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-A-
Acceptable Use - policy that says how your clients should conduct themselves
while they are using your center's computers. Some items usually covered in an acceptable use policy
are:
- Not using center computers to break the law.
- Not trying to break either the center's computer
security or someone else's.
- Not sending junk mail to people who don't want it.
- Not attempting to send out huge amounts of email
to a server to make it crash (mail bombing).
Access -getting hooked up to
an Internet provider so you can get out and surf on the Web.
Access (Microsoft Access)
- program that allows you to create databases. Databases help you organize,
search, and print out lists of information such as your address book,
inventory of CDs, and baseball card collection, etc. For information
on the free online class in Access offered by WebJunction,
click here.
Adobe Acrobat - program that
helps you read articles or other documents someone has scanned on your
computer. Acrobat saves the scanned documents in .pdf
(Portable Document File) format. For a free lesson on using Adobe Acrobat,
click here. For free lessons on converting text to the Web, click
here.
Adobe Photoshop - program that
helps you work with photos, changing their colors, getting red out of
people's eyes, etc. For more information about the free online class
in Adobe Photoshop offered by WebJunction,
click here.
Advocacy - supporting a person
or a cause to help them out.
Animation - imitates movement
of a person, animal or thing by using a number of pictures or frames
with different poses in a series that show movement. Cartoons are an
example of animation. Java is a programming language that will help
you add animation to your Web sites. For information about the free
online course in Java 1.1 offered by WebJunction,
click here. If you would like to see how a cartoon is made, click
here.
(Note: this page may be slow to load up, because it has a number of
graphical images.)
Applet - programs written in
the Java language you can put on your Web page. Applets help you animate
and add forms to your Web site, which will make your Web site more interesting.
For information about the free online course in Java 1.1 offered by
WebJunction, click here.
Architecture - the art and science
of building structures. Architecture applies to creating a building
or designing a product, such as a computer or Web site.
ASP (Application Service
Provider) - web-based
service that provides you with email, calendars, etc. online. Microsoft's
Hotmail is an example of this type of service. You can use the email
software that Microsoft has installed on their Web site instead of having
to have email software on your computer. For free lessons on how to
get free email accounts, click here.
-B-
Backup - spare copy of a computer
file, an important paper, etc. that is kept in a different location
from the original. You keep backups to use in case the original is lost,
stolen, or damaged.
Bandwidth - rate of speed
computers can talk with each other.
Best practices - guidelines
for the best way to do a task or conduct your business.
Blog - journal that is available on the Web.
Updating a blog is called "blogging"
and someone who keeps a blog is a "blogger." Blogs are usually
updated daily using software that allows people with little or no technical
background to update and maintain the blog.
Bookmark - location you can
set in a document or web page that you can use to link to or just return
to quickly.
Boolean - mathematical values
that must either be true or false. Also, refers to the Boolean operators
that help you find information on the Web or in databases: AND, OR,
and NOT. One of the popular databases that will use Boolean operators
is Microsoft Access. For more information about the free online course
in Microsoft Access offered by WebJunction, click here.
Boot - what a computer does
when it is turned on.
Browser - software that helps
you find pages on the Web. Examples include, Microsoft Internet Explorer,
Netscape Navigator, and Mozilla.
Browsing - cruising around the
Web to see what's out there.
Bullets - symbols you use instead
of numbers to show items on a list. For example:
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word. . .
-C-
Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship (CSRL) - group that studies rural
libraries and provides assistance to people working with rural libraries. CSRL provides services,
including bookmobile service and education. For more information, go
to CSRL's Web site here.
CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act) - Federal law that requires
schools, libraries and other public institutions block access to Web
sites that would be considered pornographic or harmful to children under
17 years old. For more information about CIPA from the American Library
Association, click here.
CGI (Common Graphics Interface)
- rules that tell how a Web server talks with another piece of software
on that same machine. For more information about the free online course
in CGI/Perl offered by WebJunction, click
here.
Client - type of software on
a computer that works with a server on another computer to get information
or do some kind of work.
Client-server - process that
shares computer tasks between two or more computers. The 'client' requests
information from the 'server' and the 'server' returns information to
the 'client.'
ClipArt - pictures provided
by your software or on the Internet that you can use in your documents,
slide shows, and Web pages.
