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Technology Glossary
A
Ad Button or Banner
A graphic image placed on Ergoweb or the Web that links to an advertiser's Web
site or area on the Ergoweb Network. Ad banners are currently the most popular
type of online advertisement.
Ad Server
A system for managing advertising. This system provides advertisers with
advertisement rotation and click-through tracking functionality.
Animation
Creating the illusion of movement in a program by saving a series of images that
show slight changes in the position of the displayed objects and then displaying
these images back fast enough that the eye perceives smooth movement.
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B
Beta
A pre-release version of software, distributed to a select group of users to
test. At Ergoweb, our client software beta tests start with internal staff and a
few select users and grow to thousands of users during the late rounds of
testing. By the end of a beta test, all major bugs should have been discovered
and repaired.
Bookmark
A bookmark (or Favorite Place) is an easy way to find your way back to an area
of a Web site -- just like a real bookmark helps you keep your place in a book
you are reading.
Broadband
A transmission network with a bandwidth exceeding that of the telephone network.
This includes line systems with a transmission rate of at least 1 MHz, whereby
the transmission may also occur via satellite, coaxial cable or fiber-optic
cable.
Browser
An application used to view information from the Internet. Browsers provide a
user-friendly interface for navigating through and accessing the vast amount of
information on the Internet.
Browsing
Exploring an online area, usually on the World Wide Web.
Buttons
Objects that, when clicked once, cause something to happen.
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C
Cache
Cache is a storage area for frequently accessed information. Retrieval of the
information is faster from the cache than the originating source.
CD-ROM
Compact Disk-Read Only Memory: a storage medium popular in modern computers. One
CD-ROM can hold 600 MB of data.
Click-through Rate
Percentage of times a user responded to an advertisement by clicking on the ad
button/banner.
Client
A software program or computer that requests information from another computer.
Conversion
The number of people who end up completing a promotion or advertisement’s
ultimate goal – whether an actual transaction/sale, registration to a Web site
or contest entry.
Cookie
A file on your computer that records information, such as where you have been on
the World Wide Web.
CPM
Cost Per Thousand (M = Roman numeral for 1,000): the price advertisers pay for
each 1,000 impressions they purchase.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The Central Processing Unit is the main "brain" of the computer, where the
information is processed and calculations are done.
Cut and Paste
A method of copying data from one window to another. Highlight the text you'd
like to copy, click on EDIT and then CUT, move the cursor to where you'd like to
place the text, and click on EDIT and then PASTE. The text will now be in the
new locations.
Cyberspace
Cyberspace refers to the "place" you go when you use your computer and modem to
communicate with others. When you are online, you are in cyberspace.
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D
Deleting
Removing something from your computer. It could be text from a word-processing
window or a file from your hard disk drive.
Directory
An index of the files on a disk. A directory can contain individual files in
addition to other directories.
Domain Name
The unique name that identifies an Internet entity. For example: ergoweb.com is
the Internet domain name for Ergoweb, Inc., ergobuyer.com is the Internet domain
name for Ergobuyer.
Downloading
Transferring files from a host computer, such as ergoweb.com, to your personal
computer. The process is very similar to copying files from your hard disk drive
to a floppy disk.
DVD
Digital Versatile Disk: Looks like a CD-ROM but offers a considerably higher
storage capacity because of a reduction in gauge and a more sensitive reader.
Dynamic Rotation
Advertisements rotate on a timed basis. Currently on the Ergoweb Network,
dynamically rotating advertisements change every time the page is reloaded.
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E
E-mail
Electronic mail, or text files that are sent from one person to another. E-mail
can be sent to people anywhere on the Internet.
Explorer
A popular Web Browser, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer software can be used to
explore the Web and the Ergoweb Network. Visit www.microsoft.com for more
information.
