Glossary

Term Definition

Accounting Information A type of management information system, that may be part transaction
System (AIS) processing system and part a knowledge system. There should always be an
audit trail as in a manual system.

Application The person responsible for writing and/or maintaining application programs, and
Programmer the preparation of computer operator instructions

Application Software Computer programs designed to deal directly with solving the user’s problems.
Examples would include programs for accounting, word processing, financial
analysis, computer games, etc.

Backup The act of making a second (backup) copy of the data stored on a disk, other
storage device, or other location to safeguard against loss of data if there is
damage to the primary copy.

BASIC Acronym for Beginner’s All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. A general-

purpose programming language, often used in computers.

Batch Processing Batch processing exists when input is collected and processed periodically.
There is always a time delay in batch processing between the real time entry and
the processing of the data.

Baud Rate A measurement of the speed at which data are transmitted between two
computers, the number of bits per second being transmitted.

Bit Abbreviation for “binary digit,” the most common unit a computer uses for
representing data internally, and is 1/8 of a byte.

Bookmark A shortcut set in a browser to mark a previously visited web page.

Boolean Logic Way to combine terms using "operators" such as "AND," "OR," "AND NOT" AND
requires all terms appear in a record. OR retrieves records with either term. AND
NOT excludes terms.

Browse To follow links in on a web page, scan a database or spreadsheet. Looking not
editing

Browser A program used to search and retrieve information from the Internet. (Netscape
Microsoft Internet Explorer Mosaic, Macweb, Netcruiser)

Business-to-Business A business sells its products or services to other businesses.

(B2B)

Business-to- A business sells its products or services to the public using some kind of
Consumer(B2C) electronic process, e.g. amazon.com.

Byte A group of eight bits, the most common unit computers use for internally
representing individual characters, digits, or other data.

Cache A cache temporarily stores web pages you have visited in your computer. A copy
of documents you retrieve is stored in cache. Cache is also a special memory
subsystem in which frequently used data values are duplicated for quick access.

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 Term Definition

Case Sensitive Capital letters (upper case) retrieve only upper case. Most search tools are not
case sensitive or only respond to initial capitals, as in proper names. It is always
safe to key all lower case (no capitals), because lower case will always retrieve
upper case.

Cathode Ray Tube A type of display screen based upon shooting a phosphorescent surface at the
(CRT) front with cathode rays generated by a device at the rear. An analog technology
similar to a television.

Compact Disk-Read A small disk device capable of storing extremely large amounts of data, but which
Only Memory (CD-ROM) cannot be erased and reused for storing other data. (

Central Processing Unit The part of a computer that controls the computer system and mathematically
(CPU) processes data.

Character A single digit, letter of the alphabet, or other symbol. Usually represented inside a
computer by one byte.

Chip Common term for very small silicon wafers upon which electronic circuits have
been created for use in computers. Used for microprocessors, electronic memory,
and other internal computer electronic components.

Cold Site An off-site location that has all of the electronic connections and physical space
requirements for data processing. The organization provides its own equipment
and software.

Client A client is an application that runs on a personal computer or workstation and

requests an operation, service, or data from a server or other computing device
on the network.

Common Gateway A rule set to retrieve data, based on user input, for running scripts or programs on
Interface (CGI) a Web server.

Communications Computer program containing the instructions that allow a computer to send data
program to and receive data from another computer.

Computer Operator Responsible of scheduling processing activities, running scheduled jobs, and
distributing reports.

Consumer to Consumer Consumers selling to consumers, e.g. ebay.com

(C2C)

Cookie Data sent to your computer by a Web server that records your actions on a
particular Web site. It is similar to a preference file for a typical computer program.

Cursor A display screen indicator controlled by a mouse or other pointing device. It

shows: where your mouse pointer is and/or where the next character typed will
be entered in a line of text.

Data The plural of datum. By itself, it has no meaning. The number 87 buy itself is
datum. The numbers 87 and 88 are data. Interpreted data is information

Data Administrator Responsible for the definition, planning, and control of the data within a database
or databases.