Community Technology Centers (CTCs) - centers that have received
grants from the US Department of Education to provide computer services
to communities that may not have access otherwise. For more information,
see the Department of Education's page here.
Connectivity - how well a device
or a program can link up to other devices and programs.
Consortium - group that has
joined together to provide money for a project that they would not be
able to afford individually.
Consultant - expert, who is
paid to come to your location and help you do some task or find out
some information.
Cookies – small amounts
of information stored on your computer’s hard drive when you visit
certain Web sites. There are good and bad aspects to allowing cookies
in your browser. Cookies provide information about you to the Web sites
you visit so the Sites can au
CPU (Central Processing
Unit) - brain of your computer.
If you are interested in learning more about how a computer works, check
out Introduction to PCs in WebJunction's
Crop - selected portion of a
photo or image that will become the entire image. If you'd like to know
more about making photos with your computer, check into the free online
course in Adobe Photoshop, click here.
-D-
Daemon - programs that work
on Web servers to perform clean up or maintenance. For example, a daemon
is activated to recover the server when a program has an error that
it can't recover from.
Database - programs that allow
you to store your CD collection, addresses of your friends, etc. if
you want to know how to program your own databases, check out the free
online class in Microsoft Access here.
DHTML (Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language) - higher level version of
HTML that allows you to build Web sites that have animation your clients
can see and also allows them to interact with your Web site.
Digital Divide - gap between
those who have access to computers, technology and other resources and
those who do not.
DNS (Domain Name System) - system
that translates the names that identify Web sites into unique numbers
that are assigned to every computer on the Web. A "DNS Server"
is a server that performs this kind of translation.
Documentation - 1. printed or
online instructions for using a piece of equipment or software. 2. providing
documents as evidence or proof in legal matters.
Domain name
- name that identifies your Web site. For example "WebJunction"
is the domain name portion of this address: www.webjunction.org.
Downloads - files, pictures,
sounds that you copy from the Web.
Dreamweaver - program which helps you write Web pages in HTML. If
you'd like to learn how to make your own Web pages in Dreamweaver,
details for the free online lesson offered by WebJunction
are here.
DTD (Document Type Definition)
- part of XML and SGML Web languages. They help to define documents
created in these languages.
-E-
E-commerce - application to
application transfer of business documents between computers which require
both the sender and receiver to use a standard document format.
E-rate - discount program for
schools and libraries regulated by the Federal Communications Commission
that helps to provide computers. Internet access, and other services.
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) - way of buying and selling on the Web.
Electronic Frontier
Foundation (EFF) - nonprofit group
that is working to protect digital rights, such as privacy of computer
information, protection from telephone wiretaps, etc. For more information,
see their Web site here.
Emoticon - small icon composed of keyboard characters and used in e-mails and message boards that shows the mood and/or emotion of the writer. For example, ; -) means a wink. For more information on other emoticons, click here.
Encarta (Microsoft Encarta) - CD based enclyopedia.
Eschool News Online - website of the monthly newsletter eSchool News, which was created
to help educators use computers and the Internet to transform classrooms
and achieve learning goals. For more information, see their Web site
here.
Ethernet - cable that connect
computers to a network. Ethernet cables include 10Base5, 10Base2, 10BaseT,
and 100BaseT.
Excel (Microsoft Excel) - software
that helps you work with numbers and mathematical functions. If you
would like to learn how to work with Microsoft Excel, check out the
free online lesson here.
Explorer (Internet Explorer)
- program that helps you surf the Web and manage your favorite Web sites.
To see the free lesson on Explorer in the
-F-
Favorites - feature of your
browser that helps you save the addresses for the Web sites you like
and want to return to.
Feedback - response to communication
from either a computer or a person.
File – a record of information
that is managed by a computer system, either by the system itself or
the user.
Filtering - using software to
prevent porn or other harmful Web sites from being accessed by children.
Firewall - shield of software
you install to keep your computer from getting infected with viruses
or invaded by hackers.
Floppy drive - generally the 'A' drive on your computer. "Floppy" drives got that name because they were originally
10-inch vinyl disks that had to be handled with care because they would
"flop" or bend when you put them into the computer and destroy
your data. There is still a vinyl disk inside the 3.5" diskette
that most computers have.
