Internet / Computer Glossary

This glossary was compiled as a handout for a talk I gave about the Internet in May 1995. It contains a surprising amount of useful and interesting info, but is manageably short. Feel free to print out copies for your own use or for educational purposes. Many thanks to my friends for helpful discussions and for checking the material!

alpha version

An early testing, pre-release version of a program, which may still have bugs, or features that don't work. See beta version.

application

An executable computer program, but usually connoting a large program which provides a ``wrapper'' around many individual subroutines that can be applied as needed to the task at hand. Editors and drawing programs are standard examples. See utility.

Archie

A search tool for use with ftp that searches an Archie site (a database of filenames) for a specific filename. (Derived from archive.) See Veronica, Jughead.

ARPANET

(Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) The predecessor of the Internet in use between 1971 and 1990, connecting military and academic institutions. Officially dismantled in 1990.

ASCII

(American Standard Code for Information Interchange) (ask-ee) A rule for mapping text characters to binary numbers between 0 and 127 that was introduced by a national committee (???) in the early sixties and eventually won out over IBM's EBCDIC as the industry standard. ASCII files are often referred to as ``text files.''

baud rate

The number of signal events per second occurring on a communications channel. Although not technically accurate, baud rate is commonly used to mean bit rate. See bps.

BBS

(Bulletin Board System) A system by which a group of users with common interests (like a business, club, or professional society) can share information by ``posting'' it to an electronic bulletin board. Some subscriber-based BBSs offer limited Internet services.

beta version

A test-release version of a program which has been fairly well debugged and tested (compared to the alpha version), but is not yet considered complete, because of missing features, and so on.

binary file

A non-text file, containing information encoded in bytes. (These files appear as gibberish when viewed with a text editor.) Sometimes binary files are referred to as unformatted, and text files as formatted. See text file.

bit

(binary digit) A variable or data unit that can take on either of two distinct possible values, such as on or off, yes and no, or 0 and 1. Equivalent to a Boolean or logical variable.

bps

(bits per second) See baud rate.

browser

Any hypertext-based program designed for use with the World Wide Web (WWW) system. Some are text-based, such as Lynx, but most are now graphics-based, such as Mosaic (UNIX, PC, Mac), Netscape, Cello, WinWeb (PC), and MacWeb (Mac).

BTW

UseNet abbreviation, By The Way.

byte

A unit of data equal to 8 bits, and hence capable of storing any one of 2^8 = 256 distinct values. The yardstick by which file size is measured.

byte order

There are two main conventions for the ordering of bytes within multi-byte integers, known as ``big-endian'' (which stores the most significant byte first) and ``little-endian'' (which stores the least significant byte first). Which convention a particular machine uses depends on the vendor; for example DECs use little-endian, while SUNs use big-endian. This can result in problems when data sets are shared over the Internet. The UNIX utility dd can be used to convert between the two conventions --- this is called ``byte swapping.''

Cello

A popular WWW browser for Microsoft Windows from the Legal Information Institute at Cornell Law School. Similar to Mosaic, but differing in specific features. See WWW.

chmod

A UNIX utility for changing the permissions status of files. See permissions.

client

When you access a service provided by another computer, the other computer is referred to as the server and yours as the client. When you use a network-oriented program like ftp or telnet, it is running on both machines, but in ``server mode'' on one end and ``client'' mode on the other. (e.g file servers, mail servers, and print servers)

compression

Large files often contain enough redundancy that clever algorithms (such as the UNIX utility compress) can encode the same data in a form that uses up less memory and can be transmitted more quickly.

CWIS

(Campus-Wide Information Systems) An early application of WAIS and the WWW system which provides information about universities like: (1) course offerings and schedules, (2) directories of students and faculty, (3) current research, (4) campus maps, and (5) upcoming events. Available at many major universities.

cyberspace

The electronic world of interconnected computers. This term originated in the science-fiction Neuromancer trilogy by William Gibson. Other words derived from this are cyperpunk and cybermusic. Often used as a synonym for the Internet.

daemon

(pronounced demon) In UNIX environments, a program that runs in the background as a type of application on the server. (e.g. a mail demon.)

delimiter

A text character that marks the beginning and/or end of a unit of data or separates different data components. For example, periods are used as delimiters in domain names, hyphens and parentheses are used in phone numbers and social security numbers, and blank spaces and commas are used in written text.