Data Entry The act or result of putting data into a computer.

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 Term Definition

Data Mapping is the process of determining the correspondence between data elements in a
company's format and those same data elements in standard EDI format.

Database Administrator Responsible for maintaining and supporting the database software.

Database Management General purpose computer applications that maintains data in direct access data
System (DBMS) storage devices, and allows for the manipulation and retrieval by other application
programs, management queries, and reporting.”

Decision-Support A decision-support system provides interactive support for managers during the
System (DSS) decision-making process.

Dial-up The use of a standard phone line and modem to access the Internet or other
service.

Digital Subscriber Line A digital connection directly to the telephone circuit that is much faster than a
(DSL) regular phone line. Currently DSL is not available in all cities or parts of cities.

Directory Stores a single or group of files. A directory can be located at the root level or can
be a subdirectory to another directory.

Disk drive Device for recording onto and reading from one type of computer storage disk—
either a diskette, or hard disk. Varying sizes and types of disks are not
interchangeable among disk drives.

Diskette A 3 1/2-inch or 5 1/4-inch floppy disk.

Display screen Usually a television-like screen used for displaying computer output, however,
may also be an LCD or other device.

Documentation The printed operating instructions that accompany a computer or software.

The unique name given to server location for a collection of web pages and/or
Domain Name other related information or services. Each domain name also has an associated
4 section numerical designation (IP address) that looks like: 209.200.89.118.
This is the same thing as typing http://www.beckerCPA.com.

Domain Name System A distributed database system for translating computer names (like
(DNS) www.beckerCPA.com) into numeric Internet addresses (IP address) like
209.200.89.118.

Domain Name Type Domain designator such as .com, .org, .gov, etc. .Org is reserved generally for
non-profit organizations, .gov is reserved for local, state, and federal government
organizations, and .edu is reserved for recognized institutions of learning.

Download To copy something from a primary source to a more peripheral one, as in saving
something found on the Web (currently located on its server) to diskette or to a
file on your local hard drive.

e-Commerce e-Commerce is a general term that includes any kind of electronic business. It
includes activities more commonly termed "Web commerce" and EDI

Edit Controls Include valid field tests, limit or reasonableness tests, valid code tests, tests for
valid combinations of fields, and check digits.

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 Term Definition

EEPROM Erasable Electronically Programmable Read-Only Memory. Used to store

programs that can be remotely erased and replaced periodically in devices like
automobiles, computers, calculators, or toys.

Electronic Data EDI is the direct computer-to-computer exchange of business transaction

Interchange (EDI) documents (e.g., purchase orders, confirmations, invoices, etc.) in a structured
format that allows direct processing of data between two specific systems. EDI
requires that all transactions be submitted in a standard data format.

Electronic Funds The transfer of money initiated through electronic terminal, automated teller
Transfer (EFT) machine, computer, telephone, or magnetic tape, credit card and automated bill
payments.

Electronic Mail (e-mail) Online communications (messages) between computer users. Types: POP3,
SMTP, IMAP

Electronic Worksheet A general-purpose application operating like a large columnar pad, which can
(Spreadsheet) perform calculations on data. Data and formulas can be typed in, edited,
calculated, and printed out. Often used for budgeting and forecasting, as a “what
if” planning tool. Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, Quattro Pro

Encryption Encodes (scrambles or hides) information to make it unreadable without special

permission or access code. Encryption is used for secrecy of confidential
information, file protection, and authentication

EPROM Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory. Used to store programs that can
be updated periodically in devices like calculators or toys.

Ethernet Ethernet is the most widely used LAN network standard of communication. It uses
coaxial or twisted pair cable connections. Ethernet typically runs at 10 megabytes
per second (10BaseT), 100 Mbps (100BaseT) of transfer. Computers on the
Internet that use the TCP/IP protocols are frequently connected to the Internet
over an Ethernet link.