Folder – just like a file
cabinet, a computer’s hard drive has to be managed. A folder allows the user to collect, maintain
and organize information.
Footer - notes at the bottom or 'foot' of a page, often used for page numbers or footnotes in a term
paper.
Format - the style of a page
or paragraph that you can create with your programs.
Forum - an online "bulletin
board" where you can leave messages and read responses to messages
you have written (also known as a message board).
Font - this refers to the style
of letters you are using on your computer to change the appearance of
your documents. Examples are: Lucida Calligraphy, ENGRAVERS MT, etc.
FrontPage (Microsoft Frontpage) - program that helps you write Web pages. For more information,
see the lesson in the
FTP (File Transmission Protocol)
- way of transferring files from one computer to another.
-G-
Gantt Chart - chart that provides a picture
of a schedule that helps you to plan, coordinate, and track specific
tasks in a project. For more information
about how to manage projects and plan, make, and interpret Gantt Charts,
see the lesson on Microsoft Project in the
Gateway - transfer point between
two separate networks that translates between the two.
Grant Proposals -
paper written to request grant money submitted to a corporation or an
agency.
GUI (Graphic User Interface or pronounced 'gooey') - picture-based Windows
environment is a good example of a GUI. The programmers who developed
Windows did so to make using computers easier.
-H-
Hacker - person who breaks into
your computer planning on doing some harm or stealing your information.
Hard drive - main device a computer uses to permanently store and retrieve
information. These drives are sealed boxes typically found inside the
computer. Most times, your hard drive is the "C" or "D"
drive on your computer.
Hardware - your computer, plus
the monitor, printer, scanner and other devices that help your computer
work.
Header - notes at the top of
the page that give you information about the document -- generally,
page number, date, title, etc.
HTML (hypertext markup language)
- basic computer language that most Web pages are written in now. If
you would like to learn how to write Web pages in HTML, the description
of a free lesson is here.
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) - language used by the World Wide Web.
HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) - secure way of transferring information via the Web.
Hyperlink - specially coded picture or text that you can click
on to go to other related documents on the Web.
Hypertext - text on the Web
that contains links to other documents that you can click on to get
further information.
-I-
Identity theft –
stealing someone else’s ID, often to conduct criminal activities.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
- organization promoting digital and computer literacy
among the world's population. For more information, see the ICT Web
site here.
Infrastructure -
foundation or framework of a group or an area, such as a city. In computer
language, infrastructure can refer to your network. When you are talking
about a city, infrastructure can refer to streets, agencies, phone lines,
etc.
Integrated - many different
parts that are put together to work as a whole. For example, the parts
that make up your computer are integrated.
Internet - global network that connects
millions of computers.
Internet Explorer (Microsoft
Internet Explorer) - graphical world-wide-web
(www) browser (web browser) for surfing the Internet. If you would
like to learn how to use Internet Explorer for free, click here.
ISP
(Internet Service Provider) - institution that provides access to the Internet in some
form, usually for money.
IP (Internet Protocol) addresses
- unique number that is assigned to every computer connected to the
Internet.
-J-
Java - computer language to
program the web pages. Want to know how to write Java programs, check
out the free lessons in WebJunction here.
Javascripts - client (your computer) side programming language for
creating dynamic and interactive web pages. For information about the
free online course in DHTML offered by WebJunction, click here.
-K-
-L-
LAN (Local Area Network) - connecting
a group of computer that together so users can share information. For
more information about the free online course in Networking Essentials
offered by WebJunction, click here.
Linux - free software operating
system (OS). For more information on Linux, see the free lesson in the
Listserv - program offered by
a group (such as a tribe or a school) that allows users to subscribe
to a mailing list, so the users can get email from the group.
Long range technology planning
- process of planning for computer needs 3, 5, or 10 years in advance.
When you're making these kinds of plans, you try to guess what is going
to happen in the future based on today's trends.
-M-
Macro - advanced feature of software allowing you to record and store tasks which are often repeated.
Mailing lists -lists sponsored
by groups who wish to communicate with each other via email. There are
two types of these lists: moderated lists have a person screen the emails
before they are set out to group members and unmoderated
lists where the emails are sent out to the group as soon as they are
posted.
