SiteCoach Dictionary
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SiteCoach Dictionary |
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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 very small program that can be located on a web page and can be used to do nifty things. It is usually either a "Java applet" or an "ActiveX" applet, and they both carry their own software players. That means you don't have to have special software to have the program work, but your browser does have to be java or activeX enabled.
bandwidth:
often used in internet lingo to refer to "the size of the pipe" - meaning how much information can come through your connection, or how long it takes to load a web page. Large files or images might be considered "bandwidth hogs". This definition is not technically accurate, but describes common use nonetheless.
bitmap:
a special type of digital picture, which includes many file formats such as GIF, JPEG, TIFF, BMP, PICT, PCX, and DIB. Not to be confused with BMP, a particular form of a bitmap. All of the pictures on the internet are bitmaps (a map of pixels or dots - that's why if you zoom in really large it looks like it it made of blocks). Bitmaps can be edited and manipulated by programs like Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro.
browser:
the program that allows you to access documents on the Web, such as Netscape Navigator, MS Expolorer, NSCA Mosaic, etc. There are also text browsers (no pictures) but these are pretty old. Browsers interpret HTML to display the text and pictures on your screen.
bulletin board system:
allows you to dial-up directly to a computer network, usually with a particular focus, such as political discussions, dowloading files, etc. You must know the phone number for the particular bulletin board you are dialing, as opposed to the Internet where you only need to know the address (URL) of the site.
cache:
a "stash" of information. A cache temporarily stores information close at hand (on your hard drive) so that you can get to it fast. For instance, your browser will store the data from the recent websites you visited so that when you hit your "back" button, it goes to the stored data rather than reload the page from the internet. You can control how much information stays in your cache by editing the options on your browser. If your cache is too big, it can slow down or disrupt other things on your computer. 1 MB is a reasonable cache size.
cgi:
stands for Common Gateway Interface. CGI is a standard for running programs on a web page from the server . A cgi script actively connects the web page and the server, such as when you are searching a database. Often these scripts are stored in a "cgi-bin" - that is why when you go to the search function of many websites, the URL contains the "cgi-bin." The scripts can be written in various languages such as C, C++, Perl, Python, TCL, etc. If you'd like to learn more, try Web Developer Virtual Library, Matt's Script Archives and Freecode.
chat:
just like in real life, except you're on your computer, typing dialogue with someone else. You can instantaneously communicate with others over the internet. For more information, try iChat.
clickstreams:
when you surf or navigate the web, the path you follow is called a clickstream. Your clickstream can be accurately tracked, so that others know where you've come from and where you're going. Understanding the clickstream of users arriving at your website can be very useful marketing knowledge.
cobweb site:
a website that hasn't been updated in a long time. You don't want people to call your site a cobweb site. Maintaining and updating a website is crucial to keep traffic coming through.
comment list:
If you have a product or service that others have used, and that you are trying to get others to try, you may want to create a comment list. This is a list of comments from users of the particular product or service, presented nicely so that others can view the reactions of others. Users submit their comments which are automatically added to the list. Amazon.com uses comment lists extensively for each book they sell, and sometimes the comments get pretty lively and interesting.
cookie:
Many websites like to remember who you are, when you last visited, and how you got to their site. To do this, a website may send a "cookie" to your computer. This very small amount of data is stored in your cookie file on your computer's hard drive (not on their website), so the next time you visit that site, they will look in your cookie file to see who you are. This practice enables such things as shopping carts and subscription websites to work, and prevents users from always re-entering their login information and/or password. Although cookies make many users nervous, they are currently harmless and can add quite a convenience to the savvy surfer.
database:
allows a user to search and retrieve information from another computer on the Internet. The user interacts with the "database front end," which integrates the database with HTML and the web browser. For instance, when you use a search engine like AltaVista or Webcrawler, you type a keyword into the database front end, which then searches the internet.
dedicated line:
a direct, full-time connection to the Internet. If you have a dedicated line, you don't have to dial in anywhere, since you are always connected.
dial-up account:
allows you to dial to another computer with an internet connection. Your internet service provider (ISP) provides this type of account.
