Here are some common technical terms and abbreviations you will come across while using the Internet:

Archie

A tool for locating files by name, for later retreival by FTP.

Backbone

Parts of the Internet which are capable of carrying large amounts of information.

Bounced Mail

Some systems are set up to send mail back to you if they don't know what to do with it, or cannot find the correct user name. As it is sent straight back, this is known as bounced mail.

Browser

A program used to view the World Wide Web. Netscape and Mosaic are examples of popular browsers.

Client

The part of a computer system that requests information for you, such as your web browser. (The systems that return information are called SERVERS). Think of this as like a waiter and a customer.

Compression

Files are often lumped into one large file, and then made smaller using clever mathematical techniques. This means the files take less time to transfer to your computer, plus you don't have to mess around with dozens of them. However you will need a program to decompress the files once you have received them. You may often spot compressed files by the last three letters of the file name, such as .ZIP, or .Z Your service provider should be able to point you at free decompression programs.

Crossposting

Cross posting is to take a message from one USENET area or a mailing list, and place it in another. This can easily lead to duplications, and cause offence, so avoid it unless you really must.

Cybercafe

A cafe where you can use provided terminals to surf the Internet while having tea and cakes.

Domain

Part of an internet address, the bit without the user name. For example, the president of the USA's address is president@whitehouse.gov. The user name is president, and the domain name is whitehouse.gov

Download

Often confused with upload - downloading a file is to load it into your computer from a remote one. Try thinking of the remote computer as being in the top of an ivory tower, so that information flows down to you when you download. Most people do a LOT more downloading than uploading.

E-mail

Electronic mail. Normally a plain text message. E-mail addresses look like a name, an @ character, then a site name. For example the president of the USA's e-mail address is president@whitehouse.gov

Emoticon

Another name for a smiley - a sequence of characters used to show you are only joking, or express appreciation for someone elses humour. The most common is the happy one: :-) You will also see sad versions: :-(

Encryption

Coding text so you cannot read it unless you know the key to the code. See also PGP.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Question. Most USENET newsgroups have a frequently asked questions file, which has detailed answer to all the most common questions on that topic. These are a mine of useful information, and should be your starting point when joining a new area.

Finger

On the internet you can FINGER a mail address, and you may receive some useful information back, such as when the person in question last logged on. Not all mail addresses support this feature.

Firewall

A security system, to prevent unauthorised access.

Flame

A flame is a message filled with abuse. Some of the more contoversial USENET conferences get a lot of flames.

Flamebait

A message placed with the purpose of causing flames. Some people get pleasure out of leaving such wind up messages.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol. A way of collecting files, which is separate from the World Wide Web. You will often hear of FTP sites, where files are stored.

This is sometimes called Anonymous FTP, because the remote site does not care who you are.

GIF

A popular image format, for example you may see a file with a picture of a dog called BONZO.GIF

Gopher

A precursor to the World Wide Web, which is not often seen these days.

HTML

Hyper Text Markup Language. What World Wide Web pages are written in. Try using the VIEW SOURCE option on your browser to see an example.

HTTP

Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. The technical term for the way that world wide Web pages are passed to your browser.

IMHO

In My Humble Opinion. Often used in a far from humble way!

IRC

Internet Relay Chat. Think of it as a kind of typed worldwide CB radio system, where anyone can create a new channel for themselves.

ISP

Internet Service Provider. A company which provides Internet services for a connnection fee. Prices and facilities vary wildly, so it's worth shopping around.

IYFRM

Insert Your Favorite Racial Minority. Used in off colour jokes to try and make them less racist! For example: 'This (IYRFM) was walking along the road when..."

JPEG

A popular image format, the files usually end in .JPG Jpeg files are often very small for the image compared with other formats.

Mailing List

A way of sharing a discussion by electronic mail. Also used to distribute announcements to a large number of people.

Mime

Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions. Don't worry about the technical stuff - what is important is that if your e-mail program can handle mime messages, you can attach files such as pictures or sound clips to your mail.

Mirror

A copy of some information. You will sometimes see references to WWW pages, or files, being MIRRORED at another place on the net. It is good manners to use the source that is nearest - and it will probably be quicker too.

Modem

A device that lets computers swap information over telephone lines. They often look like book sized flatish boxes with half a dozen lights on the front. A modem is rated by the speed it can transfer data, with 56.6 being best. You really should be using a modem with a speed of at least 28.8

Mud

A Multi User Dungeon. A type of game where there are lots of other players you interact with, who are playing at the same time. There are variations called MOO's.

PGP

PGP (Which stands for Pretty Good Privacy) is a system for encrypting files, so that messages become truly private. It can also be used to provide a kind of digital signiature.

Protocol

A technical term for a means of getting information across a network.

RFC

Stands for Request For Comments. In fact this is a technical document describing how some part of the Internet system works.

ROFL

An abbreviation for Rolling On Floor Laughing - used to show you really appreciated someone elses joke.

ROT 13

A very simple form of encryption. This is most often used to prevent something being read by accident. For example something that might give away the ending of a film, or a crude joke that might cause offense. Most electronic mail readers, and USENET news readers can decode ROT 13 at the click of a button.

RTFM

Read The Flaming Manual. Usually used to indicate that someone is asking really dumb questions, when the answer is in the obvious place anyway, (such as an FAQ file).

Server

The part of a computer system that retrieves information for you, or runs a service for you. (The programs you use that request the servers services are called clients). Think of this as like a waiter and a customer.

Sig

Short for SIGNATURE. A short personalising message often found at the bottom of a mail message. Keep it 4 lines or less to avoid causing offence.

SMTP

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. A technical term for the bit that shunts mail messages around the Internet.

Smiley

See EMOTICON

Spam

To SPAM is to place the same message all over the place, where it does not belong, to try and get attention or sell services.

Surf

To skip around the World Wide Web from site to site looking for the best bits.

TIA

Abbreviation for Thanks In Advance.

TLA

Three Letter Abbreviation. TLA is a TLA.

Upload

Often confused with download - uploading a file is to load it from your computer to a remote one. Try thinking of the remote computer as being in the top of an ivory tower, so that information flows up from you when you upload it. Most people do a LOT more downloading than uploading.

URL

Uniform Resource Locator. An address of a resource on the net, such as A URL is something you can type into the Location box in your web browser.

USENET

A system of worldwide discussion areas, (called NEWSGROUPS), rather like a mailing list. There are many thousands covering almost every subject you can think of.

UUCP

Unix to Unix Copy Program. This used to be the way that USENET newsgroups were moved around the net. A technical term you are unlikely to need.

WWW

World Wide Web. What you are using now.

ZIP

A popular standard for file compression on IBM compatible PC's. Decompression programs are also freely available for many other computers.