Internet Word of the Day Archive

March 01, 2009

The name for a hyperlink incorporated into a line of text.

Free software available on the Internet for downloading. It is used and redistributed at no cost to the user. Shareware, on the other hand, requires that you pay a registration fee after a certain amount of time.

There are a lot of great freeware products on the Internet. Many are as good as, or even better than, their commercial alternatives. As of May 18, 2005 here are "The 46 Best-ever Freeware Utilities" as rated by Tech Support Alert - check it out!

A Web page with an online ad. Once a user has viewed the ad, he or she can click on it (ad click). There may be more than one ad on an "ad view". However, ad view (also known as impressions) can represent the number of times an ad banner is downloaded (and presumably seen) by users.

March 02, 2009

Slang for an online grassroots effort in which special interest groups and lobbyists send massive amounts of e-mail to politicians in an attempt to sway their vote. This tactic doesn't always work, however, since members of Congress have practically given up on trying to read the approximately 80 million e-mail messages they receive each year.

Old cell phones that people no longer want or use, primarily because the phones can't do half of the tricks that new cell phones can. But don't toss them into the trash-donate them to a battered woman's organization, for example, because someone can actually use them. Most low-tech cell phones can still be used to dial 911, even if they are not connected to a service.

March 03, 2009

The set of technology standards and technical specifications that enable information to be routed from one network to another over the Internet. It is the way networks exchange data with each other. For example, IP is the delivery mechanism by which your e-mail gets sent. IP defines how the data will be divided into packets; each packet is coded with an IP address; and various packets constitute a single message. These packets travel across the Internet by different routes and arrive at the destination in a scrambled order. A second protocol, TCP (transmission control protocol), is needed to put the packets back in sequence. And that, my friends, is the basis for how the Internet works.

"IP" also refers to "Intellectual Property" for example, NetLingo.com is copyrighted and is the intellectual property of NetLingo Inc. A legal term, intellectual property reflects the idea that the subject matter is the product of the "mind" or the "intellect" and refers to written and recorded media, and inventions.

To tinker around with the format of information in a text file (not with the information itself), to rearrange the layout of the page.

A marketing concept created by authors Don Pepper and Martha Rogers and turned into a marketing consultancy empire, 1-to-1 marketing espouses personalization and customization in building relationships with customers. Outside the Pepper and Rogers world, it's called customer relationship management (CRM).

March 04, 2009

Protocols in development by the IETF to support secure data exchange. Once completed, IPSec is expected to be widely deployed to implement Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). IPSec supports two encryption modes: Transport and Tunnel. Transport mode encrypts the data portion (payload) of each packet but leaves the header untouched. Tunnel mode is more secure since it encrypts both the header and the payload. On the receiving side, an IPSec-compliant device decrypts each packet.

A form of book printing that utilizes digital technology so that every copy is actually an original (with no loss of quality even after thousands of copies). An author's book is turned into an electronic computer file (for example, a PDF) that contains all of the content (such as words, pictures, tables, and formatting specs). From that file, books can be published in a range of formats: hardcover, paperback, and e-books for electronic book readers.

March 05, 2009

A measure of bandwidth (the total information flow over a given time) on a telecommunications medium. Bandwidth is also measured in the Kbps range (kilobits or thousands of bits per second) or the Mbps range (megabits or millions of bits per second), depending on the medium and transmission method.

Slang for software written in an unorthodox manner, with reference to the time of night that code like this is written. For example, "We know it doesn't follow the conventional rules of clean code, but we had to use a little three A.M. code to get it done in order to drop-ship the product in time."

Mother F***er In Charge

March 06, 2009

A term used to describe a program's ability to read a file created in an earlier version of it.

Nothing But Love For You

March 07, 2009

A square box a user can click on in order to interact with material on a Web page. Commonly seen when filling out an online form, the box is clicked to make the checkmark appear or disappear. Unlike radio buttons, more than one check box can be chosen.

An assertion by George Gilder, visionary author of Telecosm, which states that "bandwidth grows at least three times faster than computer power." This means that if computer power doubles every eighteen months (per Moore's Law), then communications power doubles every six months.

