Modem

An analog modem is a device that enables a computer to transmit data over telephone lines (e.g. 28.8Kbps [kilobits per second] and 56Kbps). Computer information is stored digitally, whereas information transmitted over telephone lines is transmitted in the form of "analog" information (ie not 1's and 0's). Analog modems translate data from digital to analog and back. The fastest analog modems run at 57,600 bps.

Bandwidth

The amount of information that can be transmitted over the Internet during a second. Essentially, the size of the pipe.

Bit - (short for 'binary digit')

The smallest, most basic unit of computer data. Bits are either on or off (one or zero).

bps or Bps - (bits or Bytes per second)

The speed at which data is transferred.

Browser

The application that serves as your interface with the World Wide Web. Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Opera and Firefox are some of the most common browsers.

Byte

Equal to 8 bits, one Byte of data is the standard unit of measure on the Internet. Each Byte represents one character (such as a letter or number). Often you will see terms like KiloByte (KB), which is one thousand Bytes, or MegaByte (2 MB or 2 Megs), one million Bytes, or GigaByte (eg 2 GB or 2 Gigs) which is one billion Bytes. Now you may even see the term TeraByte, which represents one trillion Bytes!

Cache

The location in your computer's memory, or in an independent storage device reserved for easy, high speed retrieval of information. Your computer uses cache memory to speed its performance, and web browsers use cached pages (stored on your harddrive) to speed the loading of frequently visited sites.

Chat

Real-time communication between multiple users over the Internet can be compared to a party line or conference call using text instead of speech. The text appears as it is typed on all PCs participating in the chat. Internet chat occurs in 'chat room' web pages, in IRC, or using instant messaging programs such as ICQ or AIM.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

A protocol for remotely assigning IP addresses to devices. The device (such as your computer) asks the DHCP server for an address, and the DHCP server grants a lease (meaning that the IP address will expire and need to be renewed by the computer).

Domain Name

The human-readable address for a web site. The Internet actually uses numbers (IP addresses) to locate computers, but this isn't the easiest way for people to remember things, so domain names are used. Domains tell some things about the site they point to, such as being a company name (www.ibm.com). They can have beginning parts that tell how they are accessed (www for World Wide Web, ftp for File Transfer Protocol), and end in an extension such as the following:

* com: company
* edu: educational
* org: organization
* gov: government
* mil: military
* net: network
* XX: two letter country codes (e.g. United Kingdom = uk, Canada = ca)

DNS - (Domain Name Service)

The method by which IP addresses are translated into domain names and back again. DNS is required to be able to go to a page using its domain name (ie www.ibm.com)

Download

The process of transferring files from another computer to your computer over a network connection.

Driver

A program that controls peripheral hardware devices, such as a printer or modem.

Hub

A device for connecting many computers together. Like the hub of a wheel, it implies connections from one central location to many computers.

Hyperlink

An icon, graphic or word on a web page that opens another page when clicked.