Home > Web Help > Glossary

A glossary of common web terms and acronyms. The glossary is aimed at newer web users, and we have kept the definitions as staright forward as possible.

Bookmark
Your computer will store the exact address that you wish to visit, so that you can return to the exact place in the future. You can save your bookmarks and transfer to another computer

Browser
Browsers are software programs that enable you to view web pages. They "translate" HTML-encoded files into the text, images, sounds, and other features you see. Netscape, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Opera are examples of browsers that enable you to view text and images and many other Web features. Lynx is an example of a text only browser.

Cache
A cache is a folder on your computer that temporarily stores web pages you have visited so that if you visit that page again, your computer can use the stored images and information and display the page faster.

Cookie
A message sent from a web page and stored by your browser on your computer. When you visit the page again, the web site can access the cookie and 'remember' your last visit or the information you provided

Dial-up Connection
The most popular form of Internet connection for home users in the UK connects you to the Internet using a regular telephone line.

Domain
A system for indicating the logical or geographical position of a Web site. For example, .gov (government agency), .com (commercial), .org (non-profit and research organizations). Domains can also indicate country: uk (United Kingdom), au (Australia), jp (Japan), fr (France), etc.

Download
To transfer to your computer a copy of a file that resides on another computer.

GIF or gif (Graphics Interchange Format)
An image file format that can be seen by a web browser. Gifs are ideal for solid colour images such as logos or graphic diagrams.

Home Page
The main entry page of a web site, generally considered the index page. Or the page that opens automatically when you start your web browser

HTML (Hyper text mark-up language)
A computer language used to create web sites. When a browser, such as Internet Explorer reads this language, it "translates" the files into the text, images, sounds, and features you see.

Hyperlink
A link in a web page to another web page, or part of that page. These links are sometimes represented by underlined text.

JavaScript
A programming language developed by Netscape to enable greater interactivity in Web pages. It interacts with HTML, enabling dynamic content and motion.

JPEG or jpg (Joint Photographic Expert Group)
An image format that can be viewed by most web browsers - This format is a good way to save photographs to be viewed on the web, as it keeps the file size small and the image quality higher

Keywords
Words that can be used by search engines. When developing a web site, it's important to include keywords that are relevant to your business. These are the words that a user will put into a search engine in order to find your site.

Plugin
Small software accessory programs that work with a Web browser to give it added capabilities such as the ability to play sounds or video. Plug-ins must be installed on your computer in advance to view the content

QuickTime
A method of storing movie and audio files in a digital format, and can be viewed using the QuickTime Player. Developed by Apple Computers.

Search Engine
A web site that helps you find other web sites. It is often a directory of web sites that are indexed using keywords. Yahoo is one of the popular search engines, along with Alta Vista, Lycos and Ask Jeeves.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
The exact location of a web site,
For example: http://www.speckledfrog.com/web/glossary.htm.

WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)
This is a language used by products such as mobile phones or small Internet appliances to display the information.

Web Client
The computer and software you use to access web pages.

Web Server
The computer and software on which a site is located.