domain name:
part of the "address" or URL of a particular Web site. Note that the domain name does not include the "www" part of the address. A domain name is also the name after the @ sign in an e-mail address. This website's domain name is "sitecoach.com". Domain names must be registered with Network Solutions, and there can be only one IP address associated with each domain name.
download:
to transfer files or data from a computer on the Internet to your own computer. This is usually done by FTP.
easter egg:
a technical term that refers to a hidden surprise in a website (or program). The idea is to hide the surprise somewhere so that only users who are really searching can find it. Programmers also use easter eggs in games to add depth to the experience.
e-commerce:
any commerce that is done over the internet or "online." When reviewing figures about the amount of money being spent via e-commerce, be sure to look at what types of transactions they are including in that figure.
e-mail:
electronically transmitted messages. E-mail can be as simple as a text message or as complex as an encoded file. Messages are transmitted around the world in seconds via phone lines, satellites, and computer networks. Users must have an e-mail program capable of gerenating and receiving messages. There are two free e-mail programs: juno and hotmail.
e-mail lists:
see mailing lists.an electronic, online magazine. A true e-zine does not have a paper version - they are published and thrive online. Not to be confused with an e-newsletter. There are also e-journals which are similar except, like their paper counterparts, are largely academic in content.
e-newsletter:
an electronic newsletter sent via e-mail to interested users. Often, e-newsletters are used as an inexpensive but effective marketing tool. When users visit your website, they can submit their e-mail address to sign up for your free e-newsletter. You can then send out an e-mail covering topics of interest to your site's visitors, keeping them abreast of developments on the site.
emotags:
sometimes used in e-mail messages or newsgroup postings, emotags are mock HTML tags that use the symbols "<" and ">" surrounding an emotion to convey meanings that simple text cannot. For example: <smirk>that was really interesting</smirk>.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):
a list of questions and answers on a particular topic. Very useful for preventing repetitive e-mails or phone calls from users looking for basic information. You can develop an FAQ to answer those questions which everyone seems to ask about your website. For help writing an FAQ, see Writing Periodic Postings.
file size:
is an important design consideration for web pages. The larger the file size (or graphic), the longer it takes to download. SiteCoach recommends keeping most files 30K or less whenever possible.
flame:
to send a mean, nasty, or insulting message, or large number of messages. If you break the rules of netiquette, you risk getting flamed.
frames:
a layout style in HTML that splits the browser screen into 2 or more windows. Frames were very popular when they were first introduced, but have since been tagged as declasse by many designers. However, frames can be a powerful tool for many websites. Unfortunately, it is very easy to use frames poorly.
freeware:
free software that you can download, as opposed to shareware, which generally requires a registration fee after using the program for a certain time period.
ftp (File Transfer Protocol):
a protocol for downloading and uploading files via the Internet. To learn more about FTP, try this FTP intro.
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format):
a format of a picture that can be interlaced and animated. JPEG is another picture format that generally has better resolution but cannot be manipulated as easily. You have to experiment to see which format is better for your images.
hardware:
the "physical" components of a computer or network, such as the plastic box, the computer chips, telephone lines, etc.
hit:
the access of a file by a user on a server, which can be counted or recorded by a counter. Unfortunately, since each image on a web page is also a file, if you visit a web page with 4 pictures, you get five hits (4 for the 4 pictures and 1 for the page itself). For that reason, other methods are being developed to accurately record the traffic through a website.
homepage:
The starting point or primary page for a website. A home page should give a user a feel for what the website has, and have links for navigating the site.
host:
a computer that can store accessible files and that is connected to the Internet. Each website must have a host. The host's connection to the Internet will determine how many users can access that webpage at once, and how fast each user will be able to access the information. Each IP address has a host.
hosting:
a service whereby you put your website on someone else's computer that is connected to the internet. Generally, for small businesses, it is much easier and cheaper to have someone else host your website than to build your own internet node.
