Adsense & Adwords – refers to the Google advertisement program where one can show Google advertisements on their web applications. The administrator then gets paid every time a user clicks on the Google ads.

ADSL (Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line) – refers to a technology that allows for data and voice to be transmitted at the same time on the same copper line at high rates. It is called asynchronous because the upload (upstream) and download (downstream) speeds available are not the same. The download speed is usually higher that the upload speed.

Adware – is spying software that may come with free utilities downloaded from the web. The software records websites you visit on the internet plus collects other information on your computer and sends it to advertisers that will send you popups and spam…

AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) – refers to a program designed to make interactive web applications respond quickly i.e. with very little time delay. This is because the AJAX ensures that all the necessary data is readily available to the browser so that you don’t have to refresh the page every time you click a button or call a certain action on the screen. This makes the users browsing experience even better. An example of this is Google maps.

ASP (Active Server Pages) – uses another method of creating dynamic WebPages. These pages are created with the .asp extension with uses active scripting to enable the web server to generate html code on request to send to the browser.

Bandwidth – refers to the rate at which data can be sent between two network points via a connection. The higher the bandwidth, the more data can be sent in a short period of time and vice versa. Bandwidth is usually measured in kilobits per second (Kbps) or Mbps (megabits per second).

Bit (b) – comes from Binary digiT. It refers to the smallest measurable unit in a computer and can either hold a 0 or 1 binary digit value.

Blog – is short for weblog and refers to a webpage that usually reflects the thoughts of an individual about something. It is publicly available and others may view the blog and post their comments.

Blogger – refers to the author of a blog.

Bluetooth – refers to a wireless radio signal transmission technology that covers short distances of up to 10m.

Boot – is the computer start-up process where the operating system is loaded into the memory.

A Botnet – is a group of bot infected PCs that are all controlled by the same "command and control center". They then form networks of compromised computers (robots) used to perpetrate eFraud and eCrime.

bps – is the abbreviation for bits per second which refers to data transmission speed. Since the bit is the smallest unit of measurement, bps is the smallest measure of data transmission rates.

Broadband – refers to fast internet connection rates. The broadband connection speeds range from Kbps (1000b/s) to Mbps (1000 Kb/s).

Browser – refers to software that allows to access and surf the internet. WebPages and other web applications are viewed and used through browsers. Examples of browsers include: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Google Chrome and more.

Bug – refers to a programming error that may cause the software or a machine to malfunction. Some bugs may take a while to get detected. Sometimes bugs appear when several programs try to run at the same time.

Byte (B) – refers to 8 bits that measures the storage capacity of computer related equipment. 1byte=8 bits, 1KB= 1024bytes, 1MB= 1,048,576 bytes and 1GB= 1,073,741,824 bytes. They can measure disk space.

CGI (Common gateway Interface) Script – is a program that sits in the web server and processes text data from web forms.

CMS (Content Management System) – is a software system that enables people to publish content without the help of web technicians. Examples of CMS include: Joomla, Mambo and so on.

Control Panel – a graphic user interface that may be used to administer programs. In webhosting, such a control panel may enable one to administer email accounts, databases, webstats and other important programs linked to the webhosting package.

Cookie – a program (usually text file) used by browser to store data about the user that may be used in the future. These may be used on pages that have forms and login pages etc. Cookies information may be used to track user preferences.

CSS (Cascading Style Sheet) – is a language designed to give developers control on the presentation and layout of the WebPages. Through stylesheets developers can determine how elements like headers, backgrounds, hyperlinks should look.

Data – refers to input that can be processed by a computer. It could be in text or other appropriate format that the computer can process.

Database – is a collection of data that may be used for various things.

DBMS (Database Management System) – are the application systems that enable the efficient and effective management of the data collected in a database. DBMS’ will store, manipulate, fetch and query databases.

Disk – refers to the storage device where temporary or permanent data to be used by a computer is stored.

Disk Space – the amount of storage space available on the disk.

Domain or Domain Name – refers to a particular name that identifies a specific website e.g. www.tfolakele.com. Domain names are used because humans easily remember names than IP addresses which are used by routers to identify the web server of the website.

Download – is to transfer a file or program from a remote computer or storage facility elsewhere on the network or internet to one’s computer.

DNS (Domain Name Server) – refers to the internet service that changes the domain names into the appropriate IP address that is used to find the web server where a website ‘resides’.

DNS (Domain Name System) – The Domain Name System (DNS) helps users to find their way around the Internet. Every computer on the Internet has a unique address - just like a telephone number - which is a rather complicated string of numbers. It is called its "IP address" (IP stands for "Internet Protocol"). IP Addresses are hard to remember. The DNS makes using the Internet easier by allowing a familiar string of letters (the "domain name") to be used instead of the arcane IP address. So instead of typing 207.151.159.3, you can type www.internic.net. It is a "mnemonic" device that makes addresses easier to remember.