Executive Information An executive information system provides executives with immediate and easy
System (EIS) access to internal and external information to assist the executives in monitoring
business conditions in and aid in strategy development.

Expert System An artificial intelligence (AI) application using a knowledge base (database) of
stored human expertise to assist in solving problems. The level of problem solving
is based on the quality of the data and rules (heuristics) acquired from the human
expert. In practice, they will perform both well below and well above that of an
individual expert.

Extranet An extension of an internal network, usually based on Internet technology,

designed to allow business partners of a single company limited access to
relevant internal company data (a closed-user group) to enhance the speed and
efficiency of their business relationship.

FAQ Frequently Asked Question.

FAX modem A device to connect computer to telephone line to send data FAX messages.

Field Searching Ability to limit a search by requiring word or phrase to appear in a specific field of
documents (e.g., title, url, link)..

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 Term Definition

File A collection of data stored under a singular file name, existing upon a computer
storage device.

File compression A process that stores computer data more efficiently by compressing unused bits
(space) from files, so the information takes up less disk space reducing
transmission time.

File Extension A suffix in addition to the file name in the form suffix of ".xxx" where "xxx"
represents a limited number of alphanumeric characters depending on the
operating system. It indicates a file's format as part of its name so users can
quickly determine the type of file it is. It also helps an application program
recognize whether a file is a type that it can work with.

File Transfer Protocol The process of transferring files or programs from one computer to another. An
(FTP) FTP site is a computer on the Internet that stores files and provides access to
them. It may or may not require a user ID or password. The first set of
designators in a URL, e.g. ftp:// or http://.

Finger A program used to find out whether someone is online. It may also reveal his or
her full name and project files.

Firewall An application used to prevent network outsiders from accessing internal or

private data resources, and for controlling what outside resources internal users
may have access to.

Floppy disk Flexible plastic disk coated with a magnetic material, upon which computer
programs and data may be stored. Usually from 3 to 8 inches in diameter.

Fax over Internet The technology that enables the Internetworking of fax machines with a packet-
Protocol (FoIP) based network. Using FoIP, a fax is transmitted via the Internet rather than the
traditional method of sending faxes via the telephone line.

Frames A HTML web page programming format in which the pages are broken up into
various areas, each area consisting of an independent web page. Frames allow
the multiple Web pages to all show up in the same page.

Freeware Non-copyrighted software made available free for public use by the author.

Freshness The currency of a search engine database based primarily on how often its
spiders circulate around the Internet and update the cached copies of the web
pages they hold while retrieving new ones.

Gateway A gateway is either hardware or software that acts as a bridge between two
networks such that data can be transferred between computers.

GHz Gigahertz, a measure of frequency. A one GHz processor can cycle through its
registers 1 billion times in one second.

Graphic Interchange A graphics file type, and one of the most common format used for graphics on the
Format (GIF) Internet. It has much lower resolution than a JPG file.

Gigabyte (G) or (Gb) 1,000 Megabytes or 1 billion bytes

Hard Disk (HD) or A type of computer storage disk, usually consisting of a metal platter coated with
Hard Drive a magnetic material. Capable of storing larger amounts of data than floppy disks.

Hardware (HW) The physical parts of a computer.

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 Term Definition

Helper Applications Additional software occasionally needed to help a web browser program deal with
a specialized file on the Internet. Java, media players, Acrobat.

Home Page The starting point or first page of a web site

Host A computer acting as a server for other computers on a network. It can be a web,
e-mail, FTP, etc., server.

Hot Site An off-site location that has all components of a cold site, but stores actual
hardware and software. Backup copies of essential data and programs are
usually maintained at this or some other off-site location.

Hyperlink/Link A hyperlink is a clickable word, phrase, or image used to jump to a new

document, new web site, or a new section within the current document.