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F
Frame
Frames divide the screen into several areas whose content can be designed and
controlled independently of one another. Frames make updating only part of the
screen possible, while leaving the rest as it is. Frames are often used in the
navigational elements of a Web site, so that the site only has to be loaded
once.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
FAQ is a commonly used abbreviation for "Frequently Asked Questions." Most
Internet sites will have an "FAQ" to explain what is in the area and how to use
its features.
Fax
Short for facsimile, a fax is a scanned document that is sent over phone lines
to a fax machine or computer with fax capabilities.
File
A collection of data stored on a disk with a unique file name. Anything you see
in File Manager, Explorer or on the Macintosh desktop is a file.
Floppy Disk
A small disk that can be removed from the computer.
Freeware
A file that is made available to the public, free of charge from the author.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol: a method of transferring files from the Internet.
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G
Gateway
A link from one computer system to a different computer system.
GIF
Graphics Interchange Format: a graphics file widely used to encode and exchange
graphics files on the Internet. The GIF format employs a compression technique
that reduces the size of the graphics file.
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H
Hacker
Originally used to describe a computer enthusiast who pushed a system to its
highest performance through clever programming. More commonly it is becoming
synonymous with 'cracker,' a term used to describe people who break into secured
computer systems.
Hard Disk Drive
The main storage device located inside most computers. These are generally not
removable.
Highlight
To hold down the left mouse button and drag the mouse over the text. When the
text changes color, it's highlighted and ready to be changed.
Hit
An access to an element on an HTML page. Accessing a Web page usually results in
several hits because elements such as graphics, photos, etc. are transmitted
along with the page of text, resulting in hits of their own. Because of the
varying number of hits on each Web page, this unit is not suitable for measuring
access behavior.
Home Page
A document intended to serve as the front page or an initial point of entry to a
web of related documents. Also called a welcome page, a home page contains
general introductory information, hyperlinks to related resources and internal
navigation buttons, which help users find their way among the various documents
that the home page makes available.
Host
The host computer and software processes users' requests and keeps track of
users' online experience
HTML
Hyper-Text Markup Language: the scripting language of the World Wide Web.
HTTP
Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol: the format of the World Wide Web. When a browser
sees "HTTP" at the beginning of an address, it knows that it is viewing a
Worldwide Web page.
Hyperlink
A colored section of text (usually blue) that, when clicked, will take you to
another area of a Web page.
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I
Icon
A small picture that represents an action that your computer can perform.
Usually, the picture shows what the button does. For example, the PRINT icon
will probably look like a printer. The Ergoweb logo located consistently in the
top left corner of the Ergoweb Network will take you back to the ergoweb.com
home page.
Impressions
The number of times an ad is seen by users. The term, "Guaranteed impressions"
refers to the minimum number of times an ad is expected be seen by users (based
on historical data).
Internet
"A network of networks," the Internet supports FTP, WWW, Gopher, e-mail, Telnet
and many other worldwide information transfer services.
Internet Domain Name
The unique name that identifies an Internet entity. For example: ergoweb.com is
the Internet domain name for Ergoweb, Inc.
Intranet
An intranet is a computer network used within one company or organization.
IP Address
Internet protocol address: a unique address assigned to each computer hooked up
to the Internet.
ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network: a fast method of transferring data
worldwide.
ISP
Short for Internet Service Provider: an organization that provides access to the
Internet via dial-up telephone lines.
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J
Java
Java is an object-oriented programming language created by Sun Microsystems. If
you are using a Web browser that supports Java, an applet (Java program)
embedded in the Web page will automatically run.
JPEG
Joint Photographers Experts Group: a graphics format designed to take up as
little space as possible while retaining as much quality as possible. JPEGs are
smaller than GIFs but take longer to display.
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K
Keyword
The fastest way to find information on ergoweb.com and ergobuyer.com is to input
keywords into the search box, and hit go. This will produce a result of all
information on the Ergoweb Network related to that word.
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L
LAN
Local area networks, or computers within a limited area that are linked by
high-performance cables so that users can exchange information, share
peripherals, and draw on programs and data stored in a dedicated computer called
a file server.