Marketing - finding needs of
the community, making services to meet those needs, and telling the
community about those services.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - theory created by Abraham Maslow
that says human needs are arranged on a type of ladder or hierarchy.
Needs start with the basics, such as shelter, food, and safety and work
their way up the ladder to self-actualization, which is the top of our
growth ability. This theory says that people are driven by unmet needs
and must climb the 'ladder' to self-actualization one rung at a time.
Memory (RAM - Random Access Memory) - place
where a computer stores information it needs to remember.
Message Board - online
"bulletin board" where you can leave messages and read responses
to messages you have written (also known as a forum).
Methodology - process used to
go about doing something.
Micromedia Flash NX - program that helps you
make movies to show on your computer. If you'd like to make movies with
your computer, click here.
Modem -
device that connects your computer to the internet.
Monitor - screen that allows
you to see what's what is happening while you work with your computer.
Mouse - pointing device that
used to move an arrow around the screen. The mouse was invented in 1968
and got its name because its round shape and cord "tail" resembled
a mouse.
-N-
National Coalition Against
Censorship (NCAC) - national group that educates their members and
the public about the dangers of censorship and how to stop it. For more
information see their Web site here.
National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) - bipartisan group that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance and chances for policymakers to exchange ideas on state issues. For more information, click here.
Needs Assessment - analysis of the needs of a certain group that is presented
in a written report with recommendations and a plan for meeting those
needs.
Netscape Navigator -
program created by Netscape Communications
that helps you browse the Web. To see information on the free lesson
in the
Network - group of connected computers
that can pass data to each other. For more information about the free
online course in Networking Essentials offered by WebJunction,
click here.
Newsgroups - discussion groups
on the Internet. Generally, these groups talk about an area of special
interest to their members.
Nonprofit - organization that
is not operated to make a profit. Any money that is made by this type
of group generally goes into programs to help others.
-O-
OCLC (
Online - connected to the Internet.
Open source - free programs
that provide their programming code to allow users to change the code
to suit their needs.
OS (Operating System) - software that manages a computer's processing and other
software. Microsoft Windows, Unix, and Linux are all examples of operating
systems.
Outcome Based Evaluation -report that is required for grants which require outcomes or results.
In this report, you will state what benefit or change people or communities
will get when they participate in your project.
Outlook (Microsoft Outlook)
- program which lets you send and receive mail via the Internet. You
can also use this program as a calendar to schedule events, send out
reminders, etc. Want to get mail via your computer, for free lessons,
click here.
Outreach - way of getting the
word out to people about you, your program, product, etc.
-P-
Parameters - set of rules that
determines how software or a computer will behave.
Partition - structure that divides
up an area. You can use software to create partitions on your computer's
hard drive.
Patrons - word librarians use
for 'client' or 'guest' to their library.
PC - personal computer.
PDF (Portable Document File)
- file format which stores formatting information in the document so
users who view the document do not need to have the same fonts or even
the same operating system. For a free lesson on using Adobe Acrobat,
click here.
Peer to peer - type of network
where every computer hooked up is on the same level. You can find out
more information about networks in the free online course in Networking
Essentials offered by WebJunction, click here.
Peripheral - devices for your
computer that are added on, like printers, digital cameras, scanners,
etc.
Perl (Practical Extraction and Reporting Language) - language used for writing
scripts on the Web. For more information,
see the free lesson on Perl in the
Policies - conditions set by
someone in charge to determine how people-and computers should behave.
Post - message written by an individual and posted on a message board.
Practices - common activities
that represent part of a culture.
Primary keys - row in a database
that name the items in the database---for instance, a person's last
name in an address book or a person's Social Security Number in a student
record. To see the free lesson on Microsoft Access in the
Project Management - planning
and coordination of a job from beginning to end. If you've got a big
project to do and would like to learn how Microsoft Project can make
your work easier, check out the free lesson here.
Protocol - rules that govern the way computers communicate over
a network.
Public Access Computing - computers provided by a school, library, or other agency, for use
by the public.
Public Access Services - providing
computers connected to the Web for the public's use.
Public Service Announcements (PSAs) - announcements that radio or TV stations will make
for free because the announcement helps the public.
-Q-
-R-
RAM (Random Access Memory)
- where the computer stores information it needs to remember.
