56k Line - A digital phone-line connection (leased line) capable of carrying 56,000 bits-per-second. At this speed, a megabyte will take about 3 minutes to transfer. This is four times as fast as a 14,400 bps modem. See bandwidth.

Address - A name, group of numbers or bits used to identify a specific device (e.g. server, printer or computer) on a network.

Animation - A process of creating movement of images on-screen.

Applet - Refer to Java programs which are embedded in web pages.

Applications software - A group of programs designed to perform specific tasks such as database management, spreadsheet, word processing, attendance, accounting, grade reporting, scheduling, and others.

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) - A protocol which assigns an eight bit code to every letter, number and symbol on a keyboard to allow for universal transmission of basic data. Commonly referred to as "plain text."

Asynchronous - A process in a computer that, once triggered, executes independently of the main clock. In asynchronous transmission of serial data, the time between each binary character varies. Therefore each transmission has to begin with a "start" bit and end with a "stop" bit so that the receiving end knows where the beginning and end are.

Asynchronous desktop conferencing is similar to desktop groupware conferencing but it is exclusively asynchronous. Students and instructors use phone lines or the Internet to access the conferencing system where they participate in virtual classrooms, study groups, presentation sessions, and even tests and assessments. In an important sense, the software is the university. Most systems are predominately text-based and some offer fax storage and retrieval and/or limited graphical images and even voice-mail services. Often know as computer-mediated asynchronous distance learning, the software for this approach grew up from the computer bulletin board systems that dominated modem-based desktop communications system before the Internet

Audio Conference - The linking together of individuals and groups by means of telecommunications networks and audio technology, so that people in remote locations can participate in "meetings" where one or several of the participants are present in the form of a live audio link heard through a speaker phone, speaker or audio system.

Bandwidth - The amount of the electromagnetic spectrum that a given signal occupies. Usually expressed in kilohertz (thousands of hertz, or kHz) or megahertz (millions of hertz or MHz).

Browser - A software program used to view World Wide Web pages; also called a web browser. Currently, the two most popular web browsers are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.

Bulletin Board (Bulletin Board System or BBS) - A computerized meeting and announcement system that allows people to carry on discussions, upload and download files, and make announcements without the people being connected to the computer at the same time. There are many BBSs around the world. Most are very small, running on a single IBM clone PC with 1 or 2 phone lines. The line between a BBS and a system like CompuServe gets crossed at some point, and is not clearly drawn.

CD-ROM - Refers to Compact Disk - Read Only Memory which uses optical technology.

Chat Room (online) - Communication between members of an online service using text. The messages are sent between members in real time (as in a conversation) by typing short statements.

Compressed File - A computer file that has been reduced in size through a compression software program. The user must decompress these files before they can be viewed or used.

Computer Conferencing - An ongoing conversation with others in different locations, also known as group conferencing. The conferencing can be done in "real-time," (synchronous) so that messages appear as they are being keyed, or it can be "delayed" (asynchronous), which means the complete message is keyed and then stored for later use by the receiver or sender.

Database - A collection or listing of information, usually organized with searchable elements or fields. For example, a library catalog is a database that can be searched by author, title or subject.

Digital - Any technology which converts or transmits information signals by breaking them down into a series of 0's and 1's. Digital transmission has the added advantage of creating a virtual carbon copy of the original, with zero degradation.

Distance Learning or Education - Instruction that takes place when teacher and students are geographically separated. Telecommunications technologies link them on an interdistrict, interstate, intrastate or international basis.

Download - To copy a program or any form of data from another computer to your own computer.

E-Mail (electronic mail) - A message that is sent electronically from the computer of one person to the computer of another person.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) - A collection of information on the basics of any given subject that is often archived on a server. FAQs are created so that people don't waste bandwidth asking the same questions repeatedly.

File - Information, often a document or an application, saved on a disk or other storage medium.

Firewall - A combination of hardware and software that separates a LAN into two or more parts for security purposes. See network.

File Compression - Software that makes files smaller than their original size so they take up less space on a disk or other storage medium.

File Server - Computer with a large storage device on a network, used for storing files and software that can be shared by users on the network.

Followup - A response to a question posted in a USENET or listserv group.

Frame (in networking) - A small bundle of data transmitted over a local area network. Essentially the same thing as a packet, but frames are packets that occur on LANs only.

FrontPage - Microsoft's program for creating web pages and administering web sites.

FTP - Refers to File Transfer Protocol.

GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) - A widely used format for image files on the web.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) - The coding language used to create World Wide Web pages.

Hyperlink - A link in an HTML document that leads to another World Wide Web site, or another place within the same document.

