| 256k |
The speed of an Internet connection that can transmit 256,000 bits of information per second. In Senate bill 1343, the N.C. General Assembly mandates that the Rural Internet Access Authority provide Internet access to business customers at a speed of at least 256k.
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| 128k |
The speed of an Internet connection that can transmit 128,000 bits of information per second. In Senate bill 1343, the N.C. General Assembly mandates that the Rural Internet Access Authority provide Internet access to residential customers at a speed of at least 128k. |
| 56k |
The speed of an Internet connection that can transmit 56,000 bits of information per second. |
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| Adobe Acrobat Reader |
Free software that allows you to view and print PDF files across a broad range of hardware and operating systems. |
| Analog |
The natural electrical waveform of sound and light. It is a transmission method that is based on a continuous electrical signal wave as opposed to the 0/1 structure of digital transmission. Analog is considered less desirable than digital. |
| Application |
A computer program that performs a specific task or function. For example, Microsoft Excel is an application. |
| Archive |
A collection of files stored on a computer network. |
ATM
or Asynchronous Transfer Mode |
A networking protocol that is able to transfer information at a very high speed because it has broken the data down into small segments. ATM allows voice, video and data to be simultaneously transported over one line. (Not to be confused with ATMs or Automatic Teller Machines, which are used for banking.) |
| Authentication |
A security measure for checking a network user’s identity. |
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| Backbones |
A high-speed line or lines that connect networks. If you don't have a fast backbone, your network will lose speed. |
| Bandwidth |
The speed at which data is being transported. Usually specified in bits per second (bps). 128k (128,000 bps) and T1 (1.544Mbps) are examples of a bandwidth.
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| Binary |
A coding system consisting of ones and zeros that is used in the transport of data. |
Bit
or Binary DigIT |
The basic unit of data transport. A one or a zero represents each bit. This is the smallest unit of computerized data. |
Bps
or Bits Per Second |
A measurement of how fast data is moved from one place to another. For example, a 28.8k modem can move 28,800 bits per second. |
| Bookmark |
A feature of most web browsers that allows a computer user to save frequently accessed links to web sites in a file, rather than having to look up the URL or web site address each time. |
| Broadband |
A reference to high-speed data transport. The Federal Communications Commission defines broadband as 200,000 bits per second (200k) or greater. |
| Browser |
A software program used for accessing the Internet. Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator are two popular browsers. |
| Byte |
A set of bits that represent a single character. Usually, there are 8 bits in a byte. |
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| Chat room |
Any web address where two or more users can get together and exchange comments in real time. Most chat rooms have a particular theme, but it is not required. |
| Cookie |
Web sites send cookies to your browser so that the site is customized based on your previous actions on that site. Depending on the type of cookie used, and the browser’s settings, the browser may accept or not accept the cookie, and the cookie is usually set to expire after a specified amount of time. Cookies do not read your hard drive, but they can be used to gather information about the user. |
| Cyberspace |
Cyberspace is used to describe the whole range of information resources available through computer networks. This term was coined to refer to the vast expanses of the Internet. Internet users are said to be in cyberspace when they go online. |
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| Dedicated line |
A telephone line that allows your computer to have a direct, permanent connection to the Internet. See T1 or T3. |
| Dial-up account |
A basic type of Internet account that allows you to connect to an Internet service provider’s network with a modem. Many people have dial-up accounts to connect to the Internet from home, as opposed to an always-on connection like RoadRunner.
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| Digital |
A method of transporting analog waveforms by sampling them and translating them into a bit stream. The advantage of digital reproduction is that it can sound good over a long period of time. Records and tapes are analog; CDs are digital. |
| Domain |
All of the hardware and software that is under the control of one host computer. This term also describes the Internet's addressing scheme. Domains are represented by domain names such as e-NC.org or yahoo.com. |
| Domain name |
The address that identifies an Internet site. Domain names consist of at least three parts. The first part is the “http://www” or just “http://” which basically flags it as a web address. The second part is the name of the company, institution or organization. The third part, on the right, identifies the highest sub-domain. This can be a country, such as ca for Canada or fr for France, or the type of organization, such as com for commercial or edu for educational. For example, www.ncruralcenter.org is the domain name for the N.C. Rural Center, which is a non-profit organization or org.