For example, backbone bandwidth on a single cable is now a thousand times greater than the average monthly traffic exchanged across the entire global communications infrastructure five years ago. In other words, today, more information can be sent over a single cable in one second than a month's worth of information sent over the entire Internet in 1997. Analysts look to this when anticipating the successful convergence of broadband and digital entertainment.

Any form of digital correspondence (text, bit-mapped images, fax transmissions) or the act of sending same. "Did you bit-spit that file to Jane yet?"

March 08, 2009

The electronic equivalent of a lounge lizard, one who hangs around cyberspace for extended periods of time.

Literally, it means favoritism shown to relatives, but in the industry, it is the idea of tapping into people's personal networks. For example, it is considered advantageous at some dot-coms to hire people who already have relationships with people at the company and/or have backgrounds similar to those of current employees.

A small Web site, also sometimes referred to as a minisite, that is an off-shoot of its parent Web site. "Microsites" are typically smaller in scope and dedicated to single-issue initiatives.

Microsites can also create opportunities to engage users through questionaires, polls, and surveys that promote interest and involvement.

March 09, 2009

A company that sells advertising for many individual Web sites, it is designed to let ad buyers reach broad audiences relatively easily by buying online ads in what is known as run-of-category or run-of-network. Ad networks use ad server software to generate traffic reports for advertisers and publishers and to collect data about users (see: privacy policy).

If you are thinking about putting some banners on your Web site, realize that most ad networks require between 10,000 and 1 million page impressions per month (so they have enough inventory to sell). Be certain to ask about exclusive or non-exclusive representation. Exclusive may get you more money, but less inventory gets sold; non-exclusive may not make you as much money, but you can use another ad network to fill in any unsold ad spaces.

The difference between an ad network and an ad exchange is that ad networks aggregate ad inventory from publishers and resell it to advertisers whereas in contrast, an ad exchange is a marketplace where publishers and advertisers can find and execute advertising transactions, similar to what happens on a stock exchange.

Office slang that's used to describe employees who are suspected of planning to leave a company or department soon. For example, "Have you noticed how checked out Christina is lately, I think she's a flight risk."

March 10, 2009

Corporate Web sites that offer no real value. These Web sites look as if the CEO's high school son was hired to put the company's brochure online.

Some users describe "brochureware" as a product that is advertised, however not yet available. This is not entirely correct.

A high-speed wireless networking standard (at 11Mbps and increasing to 20Mbps), it is a leading RF technology backed by Apple and 3Com. Dubbed "Wi-Fi" (because that's easier to remember than 802.11b), it refers to QoS in the continuous transmission of high-bandwidth video and multimedia information. Wi-Fi differs from HomeRF in that it repeatedly pushes signals through broader bands of frequency within the radio frequency spectrum. It differs from Bluetooth in that it is designed to serve the wireless LAN market rather than the more personal space that Bluetooth reaches.

Wi-Fi gave millions of computers wireless access to the Internet at broadband speeds in offices, homes and cafes. The limitation is that it's typically designed to allow wireless access within only about 300 feet of a radio transmitter plugged into a braodaband Internet connection, like cable or DSL. It means you can't just open your laptop anywhere you happen to be and tap into the Internet. The next-generation wireless app, WiMax, intends to solve these contraints.

Wi-Fi wireless networks originally came in two speeds: "b" (the first version to gain public acceptance) and "g" (which is faster and backwards compatible with b). There is a third standard called "n" but like most new standards, it takes time to create and adopt a standard, and more time for it certified and sold (in this case resulting in "pre-n" and "draft-n" products to be sold). In addition to these standards is "MIMO" (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output), a key component of the "n" standard. MIMO is a technique that can greatly improve range and speed by caturing formerly stray parts of a wireless signal and merging them.

Buying, selling, or participating in more than five vehicle transactions over a 12 month period, without possessing a vehicle dealer license. This IRL scam involves commercial car sellers concealed as private parties. The act of "curbstoning" is illegal in more than 20 states in the USA and is punishable by up to a year in jail.

