There are two types of addresses in common use within the Internet.
They are email and IP or
Internet addresses.
Alias
A name, usually short and easy to remember, that is translated into
another name, usually long and difficult to remember. commonly used in
the Unix realm to "abbreviate" verbose commands. Common places
for storing aliases are the shell configuration file (.cshrc or .profile)
and a separate file sources from the configuration file (usually called
.alias)
Also used similarly in the context of electronic mail. Mail aliases
are the basis of many electronic mailing lists.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
This organization is responsible for approvinig U.S standards in many
areas, including computers and communications. Standards approved by this
organization are often called ANSI standards (e.g., ANSI C is the version
of the C language approved by ANSI). ANSI is a member of the ISO.
American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)
A standard character-to-number encoding widely used in the computer
industry.
Anonymous FTP
Anonymous FTP allows a user to retrieve documents,
files, programs and other archived data from anywhere on the Internet without
having to establish a userid and password. By using the special userid
of "anonymous" the network user will bypass local security checks
and will have access to publicly accessible files on the remote system.
ANSI
See: American National Standards Institute
Application
A program that performs a function directly for a user. FTP, mail and
Telnet clients are examples of network applications.
Archie
A system to automatically gather, index and serve information on the
Internet. The initial implementation provides an indexed directory of filenames
from more than 800 anonymous FTP archives on the Internet -- some 100 gigabytes
worth of information. This information is accessible through archie client
programs, through servers reachable using the telnet command, through email
servers and through forms on the World Wide Web.
Later versions provide indexing services for many different resources.
See: American Standard Code for Information Interchange
B
Backbone
The top level in a hierarchical network. Stub and transit networks
which connect to the same backbone are guaranteed to be interconected.
Bandwidth
Technically, the difference, in Hertz (Hz), between the highest and
lowest frequencies of a transmission channel. However, as typically used,
the amount of data that can be sent through a given communications circuit.
Also used colloquially (esp. on Usenet) to indicate message traffic.
Baud
A gauge to measure the speed at which a modem communicates. Synonymous
with "bits per second" (bps); e.g., 56,000 Kbps = 56,000 Kbaud.
BBS
See: Bulletin Board System
Beta
In the preliminary or testing stage of a product.
Binary
Base 2 numeral system. The two symbols used are '0' and '1'.
Binary file
Any file that is not plain, ASCII text. For example: executable files,
graphic files and compressed (ZIP) files.
BITNet
"Because It's Time" Network. An academic computer network
that provides interactive electronic mail and file transfer services, using
a store-and-forward protocol. BITNet hosts are not on the Internet per
se, but are reachable by email through BITNet to Internet gateways.
Bounce
The return of a piece of mail because of an error in the delivery process.
Mail can be bounced for various reasons. "Bounce" can also refer
to the message indicating the error (informal usage).
Bulletin Board System (BBS)
A computer, and associated hardware, which typically privides electronic
messaging services, archives of files and any other services or activities
of interest to the bulletin board system's operator. Many BBS's are currently
operated by government, educational and research institutions.
Although BBS's have traditionally been the domain of hobbyists, an
increasing number of BBS's are connected to the Internet. The majority,
however, are still reachable only via a direct modem-to-modem connection
over a phone line.
CCTV
Common abbreviation for Closed-Circuit Television.
Client
A computer system or process that requests a service of another computer
system or process. A workstation requesting the contents of a file from
a file server is a client of the file server.
Cracker
A cracker is an individual who attempts to access computer systems
without authorization. These people are often malicious, as opposed to
hackers, and have many means at their disposal
for breaking into a system.
A term coined by William Gibson in his SF novel Neuromancer
(1984) to describe the interconnected "world" of computers and
the society that gathers around them.
D
Dialer
A program which establishes and maintains your connection to the Internet,
as well as provides Winsock support. Popular
dialers include Trumpet Winsock and the Windows '95 Dial Up Networking.
Dialup
A temporary connection between machines established with modems over
a standard phone line.
DNS
See: Domain Name System
Domain
A group of computers whose hostnames share a common suffix. This is
the domain name. Alyeska Internet Magazine's domain name is girdwood.net.
See also: Domain Name System.
Domain Name System (DNS)
The DNS is a general purpose distributed, replicated, data query service.
The principal use is the lookup of host IP addresses based on host names.
The style of host names now used in the Internet is called "domain
name", because they are the style of names used to look up anything
in the DNS. Some important domains are .COM (commercial), .NET (network),
.EDU (educational), .GOV (government) and .MIL (military). Most countries
also have a domain. For example, .US (United States), .UK (United Kingdom)
and .AU (Australia).