DES

(Data Encryption Standard) A standard encryption scheme approved for use within the US by the NSA (National Security Administration).

documentation

Supporting documents (like manuals) for software. Sometimes this information is available online.

domain

An extension in a host name that identifies the type of host. The six domains established by the NIC are: .arpa (ARPA), .com (company/commercial),.edu (educational institutions), .gov (government), .mil (military), and .org (organization). Outside the US, the domain name is a 2-letter country code.

download

To copy a file from a remote machine, for example with anonymous ftp.

driver

A (usually small) program that controls a piece of hardware, such as a printer, modem, speaker, terminal, etc.

EBCDIC

(Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code) (eb-sih-dick) Mostly obsolete. See ASCII.

editor

(or text editor) An application for composing, displaying, and editing text files.

EINet

An organization created from the MCC research consortium in Austin, Texas, founded by Eastman Kodak, Digital Electronics Corporation, and other companies to provide independent basic research services. (See WinWeb.)

Elm

(ELectronic Mailer) A popular menu-driven e-mail utility from Hewlett-Packard. See PINE.

emacs

A screen-based text editor for machines running UNIX.

e-mail

Messages sent electronically between users over a network.

encript

To encode data (e.g. a password) using a sophisticated algorithm that is very difficult to undo. See DES.

ethernet

Originally, a thick coaxial high-speed cable connecting machines in a LAN (with a 10 MB/s max burst rate), and an associated ``conversation-like'' protocol. Modern meaning is still evolving.

extension

Filenames often end with a period followed by additional characters known as the file extension. An extension is generally a standard abbreviation for a type of file. For example, .txt is often used for ASCII files, and .ps for Postscript files.

FAQ

(Frequently Asked Questions) A text file with answers to frequently asked questions.

file

A collection of related computer data or program records stored by name, as on a disk. (From Webster's college dictionary.)

finger

A standard utility supplied with the TCP/IP family that lets you determine who is a valid user and who is logged into a system you have access to. The syntax is finger username@domain.name, or finger @host. See WHOIS.

firewall

In the context of computer security, a method of partially or totally blocking access (from machines not on the LAN) or of filtering/monitoring incoming packets.

flame

In UseNet, a sharp retort, criticism, or insult. (According to Que, from the aeronautical term ``flame out,'' to either have your engines quit or your plane catch fire. Perhaps also from the slang ``to get burned.'')

FreeNet

An international organization that provides inexpensive access to the Internet.

freeware

Software that is distributed free of charge, but often without customer service or much documentation. See GNU.

FTP

(File Tranfer Protocol) One of the first-developed Internet services, a simple UNIX program which allows users to transfer files over a network from one computer to another. Many FTP servers allow you to download files without having an account on the machine, by using ``anonymous'' or ``ftp'' for a user name and your e-mail address as a password. This is a major means of distributing software and info on the Internet. FTP can also handle binary files, but must first be put in binary mode by typing ``bin'' at the FTP prompt.

FYI

(For Your Information) A subset of the RFCs that tend to be more informational and less technical.

gateway

A machine that is connected directly to the Internet backbone, also called an IP router. The connection is over a ``dedicated'' communications line capable of high-speed transfers and the machine must remain online at all times. A gateway is often the connection point between a LAN and the Internet. CU has a gateway which is connected to NCAR, which is part of the backbone. See firewall, Internet.

GIF

(Graphics Interchange Format) A standard color image format commonly encountered on the Internet. Other common formats are TIFF, PICT, and JPEG. See JPEG, MPEG, and xv. (.gif)

GNU

(recursive acronym: GNU Not UNIX) A project of the Free Software Foundation (FSF) to produce a freeware version of UNIX. The FSF produces free software such as the well-known emacs text editor, the GhostScript language, and gs.

Gopher

A menu-based system for organizing and distributing information on the Internet, that allows users to browse or download files and directories. Simpler to use but similar in functionality to FTP. A key feature is the ability to include menu items that connect the user to other Gopher servers. Developed at the Univ. of Minnesota, and partially named after their mascot.

