Geek-to-English Dictionary
Here is a list of commonly used words we will be using as we work together. This is only a partial list of Internet terminology. Another great source for computer and Internet definitions is Webopedia.
Accessibility
Meaning the degree to which something is useable by as many people as possible. In web design, this refers to making web sites available to all people, regardless of handicap.
Bandwidth
The amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time. Dial-up net users are low-bandwith, while those using DSL or cable are high-bandwidth.
Browser
A program used to view web pages. Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Opera are among the more popular browsers. However, they are only a few of many available.
Cross-platform
Refers to multiple computer and/or software types. For example, a program can be made to run on both Windows and Mac. This means the program is cross-platform. In web design, it means making web sites that can be accessed on many different types of computers, phones, handhelds, operating systems and web browsers.
CSS
Cascading Style Sheets: used for presentation of web pages. Its a markup language used to effect how a website looks, such as colors, layout, and so on.
Domain or Domain Name
A web page address. Or, commonly called a dot com. i.e. geekartist.net is a a domain name.
Download
Copying or transferring files from one computer to another via the Internet. If you are taking files from another computer, you are downloading them. Information that is transferred to you.
Short for Electronic Mail. Note that proper format for email is: someone@somewhere.com. This is no www in an email address. This is how you can tell the difference between web page addresses and email addresses:
- www = web page
IE
Shorthand for Internet Explorer.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions – Document that has a list of common questions and answers regarding a specific subject.
FF
Short for Firefox (a web browser)
FTP
File Transfer Protocol – Transferring files from one computer to another using the internet. This is how I transfer files from my computer to your web site.
Hit
When someone retrieves a page or graphic from a web server. For example, if a person pulls up a web page with 3 graphics on it, then that was four hits on the web server. Also can mean data is found matching criteria you set…for example, finding web sites after typing words into a search engine. Thus, hits are not a good measure of website traffic.
HTML
Hypertext Markup Language – The language (code) used to create web pages.
HTTP
Hypertext Transfer Protocol – The protocol used by the world wide web. Tells web servers and browsers how to respond to various commands.
ISP
Internet Service Provider – A company that provides access to the Internet.
Resolution
In web design, we’re talking about monitor resolution. In this case, it means the number of dots on a screen. Easy way to remember how we use the term: high-resolution shows objects smaller on the monitor, while low-resolution shows objects much larger. Imagine that high resolution is like standing far away from a painting, while low resolutions is like standing much closer to the painting.
RSS
Stands for Really Simple Syndication. Basically, this is streaming information that you can sign up to receive on your computer or mp3 player. News sites and blogs often provide RSS so people can stay up-to-date without having to visit their site. RSS is one stop shopping for information. More details can be found here.
Server
A computer that manages network resources. In this case, it is the computer a web host uses to ‘serve up’ web pages for surfers.
SSL
Secure Socket Layer – In other words, a secure connection often used for making internet purchases.
Upload
Copying or transferring files from one computer to another via the Internet. If you are putting files on another computer, you are uploading them. Information you transfer to another.
URL
Uniform Resource Locator – A web page address. A link. For example: www.somewhere.com
Usability
Describes how easily a tool can be used by a variety of individuals. In web design, this refers to how easily a site can be navigated and how easily information is found on a site. In other words, clarity and simplicity of design and layout.
Web 2.0
A concept created by Tim O’Reilly in 2004, referring to the latest uses of the web today, primarily in terms of interactivity on websites. More details here and here.
Web Host
A business that provides web service for hosting a web site. Generally they have a server (computer) that exists solely to serve up web pages.
Web Page
A document on the World Wide Web. Note that proper format for web pages addresses is: www.somewhere.com. This is no @ sign in a web page address. This is how you can tell the difference between web page addresses and email addresses:
- www = web page
XHTML
Extensible HyperText Markup Language, similar to HTML. This is considered the standard choice by web developers today, unless they are using HTML5.