Hypertext Hypertext is text that links to other information usually within the same document,
reducing the need for scrolling

Hypertext Markup The computer language used to create hypertext documents. A system of
Language (HTML) marking up, or tagging, a document so it can be published on the World Wide
Web.

Hypertext Transfer The client-server protocol upon which the World Wide Web is based.
Protocol (HTTP)

A protocol for retrieving e-mail messages without having to download them to

Internet Message
your local hard drive.
Access Protocol (IMAP)

Information The result of processing, manipulating, and organizing data in a way that adds
context to data. EX 87 shoes.

Ink-jet printer A low-cost, near laser quality printer that uses liquid ink. An output peripheral

Input The data put into a computer or application

Input Controls Controls that verify transaction data is as valid, complete, and accurate, before it
is input into the system.

Integrated Services An early high-speed digital telecommunications system. It transmits digital voice,
Digital Network (ISDN) video, and data up to (128 kps). Has generally been replaced by DSL services.

Internet Backbone An extremely high-speed network spanning the world from one major
metropolitan area to another. It is provided by a few national ISPs. These
organizations use connections running at approximately 45 mbps inked up at
specified interconnection points called national access points located in major
metropolitan areas.

Internet (Upper case I) The vast collection of interconnected networks that all use the TCP/IP protocols
and that evolved from the ARPANET of the late 60’s and early 70’s.

Internet Protocol (IP) The protocol standard upon which the Internet is base, providing a set of rules for
sending and receiving data through the Internet.

Internet Service An organization providing a service to allow users to connect to the Internet for a
Provider (ISP) fee. ISPs generally provide an Internet connection and an electronic mail address.
Some providers also include Internet browsing software. AOL, Netscape.

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 Term Definition

Intranet An intranet is an internal private company or organization network using Internet

technology for communication and web tools for information access.

IP Address or A compound number that directs internet searches to a specific server. These
IP Number numbers are of the form 123.123.123.123 with the lowest number 000 and the
highest number 255. Each domain name is resolved by the Domain Name Server
(DNS) to a specific IP address and page requests are routed to that server on the
network. Numerical representation of a top-level URL

JAVASCRIPT A simple programming language developed to enabling dynamic content and

motion interactivity in web pages. It shares some characteristics with JAVA but is
a scripting language that cannot be used to develop stand alone application.

Joint Photographic A compressed digital graphics file type used to store and display photographic
Experts Group (JPEG) and photographic type images. They are higher resolution than GIF files and
usually substantially larger that a GIF file of the same image.

Keyboard An input device that mimics a standard typewriter qwerty keyboard.

Keyword(s) A significant or descriptive word used in searches to retrieve data containing the
key word.

Kilobyte (K) or (Kb) A unit for measuring computer memory and storage capacity, roughly equal to
1,000 characters or bytes of data. Technically, one K is 1,024 bytes, or 210

Knowledge Information that has been validated by a set of rules, experiences or tests is
knowledge.

Knowledge Base A specialized database of the validated information that forms the basis of an
Management System organization’s knowledge. The organization's knowledge base enables it to
(KBMS) explain, anticipate, and predict events and interaction patterns in the organization
and in its environment.

Local Area Network A computer a small area network such as an office building, university, or even a
(LAN) residential home LANs permit shared resources among computers within a limited
area.

LCD Liquid Crystal Display. Monochrome = watches, Active Matrix = color.

Librarian Responsible for the maintenance and custody of off-line files, programs, and
systems documentation

Limiting to a field Requiring that a keyword or phrase appear in a specific field of records retrieved.

Listserv A program that allows users to distribute messages as a group. It automatically

sends messages to multiple e-mail addresses on a mailing list.

Listservers A server that houses listserv programs and lists.

Login, logon The process of gaining access to a secure system by means of a unique id and/or
password combination.

Logout, logoff The formal process of leaving or ending a session with a secure system. It is
software based.

LYNX browser A text only browser used primarily on terminals.

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 Term Definition

Mailing list A group of e-mail addresses.