Link
A colored section of text (usually blue) that, when clicked, will take you to
another area of a Web page. Also see hyperlink.
LISTSERV
An Internet mailing-list manager.
Login
A user’s registration and authentication process in a network or other
communication system, such as an online service or mailbox.
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M
Mailing List
Usually an Internet mailing list coming from a Listserv. Mail is sent by many
people to one central address and then automatically distributed to all people
subscribed to the mailing list. See ergoweb-L for more information.
Main Menu
The main screen of ergoweb.com and ergobuyer.com that contains buttons for all
the main areas of the Ergoweb Network.
Megabyte (MB)
A measurement of storage capacity equal to approximately 1 million bytes
(1,048,576 bytes). A typical floppy disk holds about 1.44 MB of data. A typical
CD-ROM holds more than 600 MB of data. A 1 MB file takes about 10 minutes to
download at 28,800bps.
Menu
A pop-up window that allows a user to make a choice with his/her mouse. The
words at the top of the ergoweb.com and ergobuyer.com screen are a menu.
Clicking on the words will bring up a list of options.
Message Boards
A feature of the Internet that allows users to post public messages for other
users to read and respond to.
MIME
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions: a method of encoding a file for delivery
over the Internet.
Modem
Modulator-Demodulator: a device that takes digital computer signal, converts it
to analog, and sends it across the phone line.
Mouse
A pointing device that looks like a small box with a ball underneath it and a
cord attaching it to the computer.
MP3
Acronym for MPEG Audio Layer 3, a revolutionary standard for audio compression.
Unlike conventional procedures, MP3 compresses with a loss, but the loss is
limited largely to ranges inaudible to the human ear. This enables a compression
of high-quality audio recordings to an average of 1/12 of their original size,
which explains why the format is extremely popular on the Internet.
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N
Net
The common abbreviation for the Internet.
Netscape
A popular Web Browser, Netscape's Navigator software can be used to explore the
Web and the Ergoweb Network. Visit www.netscape.com for more information.
Network
A set of computers linked to one another for data sharing, or the link itself.
Newsgroups
Internet message boards, also known as Usenet.
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O
Online
The state of being actively connected to an online service, a mailbox or the
Internet.
Open
The command used to view a document or other file. It is found under the FILE
menu.
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P
Page Views
The number of times users request a page which may contain a specific ad. This
is the preferred counting term for traffic estimates and measurement instead of
hits.
Password
A password is like a key to one’s home. It is needed to get online to certain
areas of the web, certain software products online, such as Ergoweb’s JET
Software.
PCMCIA
An acronym meaning Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association. Many
laptop computers use these devices as modems.
PDF Files
Adobe's Portable Document Format (pdf) is a translation format used primarily
for distributing files across a network or on a Web site. Files with a .pdf
extension have been created in another application and then translated into .pdf
files so they can be viewed by anyone -- regardless of platform. The Adobe
Acrobat PDF Reader software is necessary to view these files and can be obtained
free by visiting www.adobe.com.
Pixel
A pixel is the smallest unit of space on a computer screen. Each little dot is a
pixel. Resolution is a measurement of how many pixels can fit on a screen.
Platform
A platform is a specific computer-operating environment. Examples of platforms
include: DOS, Windows, UNIX and Macintosh platforms.
Plug-in
A plug-in is a software program that extends the usability of a program. There
are plug-ins for playing real-time audio clips, video clips, animation and more.
Portal
A term to describe very highly frequented Web pages. Ergoweb is the leading
portal for ergonomics.
Posting
A message in a newsgroup or mailing list.
Print
Users who have a printer connected to their computer can use the PRINT option
under the FILE menu to print text and graphics from the Ergoweb Network.
Protocol
A set of rules that governs how information is to be exchanged between computer
systems.
