Online Learning at CSU
Glossary of Terms
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - XYZ
G
GIF
This acronym stands for Graphic Interchange Format, a commonly used file compression format developed by CompuServe for transferring graphics files to and from online services.
Gopher
A menu-oriented tool used to locate online resources developed at the University of Minnesota.
Gopherspace
A term used to describe the entire gopher network.
Groupware
This term refers to software applications that facilitate shared work on documents and information.
GUI
An acronym for Graphical User Interface, this term refers to a software front-end meant to provide an attractive and easy to use interface between a computer user and application. The Macintosh operating system has a GUI, DOS does not.
H
Home Page
The document displayed when you first open your web-browser. Home Page can also refer to the first document you come to at a Web site.
Hotlists
Lists of frequently used Web locations and URLs (Uniform Resource Locators).
Host
A computer acting as an information or communications server.
HTML
An acronym for HyperText Markup Language, HTML is the language used to tag various parts of a Web document so browsing software will know how to display that document's links, text, graphics and attached media.
HTML Document
A document written in HyperText Markup Language.
HTTP
The abbreviation for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, HTTP is used to link and transfer hypertext documents.
Hypermedia
The hypertext concept extended to include linked multiple media.
Hypertext
This term describes the system that allows documents to be cross- linked in such a way that the reader can explore related documents by clicking on a highlighted word or symbol.
I
IAB
The abbreviation for Internet Architecture Board, the IAB is the council that makes decisions about Internet standards.
IETF
The abbreviation for Internet Engineering Task Force, IETF refers to a subgroup of the Internet Architecture Board that focuses on solving technical problems on the Internet.
Inline Images
These are the graphics contained within a Web document.
IP
The abbreviation for Internet Protocol, IP refers to the set of communication standards that control communications activity on the Internet. An IP address is the number assigned to any Internet-connected computer.
ISDN
The abbreviation for Integrated Services Digital Network, ISDN is a telecommunications standard that uses digital transmission technology to support voice, video and data communications applications over regular telephone lines.
ISOC
This is the abbreviation for Internet Society, an organization formed to support a worldwide information network. ISOC is the sponsoring body of the Internet Architecture Board.
J
JPEG
The acronym for Joint Photographic Experts Group, JPEG is an image compression format used to transfer color photographs and images over computer networks. Along with GIF, it's one of the most common ways photos are moved over the Web.