Applet
A small Java program.


ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)
This is the global standard for code numbers used by computers to represent all upper and lower-case Latin letters, numbers, and punctuation.


Autoresponder
A feature that sends an automated reply to incoming email. For example, when customers send email to your sales@yourdomain.com address, a standard message could be sent back to them. An autoresponder allows you to associate a text message with a specific email address. Whenever, someone sends you an email, that person will instantaneously receive your automated response. This is a great way to confirm the receipt of the message or to provide important details on your status (for example if you are on vacation and will not be responding to email for a week). IsleComm.com plans offer unlimited autoresponders. By "unlimited" we mean that you can designate as many of these autoresponders as you like. The setup is done through your Control Panel for qualifying accounts, or through a request submitted to support@islecomm.com for others. It is very quick and easy.


Banner
An advertisement in the form of graphics (usually rectangular in shape) displayed on a Web page. When viewers click on a banner, they are taken to the advertiser's Web site.


Bookmark
The feature of a Web Browser that lets you save the address (URL) of a web page so you can go back to the page easily at a later time.


Browser
A client program used to view various kinds of Internet resources. You use a browser (e.g., Microsoft Internet Explorer [preferred] or Netscape Navigator) to view Web pages from your computer.


CGI (Common Gateway Interface)
A protocol that allows a Web page to run a program on a Web server. Forms, counters, and guestbooks are common examples of CGI programs. It is a standard method of extending Web server functionality by executing programs or scripts on a Web server in response to Web browser requests. A common use of CGI is in form processing, where the Web browser sends form data to a CGI script on the server, the script integrates the data with a database, and sends back the results as a Web page. Use of CGI can make a Web page much more dynamic and add interactivity for the user.

Cookie
A cookie is a piece of information sent to a browser by a Web Server. The browser then returns that information to the Web server. This is how some Web pages "remember" your previous visits; for example, an E-Commerce site might use a cookie to remember which items you've placed in your online shopping cart. Cookies can also store user preference information, log-in data, etc.


CyberCash
CyberCash is the name of the company that developed a Web-based payment system. Their CyberCash software enables online payment services for credit cards and Internet check transactions. CyberCash works with all popular browsers.


Database
This is any collection of data: part numbers, product codes, customer information, etc. It usually refers to data stored on a computer.


eCommerce
Refers to the concept of selling something online. IsleComm.com offers a range of options which will allow you to get up to speed with the current e-commerce market. We include Miva Order with every Online Order hosting plan and Miva Merchant with each eCommerce hosting plan. Both offer a great ordering system, and Miva Merchant offers a complete shopping cart system.


Encryption
This is a method of encoding a file for security reasons. Encryption is often used to protect credit card numbers from third parties during online purchases.


Hosting
In order to display a website, the files that comprise that website must be stored on a server which is connected to the Web. This storage is known as hosting.
(See also Hosting FAQ or Hosting Glossary for more info on this subject)


Forms
Forms allow you to capture/gather information form your visitors by allowing them to enter data using text entry fields, selection lists, check boxes, radio buttons and text boxes. This data is then sent to you by email. Examples of forms are:

Questionnairres, Reservation Forms, Contact Info, Mailing Lists, Simple Order Taking & More...


FrontPage
FrontPage is a WYSIWYG Web page editor by Microsoft. In order to use FrontPage to create and maintain your Web site, your hosting service must install"extensions" (CGI programs that provide the server side implementation of FrontPage) for your account. IsleComm.com offers FrontPage extensions.

FrontPage Extensions
Simply put: FrontPage extensions are "things" that need to be setup on your account for you to be able to publish your site through Microsoft FrontPage. It takes one click from your Control Panel or an email request to tech support to setup FrontPage extensions. It's that easy!

