Bit - A single digit number is base-2, the smallest unit of computerized data. There are 8 bits to a byte.

BPS - Bits per second. (A 14.4 KBPS modem can transmit 14,400 bits per second.)

Browser - A client program used to access Internet resources, primarily WWW sites. Netscape and Internet Explorer are two of the most popular.

Byte - An amount of bits representing a single character. There are 8 bits to 1 byte.

Client - A program that requests services from a server program on another computer.

COM Port - Serial ports usually used for data communications.

Domain Name - A unique name identifying an Internet site.

DNS - Domain Name System. A system of identifying a Domain with an IP address

Downloading - Electronically transferring information from one computer to another.

DUN - Dial-Up Networking, common to Windows '95 and NT. This built in software allows a connection to local area networks, and the Internet using a modem.

E-mail - Electronic mail.

Ethernet - A very common method of networking computers in a LAN.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions. Answers to the most common questions.

Finger - An application used to search a machine connected to the Internet for a specified user and returns any information on that user.

FTP - File Transfer Protocol. A way of transferring files between to computers.

Gateway- Most commonly referring to a computer that forwards and routes data between networks.

GIF - Graphic Interchange Format. A commonly used graphic format.

Gopher - A method of finding resources on the Internet.

Homepage - The top-level hypertext document or starting page, also a personal page.

HTML - Hyper Text Markup Language.

HTTP - Hyper Text Transport Protocol. A means of transferring hypertext documents.

Hypertext - Text that provides links between key elements, allowing the user to move through information non-sequentially.

Internet - The global collection of interconnected networks.

IP Address - A computers unique Internet address expressed in numbers.

IRC - Internet Relay Chat. A way to participate in live, interactive discussions.

ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network. A digital telephone line and Terminal adapter that allows speeds up to 128,000 KBPS.

ISP - Internet Service Provider.

Java - A programming language that uses programs or applets to perform calculations, animations and other functions. Developed by Sun Microsystems.

JPEG - Joint Photographic Experts Group. Another popular graphic format.

KB - Kilobyte. 1,024 bytes.

KBPS - Kilobytes per second. A measure of data transmission speed.

LAN - Local Area Network. A computer network located in businesses or homes.

MB - Megabyte. 1,024 kilobytes.

MIME - Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions. A means of attaching files to e-mail.

Modem - Modulator, DEModulator. A device connected to your computer that allows communications over standard phone lines to an ISP or another modem.

MPEG - Motion Picture Experts Group. A format of digital video.

Netiquette - A common term for Internet etiquette.

Network - Two or more computers connected together.

Newsgroups - Discussion groups on USENET.

NNTP - Net News Transfer Protocol. A protocol used to transfer USENET News groups.

Node - One particular computer connected to a network.

Packet - A chunk of data.

Ping - An application that reports the time taken to contact another computer.

POP - Point of Presence, Post Office Protocol. A means of retrieving e-mail.

PPP - Point to Point Protocol. A style of connection commonly used for the Internet.

Protocol - A means of communications between computers.

Router - Handles the connections between networks and forwarding information.

Search Engine - A means of searching for information with the use of key words.

Server - A computer dedicated to providing services to client computers.

Shareware - Computer software that you can try before you buy.

SMTP - Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. Common method for relaying e-mail.

TCP/IP - A family of protocols used to communicate between computers.

Telnet - An application that allows users to login to remote computers.

UNIX - An operating system commonly used for Internet related servers. (Some common Unix clones: BSDi, FreeBSD, Linux, IRIX, Solaris/SunOS, HP/UX)

URL - Uniform Resource Locator. Location of WWW pages.

Whois - An application that will return information on a user.

World Wide Web (WWW) - A system that recognizes Internet data through hypertext links, allowing the user to explore resources from multiple points of entry using a browser.