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GLOSSARY |
| ATM | Asynchronous Transfer Mode is a high-speed telecommunications network, using a terminal or bureau service for voice communications involving more than two locations. |
| Bandwidth | The capacity of data that a line/channel can carry per second. Digital bandwidth is measured in bps |
| BPS
(Bits Per Second) |
The rate at which bits are carried, commonly expressed as thousands, Kbps or millions, Mbps. |
| Broadband | A communication (normally digital) operating at a bandwidth greater than 2Mbps |
| Browsers | Software such as Mosaic, Netscape and Lotus Notes that enables users to navigate round the World Wide Web |
| Client/Server | A network structure typified by having a powerful central computer (the server) and a string of PCs linked to the centre |
| Electronic Mail. The transfer of messages between computers | |
| Ethernet | A popular standard for linking computers on a network |
| EDI | Electronic Data Interchange. The computer-to-computer exchange of business documents in a structured format based on agreed standards. |
| EDIFACT | EDI for Administration, Commerce and Transport. The international standard for EDI developed and maintained by the UN Economic Commission for Europe |
| File server | Also known as a server, this is a computer that supplies services to other computers on a client/server network |
| File Transfer Protocol (FTP) | A common method of transferring files across networks |
| Groupware | E-mail software offering other facilities such as scheduling and databases |
| GSM | Global System for Mobile Communications, the most common digital telephony network |
| Home page | The first document World Wide Web users see when connecting to a Web server for the first time |
| HTML | Hyper Text Mark-up Language - the computer language of the World Wide Web |
| Hyperlink | A connection between hypermedia or hypertext documents and other media |
| Information Provider | An ISP that also provides a number of member-only services |
| Interoperability | The ability of video-communications or other devices to operate together with complete compatibility. Standards developed by the ITU-T are the key to an interoperable ‘Open systems’ environment. |
| Internet | The name given to an interconnected set of communications networks. IP is the Internet protocol. The Internet is a sprawling system which connects computers and enables you to access documents from all over the world. |
| ISDN | The Integrated Services Digital Network is an end-to-end dial-up digital network |
| ISP | Internet Service Provider. A company that provides third-party access to the Internet |
| Java | A programming language enabling the creation of very complex Web sites |
| Modem | Modulator/demodulator. A device that enables computer signals to travel over phone lines. |
| Multimedia | Applications combining the use of more medium i.e. data, voice and video |
| Peer-to-Peer | One of the simplest network arrangements, involving linking a series of PCs together without the use of a server. |
| Protocol | Refers to the set of rules which govern the format, sequence and control of computer messages being sent around the network. |
| Search engines | A facility that lets you find what you are looking for |
| SO-HO | Small Office, Home Office is an area of the PC market covering users working from home. |
| Telecommuting | The practice of working from home and communicating with your fellow workers using teleconferencing. Also known as teleworking: linked closely to flexible working and B.P.R.E. |
| Teleconferencing | The use of electronic channels to facilitate real-time communication among groups of people at two or more locations. Teleconferencing is a generic term that refers to a variety of technologies and applications including audio-conferencing , audio-graphics, video-conferencing, business television and distance learning or distance education. |
| VAN | Value Added Network. A third party network providing additional services beyond simple data transmission, such as data translation, electronic mailboxes etc. |
| Videoconferencing | Video and audio communication between two or more parties |
| Wireless Network | Networks without connecting cables, that rely on radio waves for transmission of data |
| Web page | A hypermedia document as viewed through a World Wide Web browser |
| Web Site | A collection of Web pages |
| World Wide Web | A graphical front end to Internet information. Accessed using a browser |