More technical explanation: FrontPage Extensions are CGI programs which provide the server side implementation of FrontPage. FrontPage communicates with the extensions via HTTP using a Remote Procedure Call (RPC). When the server sees the "POST" request addressed to the FrontPage server extensions it simply directs the request to the appropriate CGI program. The extensions implement authoring (uploading/downloading documents, ToDo Lists), administration (setting end-user, author, and administrator privileges), and dynamic content (browse-time WebBot components). Without the FrontPage Server Extensions you will not be able to take advantage of the WebBots that are available through FrontPage. Also, without the extensions you cannot author and administer your web using the tools provided as part of the FrontPage Editor/Explorer package.


FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
A common method of sending and receiving files on the Internet. Allows you to use any FTP program to upload files to your account and download them back from your account at any time. A user ID and password are needed to use FTP, unless Anonymous FTP is allowed.


GIF (Graphic Interchange Format)
A type of image file. GIF files are graphics or pictures, often used on Web pages. Because GIF files contain a maximum of 256 colors, this file format is ideal for simple graphics with minimal shading or color variation. Other types of graphics are better suited for the JPEG file format.


Graphic
Any picture or image file within a Web page. Graphics are usually in GIF or JPEG format.


Hit Counter
A Hit Counter is a very nice tool (very customizable and easy to use) which keeps a counter of how many visitors you received to your page. The counter can be displayed (in many different colors/shapes/sizes, so that it nicely fits into your site) or it can be completely invisible (PREFERRED METHOD) so that only you will know the current count.


Homepage
The first page of a Web site. Some people choose to have only a homepage, with no supporting pages.


HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language)
The coding language used to create Web pages.


HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)
The protocol for moving hypertext files across the World Wide Web. When you enter a URL in your browser to visit a Web page, an HTTP command is sent to the Web server. This command tells the server to fetch and transmit the requested Web page.


Hypertext/Hyperlink
Any text within a document that is linked to another location. The other location could be within the same document, or a different document. Clicking hypertext with your mouse will activate the link. This glossary is made up of hypertext, containing many links.


Image Map
A graphic used for multiple navigation on a Web page. Image maps contain HTML code that turn specific areas of graphics into links.


Java
Java is a programming language invented by Sun Microsystems. Java programs (or "applets") can be downloaded from the Internet to your computer. They can be used to perform sophisticated functions or also be used to enhance Web pages. Common Java applets used on Web pages include animation, calculators, and counters.


JavaScript
A scripting language developed by Netscape that interacts with HTML source code, allowing for interactive Web sites. JavaScript is used for things such as &"rollover buttons" (graphics that change color when you run your mouse over them), rotating banners, MIDI jukeboxes, pop-up windows, etc.


JPEG or JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
A type of image file, similar to GIF. Whereas the GIF file format is limited to 256 colors or less, JPEG files use millions of colors and can often be compressed to a smaller kilobyte (file) size, making Web pages load faster.


Mailing List
A group discussion conducted through email messages, specific to a topic or common interest. When a message is sent to a mailing list, each list subscriber receives a copy.


Megabyte (MB)
A million bytes; a thousand kilobytes. To be more accurate, one megabyte actually contains 1,048,576 bytes. Since the prefix "mega" is associated with one million, the term megabyte is used to define 1,048,576 bytes.


Message Board
A type of bulletin board where users read and respond to other people's posts.


META Tag
Hidden HTML code that contains information about a Web page, such as who created the page, what the page is about, and which keywords best describe the page's content. Some search engines use this information to list Web pages.


MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface: A computerized music file, often used on Web pages.


mSQL/mySQL Mini SQL/My SQL
A lightweight database engine designed to provide fast access to stored data.
(See Also: SQL)


Perl
Practical Extraction and Report Language. This programming language was designed mainly for processing text. It is one of the most popular languages used for writing CGI Scripts.


Pixel
A unit of measurement for graphics or monitor resolution. A pixel is one dot on a computer screen. Most computer monitors are set to a resolution of 800 x 600, meaning 800 pixels wide by 600 pixels high.


Plug-ins
Software programs that enhance other programs or applications on your computer. There are plug-ins for Internet browsers, graphics programs, and other applications.