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R
RAM
Random Access Memory: This is the computer's main memory, where program data is
stored for quick retrieval. RAM is often confused with hard-drive space. Most
computers now are equipped with 32 or 64 MB of RAM. RAM is temporary storage.
When the computer is turned off or restarted, anything in RAM is lost.
Real Audio
An independent sound format established on the Internet that enables a
reasonably fast connection for hearing real-time audio. It requires a
corresponding program that can be incorporated into all popular Web browsers.
Real Time
Events that happen in real time are happening virtually at that particular
moment. When users chat in a chat room or send an instant message, they are
interacting in real time.
Rollover
When a mouse cursor lands on an icon or hyperlink, the cursor symbol often
changes, indicating to the user that by clicking there, he/she can trigger an
action.
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S
Scanner
A device that works with the computer to transform an image into a matrix/raster
image. The sample is scanned, dot for dot, the brightness values are measured,
digitized and sent to the computer, which then stores the values in a file.
Script
A computer code that can be executed directly by a program that understands the
relevant script language.
Search Engine
A database or index that can be queried to help you find information on the
World Wide Web.
Server
A computer that sends, or "serves," the data to another computer (client). Or a
program that runs on a host and is responsible for handling an Internet service.
Shareware
A "try-before-you-buy" program. If a user decides to keep and use the program
beyond the trial period (usually 10 to 30 days), he/she is asked to pay a fee to
the author.
Shockwave
A plug-in manufactured by Macromedia that allows animations and sounds to be
transmitted over the Internet in a compressed format so that they can be played
back, even during receipt.
Software
A collection of files that allow a computer to perform certain tasks.
Spam
This word is generally used on the Internet to describe information that no one
really wants and that has no real informative content: for instance, unsolicited
advertising e-mails or junk mail.
Splash Page
A bridge page between a banner advertisement and an advertiser's Web site or
area on the Ergoweb Network that provides product information and hotlinks.
Static Rotation
Advertisements rotate based on the entry of users into a screen. Regardless of
the amount of time a user spends with a screen, advertisements will remain on
the screen for the entire time and will not change.
Streaming Media
Data streams that are not transmitted as a whole but as a continuous stream of
data on the Internet. This makes the live transmission of radio stations or Web
movies possible. Popular streaming-media applications are Shockwave, Flash and
Real Audio.
Stuffing
A specific method of compressing files on the Macintosh platform. Files
compressed in this manner will usually end with .SIT. Different Macintosh
software can un-stuff files sent through e-mail.
Surfing
Exploring the World Wide Web. Commonly seen as "Surfing the 'Net."
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T
TCP/IP
Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol: the method by which most Internet
activity takes place.
Terms and Conditions
Ergoweb’s conditions and terms by which all users are expected to abide.
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U
UNIX
An operating system found on many Internet computers.
Unstuffing
The extraction of files compressed with Stuffit, primarily on the Macintosh
Unzipping
The extraction of files compressed with PKzip, primarily on the MSWindows
platform, but also on UNIX and Macintosh. Most Zip files end with .ZIP.
Upload
To send a file from one computer to another via modem or other telecommunication
method. A common example is a file that is uploaded to a Bulletin Board Service
(BBS).
URL
Uniform Resource Locator: an HTTP address used by the World Wide Web to specify
a certain site.
Usenet
Internet message boards, also known as Newsgroups.
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V
Virus
A computer program written to secretly reproduce itself across many computer
systems. Viruses can cause serious damage.
Visit
A visit to a Web site, defining the advertising contact. A visit includes a
browser’s successful page access to the current site, if it occurred from
outside the site and at least one page was transmitted to the user.
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W
WAN
Wide Area Network: a network whose devices are spread across large distances.
Webmaster
The person in charge of a Web site.
Windows
Microsoft’s object oriented operating system.
World Wide Web (WWW)
A graphical method of exploring the Internet. A World Wide Web browser allows
users to view, download and execute files coded for the WWW.
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Z
ZIP
The most common format for compressed files.
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