Hypermedia - A program that contains dynamic links to other media, such as audio, video or graphics files.

Hypertext - A system for retrieving information from servers on the Internet using World Wide Web client software. Hypertext consists of key words or phrases in a WWW page that are "linked" electronically to other websites or pages on the Internet.

Internet - The huge, worldwide"network of networks" connecting government, business and university computers.

Internet Protocol (IP) - A common layer used on the Internet to connect dissimilar networks and operating systems.

Java - An object-oriented, distributed, interpreted, architecture-neutral, general-purpose programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. Java supports programming for the Internet in the form of platform-independent Java "applets".

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) - A common file format for images on the Internet. (See also MPEG.)

LAN (Local Area Network) - A number of computers and other peripheral devices connected to a file server for the purpose of sharing resources, such as software applications, files, peripherals and services. A LAN usually refers to a network in one room or building;

Laserdisc - A plastic disk or platter on which text, video and graphic images can be encoded by means of microscopic pits engraved into the surface; also known as videodiscs. Laserdiscs are read by special players that transmit a laser beam onto the disks.

Listserv - A powerful software program for combining and automating mailing lists and discussion groups on a computer network or the Internet. A form of one-to-many communication using e-mail.

Local Area Network - (See LAN.)

Log In or Log On - The process of establishing connection over a network or modem with a remote computer so that the user’s computer may retrieve or exchange information.

Log Off - The process of terminating a connection to a computer or network.

Mailing List - A group of people who subscribe to a periodic distribution of news or information on a particular topic. On the Internet, mailing lists include each person's e-mail address rather than a postal address. Mailing lists have become a popular way for Internet users to keep up with topics they're interested in. Many software producers and other vendors are now using them as a way to keep in touch with customers

Media - Forms of communication in various formats, such as magazines, newspapers, movies, audio formats, computer software, electronic networks, etc.

MHz (MegaHertz or Millions of Cycles Per Second) - The unit of frequency used to measure the clock rate of modern digital logic, including microprocessors.

Modem (Modulator/Demodulator) - An electronic device that attaches to a computer and enables it to transmit and receive data from another computer over a telephone line.

Modem Speed - Each modem is rated for the amount of information it can process per second. These ratings are stated in bits per second (bps). Modems come in speeds ranging from 14,400 bps to 56,000 bps.

Monitor - A device that is connected to a computer and used to display text and graphics. Monitors are similar to television sets, but use a digital signal rather than an analog signal like television receivers.

Mouse - A pointing and input device that allows the user to control the movement of the cursor to any area of the monitor screen.

MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group) - A digital video file format commonly used on the World Wide Web.

Multimedia - A very general term that usually refers to computer programs using a combination of sound, video, animation, pictures, and/or text.

Netiquette - The rules of conduct for on-line or Internet users.

Netscape - Currently, one of the most popular web browsers.

Network - Two or more computers that are interconnected in some fashion so users can share files and devices (e.g. printers, servers, and storage devices).

Newsgroups - The basic unit of organization on the USENET bulletin board of the Internet. Newsgroups are independent discussions on specific topics.

On-line - The state in which a computer is connected to another computer or server via a network. A computer communicating with another computer.

Open - A command that makes a file available so that a user can modify its contents, display it on screen, or send its contents to a printer or other network device for output.

Operating System - The program that organizes and manages the internal activities and functions of the computer and peripheral devices.

Pentium - The latest version microprocessors developed by the Intel Corporation’s. The Pentium is the successor to the 80486 processor and is 20 to 100% faster.

Peripheral Device - A device outside the user’s computer (e. g., scanner or printer) that is under the computer’s control.

Plug-In - Special program extensions installed in your end user's browser that allow the user to view plug-in-based content, such as Flash, Shockwave, Real Audio, QuickTime, etc.

PostScript printer - Is a file format and device language developed by Adobe used by postscript compatible devices. Many printers with the proper drivers can support this format/language.

Processor speed - Sometimes called the CPU, or central processing unit. Hardware that performs a systematic sequence of operations under the control of software programs.

RAM (Random Access Memory) - RAM is the memory the computer uses to temporarily store information that the microprocessor needs to operate a computer program. The amount of RAM determines the number of programs that can be open on a computer simultaneously.

Real Time - Communication where information is received at (or nearly at) the instant it is sent.

Resolution - The way things appear on your computer monitor. Resolution is measured in pixels.

Save - In a computing context, information is stored by transferring it from main memory (RAM) to a disk or other storage medium or device.

Satellite Dish - A device for sending or receiving electronic signals from a satellite.

Scanner - A device that converts a printed page or image into an electronic representation that can be viewed and manipulated on a computer.

Scripts - An HTML page which passes variables back to the server.