HTML:
"HyperText Markup Language" is what is used to tell the browser how to display the web page. It is a simple text coding that uses "tags" enclosed within the brackets "<" ">". To see the HTML for this page, click "view" at the top of your browser and then "source" to see the code. For help learning HTML (which is pretty easy for most people), see the section on HTML Guides (link).
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol):
The protocol that tells the server what to send to the client. This is also the beginning of a website address: "http://", which you generally should not include when giving out the name of your website, since it is superfluous information. However, http:// does signify that the following address is a website address, as opposed to an FTP, gopher, or telnet site.
hyperlink (or just "link"):
is clickable text or images that take you to another file or part of a file. Links are coded in HTML with a simple tag that contains the address of the location that you want to send someone to when it is clicked. If a link is not working, or it sends a user to a non-existing file, then the link is said to be "broken."
imagemap:
a graphic image that has many different links associated with various parts of the image. For instance, a clothing store website might have an imagemap of a woman dressed in a suit. When you click on the shoes, you go to the shoe department. When you click on the hat, you go to the hat department. You get the idea.
impulse purchase:
a type of purchase that is prevalent among many Internet users. Purchasing something over the Internet does not require any face-to-face interaction, and is often done in the comfort of the user's home. This means there are less barriers to buying, such as guilty looks from a friend, the physical need to pull out money, etc. To capitalize on impulse purchases, you should be sure to include as much information as possible about the product or service (to prevent questions) and minimize the amount of clicking and data entry a user must carry out before purchasing.
internet coupon:
a coupon on the Internet. Often used as a reward for customers who visit the website. Sometimes they are printable, and can actually be used in a physical store, and other times they are simply to be used for online purchases.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network):
the fastest connection you can buy to the Internet. ISDN is a set of communications standards that allows voice, data, video, etc. to be transferred over a single line very quickly.
ISP (Internet Service Provider):
a company that provides access to the Internet, and usually will host websites as well. See SiteCoach's advice on choosing your ISP.
Java:
a programming language used to make applets - small programs that can be stored on a webpage and safely downloaded onto your computer, without the fear of viruses. Many of the interactive, animated or calculating tools on a website are made with Java.
JPEG or JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group):
a graphics format (see GIF). JPG allows much higher resolution than GIF, but cannot be animated.
lead generator:
a type of website that encourages users to contact your business with the anticipation of learning more about the product or services offered. This type of site is similar to having a booth at a trade show - users stop by, learn a little about your business, and have the opportunity to request more information by sending an e-mail or filling out a form.
link:
see hyperlink.a program that manages mailing list discussion groups. There are many, many listservs on all kinds of topics. Monitoring a listservs is a good way to learn about a particular area or to meet others with similar interests. Listservs can also be a good place to tell others about the services offered on your website. (However, beware of netiquette before posting such information.) (see also mailing list)
mailing list:
an e-mail based forum or discussion group. Users subscribe to the list and receive messages sent by all other participants. Lists can be moderated or unmoderated. Often uses a listserv.
navigate:
to "surf" the Internet, in particular the World Wide Web, by following different links and viewing different websites.
netiquette:
The Internet's rules of etiquette. For more information on netiquette try these links: The Net User Guidelines or http://www.fau.edu/rinaldi/netiquette.html
Network Solutions:
the place that you go when you register your website name. There are two parts of Network Solutions: directory services and registration services. Funding comes from both the fees that are paid for registering a domain name, and from the National Science Foundation.
newsgroups:
a subject-based section of the Internet that allows users to post messages on a particular topic. Users can also respond to the messages of others. The messages stay on the host computer, and are not sent to users such as in a mailing list. To view the messages, users must visit that particular newsgroup.
newsletter:
see e-newsletter.when a computer is not connected to the Internet.
online:
When a computer is connected to the Internet. Also used an adjective to describe things that happen on the Internet, such as "online advertising."
online brochure:
a very basic type of commercial website that contains only information about the company and the products or services it provides, much like a paper brochure. Online brochures will receive much less traffic than more interactive websites because they are boring and there is nothing for a visitor to "do".
post:
to send or submit a message, often to a newsgroup or mailing list.
protocol:
describes how computers communicate with each other on a network.