Looking Forward To It

March 11, 2009

A service that allows non-voice data to be sent and received across GSM and TDMA communications networks. GPRS can send larger messages than SMS, and it enables cell phones to achieve transfer rates of 100 Kbps. Mobile phone users are provided with a continuous connection to the Internet, and they are only billed for the amount of data transferred. GPRS is a step toward third-generation (3G) mobile phone services.

A company's percentage of the overall consumer or business market, based on how many people or companies regularly purchase its product or service. For example, if a company is said to have 30 percent market share within its industry niche, that means 30 percent of the buyers in that niche go to that particular company to purchase its products or services.

March 12, 2009

The business concept of "cutting out the middlemen." It refers to the elimination of intermediaries in a supply chain.

Prefix to denote one billion, as in gigabyte.

March 13, 2009

An online marketing program in which a sponsorship campaign establishes an intimate relationship between users and advertisers. For example, if a female-oriented Web site launched a pet-related Web site (with chat rooms, message boards, and online access to pet experts), it could get a pet company to sponsor it, creating an integrated sponsorship.

To customize software or hardware so that it will run at its utmost capacity in terms of speed and efficiency.

Meet for Coffee

The most knowledgeable, technically proficient person in an office or work group. "Ask Larry, he's the alpha geek around here."

March 14, 2009

A famous fatal-error message that occurs in Windows operating systems. It is a blue screen that interrupts your computer's normal boot up, indicating a fatal error in your operating system. If you're a PC user and your screen turns blue instead of loading the Windows program, hit any key and see about getting it fixed.

The process of clicking on an online ad and reaching an advertiser's destination page, it is specifically used in affiliate marketing to describe when a visitor to an affiliate website clicks on the banner or text link of a product that is a part the merchant's affiliate program.

Move On

March 15, 2009

A company that essentially eliminates "dirty data" from another company's database (including errors, missing data, and disparities or contradictions). This is an important part of data management. It is an intricate process and much more effective than relying on a data cleaning software program.

A distinctive quality of a hardware or software, it generally means version with regard to the feature set. For example, if you hear "This software comes in two flavors" that could refer to the full flavor version (which has all of the features) versus the lite flavor (which has a limited number of features).

A series of high-tech terms strung together to sound impressive without actually meaning anything. Technobabble can be used to overwhelm newbies and give a false sense of superiority to people in the industry who use such jargon.

I Just Want To Know

March 18, 2009

A set of rules or specifications that, when taken together, define a software or hardware device.

A standard is also an acknowledged basis for comparing or measuring something. You will often see and hear this term used in discussions about the computer industry, as in, "That new technology is credited with creating a standard on the Internet." Standards are important because new technology will only take root once a group of specifications is agreed upon (otherwise, companies run the risk of developing a product that is not compatible with any other products).

For example, many companies are driving the development of Bluetooth because they agree on its standard, but one of the main reasons that iTV has been slow to develop is because of the lack of a single standard.

Slang for a TV, radio, or online fund-raiser for a charity, religious organization, or PBS station that employs every known form of guilt, sweet-talking, and outright begging to get people to donate money.

March 19, 2009

Spelled as one word, this refers to a news source that transfers newsgroups to ISPs, over the Internet or other computer networks.

Spelled as two words, it more commonly refers to RSS, a technology that allows you to see when Web sites have added new content. For example on a news Web site, you can subscribe to the news feed and get the latest headlines and video in one place, as soon as its published. On a social networking site for example, news feeds highlight what's happening in your social circles.

A start-up ISP's offer of no-cost Internet access. It is able to do this because it pays backbone service providers very low fees for dial-up connections. The logic is that if a large number of users signs up, the ISP will attract advertising revenue that offsets connection and other overhead costs.

Hard-core exercise and weight-lifting fanatics who look down on anyone who doesn't work out obsessively.

March 20, 2009

A buzzword that describes something that's on the cutting edge or attempts to push the limit.

For example, "The ads are targeted to GenYers, so they have to be edgy to get their attention."

