Active X Controls
Programs that you download to your computer and work with your browser software to provide faster and more interesting ways to view and navigate the Internet. These programs are only available on Microsoft Internet Explorer browsers and should not be confused with Plug-Ins which are only available on Netscape browsers.

Anonymous FTP
A method of retrieving a file from another computer and copying it to your own, without actually logging in with a secret ID and password. This allows large, host computers to provide their systems to outside computers who otherwise would not have access.

ANSI
American National Standards Institute. This privately funded federation is dedicated to promoting technology standards both nationally and internationally.

Anchor
A word, phrase, or image that is used as a target for a link. When the user clicks on the hypertext, the browser will direct them to the anchor, which may exist in the same document or a different document.

Bandwidth
The capacity of a network to carry data or the measure of how much information can be entered via a medium such as a phone line. Bandwidth is measured in baud or bits per second (bps).

Baud
This is a measure of how much bandwidth a transmission medium has; measured in bits per second (bps).

Bits
Coming from the words "binary" and "digit," bits are used to describe transmission speeds. Each bit is assigned a 1 (high current) or a 0 (low current), where eight bits, make up a byte. Bits represent everything that occurs within a person's PC.

Browser
Software that was developed to allow you to display, interact with, and navigate around the World Wide Web. Examples include: Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Mosaic.

Bug
An error in a software program's coding.

Bytes
Used to describe storage capacity, or eight bits. For example, kilobytes (kb) or megabytes (mb).

Cache
A browser's ability to recall recently processed data and Web pages. It's basic function serves as the browser's memory.

Client/Server
The two categories that separate computers and users. The client represents the user that requests information, whereas the server is the computer that stores and provides the information back to the client.

Cookie
A cookie is a temporary Security ID number assigned by the firm to the browser each time you login (e.g., a visitor's ID badge) that allows the customer to move from page to page within password protected areas of the site. This customer identifier is saved on their hard drive.

CPU
Central Processing Unit--The microprocessor in personal computers.

Cyberspace
Any area beyond the realm of one's own computer to interact with other computer systems and/or people.

Desktop
A screen that includes the background, icons, tools, and windows for the computer environment.

Dial-In
The system which allows a PC to connect directly to the Internet using a PC-based software application. The software dials-in to an Internet Service Provider (ISP), connects, and establishes a link.

Domain Name
The part of an email address which is to the right of the @ sign. The domain name also signifies a particular site on the Internet. For example, www.NYSE.com is the domain name for the New York Stock Exchange.

Encryption
Methods utilized to prevent fraudulent use of a customer's files, transactions, and databases on the World Wide Web. Different sites use a variety of encryptions to scramble and unscramble information that is transferred from one site to another. The minimum level of encryption utilized by NetExchange Pro is 40-bit encryption. We will accept a browser encryption level of up to 128-bits, however.

Ethernet
A Local Area Network with a high bandwidth designed for PCs. These connections generally provide quicker results than the Internet.

FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions.

Finger
A method by which one Internet user can determine the location of another Internet user.

Firewall
Firewalls are established to prevent unauthorized users from accessing a secure site or area on the Web. Most companies will establish firewalls to prevent internal users from accessing these secure sites. Proxy servers allow these same users, however, to bypass a firewall. If using a Proxy server, this information must be manually "told" to the browser being utilized (or even a Windows-based software application) by going to the settings portion of the browser's top tool bar.

FTP
File Transfer Protocol. An accepted method of retrieving a file from another computer and copying it to your own.

Gateway
A router that links two networks.

GIF
Graphics Interchange Format. Currently the most popular form of graphics that one can format on the Web.

Gopher
The original search vehicle on the Internet for locating resources.

Hit
Each time a Web page is "touched" or "accessed" by a user, a hit is recorded by the browser.

Home Page
The first page which is displayed when you go to a Web page either by hyperlink or by going to a specified address.

Host
A computer that provides files and services to outside computer users.

HTML
Hypertext Markup Language. A "language" composed of "tags" which are used together to develop Web pages. This is the most simplistic way via which to post a page or a series of pages on the Internet. The presence of Java and JavaScript, however, is quickly gaining popularity.

HTTP (HyperText Transport Protocol)
The method via which documents are transferred from the host computer or server to browsers.

Hypertext (Hyperlink)
A word, phrase, icon, or picture that, when selected, will send the reader to a different page of the same site or to a different site.

Intranet
A private network within an organization. Firewalls will generally prevent Internet traffic from accessing the Intranet.

IP
Internet Protocol. Internet functions are governed by this set of rules.

IP Address
The Internet Protocol address assigned to a server or host. This is a unique number consisting of four parts separated by dots (e.g., 123.456.789.1). Every machine that is on the Internet has a unique IP address.

ISP
Internet Service Provider. In order to achieve access to the Internet or to a Windows-based application, a valid connection must be made with an ISP. Examples of Internet Service Providers include: AT&T Worldnet, America Online, Compuserve, Digex, Earthlink, IBM, Microsoft Network, Prodigy, Sprint Internet Passport, and Sprynet.

Java
A programming language designed to create software that will run from within a Web page that is object-oriented in nature.

JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group--The name of the group that created the method for compressing full color or gray-scale digital images.

LAN
Local Area Network--A grouping of two or more computers that share major functions such as programs, printers, data, etc.

Memory (or Random Access Memory)
The computer's temporary memory that is erased when the user turns off the computer.

Modem
A device that provides a computer with the ability to communicate electronically and process data over analog phone lines.

Mosaic
This web browser was introduced to the World Wide Web in 1993. Since the inception of this point-and-click interface, several companies have been formed to establish varying forms of Mosaic. Most notable in this category is Netscape Corporation.

Motherboard
The main circuit board of a computer.

Net
A nickname given to the Internet.

Operating System
The underlying software of a computer. Examples include Windows 95, Windows NT, and Windows 3.1.

Output
The data and information created by a computer and its user.

Pentium
In IBM compatible personal computers, this is the microprocessor produced by Intel.

Pixel
The smallest graphic element displayed on a screen which is usually a single-colored dot.

Plug-In
A program that you download to your computer and work with your browser software to provide faster and more interesting ways to view and navigate the Internet. Plug-ins are designed for use with Netscape Navigator browsers.

Port
The location into which information passes into and out of a PC.

Protocols
The language one computer or terminal uses to communicate with other computer systems.

Search Engine
Allows the user to search for information on the World Wide Web using keywords (select words or phrases). Examples include Yahoo, Excite, Infoseek, and Lycos.

Server
A computer that transmits stored data. For example, the NYSE Server.

Spam
An inappropriate message that you send to multiple newsgroups or email addresses.

T1
These access lines allow the user to speedily transmit and acquire data. These internal lines are generally used by Universities and Businesses and carry up to 1.536 million bits per second.

T3
Faster version of the T1 that transmits information at up to 45 million bits per second.

TCP/IP
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. Allows computer messages to be transmitted internationally through the Internet.

UNIX
The computer operating system that was utilized to create most of the programs and protocols for the Internet.

URL
This is another name for an exact web address or Uniform Resource Locator. For example, the URL for the New York Stock Exchange is http://www.NYSE.com.