Glossary
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
- Acrobat Reader
- Stand-alone program and web browser plug-in from Adobe that allows a user to view a Portable Document Format (PDF) file in its original format and appearance. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is free and can be downloaded from the Adobe web site.
- Application
- A set of business processes and software programs designed for a specific business process.
- Archive
- A collection of files stored in accordance with the Department's retention and disposal schedule.
B
- Bandwidth
- Refers to the speed of a connection between computers. The range of frequencies (size of the 'pipe') available for carrying information.
- Bookmark
- A group of URL addresses that are added to a browser as shortcuts to web sites. Also known as 'favourites'.
- Bounce
- Return of an email because it could not be delivered to the specified address.
- Browser
Tool (software program) that allows users to surf the web and interact with various kinds of Internet resources. The browser interprets the 'tags' which are used in creating web documents, to recreate the web page on a computer screen. Numerous browsers have been written. A list of standards compliant browsers is available from the Web standards web site.
The currently most popular web browsers are Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer.
C
- Campaign site
- A site which is associated with a marketing campaign and which has a unique identity. It is usually a site with a limited life span.
- CD-ROM
- Compact Disk Read Only Memory. A physical device for storage of digital information.
- Content
- Digitised data - documents, email records, database records, digital (multimedia) assets.
D
- Database
- A program behind an application.
- Discussion lists
- An asynchronous form of email based messaging where groups can write, receive, share and discuss information of mutual interest. Information is split into topic groups, can be threaded and can be searched and archived. Participants require an email address, a username and password.
- Document
- Electronic or hardcopy file containing information.
- Download
- Transfer of data from a server to a computer's hard disk. A browser or FTP program is used to download files to a computer (for example, retrieval of an email, and downloading an email to a computer). The content and images on a web site are also downloaded so they can be viewed on a screen.
E
- E-commerce
- The process of conducting a financial transaction through electronic means. This can range from using an EFTPOS card to purchasing goods over the Internet.
- Messages, usually text, sent from one person to another via a network. Email can also be sent automatically to a large number of addresses. (See mailing list).
- Electronic publishing
- Dissemination of information via electronic media such as the Internet, Intranets, CD-ROM, networks and diskettes.
F
- FAQ
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Form
- Forms that can be filled in and submitted online via the web (e.g. providing feedback, registering for a service).
G
- GIF
- Common graphics file format on the Internet. This format can display only 256 colors at the maximum (8 bits), therefore a GIF is mostly used to show line-art images (photographic images are usually in the JPEG format). The GIF 89a standard allows multiple images in one file, so a GIF file can be used to show some animation on a web site (also called animated gif).
H
- Home page
- The primary or main web page for an individual or organisation.
- HTML
- Hyper Text Markup Language. A language for creating hyper text documents on the web. HTML formats text by placing marks ('tags') around the text like old-typesetting code.
- HTTP
- HyperText Transfer Protocol
- Hypertext
- Generally, text that contains 'links' to other documents.
I
- Internet
- A network of computer networks that communicates utilising TCP/IP.
- ISDN
- Integrated Services Digital Network. This facilitates high-speed transfer transmission (up to 128 kbps) of voice and data.
- ISP
- Internet Service Provider. A company that offers access to the Internet for providing and obtaining information. Every time you log on, your ISP connects you to the Internet.
J
- JPEG
- Joint Photographic Experts Group. Image compression standard, optimised for full-colour (millions of colours) digital images. The user can choose the amount of compression, but the higher the compression rate, the less quality the image has. Almost every full-colour photograph you see on the web is a JPEG file. Alternatively, GIFs are used to display line-art images (up to 256 colours).
M
- Metadata
- Structured information that describes and/or categorises a resource. Useful for indexing resources and enhancing their discoverability via structured searches.
- Mailing list
- Email based discussion group. List servers maintain a list of email addresses of subscribers. When you send an email message to this group, your email is copied and sent to all subscribers.
- Mirror site
- More or less an exact copy of another Internet or FTP site. Mirror sites are created when traffic on the original site is too heavy. They are usually on servers that are located in different geographic areas.
- Modem
- Modulator, DEModulator. A device that connects a computer to a phone line, allowing acces with other computers and networks (e.g. the Web) through the phone system.
- Multimedia
- An electronic program or product using multiple elements such as text, sound, images and video, commonly found in products on CD-ROM and on Internet and Intranet sites.
O
- Online
- Connected to the Internet.
P
- A file format that captures all the elements of a printed document as an electronic document that can be viewed, navigated, printed or forwarded to others. They are created using Adobe Acrobat, or similar products. To view and use the files, a user must download the free Acrobat Reader, and the Reader will start automatically whenever a PDF file is opened.
- Plug-ins
- A file containing data used to alter, enhance, or extend the operation of a parent application, for example, a web browser, shockwave or flash.
S
- Server
- A host computer providing the web site information.
- Site map
- A detailed list or diagram, separated by categories of information. It assists users in finding what they want, or seeing at a glance what may be contained on a web site.
U
- URL
- Uniformed Resource Locator. Address of any resource on the World Wide Web.
- User
- Person or group who uses the Internet to read and use information.