E
Electronic Mail
A system wherby a computer user can exchange messages with other computer
users (or groups of users) via a communications network. Electronic mail
is one of the most popular uses of the Internet.
Email
See: Electronic Mail
Email Address
The domain-based or UUCP address that is used
to send electronic mail to a specified destination. For example, "you@cyberalaska.com"
Emoticon
An ASCII glyph used to indicate an emotional state, typically used
in email or Usenet messages. Although originally intended mostly as jokes,
emoticons or some other explicit humor indication are virtually required
under certain circumstances in high-volume text-only communication forums
such as Usenet. The lack of verbal and visual cues can otherwise cause
what were intended to be humorous, sarcastic, ironic or otherwise non-serious
comments to be badly misinterpreted, resulting in arguments and flame wars.
Encryption
Encryption is the manipulation of data in order to prevent any but
the intended recipient from reading that data. There are many types of
data encryption and they are the basis of network security.
F
FAQ
Frequently Asked Question. In its usual context, FAQ refers to collected
answers to often-asked questions on Usenet newsgroups. These are periodically
posted to the newsgroups in question, to the .answers newsgroups (news.answers,
rec.answers, comp.answers, etc.) and are stored on the FAQ FTP archive
on rtfm.mit.edu.
File Transfer
The copying of a file from one computer to another over a computer
network.
A protocol which allows a user on one host to access and transfer files
to and from another host over a network. Also, FTP is usually the name
of the program the user invokes to execute the protocol.
A program that displays information about a particular user, or all
users, logged on the local system or on a remote system. It typically shows
full name, last login time, idle time, terminal line and terminal location
(where applicable). It may also display plan and project information files
created by the user.
Not all machines support finger.
Firewall
Any of several ways to protect a network from an untrusted host or
network. Consists of mechanisms to block network traffic and mechanisms
to permit network traffic.
Flame
A strong opinion or criticism of something, usually as a frank inflammatory
statement, in an electronic mail message.
For Your Information (FYI)
FYIs convey general information about topics related to TCP/IP, the
Internet and others. It is used colloquially as an acronym in Usenet and
IRC.
FTP
See: File Transfer Protocol
FYI
See: For Your Information.
G
GIF
Graphic Interchange Format. An image compression algorithm that facilitates
the transfer of high quality images over a network. A GIF can be of any
resolution but only has 8 bit (256) color.
Gigabyte
A billion bytes, which is large enough to hold 1,250 copies of Moby
Dick.
Gopher
A distributed information service that makes available hierarchical
collections of information across the Internet. Gopher uses a simple protocol
that allows a single gopher client to access information from any accessible
gopher server, providing the user with a single "gopher space"
of information. The clients are generally text menu-based. Public domain
versions of the client and server are available.
A person who delights in having an intimate understanding of the internal
workings of a system, computers and computer networks in particular. The
term is often misused in a pejorative context, where "cracker" would be the correct term.
Header
The portion of a packet, preceeding the actual data, containing source
and destination addresses, error checking and other fields. A header is
also the part of an electronic mail message thatpreceedes
the body of a message and contains information about the message originator
and time stamp.
Host
A computer that allows users to communicate with other host computers
on a network. Individual users communicate by using client
programs, such as electronic mail, Telnet and FTP.
HTML
See: HyperText Markup Language
HTTP
See: HyperText Transfer Protocol
Hypertext
A link between one document and other, related documents elsewhere
in a collection. By clicking on a word or phrase that has been hightlighted
on a computer screen, a user can skip directly to files related to that
subject.
HyperText Markup Language (HTML)
The coding that World Wide Web browsers read to create Web pages.
HyperText Transfer Protocol
The protocol used to transfer World Wide Web data across the Internet.
I
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
ISDN combines voice and digital network services in a single medium,
making it possible to offer customers digital data services as well as
voice connections through a single "wire".
Internet
A network or collection of networks interconnected with routers.
It also refers to the largest network of computers in the world "The
Internet".
The network layer for the TCP/IP Protocol Suite. It is a connectionless,
best-effort packet switching protocol.
Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
A protocol that allows users to converse with others in real time.
IRC is structured as a network of servers, each of which accepts connections
from client programs.
A popular file transfer protocol developed by Columbia University.
Because Kermit runs in most operating environments, it provides an easy
method of file transfer. Kermit is not the same as FTP.
Commonly used
by universities and almost never in the business world in 1998.
L
listserv
An automated mailing list distribution system
originally designed for the Bitnet/EARN network.
Lurking
No active participation on the part of a person to a mailing
list, Usenet newsgroupor IRC
channel. A person who is lurking is just listening to the discussion.
Lurking is encouraged for beginning users who wish to become acquainted
with a particular discussion before joining in.