query:
a request or question sent to a search engine or database front to find a particular file or website.
script:
a program that processes a request or query based on input from the user. A script resides on the server, not your computer.
scrolling:
the process of viewing by moving up and down throughout the page using a scrollbar. Sometimes you will want to minimize the amount of scrolling a user must to do in order to find information.
search engine:
a service that searches for information on the internet. There are various technologies for searching the Internet, and each has its own advantages. Some search engines, like Yahoo!, have stronger catalog listings than search capabilities, and others, like AltaVista, have stronger keyword search capabilities than catalog listings. You may want to visit our list of search engines.
server:
a host computer that you can interact with.
shareware:
software that you can try before you buy. Usually, if you like the program and use it after downloading it, you are expected to pay a reasonable registration fee. Often you can get documentation and technical support after registering shareware.
signature file:
a file that is automatically attached at the bottom of your outgoing e-mail messages. You can use your signature file to supply contact information such as phone numbers or addresses (so that you don't have to type them each time). You can also use a signature file to market your website by adding some information about the site along with the URL.
snail mail:
What the real life post-man brings.
spam:
the Internet's version of untargeted direct mail, except that is it considered a strong violation of netiquette and will get you flamed quickly. If you are sending an identical message to a whole bunch of e-mail addresses, especially ones that may not have any desire to receive that e-mail, then you are spamming. Also applies to submitting irrelevant postings to newsgroups or mailing lists.
SSL (secured sockets layer):
a protocol that allows for encrypted, protected data to pass from the server to the client. When using SSL, you can trust that the information sent will be received only by its inteded recipient, and that it will arrive unaltered and unviewed by a third party. This is a primary protocol for sending credit card data over the internet, and is considered by most to be extremely safe (safer that buying something with a credit card at the store, anyway).
storefront:
a type of website that mimics a retail store. Users can come in, view the products, and learn about them before they buy.
style sheets:
a developing addition to HTML that coordinates text formats. Style sheets are being used but are still somewhat in development. They can be useful if your website uses many different fonts and color schemes for different content.
surf:
see navigate.a fast line used to connect networks to the internet, capable of carrying 1,544 kbs.
T-3:
a really fast line used to connect networks to the internet, capable of carrying 44,736 kbs.
tables:
the basic layout tool in HTML. Allows the designer to place images and text at particular parts of the page, rather than just on top of each other.
tag:
an HTML command. All tags are enclosed in "<" and ">". See HTML.
Telnet:
a way to connect your computer to another computer (server or host) via the Internet. Telnet allows you to access e-mail or transfer files in a format different than the WWW. You can telnet to an address by typing telnet:// instead of http:// at the beginning of the address.
thumbnail:
a small version of a larger image. Thumbnails are used to prevent a user from downloading a large image that he or she may not want. By clicking on a thumbnail, the full size image can be downloaded.
transactions, online:
an online purchase or charge for services.
upload:
to transfer a copy of a file from your computer to another computer. This is how you get your website from your computer to the server, by uploading.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator):
a website address, such as http://www.sitecoach.com. You can keep track of all the URLs you like to visit by bookmarking them in your browser.
Web page:
A single "page" that is the building block of a website. Web pages have a unique URL but may have infinite links, features, and text. The page you are reading is titled "" and is one of many, many web pages on the SiteCoach website.
web-based business:
a business that exists primarily or exclusively on the internet. A web-based business probably does not have a storefront anywhere in real life.
Web site:
A "site" on the internet. It is accessed with a URL and may be composed of one or many web pages and must be viewed with a browser. Generally, we eliminate the space to create a compound noun website, which should not be confused with the term home page, an older term that is still prevalent when discussing someone's personal website. We recommend using the term website instead of home page. Also, many people (including us) will often use the short version - simply "site" to mean "website."
web-presence:
to build a website about your existing business. Many companies desire a web-presence to tell customers more about what they do, recruit employees, sell products or services, or carry out PR.
WYSIWYG:
What you see is what you get. Used to describe website programs such as Microsoft Frontpage and Netscape Composer that allow users to build web pages without writing HTML code.
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