Domain Parking – refers to a situation where one acquires a domain name before actually using it (or to prevent others from using that particular domain).

Drupal – is a free PHP and open source content management system >>>.

E-Commerce – refers to business conducted through the internet.

E-Learning – refers to learning that is conducted electronically through the internet or the use of other information communication technology. This may be achieved through downloading information, collaborative work online, interactive programs online and other programs.

Email (electronic mail) – refers to an internet system that allows one to send, retrieve and write messages with various attachments. In order to do this, one has to have an email account with a webhost or ISP. This email is sent or received from another user with an email account.

Feeds – is an xml document that is a shortened version of a webpage used to frequently transmit the latest updates of news or information to users.

Firewall – is a software and hardware system that sits between a private network (intranet) and the internet. The purpose of this software is to monitor and control the traffic going out and coming into the intranet and block suspicious traffic whilst informing you of such traffic. The firewall is part of the security measures essential in any IT network’s security.

Freeware – refers to software that may be used without an obligation to pay the creator. Such software is freely available to download but may be used with some terms and conditions for redistribution. Open source software may be defined as freeware.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) – refers to the protocols that is used to transfer files from one location to another on the internet.

Gateway – is essentially the router that connects the private network to the internet.

GNU (GNU’s Not UNIX) – refers to a software system that can support different software from different vendors. The aim is to produce multi-platform, non-propriety software i.e. software that can work on any platform: Windows, Linux and so forth. Software that is produced under the GNU licence may be downloaded and modified for free but should not be redistributed for profit.

GPL (GNU Public License) – is the licence that usually governs the use of open source software or shareware.

Google – is the name of internet’s most used search engine.

Home/Homepage – refers to the main webpage of a website. This may also be referred to as the index page.

Host – refers to a remotely accessible computer (or other device) on the internet that ‘hosts’ or ‘houses’ certain data, information or applications.

Hostname – is the name or IP address that enables routers to find that particular host on the internet.

Hits – is a request for a web server file. A webpage, any images, graphics and other discrete files on a webpage each count as a hit on request. The term is easily confused with the number of times a website has been visited. If, for example, the home page has two images and a CSS file, your webstats will indicate four hits when the homepage is displayed once.

HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) – is the standard language used to develop documents to be published on the internet. Html defines the structure and layout of any web document in order for it to be recognized and processed as it is transmitted via the web.

HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) – is a World Wide Web protocol that enables servers and browsers to communicate when transmitting documents. When you type in a web address, your request is translated into http which then enables your web server to take appropriate action on your request.

Hub – is a device that connects various local area network nodes.

Hyperlink – may be defined as an element in an html document that is used to open other WebPages or applications where the hyperlink area is clicked on. This hyperlink may be an image or simple text.

ICANN (The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) – The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is an internationally organized, non-profit corporation that has responsibility for Internet Protocol (IP) address space allocation, protocol identifier assignment, generic (gTLD) and country code (ccTLD) Top-Level Domain name system management, and root server system management functions. Originally, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) and other entities performed these services under U.S. Government contract. ICANN now performs the IANA function. As a private-public partnership, ICANN is dedicated to preserving the operational stability of the Internet; to promoting competition; to achieving broad representation of global Internet communities; and to developing policy appropriate to its mission through bottom-up, consensus-based processes. The DNS translates the domain name you type into the corresponding IP address, and connects you to your desired website. The DNS also enables email to function properly, so the email you send will reach the intended recipient.

ICT (Information Communication Technology) – refers to the technology behind communications and the internet these days.

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) – is the newer protocol (replacing POP3) that is used to retrieve emails form a webserver.

Ink Jet Printer – operate by propelling variably-sized droplets of liquid ink onto almost any medium producing high-quality text and graphics.

Intel – is the manufacturer of most of the microprocessors used in computers.

Internet – is an interconnection of various sized networks all over the world via various information communication technologies.

Internet Explorer – is the default web browser that comes with the windows operating system. It is a Microsoft product.

Intranet – refers to a form of private network where the data and other resources are restricted to use within the network via internet protocols. A firewall may be used to prevent unauthorized users from outside the network.

IP Address – refers to a numeric representation that identifies a particular node (device) in a network. For example, the device you are browsing this website from has an IP address, which is used by routers to direct data to and from it via the internet.

iPod – is a famous portable media player produced by Apple. It is famous for having large storage of different media files that may be played on it.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) – refers to a high speed method of transferring data, video, images and voice over a digital telephone network without a modem. This was the faster alternative to a dial- up modem. It has however been overtaken by ADSL as the faster alternative to the dial-up connection.