Malware Short for malicious software, software designed specifically to damage or disrupt
a system, such as a virus or a Trojan horse.

Management A management information system that provides managers with periodic

Information System scheduled reports, summary or exception reports, on demand (Ad Hoc), on
(MIS) paper, or at a terminal reporting. Sometimes, ad-hoc "reports" are actually
created in the form of a query.

Megabyte (M) or (Mb) One million bytes, or 1,000 kilobytes.

Memory Generally a chip or group of chips that stores the physical state of the computer
for a specified period of time for instant access by the user. It can be in the form
of RAM, ROM, or virtual memory.

Menu A list of choices displayed on a computer display screen, from which the user may
choose a program action.

Meta-Search engine Search engines that automatically submit your keyword search to several other
search engines, and retrieve the required keyword results.

MHz Megahertz, a measure of frequency. A one MHz processor can cycle through its
registers one million times each second.

Microcomputer Any computer using a microprocessor as its central processing unit.

Minicomputer Term for computers intermediate in processing power between microcomputers

and mainframe computers.

Modem A device that allows a PC to communicate and exchange information with other
computers and computer compatible devices via telephone lines. The current
standard for modems is 56k.

Monitor A display screen, CRT, LCD, Terminal

Motherboard The printed circuit board(s) that houses the CPU, memory, and controls all
interaction between input, computing, and output devices.

Mouse Computer input device that controls the cursor used to make input and application
selections.

MSDOS Operating system for IBM-PC compatible computers.

Multimedia The integration of multiple kinds of media in a single application, document or

interface, i.e., (text, video, graphics, audio).

Nesting A set of data contained sequentially within another set of data. The operations will
be performed from the innermost nest to the outmost, and then from left to right.

Network Address An individualized name (or number) identifying a computer user or computer.
Used in network communications for the transmission of messages for a
particular person or machine.

Network Administrator Responsible for setting up and maintaining a network, installing software,
password assignment, data backups, and network restoration after failure.

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 Term Definition

Network Interface Card A network interface card is the circuit board installed in equipment at a node
(NIC) connecting it to the network.

Network Topologies Topology refers to the shape of a network, or the network's layout. How different
nodes in a network are connected to each other and how they communicate are
determined by the network's topology. Topologies are either physical or logical.
The five most common network topologies are mesh, star, bus, ring and tree.

Newsgroup Collection users who get together to communicate about one particular of
informational subject. A discussion group operated through the Internet.

Node A node is a device connected to the network, PC, terminal, or router.

Online/Offline Refers to the successful connection with other devices, (servers, printers, other
PCs) via telephone lines or through a network. Also can mean connected to the
Internet. Offline is the opposite of online

Online Processing Transactions are entered and the master files or databases are updated as the
(Real Time) transactions occur.

Online Service A dial-up service that can provide e-mail, internet access, etc, for users with
modem-equipped PCs access software provided by the service. (AOL)

Open Database A standard database access method which makes it possible to access any data
Connectivity (ODBC) from any application, regardless of which database management system (DBMS).
It uses a layer called a database driver to translate the application's data queries
into commands that the DBMS understands.

Operating System (OS) A program or collection of programs that coordinates and controls the various
devices making up a computer system on the most basic level. It allocates
memory, processes tasks, accesses disks and peripherals, and serves as the
user interface All programs and applications require some OS to run. MS-DOS,
LINUX, UNIX.

Original Equipment A producer that provides a product to its customers, where it is modified or bundled with
Manufacturer (OEM) other products before distributing it to their customers.

Output The act or result of printing or displaying information generated by a computer.

Output Controls Controls over the accuracy and distribution of reports and other sources of output
data.

Packet A computer data sent over a network containing the address of its origin and
destination plus a small amount of data. All networks use this type of data
delivery system

Peripherals The add-on hardware devices used with a computer printer, display screen, disk
drives, printers, keyboards. May be input or output devices.

