Internet have a unique IP address. The format of an IP address is a 32-bit numeric address written as four numbers separated by periods. Each number can be zero to 255. For example, 1.160.10.240 could be an IP address. Humans aren't as good as computers at remembering numbers so IP numeric addresses also have a textual representation. The usual format is [machine name].[sponsoring organization].[type of organization, such as “.com”].
- ISDN
ISDN is an international standard for digital communication services facilitating faster data transmission than current modems can provide.
J
K
- Kilobyte
1024 bytes, or about a thousand characters, or letters.
- Knowledge-based Society
A society / economy endowed with the ability and capacity to generate and capture new knowledge and to access, absorb, share and efficiently use information, knowledge, date, communications and best practices.
L
- Local Area Network (LAN)
A network of workstations sharing a single processor or server within a relatively small geographic area, e.g., an office floor or building. Applications, including those for printing from shared printers, are sometimes kept on the LAN server, as are files to be shared.
M
- Megabyte
1024 kilobytes, or approximately a million characters or letters.
- Modem
(Modulator / demodulator) A device that converts a data signal from a computer into an analog (audio) signal that can be transmitted across a phone line. Conversely, the same device converts analog signals received along a telephone line into digital signals, which can be received and processed by a computer.
- Multimedia
Multimedia is a term used to describe the use of computers to present text, graphics, video, animation, and sound in an integrated way. An example of multimedia is the online Encyclopaedia Britannica, which contains information in a variety of formats
N
- Netscape
Netscape is a computer software program (Web browser) used to view and navigate documents on the Internet. Another popular example is Internet Explorer.
- Network
A group of two or more computer systems linked together. The two main types of networks used in business include:
local-area networks (LANs) : The computers are geographically close together (that is, in the same building).
wide-area networks (WANs) : The computers are farther apart and are connected by telephone lines or radio waves.- Newsgroup
An on-line discussion group.
- NIC (network interface card)
A device used to connect the system to a network.
O
- Office Automation Software
Computer programs that automate office tasks. Examples include wordprocessing (instead of typewriting), databases (instead of cards and card files) and automated invoicing and other accounting programs.
- Online
Any activity carried out on a computer terminal while your computer is connected to another computer or computer network. Increasingly it means connected to the Internet.
- Online Applications
Software programs used on computer networks, particularly the Internet, to perform specific tasks eg email programs, online banking programs. These programs usually involve data flowing across the network from one computer to another.
- Online Banking
Online (or electronic) banking encompasses any transaction involving a bank that is performed over an electronic network.
- Online Capability
This term refers to the level of adoption of e-Commerce by an organization. High online capability means that an organization has implemented e-Commerce strategies in many of its business processes and activities.
- Online Consumers
People or organizations that purchase products and / or services on the Internet.
- Online Economy
This term refers to the commercial activities of a country that are conducted over computer networks, especially the internet. The Online economy has three primary components—supporting infrastructure, electronic business processes (how business is conducted), and electronic commerce transactions (buying and selling).
- Online Journey
The steps organizations or businesses may take to adopt e-Commerce.
- Online Marketplace
An online marketplace uses information and communication technologies to provide geographically dispersed traders with the information necessary for the fair operation of the market. An online marketplace brings together product, price and service information from many or most suppliers of a particular class of goods or in a specific trade sector.
An example of an online marketplace is the airline booking systems. Currently there are three airline booking systems that list most of the scheduled flights available globally. The use of these systems has typically been through an intermediary, in this case, the customer wishing to purchase a ticket does so via a travel agent. The airline customer can be informed by the travel agent of all the flights available for an intended journey and then select, on the basis of price, convenience loyalty scheme etc the flight that they wish to book.
- Online Purchasing
Buying goods and / or services over a computer network, especially the Internet.
- Online Research
Refers to investigating and accessing information over a computer network, especially the internet.
- Online Skills
Refers to a person’s proficiency in using online technologies
P
- Packaged Solution
Refers to commercial off-the-shelf computer products eg computer hardware, software. For example, for a small business, a single vendor may supply the computer hardware and the software programs such as an accounting package and other office applications. They may also include in the package installation of the equipment and training for users.
- PC
Short for Personal Computer. A PC is a small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an individual user.