M
Mail Server
A software program that distributes files or information in response
to requests sent via email. Internet examples include
Almanac and netlib. Mail servers have also been used in Bitnet to provide
FTP-like services.
Mailing list
An e-mail address which expands to multiple e-mail addresses. Usually
they are confined to specific topics of information.
A person, or small group of people, who manage moderated mailing lists
and Usenet newsgroups. Moderators are responsible
for determining which email submissions are passed
onto a list.
MUD
See: Multi-User Dungeon
Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME)
An extension to Internet email which provides
the ability to transfer non-textual data, such as graphcis, audio and video.
Multi-User Dungeon (MUD)
Adventures, role playing games, or simulations played on the Internet.
Devotees call them "text-based virtual reality adventures". Players
interact in real time and can modify the "world" in which the
game is played. Most MUDs are based on the Telnet
protocol.
N
Net Abuse
Net abuse can be either abuse of network services, or violations of
netiquette. Types of net abuse include:
Using too many of the system resources.
Attempting to "hack", or break into accounts.
Using an account for any illegal activity.
Evading the 15-minute idle timeout.
Running background processes or "bots".
Sending unsolicited email.
Sending chain letters via email.
Advertising in inappropriate newsgroups.
Off-topic posts to newsgroups.
"Spamming" or inappropriate postings to many newsgroups.
A pun on "etiquette", referring to proper behavior on a network.
Netnews
See: Usenet
Network Information Center (NIC)
A NIC provides information, assistance and services to network users.
The Internet Network Information Center (InterNIC) is a project administered
by AT&T and Network Solutions, Inc. (NSI). AT&T provides directory
and database services for registered Internet hosts, while NSI administers
the registration process.
Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP)
A protocol for the distribution, retrieval and posting of Usenet articles through high-speed links available on the
Internet.
Newbie
Slang term for a user who is new to the Internet.
NNTP
See: Network News Transfer Protocol
P
PGP
See: Pretty Good Privacy
PNC
Personal Network Connection, or a SLIP/PPP connection. Rarely used
do to high overhead via resources.
Point of Presence (POP)
A site containing a collection of telecommunications equipment, usually
digital leased lines and multi-protocol routers. Also referred to as a
Local Access Site.
Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)
The Point-to-Point Protocol provides a method for transmitting packets
over serial point-to-point links.
A protocol designed to allow single user hosts to read email from a server. There are three versions: POP, POP2 and
POP3. Later versions are not compatiblewith earlier versions.
Postmaster
The administrator reponsible for resolving email
problems, answering queries about users and other related duties at a site.
PPP
See: Point-to-Point Protocol
Pretty Good Privacy (PGP)
A controversial freeware program created in June, 1991 by Philip Zimmermann,
PGP is designed to encrypt data for security.
Protocol
A formal description of message formats and the rules two computers
must follow to exchange those messages. Protocols can describe low-level
details of machine-to-machine interfaces (the order in which bits and bytes
are transmitted across a network) or high-level exchanges (how two programs
transfer a file across the Internet).
R
Remote Login
Operating on a remote computer, using a protocol over a computer network,
as though locally attached.
Commonly used protocols include telnet and rlogin. Telnet is a TCP/IP protocol. The rlogin protocol is specific
to Unix environments.
RNA
Ring No Answer. This is the symptom used to describe a modem at a local
POP that rings, but does not pick up the incoming
call.
S
Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP or CSLIP)
A protocol used to run IP over serial lines, such as telephone circuits
or RS-232 cables, interconnecting two systems. CSLIP indicates that compression
is used with the SLIP protocol.
A provider of resources (e.g., file servers and name servers).
Shell
The user interface to an operating environment. Unix has several, including
the Bourne shell (sh), the C shell (csh), and the Korn shell
(ksh).
Signature
The three or four line message at the bottom of an email
message or Usenet news article identifying the
sender. Large signature files (over five lines)are considered poor "netiquette".
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
A protocol used to transfer electronic mail
between computers. SMTP is a server to server protocol, so other protocols
are used to access the messages.
A colloquial term referring to the act of posting the same message
to several inappropriate newsgroups, or mass-mailing unsolicited email
messages to several users.
Surfing
Informal term for exploring the Internet (i.e., "surfing the 'net.").
Most often used in reference to accessing sites on the World Wide Web.
SysOp
The person responsible for maintenance of a given computer system.
Short for "System Operator".
T
T1
An AT&T term for a digital carrier facility used to transmit a
DS-1 formatted digital signal at 1.544 megabits per second.
T3
A term for a digital carrier facility used to transmit a DS-3 formatted
signal at 44.746 megabits per second.
