Jargon Buster S-Z
S
Screen Resolution
The pixel width and height a computer's screen
supports. Typical values for this are 1024x768 and 800x600
Search Engine
On the Internet, an information-finding program used to find and
retrieve information based on keywords indexed in databases.
SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO also search
optimization) is the process of editing and organizing the content
on a webpage or across a website to increase its potential
relevance to specific keywords on specific search engines and
importantly ensuring that external links to the site are correctly
titled and in abundance
Server
A computer that handles requests for data, e-mail, file
transfers and other network services from other computers both
locally and remotely.
Service Provider
A service provider is a company that supplies Internet access or
other hosted products to personal users or businesses. See ISP.
Site
A site is the term given to a place where information can be
found on the World Wide Web. (i.e. A website)
SPAM
The electronic equivalent of junk mail.
Spyware
The term spyware refers to a broad category of malicious
software designed to intercept or take partial control of a
computer's operation without the informed consent of that machine's
owner or legitimate user. Spyware differs from viruses and worms in
that it does not usually self-replicate.
SQL
Structured Query Language (pronounced SQL or Sequel). A language
used to create, maintain and query databases. SQL uses common
English words for many of its commands, which makes it easy to use.
It is often embedded within other programming languages.
Streaming Media
A technique for transferring data so that it can be downloaded
and processed in a continuous stream rather than waiting until the
entire file is downloaded. This technique is increasing in
importance for audio and multimedia, as users are increasingly
impatient to have to wait until a file is completely downloaded in
order to view it.
T
TCP/IP
The Internet Protocol Suite (commonly TCP/IP) is the set of
communications
protocols used for the Internet and other
similar networks
Telnet
A protocol in the TCP/IP suite that enables
individuals to log on to and use a remote computer as if they were
sitting at a terminal directly connected to the machine.
Terminal
In terms of networking, a device with a keyboard and a monitor
that is connected to a computer, such as a mainframe, through a
communications link or cable and that relies on the larger machine
for processing and data.
U
URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
Stands for Uniform Resource Locator or,
sometimes, Universal Resource Locator, the address for a resource
(document) on the Internet.
W
Webmail
The term refers to a method of accessing your
email via a webpage rather than an email client (e.g. Microsoft
Outlook).
Worm
A computer worm is a self-replicating computer
program. A worm uses a network to send copies of itself to other
computers and it does so without any intervention. In general,
worms harm the network whereas viruses infect or corrupt files on a
targeted computer.
Jargon Buster A-F