Gopherspace

All Gopher sites are at some point interconnected, and this network is known as Gopherspace. Gopherspace results from the ability to link different Gopher sites together.

grep

A very useful UNIX utility for searching text files for occurrences of a particular string. Related utilities are egrep and fgrep. Compare to sed.

gs

(GhostScript previewer) A freeware program (see GNU) available on many UNIX machines for onscreen viewing of Postscript files, among other things. Ghostscript is actually an entire programming language, similar to Postscript.

guest

When you connect to or log onto a remote computer on which you do not have your own account, (perhaps using a special account for guests) you are referred to as a guest or visitor. The other computer is the host. See client.

GUI

(Graphical User Interface) A ``point-and-click'' user interface, where a mouse is used to position a cursor over objects displayed on the monitor and selections are made by clicking. The Macintosh operating system is built on such an interface. The Windows and X Windows programs endow PCs and UNIX machines with a similar interface. See interface.

hacker

Originally, this term referred to crackerjack programmers and computer experts and connoted respect. Though this meaning is still in use, this word is now also used (especially by the media) to refer to people who deliberately try to penetrate the security of other computers. The computer user community prefers to call these people crackers.

header

Many files contain information at the beginning which describes the files contents, provides documentation, etc. called a header. This is especially true for files that contain data. Similar information at the end of a file is called a trailer.

helper files

Many Internet browsers rely on external programs (called helper files) to provide the capability of viewing images or movies and playing sounds.

home page

An HTML document associated with an individual or organization that contains text, pictures, sounds, and links to other sites that appear as underlined words or phrases. Clicking on these underlined words opens a network connection to another HTML document, which could be anywhere on the Internet, or spawns an application on the host computer.

host

See guest.

HPPC

(High Performance Computing and Communications)

HTML

(HyperText Markup Language) The programming language that WWW documents are written in. (Very easy to learn.)

HTTP

(HyperText Transfer Protocol)

hypertext

A new concept for organizing information made possible by computers, where keywords or phrases can be used not only to reference additional resources (as in see Webster [1995]), but also serve as software links to these resources. When viewing an HTML document with a browser, hypertext ``anchors'' are displayed as underlined text. Clicking on this text immediately establishes a network connection to another file (or another place in the same file) containing more information on the underlined subject, and causes the browser to display this information. The other file can be anywhere on the Internet, and may contain almost anything including text, images, movies, or sounds.

IAB

(Internet Activities Board) Organization that maintains RFCs.

IMHO

UseNet abbreviation, In My Humble Opinion.

interface

The manner in which a user provides information to a computer program. Examples are command-line, menu-driven, and mouse-driven. See GUI.

Internet

A collection of many computer networks that communicate across dedicated high-speed phone lines using a single protocol family called TCP/IP. It consists of a backbone connected via gateways to many smaller networks such as LANs and WANs. See Que[1995, p. 269] for a diagram. Also see gateway, NSFNET.

IP address

Every machine on the Internet is (usually) identified by a unique set of four numbers between 1 and 254 separated by periods, such as 128.138.136.181. Users usually refer to machines by their host name which is aliased to the IP address.

IRC

(Internet Relay Chat) A program similar to, but more elaborate than the talk utility, that allows multiple users to conduct typed conversations in real time over the Internet.

JPEG

(Joint Photographics Expert Group) A standard (compressed) format for color images, common on the Internet. (.jpg or .jpeg) JPEGs tend to be smaller files than GIFs.

Jughead

(Jonzy's Universal Gopher Hierarchy Excavation And Display) A powerful gopher search tool written by Rhett ``Jonzy'' Jones. See Archie, Veronica.

Kermit

A simple modem protocol for transferring files between Macs and/or PCs, or from these to bigger computers. Since TCP/IP was adopted as the official Internet protocol in 1983, most PC software has abandoned Kermit. However, Kermit and its cousins X-, Y-, and Z-modem are still needed in the absence of an ethernet or SLIP connection.

kernel

(??) The machine-dependent lowest-level software that allows an OS to run. (Sometimes stored on a (e.g. BIOS) chip?)

knowbots

Sophisticated ``searching'' programs which, given a search string, automatically search many different databases on the Internet and then return the results of the search, sometimes by e-mail. The Knowbot Information Service (KIS) is an experimental service of this kind.