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| Downlink |
Communication link between a satellite and an earth station or ground-based receiver. |
| Download |
To transfer a copy of a file from a remote computer to a user’s computer. |
DSL
or Digital Subscriber Line |
A method for moving data over regular phone lines. A DSL circuit is up to 50 times faster than a regular phone connection and uses the same (copper) wires used for regular phone service. A DSL circuit must be configured to connect two specific locations. |
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E-mail
or electronic mail |
A way of sending messages between computers, which must be part of a local or global network in order for the messages to be successfully transferred. |
| Ethernet |
A network protocol that is able to send data at 10 Mbits/second. This is a very common method of networking computers in a local area network. The Ethernet protocol allows a host computer to exchange information with its users. |
| Exchange |
A geographic boundary within which a telephone company is allowed to provide local service. |
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| Fiber |
Refers to fiber optic cable, which is a method of transmitting data, voice and video. Fiber is an alternative to copper. The way fiber works is by pulsing light down a strand of glass. These pulses represent binary code. The advantage is that a single strand of fiber optic cable can carry thousands and thousands of different frequencies at once without data loss. |
| File |
A set of records or documents that are treated as one unit. |
| File Transfer |
To move the content of a file across a medium, such as the Internet, from one computer to another. |
| Fire Wall |
This is a form of Internet security that stands between a private network and the Internet. It is like a wall in that it can prevent unwanted traffic from passing either way. |
FTP
or File Transfer Protocol |
The rules that allow computers connected to the Internet to exchange files. |
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| Gateway |
A tool for translating information across incompatible networks that use different protocols. |
| Gigabit |
One billion bits, usually represented as bits per second (Gbps). |
| Graphical Interchange Format (GIF) |
A common format for image files, especially suitable for images containing large areas of the same color. GIF format files of simple images are often smaller than the same file would be if stored in JPEG format, but GIF format does not store photographic images as well as JPEG. |
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| High-speed Internet Access |
Generally, a connection speed of 200 kilobits per second or higher. This allows users to access complex applications on the Internet. In Senate bill 1343, the N.C. General Assembly defines high-speed Internet access as 128k for residential customers and 256k for business customers. |
| Home Page |
The web page that your browser opens to. Home page also refers to the main web page for a business, organization or person, or simply the main page out of a collection of web pages. For example, www.e-NC.org is the home page for this site. |
HTML
or Hypertext Markup Language |
The coding language that can be read by almost any type of computer and is used to create documents for use on the world wide web. HTML files are meant to be viewed using a browser such as Netscape, Explorer or Mosaic.
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HTTP
or Hypertext Transfer Protocol |
The rules that allow computers connected to the Internet to exchange hypertext files.
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| Hypertext |
A text format that allows for links from keywords in a document to other sections of the document or to other documents. Hypertext can be used within an HTML document.
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| Interface |
A connection point that allows for interaction between computer hardware and/or software. It is also the access point for an application. |
| Internet |
A "network of networks" that links computers around the world. These computers range from personal computers to supercomputers, and they all use a set of rules called TCP/IP to exchange information. |
| Internet Explorer |
An application commonly used to provide access the Internet. |
| Internet Service Provider |
A company that allows individuals to access the Internet. They provide the connection from the computer to the Internet via telephone lines, cable lines, wireless or satellite connections. |
| Intranet |
A private network inside a company or organization that uses the same kinds of software one would find on the public Internet, but restricted for internal use. |
IP Number
or Internet Protocol Number |
A unique number consisting of four parts separated by dots, e.g. 165.113.245.2. The specific network address of a computer connected to the Internet. |
ISDN
or Integrated Services Digital Network |
This is a digital line that is often used to connect to the Internet. It is a way to move more data over existing regular phone lines. ISDN is becoming available across the USA and is often priced very comparably to standard analog phone circuits. It can provide speeds of about 128,000 bits-per-second over regular phone lines. The channels can be used in various ways to carry voice, video and data simultaneously. |
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| Java |
A programming language designed by JavaSoft that works on any type of platform. Java mainly runs on web browsers. |
JPEG
or Joint Photographic Experts Group |
JPEG is most commonly mentioned as a format for image files. JPEG format is often used for photographic images. |
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| Kilobit |
One thousand bits, usually represented as bits per second (kbps). |
|
LAN
or Local Area Network |
A computer network limited to an immediate area, usually the same building or floor of a building. Most office computers are connected to a LAN. |
LATA
or Local Access and Transport Area |
