Glossary of Web Terminology

Access Provider – the organization that lets you have access to the internet (see also ISP)

Acrobat – short for Adobe Acrobat Reader – a free program. It is a way to change large files (such as Microsoft word files, forms) into a downloadable file format called PDF (portable document format) so that users that don’t own the software that created the file can still read it.

Bandwidth – transmission capacity of a network connection

Bit – the smallest unit of computer data

Bookmark – a browser feature that allows you to save a link to a Web page. Also known as “favorites” in Internet Explorer

Bounce – the return of an email because it couldn’t be delivered to the specified address

Browser – a software program on your computer that allows you to surf the Web

Cache – area in the memory on your hard disk that the browser stores Web pages and page elements. Depending on your browser settings, changes to pages may not appear unless you use the “refresh” or “reload” button on your browser. Pages and page elements may also be cached at a server level, which can delay changes being viewed. This can be problematic if the user’s ISP uses this function.

Content Management System (CMS) – an application (program) that resides on a server and allows for efficient management of Web site information within a consistent template design. Content authors can manage the creation, modification and removal of content without needing the expertise of a Web professional.

Content Editor – The portion of the CMS that appears in your browser that changes content on a web page. It allows users to make changes on Web pages without needing to know how to code them. May also refer to the person who makes changes on a Web page using the CMS.

Cookie – a small piece of information the server sends to the end-users computer via the browser. Cookies contain information such as login or registration information, online shopping cart information, user preferences, etc. This information can be retrieved by other Web pages on the site, so that this site can be customized.

Domain Name – the unique name that identifies a Web site (ex: Simpson.edu, google.com)

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions – collection of commonly asked questions and answers on a particular subject

Firewall – a combination of hardware and software that protects a local network by allowing only certain information to be viewed outside the local network and/or certain information to come inside the network

FTP – File Transfer Protocol – a tool for transferring files through the internet from one computer to another

Hit – a single request from a browser to a server. Web pages can contain many “hits” on a single page, (such as multiple graphics) as well as the basic content.

Home Page – the main page of a Web site

Host – the server on which a Web site is located

IP Address – the numerical equivalent of the location of the computer
(ex: Domain name = Joe’s House, IP address = 701 North C)

ISP – Internet Service Provider – the service that a user utilizes to connect to the internet, such as AOL, Earthlink, Mediacom, etc.

Intranet – A small private network of computers that works the same as the internet, but is for internal use only – not viewed by external audience

Link – marked text(or graphic) on a Web page that takes you to another area of the internet

Network – a group of computers connected together so they can share resources and data

Open Source – applications or programs in which the code is freely shared among developers and users, rather than kept a proprietary secret

Portal – a “one-stop” site or page that personalizes the various web tools and information available, to the specific needs and characteristics of the person visiting the site. Instead of hunting down information on a Web site, a person signs in to the site/page, and then the portal gathers all the relevant information and displays it on one page. (ex: student or employee information, course information, calendaring and scheduling, etc.)

Plug-in – an add-on component that allows a web browser to utilize a special program or interface

SWEB – The collective group of Simpson’s Web content editors

URL – Uniform Resource Locator – The address of a Web page as viewed in your browser

WYSIWIG – What You See Is What You Get – often used to describe programs or interfaces that allow you to create pages without knowing how to code them for the web

Web page – one single document on the Web

Web server – a computer with a permanent connection to the internet that stores Web sites

Web site – a group of Web pages


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Glossary of Web Terminology Access Provider – the organization that lets you have access to the internet (see also ISP) Acrobat – short for Adobe Acrobat Reader – a free program. It is a way to change large files (such as Microsoft word files, forms) into a downloadable file format called PDF (portable document format) so that users that don’t own the software that created the file can still read it. Bandwidth – transmission capacity of a network connection Bit – the smallest unit of computer data Bookmark – a browser feature that allows you to save a link to a Web page. Also known as “favorites” in Internet Explorer Bounce – the return of an email because it couldn’t be delivered to the specified address Browser – a software program on your computer that allows you to surf the Web Cache – area in the memory on your hard disk that the browser stores Web pages and page elements. Depending on your browser settings, changes to pages may not appear unless you use the “refresh” or “reload” button on your browser. Pages and page elements may also be cached at a server level, which can delay changes being viewed. This can be problematic if the user’s ISP uses this function. Content Management System (CMS) – an application (program) that resides on a server and allows for efficient management of Web site information within a consistent template design. Content authors can manage the creation, modification and removal of content without needing the expertise of a Web professional. Content Editor – The portion of the CMS that appears in your browser that changes content on a web page. It allows users to make changes on Web pages without needing to know how to code them. May also refer to the person who makes changes on a Web page using the CMS. Cookie – a small piece of information the server sends to the end-users computer via the browser. Cookies contain information such as login or registration information, online shopping cart information, user preferences, etc. This information can be retrieved by other Web pages on the site, so that this site can be customized. Domain Name – the unique name that identifies a Web site (ex: Simpson.edu, google.com) FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions – collection of commonly asked questions and answers on a particular subject Firewall – a combination of hardware and software that protects a local network by allowing only certain information to be viewed outside the local network and/or certain information to come inside the network FTP – File Transfer Protocol – a tool for transferring files through the internet from one computer to another Hit – a single request from a browser to a server. Web pages can contain many “hits” on a single page, (such as multiple graphics) as well as the basic content. Home Page – the main page of a Web site Host – the server on which a Web site is located IP Address – the numerical equivalent of the location of the computer (ex: Domain name = Joe’s House, IP address = 701 North C) ISP – Internet Service Provider – the service that a user utilizes to connect to the internet, such as AOL, Earthlink, Mediacom, etc. Intranet – A small private network of computers that works the same as the internet, but is for internal use only – not viewed by external audience Link – marked text(or graphic) on a Web page that takes you to another area of the internet Network – a group of computers connected together so they can share resources and data Open Source – applications or programs in which the code is freely shared among developers and users, rather than kept a proprietary secret Portal – a “one-stop” site or page that personalizes the various web tools and information available, to the specific needs and characteristics of the person visiting the site. Instead of hunting down information on a Web site, a person signs in to the site/page, and then the portal gathers all the relevant information and displays it on one page. (ex: student or employee information, course information, calendaring and scheduling, etc.) Plug-in – an add-on component that allows a web browser to utilize a special program or interface SWEB – The collective group of Simpson’s Web content editors URL – Uniform Resource Locator – The address of a Web page as viewed in your browser WYSIWIG – What You See Is What You Get – often used to describe programs or interfaces that allow you to create pages without knowing how to code them for the web Web page – one single document on the Web Web server – a computer with a permanent connection to the internet that stores Web sites Web site – a group of Web pages
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