Personal Computer An international association that defines specifications for devices known as
Memory Card expansion cards for portable computers or PC Cards. These devices are inserted
International into special slots on laptop computers to add hardware functions.
Association (PCMCIA)

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 Term Definition

Phrase More than one KEYWORD, searched exactly as typed (all terms required to be in
documents). Enclosing keywords in quotations " " forms a phrase. Some times a
phrase is called a "character string."

Plug-In An application built into, or added to, another application to enable it to interact
with a special file type or other computer object.

Post Office Protocol A protocol used to retrieve e-mail from a mail server. Most e-mail applications use
(POP3) the POP protocol. Messages must be downloaded to the users local hard drive.

Point of Presence A physical connection point at which a line from a long distance carrier connects
(POP) to the line of the local telephone company or to the user. It is where users dial into
via modem, to access online services and Internet providers

Point-of-sale systems Use scanners to capture data encoded on product bar codes or other machine
(POS) readable formats and transmit that information to a database where sales and
inventory data files are updated.

Portable Document Abbreviation for Portable Document Format, a file format developed by Adobe
Format (PDF) or (.pdf) Systems that is used to capture almost any kind of document with the formatting
in the original. Viewing a PDF file requires Acrobat Reader, which is built into
most browsers and can be downloaded free from Adobe.

Printer Device that transfers computer output onto paper. Inkjet, LaserJet, labelmaker.

Privacy Policy A statement that describes what information about the user is collected by the
web site and how it is used.

Processing Controls Controls that verify that transactions are processed completely and accurately
during file or database maintenance.

Program A set of pre-defined commands or instructions that tells a computer how to go

about solving a problem or doing some job.

Protocol The “must follow” regulations that govern the transmission and receipt of
information across a data.

Proxy Server A server that sits between a client application, such as a web browser, and a real
server. It intercepts all requests to the real server to see if it can fulfill the requests
itself. If not, it forwards the request to the real server. A proxy server can also be
used to restrict access to the real server or the internet (which is the opposite of a
firewall that is used to restrict access from the outside).

Query An inquiry made of a database(s) through the use criteria input by the user. Also
known as reporting on the fly.

Redundant Array of A category of hard disk drives that employ two or more drives in combination for
Independent Disks fault tolerance and performance. RAID disk drives are used frequently on servers
(RAID) but can be used in personal computers.

Random-Access Electronic memory chips connected directly to the motherboard. Open

Memory (RAM) applications run in RAM because it accesses the needed programs much faster.
Closed applications are purged from RAM so it is available for other use.

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 Term Definition

Read-Only Memory A physical memory device that contains hard-wired instructions, that cannot be
(ROM) changed, except by changing the device. It always works the same. The data
stored in ROM memory is permanent.

Relevancy Ranking The most common method for determining the order in which search results are
displayed.

Root Directory The highest level at which file or directory can reside. It is usually depicted as
C:\\, though it can be any letter depending on how the computer system is
physically structured.

Router A device that forwards data packets along networks. Routers are located at
gateways, the places where two or more networks connect. Routers use headers
and forwarding tables to determine the best path for forwarding the packets, and
they use protocols to communicate with each other.

Runtime Error An error that occurs during the execution of a program. In contrast, compile-time
errors occur while a program is being compiled. Runtime errors indicate bugs in
the program or problems that the designers had anticipated but could do nothing
about. Runtime errors differ from bombs or crashes in that you can often recover
gracefully from a runtime error.

Script A script, is a computer program automating a task or group of tasks a user might
otherwise do interactively at the keyboard.

Search engine A web site that serves as an index to other sites on the Internet.

Security Administrator Responsible for the assignment and the maintenance of passwords and security.

Server A server is a computer dedicated to providing services or resources to the rest of

the network. Various types of servers may perform various dedicated functions.
Often, a server will perform only one specialized function for optimized action.

Server-side Something that operates on the "server" computer, as opposed to the "client"
computer. Usually it is a program or command or procedure or other application
causes dynamic pages or animation or other interaction.

