Applet - A mini application usually dedicated to one specific job.

AVI - Windows video file format.

Band width - How much “stuff” (or code) can get down a line, how quickly. Usually quoted in “bits” per second or bps. A 56k modem transfers data at 56,000 bits per second. Download times are a band width issue.

Browser - A computer program that is used to look at Web pages (such as Netscape and Explorer)

CGI - Common Gateway Interface - programming that enables communication with other information - such as forms and databases.

Compression - shrinking file sizes so they download faster. Graphics as jpeg and gif are compressed – bmp or tiff are not.

Cookie - A small piece of information sent from a wbe site to a browser that is sent back when the browser is connected to the same site again. For example log-in information.

Domain Name - A unique name that identifies a Website. e.g. http://www.sheppard.co.nz

Email Address - Electronic mail address.

Encryption - A method of securing computer information to protect it from unauthorized use.

FTP - File Transfer Protocol – a way of logging into a site to pass information to the Website hosts. It is the way to transfer and manage the pages on your site.

Firewall - Hardware and software that together prevent unauthorised access to computers connected to the Internet.

Forms - Utilised on the Internet for users to submit information when ordering goods or other on-line services.

Home Page - Can be likened to the front cover, plus the index or contents of a book - from this page the user can go to other pages on your site.

HTML - HyperText Mark-up Language - is the language of the Internet. It is the code or programming that goes on behind web pages.

HTTP - HyperText Transfer Protocol - the method for moving hypertext files across the Internet.

Hypertext - Underlined text that is a link to sections of a page or other pages and sites

Intranets - are simply the Internet in miniature, allowing organisations to provide staff on the company network, access to internal data, using the same software required for Internet access.
An Intranet usually has secure access and will have a Firewall to protect its contents from Internet invasion while still allowing employees to send email and sometimes have access to the wider web.

ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network - A method to send data over existing telephone lines at a fast rate (128,000 bits).

ISP - Internet Service Provider. Normally where your site is housed and your email is accessed.JAVA - A programming language that extends your browser capabilities and elements on your web page.

MPEG - Moving Picture Experts Coding Group – a compression format for video

MP3 - is a streaming audio file that can be extremely fast.

Navigation bar - A way to get around a Website and should be on all pages in your site.

PPP - Point to Point Protocol - this protocol allows a computer to use a regular telephone line and modem to make a TCP/IP Connection.

Quicktime - A format to play Digital Video over the Net.

Robots and Spiders - mini computer programmes controlled and sent out by search engines to look for information on Websites.

Rollover - These are graphics that change colour or form when a mouse cursor ‘rolls over’ it. For example linked buttons.

Robots and Spiders - mini computer programmes controlled and sent out by search engines to look for information on Websites.

Search Engine - Websites like Google and Yahoo set up to help the user to search the www to find other sites or pages.

Server - Software and hardware that host a particular computer function.

Secure Site - This is a site that is certified as secure for money transactions by the hosts of the site.

Site - A collection of Web pages linked with html.

Streaming - This is a method of downloading video and sound in real time.

TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol - These are the protocols that define and ensure that data travels safety on the Internet.

URL - Uniform Resource Locator - the standard way to show an Internet address. Every link on a Web page is actually a URL (e.g., http://www.heresyou.com).

World Wide Web - Commonly called the Web, it is the graphic and multimedia interface of the Internet.

There are many formats that help display pictures either as animations, rollovers, or static graphics such as;- gif, jpeg, mpeg, pdf, Flash and Shockwave. Some of these formats require a special “plug-in” or small additional software packages, to enable viewing via the Net.