ISP (Internet Services Provider) – is the company that offers various internet services at a fee. These services may include access to the internet, email services and sometimes webhosting. In order to do this, one must be connected to the ISP’s server which in turn connects to the internet. This may be done via telephone dial up connections or other broadband technologies.

IT (Information Technology) – is a term that has since been replaced by ICT. It refers to the data and distribution technology used in the computing world today.

JavaScript – is a script language used to enhance some features of websites. These are embedded in the html to create dynamic and interactive applications on websites. These can be downloaded from the internet as freeware.

JOOMLA – is a PHP based open source CMS developed under the GNU license. It is used to develop websites and other web applications such as: RSS feeds, printable versions of pages, news flashes, blogs, polls, website searching, and language internationalization.

LAN (Local Area Network) – refers to a network linking a group of computers within a relatively short distance from each other. They are connected via a central computer known as the server for information and resources sharing capabilities. The LAN may be on a floor, building or campus.

LaserJet Printer – refers to a printing technology that uses laser; similar to that used by photocopying machines.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) – refers to the technology used to make flat panel screens that have replaced the old cathode ray screens.

LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) – is a software protocol for enabling anyone to locate organizations, individuals, and other resources such as files and devices in a network, whether on the public Internet or on a corporate intranet.

Leased Line – refers to an exclusive private data transfer link between a user and another site (Usually an ISP). Such a line is rented from a telecommunications carrier like SPTC and is always available for internet connections at a fixed periodical cost. This has been the predominant internet connection for many business and institutions with many users in Swaziland.

Linux – refers to an open source operating systems that run on a number of hardware platforms. It is an alternative to proprietary software such as Windows OS from Microsoft or MAC OS from Apple.

MAC (Media Access Control) Address – is a 48-bit hexadecimal number (12 characters) that uniquely identifies a specific device on the network.

Mambo Open Source – refers to a free open office CMS used to create and maintain websites through a simple web interface>>>

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) – refers to network setup linking various LANs within a large fixed area like a city.

Memory Stick – is a portable solid-state electronic flash memory data storage device.

Moodle (Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment) – is a free open source learning CMS used for collaborative e-learning on the internet. It creates a virtual learning environment >>>

Motherboard – is the central circuit board and connection point of a computer. It is made up various processing units that enable various computer functions as it contains the slots and sockets which interfaces, drives and peripheral devices plug into.

MySQL – is a popular open source relational database management system which is freely (under the GNU General Public License (GPL)) available on the internet. It can run on a number of platforms but is particularly works well with Linux, Apache, and PHP.

Name Server – is a server that translates the domain names into IP addresses in order to process requests.

Network – is a group of computers linked together for the purposes of information or resource sharing.

Offline – refers to the state of not being connected to the internet or a particular site.

Online – refers to the state of being connected to the internet or a particular site.

Online advertising – refers to advertising that is done via the internet through websites and other means.

Online Directories – refers to a web search tool that lists or information in certain groupings or category for the user’s convenience.

Online marketing – refers to marketing that is done via the internet through emails, websites and other means.

Open Source Software – is software whose source code is freely available for people to download, use, modify to improve and distribute under license. The fact that it can be modify and redistributed (under the GNU license) means that any bugs and flaws detected can be fixed in order to improve the quality of that particular software.

Operating System (OS) – refers to the most important software that controls computer operations by acting as the link between hardware and the applications being used by the computer. Examples of OS include Windows, Linux, UNIX and MAC OS.

Outlook – refers to the default email software from Microsoft. It can be used as more than just an email client as it has calendaring and other information management capabilities.

PDF (Portable Document Format) – refers to a file saving format that was created by Adobe Systems. PDF enables people to share and save document in a way that preserves the fonts, images, graphics, and layout of any source document, regardless of the application and platform used to create it.

PERL (Practical Extraction and Report Language) – refers to one of the earlier server side programming languages used to create dynamic content for real time application websites such as Google earth. It is designed to make websites more responsive to user requests.

PHP (stands for PHP Hypertext Preprocessor) – refers to an open source, server-side, HTML embedded scripting language used to create dynamic Web pages. It is an alternative to Microsoft's Active Server Page (ASP) technology and can be used together with normal HTML.

Phishing – attacks use both social engineering and technical subterfuge to steal consumers' personal identity data and financial account credentials. Social engineering schemes use spoofed emails to lead consumers to counterfeit websites designed to trick recipients into divulging financial data such as credit card numbers, account usernames, passwords and social security numbers. Hijacking brand names of banks, e-retailers and credit card companies, phishers often convince recipients to respond. Technical subterfuge schemes plant crimeware onto PCs to steal credentials directly, often using Trojan keylogger spyware. Pharming crimeware misdirects users to fraudulent sites or proxy servers, typically through DNS hijacking or poisoning.