A geographic area in which local telephone companies are allowed to provide telecommunications services. |
| Leased line |
A phone line that can be purchased from the telephone company that is yours only. With the assurance that you are the only one on the line, you can work at faster speeds and stay connected 24 hours a day. The highest speed data connections (ex: T1 and T3) require a leased line. |
| Local Dial-up Internet Access |
An Internet connection that uses a modem and a telephone line to connect to the Internet. Operates at a speed of 56 kilobits per second. |
| Login |
The account name used to access a computer system or, when used as a verb, the act of typing your username and password at a computer terminal. |
| Logoff |
To disconnect from a network or remote system. |
|
| Megabit |
One million bits, usually represented as bits per second (Mb/s). |
| Microsoft Outlook |
A software application or program commonly used to provide e-mail capabilities. |
| Microsoft PowerPoint |
A software application or program commonly used for word processing or slide presentations that include graphs and charts. |
| Microsoft Word |
A software application or program commonly used for word processing. |
Modem
or MOdulator, DEModulator |
A device that connects to both your computer and your telephone line, allowing the computer to talk to other computers through the phone system. |
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| Network |
An interconnection of two or more communication devices (computers, servers, telephone, etc.). |
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| Online |
When a user is connected to the Internet or another network, he or she is described as being online. |
| Operating System (OS) |
The program that allows you to access the basic functions of your computer. It is the minimum software required to run a program. |
|
| Password |
A secret combination of letters and/or numbers needed to login to a computer system. |
PDF
or Portable Document Format |
A file format for Adobe Acrobat. PDF files can be viewed and printed regardless of what application was used to create the file. |
| Platform |
A means of grouping similar computers. Macintosh computers are one type of platform; so are PCs running DOS. |
| Portal |
A web site that is intended to be the first place people see when using the web. Typically a "portal site" has a catalog of web sites, a search engine or both. A portal site may also offer e-mail and other services to entice people to use that site as their main point of entry to the web. This is a term coined to describe the large search engine sites such as Yahoo and Lycos. |
| Protocol |
A formal set of rules that govern the interaction between entities. A protocol can be thought of as a language. If two computers don't use the same network protocol, then they cannot communicate. |
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| Router |
Hardware or software that bridges an internal network to another network. |
|
| Satellite |
Refers to a communications satellite. An electronic device that revolves around the Earth used to provide communications. |
| Search Engine |
A specialized program that assists users in finding desired information on the world wide web. Examples of popular search engines include Yahoo, Lycos and Alta Vista. |
| Server |
A network device that manages shared resources, such as drives, programs and printers, and allows access by computer users that are part of a network. |
| Surf |
Slang for searching the world wide web. |
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| T1 |
A leased line connection capable of carrying data at 1.544 million bits per second. T-1 is the fastest speed commonly used to connect networks to the Internet. |
| T3 |
A leased line connection capable of carrying data at 44.736 million bits per second. This connection is composed of 28 T1 lines and is more than enough to handle full-screen, full-motion video. |
TCP/IP
or Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol |
Two related protocols that break information into segments, called packets (TCP), and route it across the Internet (IP). |
| Telecenter |
Telecenters are technology hubs within communities that bring a range of advanced, innovative services to where rural people live and work. |
| Terabit |
One trillion bits, usually represented as bits per second (Tbps). |
TIFF
Tag Image File Format |
A bitmap graphics file format. It was developed to provide a common format for scanners and is mainly used for that purpose and desktop publishing. |
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| Uplink |
Communication between an Earth-based transmitter and a satellite. |
URL
or Universal Resource Locator |
An address you use to tell your browser where to find a particular Internet resource. For example, the URL for the WorldWide Language Institute is http://wwli.com. |
| Username |
The name assigned to a user of a computer network. Typing your username on the computer screen is part of the login procedure and identifies you to the computer system. |
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| Virtual |
An adjective that refers to objects, activities, etc., that exist or are carried on in cyberspace. For example, on the World Wide web you can find virtual or electronic malls and storefronts. |
| Virus |
An executable code that “infects” or attaches itself to other executable code in a computer in an effort to reproduce itself. The code must run for it to do damage to the system. Some computer viruses are malicious, erasing files or locking up systems; others merely present a problem through the act of infecting other code. |
|
WAN
or Wide Area Network |
Any Internet or network that covers an area larger than a single building or campus. |
| Web |
World wide web. |
| Webmaster |
The person responsible for administering a web site. |
WWW
or World Wide Web |
A global network-based information system that uses the Internet as a medium to display documents called web pages on computer screens. This is basically a means of communicating text, graphics and other multimedia objects over the Internet. |
| World Wide Web or WWW |
See WWW. |
