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.


Backbone
A high-speed line (or a series of connections) that forms a major pathway within a network.


Bandwidth
The amount of data you can send through a connection, usually measured in bits per second. A full page of English text is about 16,000 bits. A fast modem can move about 15,000 bits in one second.


Bit
This is the smallest measure of computerized data, either 1 or 0. Eight bits equal one byte, or one character.

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.

Certificate of Authority
An issuer of Security Certificates used in SSL connections.


Control Panel
IsleComm hosted clients with Business Site or higher hosting plans have access to a Web-based Control Panel (www.yourdomain/cgi-bin/monstercontrols) that allows you to set email forwarding options, file and track support request tickets, setup FrontPage extensions, view your statistics, change your password and more. It's very convenient - take a look at some Control Panel screen shots here.

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.


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.


Data Transfer
In general, any outward-bound traffic from a Web site (with the exception of email) is considered to be data transfer. Each time a Web page, image, MIDI file, etc. is loaded, data transfer is generated.


DNS
Domain Name System: A system of servers located throughout the Internet that handle Internet connections and the routing of email.



Email Server
A computer used to direct messages to the appropriate place. When you send an email using your client software, it is sent to the server which then processes it and sends it to the appropriate party. There are two types of mail servers: POP3 mail server used for checking email, and SMTP mail server used for sending email. Both of our servers are addressed via "yourdomain.com"


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.


Firewall
A combination of hardware and software, used to protect a network from unwelcome traffic. A firewall can be used to separate a LAN into two or more parts, or to control network traffic.


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.


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.


Host
1. A computer system accessed by a user from a remote location. In the case of two computer systems connected via modem, the "host" is the system containing the data and the "remote" is the computer at which the user is working.

2. A computer that is connected to a TCP/IP network, including the Internet. Each host has a unique IP address.

3. As a verb, "host" means providing the infrastructure for a computer service. A company that hosts a Web server may provide the hardware and software needed to run that server, but does not supply all the content on that server. IsleComm.com provides hosting services by running and maintaining the server, while allowing customers to maintain their own Web site content.


IP Number (IP Address)
The unique 4-part number assigned to each and every computer linked to the Internet (e.g., 206.141.202.111). When you connect to the Internet, your ISP assigns you an IP number for the duration of your connection. DNS converts domain names into IP addresses.


ISP
Internet Service Provider: A company that provides access to the Internet.


Kilobyte (KB)
A thousand bytes. To be more accurate, one kilobyte actually contains 1024 bytes. Since the prefix "kilo" is associated with 1000, the term kilobyte is used to define 1024 bytes.


Log File
A file that contains a list of actions that have occurred on your web server. The statistics of your site are created by referencing the activity log file. When hosting with IsleComm.com, you can download your log files in your "MonsterControl" panel (www.yourdomain/cgi-bin/monstercontrols) for qualifying accounts.


Mail Forwarding
When you sign up for an IsleComm.com hosting plan, you'll receive a domain email account (you@yourdomain.com -- actually you'll get an infinite amount of these). You might also have an email address provided by your local ISP. With mail forwarding, all email addressed to you@yourdomain.com will be sent to your other email address(es).

Additional mail forwarding options include the ability to forward different yourdomain.com email to specific addresses on the Internet. For example, email addressed to webmaster@yourdomain.com could forward to your "real" email address (provided by your ISP), while sales@yourdomain.com could forward to a different email address or a mail box on our system.


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.


MIME Multipurpose (Internet Mail Extensions)
The standard for attaching non-text files (such as graphics, spreadsheets, word processor documents, sound files, etc.) to email messages.


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


Operating System (OS)
This is the software that manages a computer system. Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Apple Macintosh and UNIX are popular OS's.


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.


POP (Post Office Protocol - or - Point Of Presence)
Post Office Protocol is a method of retrieving email from a server. Point Of Presence is a telephone number that provides dial-up Internet access. ISPs usually provide several POPs so users can gain Internet access with local phone calls.


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.


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.


Security Certificate
Information used to establish a secure connection by SSL protocol. In order for an SSL connection to be created, both sides must have a valid Security Certificate, issued by the Certificate Authority.


Server
A computer or device that manages network resources. The term can refer to a piece of software, or to the machine on which the software is running. A single server machine could be running several different server software packages, thus providing many different services to users on the network.


Shell Access
Shell access allows you to run a program called Telnet to connect to our UNIX machine and issue UNIX commands. This is an advanced feature necessary if you are planning to do any kind of programming for 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.


SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)
A protocol used to transfer email between servers.


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.


T-1
A connection capable of carrying data at 1,544,000 bits per second. T-1 is most commonly used to connect networks to the Internet.


T-3
A connection capable of carrying data at 44,736,000 bits per second. Equivalent to 29 T-1 connections. IsleComm.com servers are connected to the Internet through 5 T-3s AND 10 T-1s (for redundancy)!


TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
This is the suite of protocols that defines the Internet. Originally designed for the UNIX operating system, TCP/IP software is now available for every major computer operating system. Your computer must have TCP/IP software to be connected to the Internet.


UNIX
A computer operating system. UNIX is designed to be used by many people at the same time and has TCP/IP built-in. It is far and away, the most common operating system for servers on the Internet, and is what runs the servers at IsleComm.com.


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


Website
A compilation of web pages linked together.


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.


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