LAN

(Local Area Network) A network local to a building, company, institute, etc. that usually has only a single point of access to the Internet. (e.g. CIRES network ??) See WAN.

Linux

A shareware implementation of the UNIX operating system for use with PCs.

LISTSERV

A program for the management of electronic mailing lists that (for example) allows the user to (1) join lists (or subscribe), (2) quit lists (or unsubscribe), or (3) send messages to mailing lists. See mailing list, Majordomo.

Lynx

A text-based Internet browser.

machine

Often used as a synonym for computer, workstation, or host.

MacWeb

A WWW browser for Macintosh computers.

mailing list

A mailing list is a mechanism for the simultaneous distribution of e-mail messages to a (possibly very large) group of (subscribed) e-mail users. Mailing lists often function as electronic newsletters or magazines. See LISTSERV, Majordomo.

mainframe

Large computers designed to simultaneously serve a large number of users, and usually remotely accessed by terminals. (See VT series.) Mainframes have largely given way to workstations, which serve fewer users and usually have the CPU and the terminal at the same location, but can be accessed remotely.

Majordomo

A program for managing mailing lists, similar in functionality to LISTSERV. See LISTSERV.

malware

Malicious software, like worms, viruses, and trojan horses.

man

A sometimes useful UNIX utility for getting online help regarding other UNIX commands. For example, ``man finger'' gives information on the finger command. (From manual.)

MILNET

In 1984, NSF funding for the Computer Science Network led to the split of ARPANET into MILNET for unclassified military traffic, and ARPANET for research and nonmilitary use.

MIME

(Multipurpose (or some say Multimedia) Internet Mail Extensions) A way to encapsulate binary file attachments (such as images and sounds) into e-mail messages. Originally suggested in RFC-1341. See PINE.

mirror site

Files at popular anonymous ftp sites are often made available at additional sites, called mirror sites, to better serve users.

MIT list

Newsgroup messages on UseNet all go through MIT's servers, where a program gathers all the user names and builds a database of users and their addresses. Queries may be sent to: mail-server@pit-manager.mit.edu.

modem

A device that transmits/receives computer data through a communications channel such as radio or telephone lines. (From mo[dulator]- dem[odulator].)

Mosaic

A popular Internet hypertext browser that is distributed for free by NCSA.

MOTD

(Message Of The Day) Informational messages that appear when you log into a computer or a service.

MPEG

A format for a series of compressed images, to be played as a movie. On UNIX machines, you can use the command mpeg_play.

MUD

(Multi-User Dungeons (or some say Dimension)) Any role-playing game in which multiple users telnet the same machine to play at the same time.

multimedia

Involving several different media such as graphics, animation, and sound.

NCC

(Network Control Center) Responsible for operations control and management of the Internet. (Still ??)

NCSA

(National Center for Supercomputing Applications) This center develops a lot of useful and free software --- such as Mosaic --- and is located at the University of Illinois, in Champagne-Urbana.

netiquette

The etiquette of the Internet, especially with regard to newsgroups.

netnews

A collection of electronic bulletin boards on a huge variety of topics, available on the Internet. Also, the information available from these bulletin boards. See newsgroup, rn, nn, and UseNet.

Netscape

A sophisticated and speedy Internet browser notable for the fact that six of the seven original development teams that worked on NCSA's Mosaic now work on Netscape for Netscape Communications, Inc.. Originally code-named ``Mozilla.''

newbie

A term for new Internet users, especially with regard to UseNet.

newsgroup

A UseNet discussion group or bulletin board. See netnews, UseNet.

NFS

(Network File System) A system which allows the directories on one machine to be mounted on another machine.

NIC

(Internet Network Information Center) This center sets up domain names and proper gateways on the Internet backbone. They also maintain the WHOIS database. See WHOIS.

NII

(National Information Infrastructure)

NIS

(Network Information Service)

nn

A UNIX program similar to but better than rn for reading netnews. See rn.

