Glossary
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
ADSL - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line; The most common form of broadband, which uses existing telephone lines to transmit information and is 'always on'. It is asymmetric, which means it receives information faster than it sends it, on the basis that the majority of web users download more information than they upload.
Always-on - 'Always-on' technologies such as broadband and GPRS can receive data continually, rather than using a modem to connect to the Internet each time. This access is paid for on a rental or 'leased line' basis, rather than according to the amount of time spent on the connection.
Anti-virus software (also known as virus defence software) - Software tools for detecting, blocking and/or removing viruses from files, e-mails or network communications. Anti-virus software can be loaded onto individual computers and servers, and can check for viruses in real-time or by regularly sweeping the entire system.
Application Service Provider (ASP) - An ASP builds, hosts, runs and sells access to applications over the Internet. This allows individuals and companies to outsource various functions by leasing or renting applications and software.
Return to top
B
Bandwidth - The amount of data that a line or channel can carry in a given amount of time. Digital bandwidth is measured in bps.
bps (bits per second) - The unit used to measure the speed of data transfer. It is often normally expressed in thousands, Kbps, or millions, Mbps.
Note that a different measurement called bytes per second, and usually written with a capital B, "Bps", is used to measure file transfer rates as the size of files is measured in Bytes ( There are 10 bits in a Byte).
Broadband - A high bandwidth, high-speed Internet connection. It is always on, and you pay a flat fee for a monthly connection. The term ‘broadband' describes any connection that that can carry data at speeds of more than 128Kbps.
Browser - An application that is used to access a web server.
Bursty — Computer activity which generates bursts of high-speed data traffic, rather than constant data traffic.
Return to top
C
Carrier - A company which operates a broadband network, mainly in Enhanced or Interactive TV.
CD-ROM (Compact Disc, Read-only memory) - A compact disc that stores computer applications, services and other data in the form of text, graphics and hi-fi stereo sound.
Cookie - A mechanism through which a web server can store and retrieve information to identify users. This information is used to personalise the content of websites for returning visitors.
Return to top
D
Database - A system or programme in which structured data is stored.
Data warehouse - A database containing large amounts of information organised to aid decision-making in an organisation. Data warehouses receive batch updates, and are configured for fast online queries to produce succinct summaries of data.
Dialup - The use of a computer and modem to connect to a computer or the Internet using standard telephone lines. It normally describes slow speed 'narrowband' connections rather than 'Broadband'.
Domain name - A website's address, which, when entered into an Internet browser's address bar, connects the computer to the desired site, e.g. www.dti.gov.uk
Download - The process of copying files from the Internet to your computer.
Return to top
E
E-business - The conduct of business on the Internet. It includes, but isn't limited to, promotion and marketing, buying and selling goods and services, collaborative design, managing relationships with trading partners and online recruitment. It also applies to internal processes, such as the integration of office systems or HR management.
E-commerce - The buying and selling of goods and services over the Internet.
E-government - The provision of government services over the Internet.
Electronic signatures - Also known as digital signatures, these are the electronic equivalent of written signatures. They allow businesses to sign documents and carry out business transactions electronically.
Encryption - Network security procedure to prevent unsanctioned access. Data is scrambled before transmission and unscrambled by the authorised receiver.
E-mail - A written message sent electronically between two or more computers. They can also contain documents, images, video clips or music.
E-marketing - Using digital technologies such as the Internet, e-mail and mobile to market your business.
Ethernet - Networking standard for transferring data at high speed via radio frequencies.
Extranet - A restricted-access website, which is used to share business information securely with clients or suppliers.
Return to top
F
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) - A protocol for the transfer of files (programmes and/or data) by programmes or users.
Firewall - A software application that blocks unwanted data and traffic to a computer network based on set security guidelines.
Fixed wireless - Refers to point-to-point transmission through the air between stationary devices.
Return to top
G
Gateway - A bridge between two networks, often-another name for a firewall or application proxy.
Return to top
H
Hacking - The act of breaking into a computer program in order to steal company information, disrupt services or simply for fun.
Home page - The main page of a website from which most areas of the site are accessible. It is usually the first page of the site that the user comes to.
Host - Either a workstation or server, i.e. any computer system connected to a network.
HTML (Hypertext Mark-up Language) - The mark-up language or code that can be transferred around the Internet and read by a web browser. It tells your browser how your document is structured and what it should look like.
Hub - A network device that allows a number of computers to be connected. All systems on a hub can see all the traffic on that network.
Hyperlink - A link that a user can click on to access separate websites or applications.
Return to top
I
ICT - Information and communications technology.
Information Security - The practice of protecting your business data from security breaches such as viruses, hackers and systems failure.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) - An information transfer standard for transmitting digital voice and data over telephone lines at speeds up to 128Kbps.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) - A company that provides access to the Internet.
ITV - Interactive television - TV with which users can interact, primarily through new digital connections such as digital cable or satellite.
Internet - A system of communications networks that connects computers around the world via the TCP/IP protocol.
Intranet - A privately maintained computer network that can be accessed only by authorised users, typically employees within an organisation.