Business uses include:
word processing
accounting
desktop publishing
spreadsheets
database management
internet and email accessPDF is short for “Portable Document Format”. PDF is a file format developed by Adobe Systems. It captures formatting information from a variety of desktop publishing and word processing applications, making it possible to send formatted documents and have them appear on the recipient's monitor or printer as they were intended. To view a file in PDF format, you need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded for free from the Internet (http://www.adobe.com), and will start automatically whenever you try to open a PDF file.
- Pentium, Pentium II, Pentium Pro, Pentium MMX, Pentium III, Pentium IV
Pentium is the name of a computer microprocessor from the Intel Corporation. The Pentium Pro was designed to serve multiple users and provides increased performance. The Pentium II is a Pentium Pro with Intel’s MMX technology, which means it is especially suited to dealing with multimedia. Since 1993, Intel has developed the Pentium III and more recently the Pentium 4 microprocessors.
- Plug-in
A software program that extends the capabilities of a major software package. Most often plug-ins are for image editing programs and Web browsers. As far as browsers are concerned most Plug-ins enhance the page-seeing experience with movies, animation and sound.
- Portal
A portal is a gateway you access via the World Wide Web that serves as a jumping-off point to all the information on the Internet. From this gateway, users can access their e-mail, connect to another Website, or use a search engine to find specific information. Consumer-oriented portals such as AOL, Lycos, or Yahoo are designed for user-friendly, easy access to general information such as news, weather, sports, travel, and stock quotes. Business portals are designed for employee access to information including human resources, databases, sales, pricing, and shipping updates. Other vendors, distributors, or partners might come to the corporate portal for inventory information, development updates, or account status.
- Privacy
Privacy is defined as the right to freedom from unauthorized intrusion. Increasing use of e-mail, cell phones, closed-circuit surveillance cameras, checkout scanners and other technologies has made it easier to gather volumes of information about individuals-including buying and spending habits, finances, lifestyles, preferences, and movements. Concerned about how these growing databases will be used and the rise of companies that openly trade in consumer information, consumer advocate and privacy watchdog groups are calling for legislated protection. In response, many Websites now post privacy policies disclosing how they collect, use, and share information. These often include opt-in or -out buttons.
Q
R
- RAM
RAM is short for “Random Access Memory”. This is the working memory of the computer where the operating system, applications, and currently used data are stored for access by the computer's processor. The term RAM is synonymous with main memory, the memory available to programs. When you turn your computer off the information in RAM is not saved. The speed and efficiency of your computer is largely dependent on the amount of RAM installed on your computer.
- Reciprocal Link
A reciprocal link is where the owners of two websites have agreed to each place a link to the other partyıs website on their own website. Business partners and affiliates often do this.
- ROM
ROM is short for “Read Only Memory”. It is computer memory on which data has been prerecorded. Once data has been written onto a ROM chip, it cannot be removed and can only be read. Unlike main memory (RAM), ROM retains its contents even when the computer is turned off. Most personal computers contain a small amount of ROM that stores critical programs such as the program that boots the computer.
S
- Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC)
- The Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) is a Western Australian State Government agency focused on the development of the small business sector and is committed to:
- championing the cause of small business;
- developing programs and services to meet the needs of small business development;
- establishing and strengthening relationships between SBDC and key agencies (public and private sector);
- and maintaining and enhancing the independence, innovation and responsiveness of SBDC.
The SBDC provides a range of services to small business including, guidance, referral and facilitation services as well as a range of targeted programs focusing on small business development. The SBDC Business Information and License Centre also has one of Australia’s most comprehensive range of small business publications. For more information on programs and services offered by SBDC see SBDC Programs and Services or visit the SBDC website.
- Spam
Unsolicited e-mail or electronic junk mail.
- Search Engine
Any of several data bases available on the Internet that allow users to find Web sites based on words included on those pages. Some, such as Alta Vista and Infoseek, are huge indexes. While a large size obviously allows the user to find a larger number of sites, the downside is that sometimes one may find it difficult to narrow their search to a manageable number of site selections (say down to several hundred rather than several thousand choices). To view ratings of different search engines, visit http://www.searchenginewatch.com/.
- Security
Security is extremely important in protecting the programs and data stored on a computer network or an individual computer. The most recognizable security application is antivirus software. Network systems, however, require a far more complex protection. They often install a firewall that affords safe layers between the companyıs internal systems and the outside influence of the Internet.