NSFNET

The backbone of the Internet since 1990 when ARPANET was dismantled. Originally linked 6 supercomputers through high-speed phone lines.

OS

(Operating System) Low-level software that performs a variety of basic functions such as: copying, deleting, and renaming files; creating, deleting, and listing directories; memory management; connecting to networks; etc. that must be running before any other software can be used. (e.g. UNIX, Linux, VMS, SunOS, and MS-DOS.)

OTOH

UseNet abbreviation, On The Other Hand.

packets

When data is transmitted through networks, it is often broken up into small ``packets'' (localized in time) rather than being sent as a continuous byte stream. This allows multiple transmissions to share the same line, and also facilitates error detection.

PC

(Personal Computer) Usually refers to an IBM-compatible microcomputer, but sometimes also used to include Macintosh computers.

permissions

The UNIX environment allows multiple users to share the same disk space and other resources. In order to provide privacy in this setting, each file has a ``permissions status'' that defines who is allowed to read, write, or execute that file. A file may be accessible to (1) only the owner, (2) a specific group of users, or (3) all users. This status is set by the file's owner using the chmod command.

PINE

(Pine Is Not Elm) A sophisticated e-mail utility that can send not only text files, but also binary files (such as images and sounds) through the use of MIME. See MIME.

platform

Used when referring to differences in the hardware and low-level software used by different computers. These differences often have to do with the different conventions and technology used by different vendors. Ideally, one would like software to be ``platform-independent.''

postmaster

Every LAN (or site) has someone responsible for ensuring the delivery of e-mail, known as the postmaster. If you have a problem with e-mail, or can't find a user's address by other means, you can send e-mail to postmaster@host.

Postscript

A language introduced by Adobe for the precise description of ``pages'' that are to be sent to a printer. Postscript has become the industry standard, beating out Hewlet-Packard's language HPGL. The main advantage of Postscript is that it provides ``vector-based'' as well as ``raster-based'' descriptions of objects on the page, allowing them to be rescaled by arbitrary factors without distortion or degradation. (Many people have never seen ``raw'' Postscript code, as it is usually transparent to the user. You can view this code by opening a Postscript (.ps) file with the UNIX editor vi, but to get a hardcopy you must alter the header before using the lpr command. The code is plain ASCII text and can be e-mailed.) See gs, vi.

PPP

(Point-to-Point Protocol) (Free SLIP/PPP accounts are available for CU users with home computers and 14.4 Kbps modems through CU's Computer Networking Services (CNS). These accounts give you a dynamic IP address and full Internet access from your home computer, for use with browsers, etc.

protocol

A standardized set of rules defining how two machines will communicate with one another via their local software over a network. Often includes error detection/correction schemes. This definition can be broadened to include agreed-upon ``rules of communication'' between any two entities, such as countries, or computer programs.

provider

Companies with an Internet gateway that they share with many companies and individuals, often for a fee.

RAM

(Random Access Memory) A computer's dynamic ``working memory,'' different portions of which can be accessed ``at random'' with no reduction in speed. By contrast, info stored on tapes and disks is termed ``sequential access,'' since, for example, data at the end of a tape takes longer to access than data at the beginning of a tape. See ROM.

README

Files with this word in their name are generally text files containing information about software, the files in a directory, and so on that can be viewed with any text editor.

resource fork

Every file on a Macintosh computer is really two files -- the file containing the data and another hidden file, called the resource fork, that contains information about which application created the file. This is how a Macintosh knows to automatically open the appropriate application when you click on a file's icon. When you transfer Macintosh files to UNIX machines, the resource fork sometimes shows up with the file name preceded by ``%''. When you transfer the other way, you must sometimes create the resource fork file using a standard Mac utility like ResEdit or BunchTyper.

RFCs

(Request For Comments) The working notes of the committees that develop the protocols and standards of the Internet, including proposed changes. These documents contain a great deal of info about the Net and are maintained by the Internet Activities Board (IAB). See STD and FYI.

rlogin

(remote login) A UNIX utility for logging into remote computers; very similar to telnet, but allows .rhosts files instead of requiring the user re-enter their password.

rn

A simple UNIX program for reading netnews.