Return to top
K
Kbps (Kilobits per second) One thousand bits per second. Kbps is used as a rating of relatively slow transmission speed compared to the common Mbps or Gbps ratings. Upper case "B" in KBps means kilobytes per second, but "b" for bit and "B" for byte are not always followed and often misprinted. KBps or KB/s would be used for earlier disk and tape transfer ratings as data are transferred in parallel, not serial.
Return to top
L
LAN (Local Area Network) - A way of linking computers so that they can share information and peripherals such as a printer.
Leased Line - A fixed, permanent connection (e.g. to the Internet).
Return to top
M
Managed network - A broadband service which is controlled by a central facility, which can provide any number of services including billing, security services, video conferencing, maintenance etc.
Mobile working - Using mobile technologies to share information and work away from the office.
Modem (modulator/demodulator) - A device that converts the digital signals from computers into analogue signals so they can be transmitted over phone lines.
Multimedia - Applications combining the use of more than one media, such as data, voice and video.
Return to top
N
Narrowband - A term to describe slow speed dialup connections. The term contrasts with 'broadband'.
New media - The wealth of new kinds of media that has arisen from the development and adoption of the Internet, for example websites, mobile communications and interactive television.
Network - The physical and logical infrastructure that allows for the connection of a set of computers.
Return to top
O
Online Banking - Using the Internet to manage your finances — from paying bills to checking statements to transferring money.
Operating System - The underlying package that allows a computer to function and provides the basic services required for a user to run an application. The operating system is normally responsible for the configuration and enforcement of the security of the system itself. Functions such as authentication of users, file permissions and logging of events will be under its direct control.
Return to top
P
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) - A small, mobile, handheld device that can be used for computing and information storage and retrieval - normally used for keeping diaries and address books handy.
PDF (Portable Document Format) - The most common format in which files are saved for downloading from the web. It preserves all of the formatting of printed documents and can be viewed with Acrobat Reader, which is free to download.
Return to top
R
Remote access - The connection of a device through communications lines such as phone lines or WANs to access applications and information hosted elsewhere.
Remote working - Working at a distance from a conventional office, using communication technologies to maintain contact and access work.
Return to top
S
Satellite - Familiar to most people through the spread of satellite-delivered television services. Satellite transmitters have wide geographic footprints — they can reach most parts of the UK, failing only where mountains or other obstacles block the signal. Satellite broadband is particularly relevant to users who operate outside the range of ADSL or cable.
SDSL - Synchronous DSL. A variant of ADSL which offers a symmetric service.
Set-top-box (STB) - A device which receives digital signals from the broadband network and converts them into analogue signals which a traditional TV set can process.
SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) - Describes the small office or home office environment and business culture — also known as ‘virtual office'.
Return to top
T
Teleworking - A type of remote working, which relies on information technology to allow people and businesses to work with each other from any location.
Return to top
U
USB - Universal Serial Bus; a port which can be connected to a PC to download files and transport them to other computers.
Return to top
V
Video and data conferencing - Allows users to see and speak with other users in separate locations over the web. Users can work on documents together; browse the net, and share data, thus cutting costs in travel and helping to improve efficiency.
Video-on-Demand (VoD) - One of the most popular uses of broadband services, enabling the viewer to summon, and pay for, the programme of choice at a convenient time for viewing.
Virtual Private Network (VPN) - This uses the Internet to give remote offices or individuals secure access to their organisation's network. It is a cheaper option than connecting offices with owned or leased lines.
Virtual Server - Web server that hosts a number of sites simultaneously, each with a unique domain name and IP address.
Virtual team working - Using communications technologies to work collaboratively, no matter where team members are based.
Virus - A malicious program or programming code that can cause damage to systems and potential corruption or destruction of information. These can be contracted through loading software, transmission of unchecked emails and downloading information from web sites.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) - Uses the Internet to make phone calls across computer networks. It allows you to integrate call handling and reporting with other business processes, and can be used in individual office networks or between sites.
Return to top
W
WAN (Wide Area Networks) - A way of linking computers at different office sites so that they can share information and peripherals such as printers.
WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) - The first computer language that allowed Internet access over wireless devices such as mobile phones.
Web hosting - The process of placing a web page or site on a server that can be accessed via the Internet.
Web page - A 'page' of information available on the web.
Web Server - A specific type of server that contains pages, images and files that are accessed and displayed by a browser. Each page can contain links to other pages, which a user clicks on to move from one page to another.
Website - A group of web pages constituting a single 'destination' on the web.
Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) - A high frequency, wireless, local area network that operates over a short distance, like an office or a coffee shop. It allows people within a specific area to connect to a company network or the Internet, without having to use wires and sockets.
Wireless - Wireless technologies have none of the restrictions of expensive and messy wires and cables — some offer the connectivity over a desktop whilst others cover a medium-sized office space or more.
Wireless Broadband - Technology enabling users within a locality to access the Internet via radio frequencies. Offered mainly by specialist service providers, wireless broadband is ideal for subscribers in remote areas as they can be brought into the network without the need for new cabling/wiring across the countryside.
Wireless Network - A method by which a number of systems or computers communicate with a base station to provide network functionality, but without physical cables between them.
World Wide Web - An association of independent information databases accessible via The Internet often called the web.
Return to top