Shareware Software that is sold by individuals or companies for a nominal fee. Typically the
software is downloaded and tried out before buying and registering it.

Server-parsed HTML A file name extension that identifies web pages containing SSI commands or
(SHTML) some information that will be added "on the fly" by the server before it is sent to
The user. Example: Including a "Last modified" date at the bottom of the page

Signature (file) A user discretionary e-mail identifier used to identify the sender of an e-mail
message or Usenet article.

Site or Web-Site A collection of web pages.

Small Computer Used to connect hard drives and tape drives to computer.
Systems Interface
(SCSI)

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 Term Definition

SMTP Short for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, a protocol for sending e-mail messages
between servers. Most e-mail systems that send mail over the Internet use SMTP
to send messages from one server to another; the messages can then be
retrieved with an e-mail client using either POP or IMAP.

Software Specific languages used to control computer hardware, user interface, data
collection and manipulation, and internal and external communications

Spam Generally referred to as the Internet equivalent of junk mail, spam ranges from
annoyances like mass e-mailings and advertisements, junk mail, and chain
letters, to fraudulent product or service promotions, and harassing or threatening
e-mails.

Spiders Computer robot programs, referred to sometimes as "crawlers" or "knowledge-

bots" or "knowbots" that are used by search engines to roam the Internet visiting t
sites and databases, keeping the search engine database of web pages up to
date. They obtain new pages, update known pages, and delete obsolete ones.
Their findings are then integrated into the "home" database.

Sponsor The entity for which the web page/publication is being developed or an
advertising entity which pays for web page space helping to defray the cost of
web site maintenance and development

SSI commands SSI stands for "server-side include," a type of HTML instruction telling a computer
that serves Web pages to dynamically generate data, usually by inserting certain
variable contents into a fixed template or boilerplate Web page. Used especially
in database searches. See SHTML

Secure Sockets Layer A protocol developed for transmitting private documents via the Internet. SSL
(SSL) works by using a private key to encrypt data that's transferred over the SSL
connection. URLs that require an SSL connection start with https: instead of http:.
A

Storage device Any device upon which a computer may store data in permanent form..
Sometimes called non-volatile memory. Floppy disks, flash drives, cd-rom, zip
disk Note: while the actual hardware may be housed within the computing device
case, the media is stored externally.

Sub-Directory The directory placed within another directory, example: C:\\beckerconviser\cram.

C:\\ is the root, beckerconviser is a subdirectory of the root, and \cram is the
subdirectory of beckerconviser.

Subject-Based A variation on popularity ranking in which the links in pages on the same subject
Popularity Ranking are used to in ranking search results. Not common.

Sub-Searches Ability to search only within the results of a previous search. Enables you to refine
search results.

Systems Analyst System analysts design the overall application system.

Systems Programmer Responsible for supporting (troubleshooting), monitoring, and maintaining the
operating system(s) and often the related hardware.

Systems Software Allows the user to access data by bridging the gap between different data storage
types, applications, and hardware,

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 Term Definition

T-1, T-3 Line High-speed digital lines that provide data communication speeds of 1.544
megabits (T-1) and 45 megabits (T-3) per second.

Telnet A program that lets the user log onto a remote computer. Also, the name of the
program implementing the protocol.

Template A pre-programmed set of instructions that may be used with an electronic

worksheet or spreadsheet program for doing a particular job. Templates are
generic and usually modifiable.

Thesaurus In some search tools, the terms you choose to search on can lead you to other
terms you may not have thought of. Different search tools have different ways of
presenting this information, sometimes with suggested words you may choose
among and sometimes automatically. The terms are based on the terms in the
results of your search, not on some dictionary-like thesaurus.

Top Level Domain Hierarchical scheme for indicating logical and sometimes geographical venue of a
(TLD) web page from the network. In the US, common domains are .edu (education),
.gov (government agency), .net (network related), .com (commercial), .org
(nonprofit and research organizations). Outside the US, domains indicate country:
ca (Canada), uk (United Kingdom), au (Australia), jp (Japan), fr (France), etc.
Neither of these lists is exhaustive. See also DNS.