Refers to shrink-wrapped software you buy from a big box store (directly off the shelves). The modern alternative is to download the software "straight off the Net," which is usually cheaper because you do not have to pay for the company's packaging or distribution costs (and it's better for the environment). "Off-the-shelf" software is also used in contrast to "custom-developed software," that which has been tailor made for a company's particular needs.

To customize your computer screen or a Web site so that it reflects something about your individual tastes. For example, if you use a picture of someone as the wallpaper that adorns your desktop, that's one way of personalizing your GUI (just like renaming your hard drive or using a particular screen saver that scrolls a statement you've written). On the Web, it is convenient to personalize a portal so that it contains information particular to you. Whenever you see "My" in front of the Web site name, it represents an area of the site that supports personalization. You personalize it by choosing from a series of options to customize the information you want to appear on that page. For example, your horoscope, weather in areas you're interested in, and any number of news, sports, or entertainment feeds. Personalization also refers to the business practice of using information about consumers to send them tailored marketing messages at appropriate moments.

March 21, 2009

An official, authoritative source of information on a particular subject, such that no one would think of questioning. For example, "According to canon, Ed Bennett really did dance on the tables at a cybersuds."

A form of reciprocal linking, this concept was invented to circumvent different search engines' anti-SEO tactics. It works like this:

1) A Webmaster sends you text and links for the creation of a new Web page (a dedicated page) on your site.
2) You create the page on your Web site (with your logo and navigation so it looks like your page) but you use the text from your dedicated page partner and you link to his or her Web site (no more than 5 links).
3) You then post a link on your homepage to this dedicated page (which resides internally on your server) and your dedicated page partner does the same with your content on his or her server.

The reason for setting up dedicated pages is to advertise without posting an outbound link anywhere on your site; instead you have another internal link (which search engines such as Google view as positive) especially if the dedicated page has good quality content. In other words, you get one more internal page and your link partner gets the benefit of your page rank.

The motivation behind this concept is that good internal linking maximizes page rank within a site (only if it contains good content and is not a link collection or link farm). Through good internal linking, you as a Webmaster can achieve a stable page rank and not threaten it by too many external links. For example, Google ranks a page more favorably if it contains less than 5 outbound links.

I am often asked about reciprocal linking and page rank and how they relate. Dedicated pages (DP) allow you to exchange links with a site that may have a page rank lower than yours because through DP exchanges, you don't actually hand out any page rank (PR) value from your homepage. Instead, you circulate it within your site. You hand out the PR value from the dedicated page, which does not affect your existing homepage in any way. (The same thing happens to your DP partner.)

In normal link exchanges, on the other hand, when you post a lot of outgoing links on your homepage, you may end up loosing PR. With DP exchanges it doesn't happen because you don't load any of your pages with any outgoing links. Instead, it's as if --from Google's point of view-- you receive 3-5 good PR links (by using your own content with your DP partner). Both exchange partners get the same benefits.

Webmasters: Be sure to read the "more info" article in the page rank definition to understand Page Rank vs. Link Popularity and Linking Tips for BLOGS!

An option (from Omniva Policy Systems) that lets users specify a "detonation time" of anywhere from 30 minutes to years after an e-mail is sent. The e-mail itself remains after the detonation date, but recipients who try to open it get only gobbledygook. The e-mail remains alive but the recipient must have a unique key to read it after the detonation time.

FYI: "Scrubbers" does the same thing for e-mail attachments and "anonymizers" masks the true origin of e-mail message headers.

March 22, 2009

A Web page that appears to users that have clicked on a link in an online ad. The purpose of this "jump page" or splash page is to capture the user's attention in order to promote special offers or to measure the response to an online ad.

In Web site maintenance, the jump page is typically the page that is posted to redirect the user when the page's URL has been changed.

Named after the boy who asked Wendy to sew his shadow back on, this is Web designer slang for the process of reattaching a shadow to an object in a graphics application such as Photoshop.

March 23, 2009

A software program that filters e-mail messages and newsgroup postings from individuals who are on your bozo list. In Usenet, a kill file performs the same function.

The use of one sales channel to promote another. For example, clothing company JCrew regularly promotes its Web site in its direct-mail catalogs.