ROM

(Read Only Memory) This terms refers to ``permanent'' data that is stored in such a way that it can be read (or accessed) but not overwritten. Examples include certain chips in a computer (e.g. BIOS chips) and CD-ROMs.

root access

A user with root access (usually limited to system administrators) has complete access to all files on a given computer. In UNIX one refers to root priveleges; in VMS one says system priveleges. See permissions.

ROTFL

UseNet abbreviation, Rolling On The Floor Laughing.

RTF

(Rich Text Format) (??) A format for the binary encoding of text, but with a greater variety of possible characters than the 128 allowed in ASCII. (??)

RTFM

(Read the Fine Manual) Note that RTFM.MIT.EDU is an anonymous ftp site that maintains every FAQ you would ever want to read.

sed

(stream text editor) A UNIX utility which applies editing commands (in a script) to a text file and then copies the result to the standard output. A common use of sed is ``global search and replace'' which replaces all occurrences of a particular string or pattern with a replacement string; the syntax for this is: sed 's/string/replacement/g' file1 > file1.out. Also see grep.

serial

In the context of data transmission, this refers to the transmission of data ``in series'' along a single communication channel, as opposed to ``in parallel'' where the information to be sent is distributed across several channels.

server

(e.g file server) See client.

service

In the context of the Internet, services are the programs, protocols, etc. that are made available to users by their service provider. These may include e-mail and standard utilities like ftp, gopher, telnet, and WAIS. See provider.

shareware

Software that is distributed for a small fee or sometimes simply a postcard to the author (on the honor system). There is a large shareware community that is philosophically opposed to selling software for profit. See GNU.

shell

Any of several sophisticated programs with a command-line interface that interpret user commands for the operating system. (e.g. csh, sh, tcsh, bssh, and lcsh.)

shouting

Emphasizing a word in a message by capitalization or by placing a character before and after the word, as in: VERY, _very_, and *very*. Shouting a lot is considered rude; see netiquette.

SLIP

(Serial Line Internet Protocol)

smileys

Little symbols in a message meant to be viewed sideways, such as : ) (happy), :-( (sad), :-< (mad), :-o (wow!), :-@ (yell), and ;-) (wink). Also called "emoticons.''

STD

If an RFC becomes fully accepted, it becomes a standard and is called an STD. These tend to be technical.

su

(switch users) A UNIX utility for temporarily switching users during a session. Requires a password.

super-user

Anyone who has root access, usually limited to system administrators. See root access.

surfing

Scanning through lots of newsgroups, TV channels, web sites, etc.

syntax

The way in which words are put together to form valid computer commands. Typically a command will be followed by a list of arguments, with the arguments separated by spaces, commas, or some other delimiter.

talk

A UNIX program which allows two users on different machines to carry on a dialogue in real time by typing messages into a split screen.

tar

(tape archive) A utility for bundling files and directories together into one file for archival storage on a tape or for transmission over the Internet.

TCP/IP

(Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol) A widely used family of protocols that has been the official standard for the Internet since 1983. This family includes protocols for handling data transport (TCP,UDP), routing (IP, ICMP, RIP, OSPF), addresses (ARP, DNS, RARP), user services (BOOTP, FTP, TELNET), gateways (EGP, GGP, IGP), and other services (NFS, NIS, RPC, SMTP, SNMP). (See Que[1995, Ch. 12] for acronyms and more details.)

telnet

A standard utility for logging onto a remote computer, and not specific to UNIX. Compare to rlogin.

text file

A file containing text characters (usually ASCII), that can be viewed with any standard text editor. Most mail utilities can only handle text files. See binary file.

TFTD - L

(Thought For The Day) A popular mailing list, which each day sends subscribed users a new TFTD via e-mail.

trust

A term for issues related to how the security of one system depends on the integrity of other systems.

TTY

An extremely plain TeleTYpe-style terminal. (Now rare.) See VT series.

UNIX

A popular operating system with many variants, which supports multiple users and multi-tasking. The philosophy behind UNIX is to provide a large number of simple and efficient utility routines for specific tasks that can then be chained together (e.g. using ``pipes'') to solve more complex problems. Two standard versions are System V (AT&T) and BSD (Berkeley). Workstation vendors typically have their own versions, such as SunOS for Suns, Ultrix for DECs, and AIX for IBMs. See shell.

