Website & Computer Terms Explained from JWBIZ.COM

Website & Computer Terms Explained For Beginners

The Contents Are Listed Alphabetically

A to C
D to E

F to H
I to P

Q to S
T to Z

Address Bar

Also known as a URL bar. This is where you would type the domain name (website address) of a site into a browser to access it on the Internet.

Application - App

This is a type of software that allows a user to perform certain tasks which will run inside an operating system until it is closed. Applications are also known as programmes.

Apps for mobile devices are know as mobile apps.

Bandwidth

While some believe this is Internet speed it is actually the maximum data that is transmitted from an Internet connection over a given period of time.

Boot

The process of starting a device such as a computer.

Reboot is restarting.

Cold boot is starting or restarting after complete shutdown.

If you are restarting to try and fix an issue a cold boot is the best option.

Browser

Software used to access and navigate the Internet for which a connection is needed.

Popular modern day examples would include:

Microsoft Edge
Google Chrome
Firefox
Opera

Cache

This is a storage area that a computer uses to keep temporary data with the purpose of making apps and browsers respond faster unless the cache has deliberately been cleared.

Clearing the cache can help the performance of a browser by removing corrupted files. This process should be carried out between every 10 to 14 days of normal use.

By clearing cached images and files a site may load more slowly on your next visit. Most browsers offer a choice of what you can delete.

Cookies

These are small text files that websites save on your computer or mobile device when you visit the site. It enables the website to remember your actions and preferences (such as login, language, font size and other display preferences) over a period of time, so you don't have to keep re-entering them whenever you come back to the site or browse from one page to another.

Cookies can be safely deleted however you will have to enter your credentials again for any websites you use that need to be logged in such as online banking sites.

CPU - Central Processing Unit

This is basically the 'brain' of a computer or devices and it retrieves and executes instructions.

A CPU is also referred to as the processor.

CMS - Content Management System

This allows the user to add, change and delete text, images and video. With ours is also possible to clone and rename pages and add repeatable sections making it possible to produce a web pages from a pre-made template.

CSS - Cascading Style Sheet

This is a document that is used to control the format of a web page.

Cursor

An visual indicator on a computer monitor moved by mouse actions.

The usual default arrow will change depending on what the mouse is hovered over.

Examples would include if default settings are retained the arrow changing to a hand when hovering over links and a vertical bar when hovering over text.

Default

A pre-defined or original configuration of an application or operating system.

Default settings can often be changed to suit your personal preferences.

Desktop Of A Computer

This is area that you see on your screen once your computer has been started. If you have either a PIN or password you need to log in to Windows to see the desktop.

By default you will see various icons to access such features as My Computer and the Recycle Bin.

You can customise the desktop by changing the background and adding icons for files, folders, shortcuts and programmes (apps).

Windows computers have a taskbar at the foot of the desktop by default however the location of this can be changed (not recommended).

The desktop is visible unless you fill the screen with an open programme.

If your screen is filled by a programme the desktop on later Windows versions can be made visible by left clicking the small vertical bar in the lower right corner of your monitor.

DNS - Domain Name System

A system that converts domain names readable by humans to IP addresses readable by your devices such as computers and smart phones.

Domain

Basically this is your website's equivalent of a physical address.

To put it another way if your home was a website your home address would be your domain.

Domain Name

This is the unique address of a website. It needs to be typed into the address bar (URL bar) of a browser to visit that website.

As an example our is qrcodesplus.com

These days many different extensions are available which include:

.com
.net
.org
.ws
.tv

The list above are also known as Top-level Domains (TLD).

Double Left Click

Two presses of the left side of a mouse in quick succession.

Download

This is the process of transferring information from a website or another remote location on a network such as a web server to a computer or device.

It is possible to download files in various formats that include:

Office Documents
Web Documents
Images
Audio
Video

DSL - Digital Subscriber Line

A way of connecting to the Internet with a high speed bandwidth connection from a phone wall socket on your telephone network.

It operates on different frequencies to the telephone meaning you can use the Internet while using your telephone.

Email

Messages that are transmitted by electronic means from users of a computer or device to one or more recipients via a network on the Internet.

A username and password are necessary to gain access to your email account.

Access can be via an email client such as Microsoft Outlook or via a web-based application.

If you are expecting to receive an email from someone and you can't find it in your inbox check your spam / junk folders.

Email Security

We thought we would mention a bit about this here although it doesn't really belong in this section.

To help keep your account secure it is highly recommended that your password contains at least 8 characters (the more the better) using a combination of uppercase, lowercase, numbers and special characters (for example: @ $, _ - { % } +).

If you are using a web-based email programme ALWAYS logout when you have finished your session.