- Security gateway
A security layer on a computer network, that checks incoming programs and data.
- Server
Computers or workstations on a network that handle requests from other computers, or clients, serving them stored data and files or processing power. Specific types of servers include Web servers, mail servers, and file servers.
- SET (secure electronic transaction)
A system for encrypting e-Commerce transactions, such as online credit card purchases. Developed by Visa, MasterCard, Microsoft and several major banks, SET combines 1024-bit encryption with digital certificates to ensure security.
- Software
The computer programs that run on a computer. Examples include word processors, spreadsheets, and databases.
- Supply Chain
A series of business transactions starting with raw material and ending with the sale of the finished product or service.
T
- TCP/IP
TCP/IP (transmission control protocol / internet protocol). The two primary sets of rules that establish the way in which data is transmitted over the internet. TCP/IP establishes a connection between two computers so they can exchange messages for a period of time. It is the de facto standard for transmitting data over the Internet, and even network operating systems that have their own protocols must support it.
- Tech sector
Short for Information Technology sector.
- Telecommunications
The electronic systems used in transmitting messages, as by telegraph, cable, telephone, radio, or television. Refers to all types of data transmission, from voice to video.
U
- Uploading
The process of transmitting data from a computer to a bulletin board service, mainframe, or network. For example, if you use a personal computer to log on to a network and you want to send files across the network, you must upload the files from your PC to the network.
- URL
The abbreviation for Uniform Resource Locator. A World Wide Web address that specifies a specific site, page, graphic, or document on the Internet. Eg www.sbdc.com.au/sect11.html
V
- Virus
A virus is a computer program that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and that may cause damage to your computer such as deleting or corrupting files. Some viruses once on your computer can replicate themselves, very quickly filling your hard disk or memory with useless data. There are many different types of viruses, and the use of anti-virus software is becoming more and more necessary. Viruses may be sent deliberately or accidentally, and are generally hidden within program files.
W
- Web Browser
Often shortened to browser. A computer software program used to locate and display Web pages on the Internet. The two most popular browsers are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
- Web Page
A document on the World Wide Web, consisting of an HTML file and any related files for scripts and graphics, and often hyperlinked to other documents on the Web.
- Web Presence
This refers to having a webpage or website on the Internet.
- Web Search Engine
Any of several data bases available on the Internet that allow users to find Web sites based on words included on those pages. Some, such as Alta Vista and Infoseek, are huge indexes. While a large size obviously allows the user to find a larger number of sites, the downside is that sometimes one may find it difficult to narrow their search to a manageable number of site selections (say down to several hundred rather than several thousand choices). To view ratings of different search engines, visit http://www.searchenginewatch.com/
- Web Server
A computer that delivers (serves up) Web pages. Every Web server has an IP address and possibly a domain name. For example, if you enter the URL http://www.sbdc.com.au/sect11.html in your browser, this sends a request to the server whose domain name is sbdc.com.au. The server then fetches the page named sect11.html and sends it to your browser.
- Web Site
A set of interconnected webpages, usually including a homepage, generally located on the same server, and prepared and maintained as a collection of information by a person, group, or organization. A web site can be viewed by directing an Internet browser to the web site's address on the Internet (the address is called a U.R.L. or uniform resource location).
- Web Store
An online store allowing users to select and payment for products over the internet. The “virtual” shop is viewed as a website. Shoppers view the store through their web browser.
- Wide Area Network (WAN)
Wide area networks usually span a large geographical area. The Internet is a WAN. Computers are usually connected to a WAN through the telephone system.
- Windows, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT
Microsoft operating systems. Operating systems are computer programs which manage the resources and devices of a computer eg disk drives, printers, memory, processor etc.
- World Wide Web (WWW)
World Wide Web (or simply Web): the entire collection of files written in HTML and similar mark-up languages available on the Internet. Clients on the Internet use their browsers to request these files from web servers and then display them as web pages. The Web is only a portion of the Internet; other parts include email communication, FTP, and gopher.
X
Y
Z
- Zip Drive
A high capacity removable cartridge similar to a floppy disk. A Zip cartridge typically holds 100 megabytes of data — approximately 70 floppy disks. They are often used to back up hard disk drives.
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