Talk
A protocol which allows two people on remote computers to communicate
in real-time.
Transmission Control Protocol over Internet Protocol. This is a common
shorthand which refers to the suite of transport and application protocols
which run over IP.
The standard Internet protocol for remote terminal connection service.
Thread
A series of articles on the same topic, in a Usenet newsgroup.
The Internet Adapter (TIA)
A product that emulates a SLIP or PPP connection over a serial line,allowing
shell users to run a SLIP/PPP session thru a Unix dialup account.
"TIA" is also used informally as an abbreviation for "Thanks
in advance".
TLA
Three Letter Acronym
TN3270
A variation of the Telnet program that allows a user to logon to IBM
mainframes and use the computers as if he or she were using an IBM3270
or similar terminal.
Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)
An Internet standard transport layer protocol. It is connection-oriented
and steam-oriented, as opposed to UDP.
Trojan Horse
A computer program which carries within itself a means to allow the
program's creator access to the system using it.
Troll
A term used to define a public message (either on a USENET newsgroup
or other public message board on an online service) that is posted for
the sole purpose of offending people and/or generating an enormous flood
of non-topic replies. (submitted by Brett Palmer)
U
UDP
See: User Datagram Protocol
Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
Uniform Resource Locators provide an absolute location for a given
piece of information. URL's are used by web browsers to locate information.
The protocol is: protocol://host/path/filename . For example,
the URL for the CyberAlaska home page is http://www.cyberalaska.com and
for CyberFossil is http://www.cyberalaska.com/fossil/index.html
UNIX-to-UNIX Command Protocol (UUCP)
This was initially a program run under the Unix operating system that
allowed one Unix system to send files to another Unix system via dialup
phone lines. Today, the term is more commonly used to describe the large
international network which uses the UUCP protocol to pass news and electronic
mail.
Urban Legend
A story, which may have started with a grain of truth, that has been
embroidered and retold until it has passed into the realm of myth. Is is
an interesting phenomenon that these stories become spread so far, so fast
and so often.
Examples of Urban Legends relating to the Internet include "The
InfamousModem Tax", "Craig Shergold/Brain Tumor Get Well Cards",
and "The Good Times Virus".
URL
See: Uniform Resource Locator
Usenet
A collection of thousands of topically named newsgroups, the computers
which run the protocols and the people who read them and submit Usenet
news articles. Not all Internet hosts subscribe to Usenet and not all Usenet
hosts are on the Internet.
An Internet standard transport layer protocol. It is an unreliable,connectionless-oriented
delivery service, as opposed to TCP.
Userid
A compression of "user identification"; the userid always
proceeds the @ sign in an email address.
Username
A username usually consists of 1 to 8 characters, and only uses numbers
0 through 9 and the 26 alphabet letters. Usernames do not have spaces and
may be the same of different than the first part of the e-mail address
and
should NOT be the same for your internet connection AND your e-mail
especially if the password is the same for
both user access names. Having seveal user names and passwords is not
a problem at home because your
system can remember the password and you can avoid extra typing.
UUCP
See: Unix-to-Unix CoPy
UUdecoding
The restoration of uuencoded data to its original form.
UUencoding
The conversion of binary data into a 7-bit ASCII representation using
an encoding scheme. Originally implemented to enable users to send such
data over UUCP, it is now used to send binary files such as graphics files,
user application documents and programs through email and on Usenet.
See also: UUdecoding.
V
Veronica
A service that maintains an index of titles of items on gopher servers, and provides keyword searches of those titles.
Virus
A program which replicates itself on computer systems by incorproating
itself into other programs which are shared among computer systems.
An Internet program which allows users to query a database of people
and other Internet entities, such as domains, networks and hosts. See http://internic.net.
Wide Area Information Servers (WAIS)
A distributed information service which offers simple natural language
input, indexed searching for fast retrieval and a "relevance feedback"
mechanism which allows the results of initial searches to influence future
searches. Public domain implementations are available.
Winsock is a TCP/IP stack that allows you to use your modem to send
data to/from the Internet. A Winsock interface is required for Windows
Internet applications like Netscape, Eudora, Free Agent, and manyothers.
Winsock allows true Internet networking via modem.
World Wide Web (WWW or W3)
A hypertext-based, distributed information system created by researchers
at CERN in Switzerland. Users may create, edit or browse hypertext documents.
The clients and servers are freely available.
Worm
A computer program which replicates itself and is self-propagating.
Worms, as opposed to viruses, are meant to spawn in network environments.
Network worms were first defined by Shoch and Hupp of Xerox in ACM Communications
(March 1982). The Internet worm of November 1988 is perhaps the most famous;
it successfully propagated itself on over 6,000 systems across the Internet.