If you suspect your computer or device has been hacked, had a virus or if your email account has been compromised it is VITAL THAT YOU CHANGE ALL OF YOUR PASSWORDS.

NEVER make a password with your name, place name, phone number, date of birth, car registration number, familiar phrases etc as they make a hackers life much easier!

Quite simply the more complicated the password and the more often you change it the harder you make it for a hacker!

You can check to see if your email address has been breached here.

File Formats

There are way too many file formats available to publish on this page so below are lists of the common ones.

General

DOC or DOCX - MicroSoft Word Docs
HTML or HTM - Web Page Docs
ODT - Open-Source Word Processor Docs
PDF - Portable Document Format
XLS or XLS - MicroSoft Excel Docs
ODS - Open-Source Spreadsheet Docs
PPT or PPTX - MicroSoft PowerPoint Docs
TXT - Text File Docs

Images

.jpg or .jpeg - Joint Photographic Experts Group
.png - Portable Network Graphics - supports image transparency
.gif - Graphics Interchange Format - can be animated
.tiff or .tif - Tag Image File Format

Video

MP4
M4V
MOV
AVI
WMV
OGG
WEBM

Audio

Firewall

Security programmes that monitor and protect computers by permitting or blocking incoming and outgoing traffic or access depending on the settings via the Internet.

Folder

A structure for containing electronic files. In some operating systems, it is called a directory.

FTP - File Transfer Protocol

Software used to transfer files from a computer to a remote computer such as a web server and vice versa.

GUI - Graphical User Interface

A type of user interface through which users interact with computers and devices via visual indicator representations such as icons.

Hard Copy

A printout on paper of files you have made or saved on your computer.

These files include text documents and / or images in various formats.

Hard Drive / Hard Disk

A device that stores information in a computer.

Hard Disk Drives (HDD) use spinning disks and Solid-State Drives (SSD) store data on memory chips. One of the two are installed in most PC's, laptops and notebooks.

The size will dictate the cost however HDD's are the cheaper option.

SDD's have no moving parts and are faster and more reliable.

Hardware

The physical components of a computer system.

Such items would include:

Motherboard
Processors
Drives
Memory sticks
Monitor
Keyboard

Home Page

This should be the start page of a website with clear links to the rest of the site.

HTML - Hyper Text Markup Language

The standard markup language for creating web pages - the format of these web pages is controlled by CSS (cascading style sheets).

HTML5

This is the 5th and latest version of HTML and is more mobile-friendly than previous versions.

HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol

A method to interact with HTML files by transmitting hypertext messages between clients and servers.

It used to be and still can be the first part of a website address however it is not secure.

See below.

HTTPS - Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure

A more secure version of HTTP and should form the first part of all website addresses.

An SSL Certificate installation is required for HTTPS to work properly. Free versions are available or if you require extra security you can purchase various premium versions.

See also SSL & TLS further down this page.

Hyperlink

Text or an image with a link that when followed sends the user to a different part of a web page or to a totally different web document such as a web page on the same or different website. These can be set to open a new window which is preferable when linking to a different website.

Icons

Symbols or illustrations appearing on the computer screen that indicate programme files or other computer functions.

Internet

Internet is a massive global network connecting computers.

See more in the WWW section further down this page.

IP (Internet Protocol) Address - IPv4 & IPv6

An IPv4 is unique address containing 4 sets of numbers separated by dots that identify a devices on the Internet or on a local network.

An IPv6 is a newer more complicated version using a longer alphanumeric system so it can have greater combinations. It has been designed to replace IPv4.

To find your IP Address follow the link below:

https://whatismyipaddress.com/

ISP - Internet Server Provider

An organization that provides various services for accessing the Internet.

JavaScript

A programming language used almost exclusively to manipulate content on a web page. Common JavaScript functions include validating forms on a web page, creating dynamic page navigation menus, and image rollovers.

Laptops / Notebooks

Laptops are also known as Notebooks however technically the latter are smaller and lighter.

Both are small portable personal computers with a built in monitors and alphanumeric keyboards.

They often include web cams, USB ports, speakers and a microphone.

OS - Operating System

Also referred to as a platform - a computer operating system.

Software that manages hardware in a computer.

Popular computer operating systems are:

Microsoft Windows
Apple macOS
Linux

Mobile Operating Systems

Apple iOS - exclusive to iPhones
Google's Android OS - for touchscreen devices, smartphones and tablets

PC - Personal Computer

A device usually associated with running a version of Windows.

PDF - Portable Document Format

A format presented by Adobe Acrobat that allows documents to be shared over a variety of operating systems. Documents can contain words and pictures and be formatted to have electronic links to other parts of the document or to places on the web.