Transaction Processing A transaction processing system processes and records the routine daily
System (TPS) transactions necessary to conduct a business. The functions are normally
predefined and highly structured. They serve the operational level of the
organization.

Transmission Control A set of instructions (protocols) that dictates how packets of information are sent
Protocol / Internet across multiple networks. This includes a built-in error-checking capability. The
Protocol (TCP/IP) Internet is based on these protocols. TCP/IP software is available for every major
kind of computer operating system. To be truly on the Internet, your computer
must have TCP/IP software..

Transmission Media Transmission media is the physical path between the nodes on a network.
(Network Path)

Trojan Horse A destructive program that masquerades as a benign application and inserts itself
into one or more resident applications and destroy data, corrupt registry keys and
make applications unusable. Unlike viruses, Trojan horses do not replicate
themselves. See also malware.

Truncation The ability to enter the first part of a keyword, insert a symbol (usually *), and
accept any variant spellings or word endings, from the occurrence of the symbol
forward in a search operation. (E.g., femini* retrieves feminine, feminism,
feminism, etc.)

Universal Resource A Web site’s address. An example is: http://www.beckerCPA.com. First is the
Locator (URL) transfer protocol (http) followed by the name of the server (www), then the name
of the domain (beckerCPA.com). The URL can include folders and pages on a
domain and the entire lengthy sum of all that information is referred to as the
universal resource locator. If no page is given, the protocol will display the page
designated on the domain as the "home page".

Upload To send or transmit a file from a local computer to a server via modem or other
communication device.

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 Term Definition

UseNet Bulletin board-like network featuring thousands of "newsgroups."

Username, User-Id A unique identifier or address that designates a personal account on a computer.
For example, in tsmith@xyz.com, “tsmith” is the user-id.

Value-Added Networks Value-added networks (VANs) are privately-owned communications networks that
(VANs) provide enhanced data transmission services.

Utility Software Computer programs for handling the organizational and “housekeeping” chores in
running a computer, such as deleting files of old data, copying disks, printing a
directory of the information stored on a disk, etc.

Virus A piece of programming code inserted into other programming to cause some
unexpected and usually undesirable event, such as deleting or damaging files.
Viruses also replicate themselves and attempt to infect other computers usually
through emails or disk copies. See also malware.

Voice over Internet A protocol that enables the use of the Internet as the transmission medium for
Protocol (VoIP) telephone calls by sending voice data in packets using IP rather than by
traditional circuit transmissions . Telephone calls over the Internet do not incur a
surcharge beyond what the user is paying for Internet access, CoolTalk,
NetMeeting,

Virtual Private Network A network connected to the Internet, using encryption to scramble all the data
VPN sent through the Internet making the entire network is "virtually" private.

Wide Area Network A large LAN covering a much larger geographical area. They can be composed of
(WAN) smaller interconnected LANs. They may be value-added networks (VAN) using
privately-owned communication networks (EDI) or internet-based.

Web Administrator Acts as a coordinator and manager of the activities and personnel associated with
(Master) a website

Web Server A computer running that software, assigned an IP address, and connected to the
Internet so that it can provide documents via the Internet. Also called HOST
computer.

Web Site A group of related pages, images, and files on a Web server.

Word Processing Using a computer to accept, edit, organize, and print out text.

World Wide Web Another name for the Internet

Extensible Hypertext A variant of HTML, is a hybrid between HTML and XML that is more universally
Markup Language acceptable in web pages and search engines than XML.
(XHTML)

Extensible Markup A programming language used to define documents with a standard format that
Language (XML) can be read by any XML-compatible application. It can be used with HTML pages,
but XML itself is not a markup language, but a "metalanguage" that can be used
to create markup languages for specific applications.

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