Slang for a debriefing to ramp up the person who is assuming a project role from someone else. It can also refer to a brainstorming session in which everyone in the room is expected to contribute ideas.

March 24, 2009

The sound your mouse makes when you press down its button, a click is also the action of pressing and releasing the mouse button, usually to select or activate something. (Consider yourself beyond debbie status when you keep your mouse on the mouse pad rather than pointing it at the computer screen like a remote control!)

Like a written signature at the bottom of a page, this is a piece of code that can be attached to an e-mail message or an online transaction to prove that you are the person who sent the information. A digital signature is not to be confused with a sig file. It is an important component for e-commerce, since it provides authentication and an increased level of security.

The common name for a floppy disk, it refers to any type of portable disk (for example, a Zip Disk), as well as to the hard disk drive in your computer. It is rewritable, which means you can add data to it or replace the data that's on it.

March 25, 2009

The content you see once you scroll to the middle or bottom of a Web page. The content at the top of a Web page is located above the fold, which is more desirable real estate than below the fold. This expression originally referred to the position of articles in a newspaper.

March 26, 2009

A Microsoft Windows sound file.

For a list of file extensions click here!

In aviation speak, a "glass" aircraft is one that has a digital cockpit, as opposed to a "steam gauge" or "rope start" cockpit with analog instrumentation. For example, "Since moving up to glass, I'd never want to fly an old steam gauge again."

March 27, 2009

In database management systems (DBMS), it is a type of operation that is stored with the database server.

Typically, stored procedures are written in SQL. They are especially important for client/server database systems because once a procedure is stored on the server-side, it is available to all clients; when the procedure is modified, all clients automatically get the new version.

Big Company, Big School

A perversion of "downsizing," meant to showcase the wisdom acquired by the "sizer" since his/her last foray into the re-scaling jungle. It sounds better than "layoffs."

The act of killing one's self while broadcasting the death live on the Internet via a webcam.

March 28, 2009

An optical storage medium for music or data, it was developed primarily for audio use by Sony in 1982.

Slang for the style of some people who work in Silicon Valley or other new economy hotspots. They flock to the "hot" companies and then move on if the stock price drops.

March 29, 2009

The large, computer-based "space" on the Internet that is created by the global dissemination of Gopher-accessible resources. Veronica allows you to search gopherspace for resources that match your keywords.

The unauthorized copying of software. Most programs are licensed for use at just one computer or by only one user at any time. By buying software, you become a licensed user and are allowed to make copies of the program for backup purposes; but you are not the owner of the software, and it is against the law to give copies to friends or colleagues. Software piracy is almost impossible to stop, even though software companies are launching more and more lawsuits against major infringers. Most software now requires some sort of registration, but that really doesn't thwart would-be pirates.

Shareware takes a different approach to software piracy by acknowledging the futility of trying to stop people from copying software and relying on the honesty system instead. Shareware publishers encourage users to give copies of programs to friends and colleagues but ask everyone who uses a program on a regular basis to pay a fee directly to the program's author. Commercial programs that are made available to the public illegally are often called warez.

A positive spin on what is clearly negative but not growth, for example: "After two consecutive quarters of negative growth, the economy is in a recession."

March 30, 2009

A nice corporate-sounding term bandied around in meetings that simply means "get everyone on the same page" or "bring everyone up to speed" so they all have the same basic understanding of a situation or project.

Primarily used in exploration teams, it is a telephone linked to a network of satellites. It provides clear, reliable, portable communication from just about anywhere on earth.

A form of social networking that combines life both offline and online. The latest trend for social networks on the Internet is becoming more focused on areas of interest such as art, sports, collecting, cars, animals, etc.

Laughing to Self

March 31, 2009

The name for a desktop that can be accessed from a remote location via a Web browser.

A feature of IE (4.0) that allows users to store dynamic HTML (DHTML) elements as separate files. Scriptlets enable an HTML fragment or a script fragment to be downloaded once, maintained in a cache, and used over and over again by different HTML pages and scripts.

Connecting with folks on a business issue and letting things happen, then going back to them after a few days or after things evolve. For example, "I will circle back with you in a few days on that compensation memo."

Love You All