QuickTime
Common in the Apple Macintosh arena, QuickTime offers good audio and video playback, with streaming capabilities, in v4.01, and 360° panoramas. For most audio/video delivery, however, Windows Media offers superior quality with smaller file size.


Real Audio/Video
With Real Audio/Video you can add sound and video to your Web site. The great thing about Real Audio/Video is that your visitors will not need to download the entire file to hear/view it. The download happens in the background while the file is playing.


RealPlayer
A streaming media delivery system for the Internet. Providers of news, entertainment, sports, and business content can create audio and video multimedia content, and deliver it online to audiences worldwide. To create your own RealPlayer files and offer them on your Web site, your hosting service must install special "extensions" for your account. IsleComm.com offers RealPlayer extensions.


Resolution (Screen or Monitor)
The way things appear on your computer monitor. Resolution is measured in pixels. The lower the resolution, the larger things appear on your screen. Most computer monitors are set at 800 x 600 resolution, meaning 800 pixels wide by 600 pixels high. Some people's monitors are set at 1024 x 768 or higher. Others are set at 640 x 480. When designing a Web site, keep in mind that your Web pages will look different to viewers depending on their monitor resolutions. You can change your own monitor resolution through your computer's Control Panel.


Script
A list of commands that can run without user interaction.


Search Tool
Will your Web Site have lots of information? Would you like the capability to allow your visitors to search through all (or some) of your files for keywords? You can easily setup a search engines, to search for contents within your site.


Shopping Cart
Software used to create an online "storefront," or eCommerce website. It acts as a virtual shopping cart, keeping track of the items visitors have ordered and allowing them to add or remove items. When a visitor decides to "check out" (purchase the items online) the software sends all order information to the merchant. IsleComm.com offers MIVA Order and MIVA Merchant for NO CHARGE with it's eCommerce hosting packages.


SQL (Structured Query Language)
A specialized programming language for sending queries to databases. Many database applications can be addressed using SQL. Each specific application will have its own version of SQL implementing features unique to that application, but all SQL-capable databases support a common subset of SQL.


SSI
SSI (Server-Side Include) allows to insert "bits of special code" to make certain elements of your site dynamic. There are many tools that depends on the availability of SSI on the servers--for that reason IsleComm.com, of course, fully supports it.


SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
A protocol designed by Netscape to enable encrypted communications across the Internet, establishing a secure communications channel to prevent the interception of critical information, such as credit card numbers. It provides privacy, authentication, and message integrity. SSL is often used in communications between browsers and servers. A URL that begins with "https" is a clue that an SSL connection will be used on the Web site.

During an SSL connection, each side sends a Security Certificate to the other. Both sides then encrypt what they send, ensuring that only the intended recipient can decode it. All eCommerce hosting accounts with IsleComm.com incorporate SSL. Your customers will feel safe purchasing from you, knowing that during the transaction process the credit card information cannot be intercepted and decrypted.


Upload
Sending a file from your system to a server or to someone else's computer.


Video
Full-motion movies, which can include audio (sound). Leading formats for delivering video on the Web are: Windows Media, Real and QuickTime.


Webmaster
The person who creates and maintains a web site.


Webpage
A page that is viewable on the WWW. May contain text, images or multimedia.


Website
A compilation of web pages linked together.


Windows Media
Currently the preferred format to deliver audio/video on the web. Every Win9x computer, and many Macintosh systems come pre-installed with Windows Media, AND it delivers superior output with the smallest file size for faster downloads.


WWWBoard
A WWWBoard is a threaded World Wide Web discussion forum and a message board, which allows your visitors to post new messages, follow-up to existing ones and more. It's a very easy to use discussion board for your site.


WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get - pronounced "wizzy-wig")
A program that displays a document on your screen exactly as it would appear when printed or published online. The term usually applies to HTML editors, such as Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia Dreamweaver. These WYSIWYG editors can show you how your Web page will appear online, as you're editing the document.


Zip (Zone Information Protocol)
This is a method of compressing computer data or files into a small size, so they can be transferred quickly over the Internet. There are programs built specifically to zip files, such as WinZip.


[ back to top ]