Search Engine - An Internet site and software program that allows for keyword searching of on-line information.

Search Strategy - The organized plan by which an on-line user conducts a search of an electronic information resource. It usually involves the use of Boolean operators to increase search precision or retrieval.

Serial Port - A port that allows the computer to communicate with peripheral devices such as mice and modems. Serial ports send or receive data one bit at a time over a one-way wire.

Server - A central computer with special software that provides services to other computers on a network.

Service Provider – An organization that offers network access to users via modem or some sort of high-capacity network media like coaxial or fiber optic cable.

Style sheets - A list of specifications describing how to present a document in a particular medium. Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and Extensible Style Language (XSL) are the dominant style sheet mechanisms in the XML space.

Surfing - Netspeak for exploring content, whether one is surfing through cable stations or surfing the Internet.

Streaming Video - A sequence of "moving images" are sent in compressed form over the Internet and displayed by a viewer program as they arrive.

Streaming Media is streaming video with sound. With streaming video or streaming media, a web user does not have to wait to download a large file before seeing the video or hearing the sound. Instead, the media is sent in a continuous stream and is played as it arrives. The user needs a player, which is a special program that uncompresses and sends video data to the display and audio data to speakers. A player can be either an integral part of a browser or downloaded from the software maker's Web site. Streaming video is usually sent from prerecorded video files, but can be distributed as part of a live broadcast "feed." In a live broadcast, the video signal is converted into a compressed digital signal and transmitted from a special Web server that is able to do multicasting, sending the same file to multiple users at the same time.

Synchronous - A process in a computer that is linked to the main clock of the computer. For example, if music and sound are to be precisely synchronized in a multimedia program, the software controlling both must use synchronous processes. Also used to describe communication occurring in real time.

Table - Tables can hold images and text in place, but they are not intuitive or flexible when it comes to positioning them on the screen.

T-1 Line - A high-speed, leased telecommunication circuit capable of transmitting data at the rate of 1.544 Mbps (1,544,000 bits per second).

TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol - A standard for the transmission of electronic data from one computer to another. TCP/IP is currently the de facto transmission protocol for the Internet.

Technology - The application of knowledge, tools and skills to solve practical problems and extend human capabilities.

Technology Literacy - The ability to use, manage, and understand technology.

Telecommunications - The exchange of voice, video or data through digital or analog electromagnetic or electronic signals (e.g. radio, telephone, television, facsimile, computer/modem).

Teleconference - Communication via audio, video, or computer between two or more groups in separate locations.

TELNET - An application that allows the user to log into a remote, usually UNIX-based computer over the Internet.

Upload - Is the transfer of data, information or files from a local site to a remote site. Often viewed in terms of a local user or programmer modifying or updating files hosted at a remote server.

URL - Uniform Resource Locator - The address and method used to locate a specific resource or single document on the World Wide Web or Internet.

USENET - A one-to-many communication system on the Internet that is also available on some smaller networks as well (like FIDONet, which is found in many developing countries). USENET is an informal news and information transfer system that allows users to exchange messages on a bulletin board-like system. (See also LISTSERV and BBS)

User ID - A unique number, name or combination of both that is associated with a user’s name on a server system.

User Interface - The system of computer screen images, devices, and software components that allow the user to interact with and control the computer’s operating system. Graphical user interfaces (GUI) allow the user to interact with the operating system by manipulating icons or menus. Command-line interfaces allow the user to interact with operating systems by entering commands from the keyboard.

VGA (Video Graphics Adapter) - VGA superseded EGA and can support 16 colors on most monitors; in some cases VGA video adapters can support 256 colors. VGA was superseded by SVGA.

Video Adapter – A computer board that plugs into a slot on the computer’s main circuit board and allows the computer to display text and graphics on a monitor.

Video Conferencing - Involves using video and audio signals to link participants at different and locations for a specific purpose.

Virus - A destructive type of computer program that attempts to disrupt the normal operation of a computer, rewrite or delete information from storage devices, and in some cases, cause physical damage to the computer.

Virus Detection Program - A software program to detect, diagnose, and destroy computer viruses.

WAI priority 1 - Refers to Wide Area Information System.

Web Page - A single on line document containing information that can be accessed over the World Wide Web (WWW).

Workstation - A device, often a microcomputer, that serves as an interface between a user and a file server or host computer; a computer or computer terminal.

World Wide Web (WWW) – A spiderweb-like interconnection of millions of pieces of information and documents located on computers around the world. Web documents use a hypertext coding language which incorporates text, sound and graphical images and "links" to other documents and files on Internet-connected computers. The WWW allows for "point-and-click" navigation of the Internet.