Peripheral

External hardware connected to a computer. Such devices would include extra hard drives, USB sticks, scanner, printer, speakers, keyboard, mouse and a cooling pad.

PHP - Hypertext Preprocessor

A scripting language that may be used to develop dynamic and interactive web pages.

Plug & Play

Computer hardware or peripherals that come set up with necessary software so that when attached to a computer, they are recognized by the computer and are ready to use.

Programme

A precise series of instructions written in a computer language that tells the computer what to do and how to do it. Programmes are also called software or applications.

QR - Quick Response Codes

An arrangement of squares that can be read by cameras on mobile devices.

QR Scanner and QR Reader apps are available for Android and iOS.

Both static and dynamic codes can be generated and customised.

Uses would include pointing to a web address (URL), phone numbers, addresses, email addresses, menus, Wi-FI connections, simple messages etc...

They are suitable for many types of printed material.

RAM - Random Access Memory

This is computer hardware where the OS programmes and data are stored for quick access by the processors. Parts of programmes are stored in the RAM when the programme is started so that the programme enabling it to run faster. A PC has a fixed amount of RAM however only parts of it are accessed by the computer at any given time. RAM is also known as memory. Data is available while the computer is switched on but not when is is shut down.

Right-click

Using the right mouse button to open context-sensitive drop-down menus.

Search Engine

Software that makes it possible to look for and retrieve material on the Internet, particularly the Web. Popular search engines include Ask.com, Baidu, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Google and Yahoo.

SEO - Search Engine Optimisation

The process of optimising web pages for indexing in search engines.

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Server

A computer that shares its resources and information with other computers known as clients on a network.

Software

Computer programmes - also called applications.

Spreadsheet

Software that can be used to calculate numbers in a format that is not dissimilar to pages in a conventional type of ledger.

SSL - Secure Socket Layer

This was the most used system to provide security over Internet communications up until 1999.

It was superseded by TLS.

See more about TLS further down this page.

Storage

Devices used to store massive amounts of information that can be readily retrieved. Devices include SSD's, HDD's, RAID's, CD-ROM's and DVDs.

Streaming

Taking packets of information (sound or visual) from the Internet and storing it in temporary files to allow it to play in continuous flow.

Surfing

Exploring the Internet.

Surge Protector

A device that can be used to protect a computer voltage surges.

Task Manager

A programme that shows the Processes running on your Windows computer as well as Performance, App History, Startup, Users, Details and Services.

TLS - Transport Layer Security

Used to encrypt data for privacy and security for communications sent over the Internet.

TPM - Trusted Platform Module

A small chip on the motherboard of your computer. Enabled TPM2 is a requirement for upgrading Windows 10 to 11 via Windows Update.

UI

User interface

Upload

The process of transferring information from a computer to a web site usually via FTP.

URL - Uniform Resource Locator

The protocol for identifying a web document. Each URL is unique.

As an example our URL is jwbiz.com

URL Bar

Also known as an Address Bar. This is where you would type the domain name (website address) of a site into a browser to access it on the Internet.

UX

User experience

VPN - Virtual Private Network

A VPN protects your Internet connection, obnline privacy and identity by hiding your IP address. Using one will make using WI-Fi hotspots safer.

Web Designer

A person who designs the layout and visual appearance of a website. He or she should also have the ability to take care of any graphic design that may be required.

Coding knowledge is not necessary however it helps.

Quite often a web designer will pass his or her work to a web developer to construct the website.

The different types of designers would include UX, UI and visual.

Web Developer

A person with knowledge of coding a website using various programming languages.

Such language knowledge should at least include CSS, HTML, JavaScript, PHP...

A web developer may also have web design experience as well as being responsible for website maintenance when he or she has finished building the initial product.

There are 3 types of web developers.

Front-End

Responsible for the coding the visual elements of the website using CSS, HTML, JavaScript, PHP and applying CMS if required.

Back-End

Responsible for the coding of just about everything that is not included in front-end development such as databases, SQL, server configuration.

Full-Stack

These have the ability of both the above.

Window

Not to be confused with Windows which is the name used by MicroSoft for its operating systems.

A window is the section of a computer screen used to display the content of whatever programme (app) has been selected for use and can be controlled by the keyboard and mouse.

Multiple windows can be used at the same time however having too many windows open can reduce performance especially on lower specification computers.

WWW - World Wide Web - The Web

A network of computers all connected together that allow communication and share information globally via the Internet.

Access is via a web browser for the purpose of displaying web pages.

WYSIWYG - What You See Is What You Get

A system for non-technical users to handle formatting codes allowing them to be able to get on with design, text, images, audio and video.

They can be found in many word processors and design programmes.

Posted by Mary

Learning Centre Post No. 4 - 11/11/2024

Glossary