Internet Dictionary
Click on a letter to see the relevant terms: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Z

Search engine A program that searches the Internet for web sites that contain a particular topic. Examples are Yahoo, Alta Vista, Webcrawler, etc.

Self-expanding file Typically, a self-expanding file is one or more files from a root directory and subdirectories that have been compressed and lumped into a single file. Unlike a compressed file that has a ".zip" extension, a self-expanding file has an ".exe" extension. You have to unzip a zipped file using PKUNZIP to get the original files back, whereas you can run the self-expanding file, which decompresses itself and reproduces all the original files. The self-expanding file also has the ability to recreate the root directory and the subdirectories with all of the original files in the correct place. When you download program files from the Internet, you typically will download either zipped files or self-expanding files.

Serial When transmitting digital data from one place to another, you can do it in either of two ways: parallel or serial. The basic unit of digital data is the byte, which is 8 bits of data. Serial transmission means sending a bit one bit at a time. For instance, to transmit a byte over a phone line, you have to send one bit, then a second bit, and so on, until all bits have been sent. Serial transmission of a byte is 8 times slower than parallel transmission of a byte. The same idea applies to newer computers where 32 bits of data of used. In this case, serial transmission of 32 bits is 32 times slower than parallel transmission.

Server A computer that stores a lot of web pages, programs, and other data that can be used or downloaded by a client.

Signature If you use a signature with your e-mail or newsgroups, your PC will automatically include a few parting lines at the end of your messages. It is stored on your hard disk, so you don't have to retype it each time. For instance, if Santa Claus used a signature, it would probably be something like "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night." A signature is a couple of lines that the sender wants to be identified with.

Signature scan This type of virus detection checks for byte combinations that are unique to viruses. The approach requires storing a database on your hard disk with different virus byte combinations. This database must be updated regularly to keep abreast of new viruses.

Site A location on the Internet that has an IP address. Sites include Web sites, FTP sites, Gopher sites, etc.

SLIP Serial Line Internet Protocol. Your PC processes data in a parallel mode, meaning 8-bit, 16-bit, or 32-bit internal paths are used. The phone line, on the other hand, is a serial path because it can transmit data only 1 bit at a time. SLIP is the protocol used in the transmission of TCP/IP packets over a serial line.

Smiley An emoticon used for a smile. It looks like :) at the end of a message.

SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. This is a server-to-server protocol for transferring e-mail. POP, on the other hand, is a client-to-server mail protocol.

Snail mail Mail that goes through the postal system.

Sneakernet Not really a network, but an attempt at humor. It refers to the kind of network you have when you copy a file from your hard disk to a floppy disk, walk to another computer in the same building, and copy the floppy file to a hard disk.

Software One or more programs.

Spam A not-too-good tasting substitute for ham now used on the Internet as a metaphor for unsuitable messages posted in newsgroups. Generally, these messages are commercial, in bad taste, and inappropriate. Spammers flood the Internet with unwanted messages. For instance, they may send a message to thousands of newsgroups, advertising something which is of no interest to the millions of people in these groups. The practice has fallen into disrepute and ISP's cancel accounts of people who spam.

Spool A temporary storage area like RAM or hard disk where print jobs, e-mail messages, or other data are kept until they can be printed or transmitted. The data winds up in a queue and has to wait its turn to be processed.

Star network A network of computers using star topology.

Star topology The physical shape of a star network. For instance, draw a large X on a piece of paper. Draw a dot at the center of the X. Then, draw four dots at the ends of the X. This dotted X represents four networked computers using star topology. The center of the star is called the hub, and the ends are called nodes. The advantage of a star network is that a broken cable disables only one node. Large regional ISPs like Pacific Bell use star topology to connect dedicated customers to hubs, each connected directly to the Internet through a T3 line.

Static routing It means sending the packets through a fixed route or path. If a static path is ever broken, your communications will cease. As a simple example, the communication path between your computer and the nearest telephone pole is a static route. A few other parts of the Internet may use static routes, but most of the Internet uses dynamic routing.

String A group of alphanumeric characters. For instance, "father" is a string. The string does not have to be an English word. For example, "G6b&m:" is a string. Stated another way, a string is any group of symbols you can type with a keyboard.

Stub network A network on the lowest level of the Internet hierarchy. It handles the traffic only for a local network.

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