Router - hardware or software
used to connect two or more networks. For more information about the
free online course in Networking Essentials offered by WebJunction,
click here.
-S-
Server - computer
or device on a network that manages resources so people on the network
can get into programs and files or connect to the Internet. For more
information about the free online course in Networking Essentials offered
by WebJunction, click here.
Spam – e-mail that you
have not asked for.
SET (Secure Electronic Transactions) - way to send information over the Web that is coded so no one can highjack your data. This is used for sales information and other transactions that need to be protected.
SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) - rules for how documents should be tagged and organized.
HTML and XML are based on SGML and operate according to SGML's rules.
Software - programs that tell
computers what to do. There are two types of software: Operating systems
(such as Windows and Unix) and application software (such as Microsoft
Word and Microsoft PowerPoint). Operating systems run your computer.
Applications are run by you, the user, to get work done or to play (like
the card game solitaire).
Speakers' Bureau -
group that lists or finds expert speakers to talk on a variety of subjects.
Spreadsheet - software, such
as Microsoft Excel, that allows you to organize numbers, perform mathmetical operations and make charts or graphs. If you'd
like to learn how to work with spreadsheets, click here.
SQL (Systems Query Language)
- special language developed to help you ask questions of a database
and get back the answers you need. The lesson on MS Access can help
you with SQL. For more info, click here.
Summer Reading Programs - programs for either adults or students that are conducted by a
school, library, or community group over the summer. For students, the
summer reading program helps them keep focused on their education while
they are on break and introduces new topics for the next school year.
Sustainability - ability of
a program to survive and continue to provide service to its clients.
Generally, the question is---can I keep this program funded?
-T-
Tag - codes that tell how text
and other elements will look when displayed in a Web page.
TCP-IP
(Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
- language of the Internet, which can also work for networks
as well.
Technology Plan - plan that
states what educational goals your center will accomplish with their
computers. For more information on writing a technology plan, click
here.
Telnet - set of rules that allows
a computer to act as a remote terminal on another machine, anywhere
on the Internet.
Template - patterns that help
you create many basic guides for letters, reports, and other repetitive
tasks.
Thesaurus - list of words with
similar meanings that a search engine can use to help you find your
query if your terms don't match anything the search engine has in its
record.
Thread - series of messages that have
been posted as replies to a topic.
Token ring - network setup where
all the computers are wired to a ring. The computers constantly pass
a message (token) around. The computer that has the token can send out
messages via the network. This setup is like the peace pipe ceremonies-where
the person with the pipe had the right to speak. For more information
about the free online course in Networking Essentials offered by WebJunction,
click here.
Topic - an issue discussed on a message board. A message board may have several different topics.
Topology - map or plan of a
network. For more information about the free online course in Networking
Essentials offered by WebJunction, click here.
Troubleshooting - figuring how
what is wrong with your computer and fixing the problem.
-U-
Unix - most common operating
system for servers on the Internet. For more information, see the lesson
on Unix in the
Upgrading - adding new parts
or software to your computer to make it run faster or do more for you.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
- web address. For example: www.Webjunction.org.
Usability - design features
in a product or Web site that make it more user friendly.
-V-
Volunteer - person who works
without pay.
-W-
WAN (Wide Area Network) -computer
network that serves people outside your building, possibly even internationally.
For more information about the free online class in Networking Essentials
offered by WebJunction, click here.
Wizard - step-by-step process
controlled by the computer to aid the user in completing tasks.
Word (Microsoft Word) - software
which allows you to write letters, reports, news releases, create cards,
etc. For more information about the free online class in Word offered
by WebJunction, click here.
World Wide Web - collection of all the resources (HTML documents, images, and other
files, as well as CGI interface programs) accessible on the Internet.
Workbook - collection of worksheets
created in Excel. For more information about the free online class in
Excel offered by WebJunction, click here.
Worksheet - single spreadsheet
that has rows and columns of data. For more information about the free
online class in Excel offered by WebJunction,
click here.
-X-
XML (Extended Markup Language)
- universal format for exchanging documents and data between computer
systems. For more information about the free online class in XML offered
by WebJunction, click here.
-Y-
-Z-
Zine - online magazine, can
also be called e-zine.