DomainNamesGB.com understands how confusing it can be to understand Internet jargon. The glossary below will explain the most common terms, but if you require any further help in understanding any matters discussed on this site, please or email the GB support team on support@DomainNamesGB.com or call the team on 08707 520 571

ADSL
(Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)
Basically, a way of moving data through phone lines. An ADSL circuit is much faster than a regular phone connection, and the wires coming into the subscriber's premises are the same as those used for regular phone service. ADSL is often discussed as a faster alternative to ISDN.

Domain Name
Domain names are addresses for the Internet that enable other Internet users to
access your web site.

E-mail
(Electronic Mail)
Messages (usually text only) sent via computer.

Extranet
Usually an internal system managing controlled access to the Internet to specified users.

FTP
(File Transfer Protocol)
A way of moving files between two Internet sites.

Hit
A single request from a web browser for a single item from a web server. E.g. For a web browser to display a page containing 4 graphics, 5 hits would occur at the server: 1 for the HTML page, and one for each of the 4 graphics.

Home Page
Usually the main page of a web site - almost like a front cover.

HTML
(HyperText Markup Language)
Code language used to create Hypertext documents for use on the World Wide Web.

HTTP
(HyperText Transport Protocol)
The protocol for moving all hypertext files across the Internet.

Hypertext
Words and phrases that represent direct links to other documents, allowing these to be retrieved by the user. On a web site, these usually appear underlined and in a different colour.

Internet
Globally linked collection of many independent networks, all using shared protocols.

Intranet
A private network using all the key tools of the Internet, but with a controlled user base.

IP Number
(Internet Protocol Number)
A unique number assigned to every machine connected to the Internet, consisting of 4 parts separated by dots, e.g. 195.97.223.134. .

ISDN
(Integrated Services Digital Network)
A way of moving data through regular phone lines (see ASDL)

ISP
(Internet Service Provider)
A business providing individuals or organisations with access to the Internet.

Java
A popular programming language specifically designed to write programs that can be safely downloaded to your computer through the Internet. Using small Java programs (called Applets), web pages can include animation and other advanced graphics.

Login
Noun: The account name used to gain access to a computer system.
Verb: The act of entering into a computer system.

Mailing List
A system that allows people to send an e-mail to a single address, from where it is
automatically redirected to other subscribed users.

Mirror Site
An exact copy or template of original site material, that can be accessed by named individuals, so that site content in specific sections can be regularly updated.

Network
Two or more computers connected together to share resources.
Two or more connected networks then create an internet (not Internet!)

SMTP
(Simple Mail Transport Protocol)
The main protocol used to send electronic mail on the Internet. SMTP is basically a set of rules governing how one program sending mail and another program receiving mail should interact. If you are setting up an e-mail server on the Internet you should look for e-mail server software that supports SMTP.

Spam Mail
Using a mailing list inappropriately, by sending the same e-mail message to a large number of people without request.

TCP/IP
(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
The total set of globally held protocols that defines the Internet.

URL
(Uniform Resource Locator)
The standard way to give the full address of any Internet resource that is part of the World Wide Web (WWW).

WWW
(World Wide Web)
The totality of resources and hypertext (HTTP) servers which are the servers that allow text, graphics, sound files, etc. to be mixed together.

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