URL

(Universal Resource Locator) The mechanism used by the WWW system to find a particular page, image, or sound. Basically, an address for the page. For example, the URL for NASA's home page is http://www.nasa.gov.

UseNet

(Users' Network) A text-based mechanism which supports discussion groups, called newsgroups, that allow users from anywhere on the Internet to participate. Though a service rather than a network, it is the most popular of the Internet's many services. (Netscape supports UseNet.)

user

A term similar in spirit to ``consumer'' or ``public'' that generically refers to someone who uses a computer, network, or piece of software.

utility

A (usually small) application or subroutine designed with a very particular task in mind, like converting between two formats.

uuencode

(Unix-to-Unix encoding) A UNIX utility for converting binary files to ASCII for transmission via e-mail between UNIX machines. On the receiving end, uudecode is used to convert back to binary.

UUNET

A large network and gateway owned by UUNET Technologies (1-800-488-6384) that provides subscribers with full Internet access, unlike many other service providers.

Veronica

(Very Easy Rodent-Oriented Net-wide Index to Computerized Archives) A search tool for use with Gophers (a rodent). See Archie, Jughead.

vi

A standard (visual) text editor (with a somewhat awkward command-line interface) for machines running UNIX.

VMS

An operating system by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) that has competed for many years with UNIX but is gradually dying out. DEC's version of UNIX is Ultrix.

VT series

A series of text-based terminals introduced by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in the 70s (???), designed for use with large mainframe computers and standard enough to work with a variety of different computer types. The VT100 and VT102 were the most common; others were the VT52 and VT220. When a Mac or PC is used to access another computer over a network, it often achieves compatibility by running software that causes it to emulate a VT series terminal. This is sometimes called ``dumbing down.''

WAIS

(Wide Area Information Servers) (ways) Using keywords supplied by the user, WAIS servers search their databases for any files which contain a match. WAIS goes beyond Gopher, FTP, and Archie searches, but is somewhat similar to WebCrawler.

WAN

(Wide Area Network) Large (e.g. state and regional scale) networks connected to the Internet.

WebCrawler

A tool for searching WWW sites for any documents containing the user-supplied search string.

web page

A hypertext page in the WWW system. See home page, hypertext, and HTML.

web site

A site with a web page.

WHOIS

A program and accompanying database maintained by the NIC for obtaining e-mail adresses and other info about other Internet users. It is meant to be a database of all Internet users, but is far from complete. A similar experimental service is Netfind. See finger.

WinWeb

A very recent hypertext (or WWW) browser developed by EINet.

workstation

Originally, a terminal and keyboard remotely connected to a mainframe, but now refers to the combination of a powerful computer, graphics terminal, and keyboard at one location, like a Sun SPARCstation or a DECstation. Seems to be replacing the term minicomputer, which is larger than a microcomputer (or PC) but smaller than a mainframe.

WWW

(World Wide Web) Also called ``the Web,'' a system which allows users to graphically browse through documents on sites throughout the Internet, and follow pointers (called links or hyperlinks) to other documents that can be anywhere. These documents can contain text, graphics, sounds, and even movies. The original idea was developed at CERN (the European Laboratory for Particle Physics) between 1989 and 1992.

XBM

An X-formatted black and white bitmap image. (.xbm)

XPM

An X-formatted color bitmap image. (.xpm)

Xmodem

A standard modem protocol used for file transfer. Others include Ymodem and Zmodem. See Kermit.

X terminal

A sophisticated graphics terminal often used on UNIX machines (and associated server software ?). Often several X terminals will be attached to a single machine. See X Windows.

xv

(for external viewer) A UNIX program for displaying images in a wide variety of formats and for converting between formats.

X Windows

A program that provides UNIX machines with a graphical user interface. See GUI.

(Main references: Using the Internet, 2nd edition, Que, 1995 and The New Hacker's Dictionary, 2nd edition, Eric Raymond, 1994.)

Copyright (c) 1994-1996, Scott Peckham.
All rights reserved.