Accokeek Internet FAQs: Glossary

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INTERNET GLOSSARY AND ACRONYMS

ACRONYMS FOR EMAIL AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS

INTERNET GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Archie (ARCHIvE), Veronica, Jughead - Historically, methods and protocols used for storage, retrieval and indexing
      of text-based material over the internet (largely obsolete).
Bandwidth - How much data you can send through a connection (measured in bits-per-second).
Bit (Binary DigIT) - A single digit number in base-2.
Browser - Software to view the world wide web and access other internet tools.
Byte - A set of Bits that represent a single character. Usually there are 8 Bits in a Byte.
CGI (Common Gateway Interface) - A program that creates interactivity, such as a bulletin board or form, on the internet. cgi-bin - The directory where cgi programs are stored on the server.
Cookie - Information that is stored on your browser, hidden from your view, where web sites can track
      who you are and where you've been - a necessary component of shopping cart systems.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) - Fast speed internet service.
Domain Name - The unique name that identifies an Internet site, often ending in .com, .net, or .org.
E-mail (Electronic Mail) - Messages, usually text, sent from one person to another via computer.
Ethernet - A very common method of networking computers in a LAN.
Finger - An Internet software tool for locating people on other Internet sites.
Fire Wall - A combination of hardware and software that separates a LAN into two or more parts for security purposes.
Flame - any kind of derogatory comment no matter how witless or crude.
Flame War - A heated exchange.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) - A method of moving files to the server, eg. publishing a web page.
Gateway - A mechanism for going from one system to another.
GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) - A common format for image files
Gopher (go-for) - Historically, a method of making queries of text material available over the Internet (largely obsolete).
Hit - A single request from a web browser
Home Page - the web page that your browser is set to use when it starts up; also the front page of a web site.
Host - Any computer on a network that is a repository for services
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) - The coding language used to create web pages.
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) - The protocol for moving hypertext files across the Internet (all http addresses
      start with "http://" and is part of a typical web site address, usually supplied by the web browser if you don't put it in).
Hub - LAN connection point. A network device to connect computers together.
Hypertext - Any text that contains links to other documents.
Internet - The vast collection of inter-connected networks, including email, world wide web, chat, and more.
Intranet - A private network of computers.
IP Number or Address - A unique number consisting of 4 parts separated by dots to identify your domain
      name or server.
IRC (Internet Relay Chat) - A huge multi-user live chat facility.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) - Fast speed phone line.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) - A company that provides access to the Internet.
Java - A network-oriented programming language; using small Java programs (called "Applets"),
      Web pages can include functions such as animations, calculators, and other fancy tricks.
JavaScript - A programming language that is mostly used in web pages.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) - A format for image files.
Kilobyte (KB) - A thousand bytes (strictly, 2^10 or 1024 bytes).
LAN (Local Area Network) - A computer network limited to the immediate area.
Listserv - Term used for "email list" originating with the name of a popular list server.
Login - Entering into a computer system, usually with a unique username and password.
Mailing List (or Email List) - A program allowing one address to allow people to communicate with multiple
      subscribers of a particular group.
Megabyte (MB) - A million bytes (strictly, 2^20 or 1048576 bytes).
MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) - An email formatting standard used to bind applications to
      a data stream ( also used by browsers ).
Mirror - An exact copy of an original, eg. a web site accessible from two different locations.
Modem (MOdulator, DEModulator) - A device that you connect to your computer and to a phone line that allows
      the computer to talk to other computers.
Netiquette - The etiquette on the Internet.
Network - Any time you connect 2 or more computers together
NIC (Networked Information Center) - 1. Networked Information Center - Usually referring to the system of
      registering domain names (InterNIC). 2. Network Interface Card - A card that connects a computer to a Network.
Node - Any single computer connected to a network.
Plug-in - A (usually small) piece of software that adds features to a larger piece of software.
Posting - A single message entered into a network communications system.
PPP (Point to Point Protocol) - Allows a computer to connect to a network via a phone line.
Router - A special-purpose computer (or software package) that handles the connection between 2 or more networks.
Security Certificate - A chunk of information (often stored as a text file) that is used by the SSL protocol
      to establish a secure connection. The certificate positively identifies a site or individual
      using a trusted third party (eg Verisign).
SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) - The main protocol used to send electronic mail on the Internet.
Spam (or Spamming) - An inappropriate attempt to send unsolicited messages, usually advertising.
      generally via email.
SQL (Structured Query Language) - A specialized programming language for sending queries to databases.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) -- A protocol to enable encrypted, authenticated communications across the Internet.
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) -- This is the suite of protocols that define network connectivity
      between computers thus enabling the Internet..
Telnet - A command and program used for interactive login from one Computer to another via a network..
Terminal - A device that allows you to interact with a computer.
UNIX - A computer operating system and language often used by ISPs.
Usenet, Usenet News or News - an online bulletin board system used for posting and reading messages to
      and from discussion groups.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator) - Also known as the "web site address."
Web or WWW (World Wide Web) - Information on the internet viewable in a web browser and connected
      to other "web pages" via hyperlinks or "links"

ACRONYM DICTIONARY

AFAICT: As Far As I Can Tell.
AFAIK: As Far As I Know.
AFK: Away From Keyboard.
ASAP: As Soon As Possible.
ATM: At The Moment.
BBFN: Bye Bye For Now.
BBIAB: Be Back In A Bit.
BBL: Be Back Later.
BBS: Be Back Soon.
BFN: Bye For Now.
BRB: Be Right Back.
BTW: By The Way.
CUL/CYL: See You Later.
FAQ: Frequently Answered Questions
FNAR: For No Apparent Reason
FNORD: For No Other Reason, Duh!
FOTCL: Falling Off The Chair Laughing.
FTF: Face To Face. A real life meeting, as opposed to a screen-to-screen interaction.
FWIW: For What It's Worth.
FYI: For Your Information.
IC: In Character; a term used in roleplaying as a fantasy character.
IIRC: If I Recall Correctly.
IMHO: In My Humble Opinion.
IMNSHO: In My Not So Humble Opinion.
IMO: In My Opinion.
IOW: In Other Words.
IRC: Internet Relay Chat.
IRL: In Real Life.
ISTR: I Seem To Recall.
J/K: Just Kidding.
KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid.
LMAO: Laughing My Ass Off.
LOL: Laugh Out Loud.
MUD/MUCK: Multi User Dungeon/Multi User Chat Kingdom.
OIC: Oh, I See.
OOC: Out Of Character; not their fantasy roleplaying character.
OTOH: On The Other Hand.
OTT: Over The Top.
POV: Point Of View.
PPL: People.
RL: Real Life, away from your computer/internet
ROTFL: Rolling On The Floor Laughing.
RP: Role playing
RSN: Real Soon Now. Used sarcastically, as in "Don't hold your breath".
TTBOMK: To The Best Of My Knowledge.
TTFN: Ta Ta For Now.
TTYL: Talk To You Later.
VR: Virtual Reality; meaning anything which occurs via your Internet account, as opposed to RL.

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