PhpMyAdmin – refers to an open source tool written in PHP intended to handle the administration of MySQL over the Internet >>>

POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) Email – refers to a communication protocol that is used to retrieve emails from a mail server to the client’s machine.

Pop-up – is a method creating small windows that pop-up to advertise something when a person visits a website.

Podcast – is similar to RSS but refers to the broadcast or video, audio and other media over the internet in a compressed digital format via an RSS feed. It is sent to subscribers who can play the content PCs and digital audio players like iPods.

PPC (Pay-Per-Click) – refers to the online advertising method based on advertisements are placed on a website. These adverts may be images or text with links. The way it works is that the owner of the advert pays the owner of the website every time the link from the advert is clicked on.

Proxy Server – refers to the server that acts as the controller of traffic between a browser (client application) and another server or the internet. This is a security feature that may prevent access to certain websites and other sites on the internet.

RAM (Random Access Memory) – refers to a type of computer data storage that is crucial to the computer processing unit as it holds small bits of data while its been used by the processor when an application is running.

Root Directory – refers to the highest directory in the file hierarchy. This is usually the main folder where the navigation starts.

Router– is a combination of hardware and software that is used to direct data packets between networks. Rousers use headers and forwarding tables to determine the best route from the origin of the data packets to the destination of the data packet. Routers may be placed at gateways or a node where two or more networks meet.

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) – refers to an XML based system of aggregating content and information from websites on the internet. RSS then allows people to subscribe to a service that will frequently send them updated content or information.

Search engine – is a program that uses key words to search for documents containing those key words. A search engine typically sends out a program called a spider to collect as many documents as possible. A program, called the indexer, then reads these documents and creates an index based on the words contained in each document. Each search engine uses a proprietary algorithm to create its indices such that, ideally, only meaningful results are returned for each query. Search engines that we know include Google, Yahoo, MSN, Ask and many more.

Search engine optimisation (SEO) – is the process of scrutinizing the content, designing and html coding of your website in order to make it easy for search engines to read, understand and index it appropriately. This is done to improve the volume and quality of traffic to a website.

Server – is the dedicated central machine that manages various network resources. This may be an application (software) server, file server, web server and so on.

Shareware – refers to software like open source software that is freely available to download, use, share, modify and re-distribute under the GNU Public License (GPL).

Social Networking – is a term that describes the process of making contacts with people via online networks such as facebook, Hi5, Linked IN and so forth. Users create profiles that can be looked at and searched for by fellow network users.

Software – refers to a set of instructions (created through programming) that run various computer operations and applications.

Source Code – refers to the original form (highest-level) of code that has to be translated by a compiler or assembler into form that can be understood by a machine or the computer.

Spam – is a term used to describe unsolicited bulk emails that are usually sent from large mailing lists or newsgroup. These are very annoying to the receiver because they often contain commercial content that one had not asked for.

Spambot – refers to a computer program designed to send spam.

Speech Recognition – refers to the computer’s ability to recognise speech by translating into a form it can understand and execute.

Spyware – is software that secretly gathers people browsing habits and information about them online (on the internet). This information varies from email addresses to passwords and even credit card numbers. This way, the spyware owners can find out what a person likes and the information is then used to send spam.

SQL (Structured Query Language) – refers to a standardised method of creating code that accesses and manipulates databases.

Streaming – refers to the process of transmitting digital audio or video data from a source on the internet. This data is not stored locally but one can listen or view it on request by streaming it form the source.

Sub domain – is the name given to a subset of the parent domain. For example mail.tfolakele.com and info.tfolakele.com are sub domains of tfolakele.com.

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) – refers to the standard protocol that govern the way in which traffic is routed over the internet as data is communicated from computer to computer via various networks.

TLD (Top Level Domain) – refers to the last part of the domain. There are various types of TLDs. There is the generic Top Level Domains (gTLDs) like .com, .net., org, .info and .biz than anyone anywhere in the world can register on availability. Then there are the country code top-level domains (ccTLD) like .co.sz, .co.uk, .co. za and .sz which can be registered by entities in those countries. Then there are sponsored top-level domains (sTLD) which are proposed and sponsored by private agencies or organizations that govern the use the particular sTLD. There are also infrastructure Top Level Domains (iTLD).

Toolbar – is a set on buttons on a graphic user interface that are intended to make it easier for a user to select functions of a program. E.g. the browser, you are using has a toolbar at the top that enables you to do various things like bookmarking, open new tabs, set browsing preferences and so forth.

Traffic – is a measure of popularity of a website. It may be measured using unique visits, page impressions, views, amount of data transferred and so on.

Trojan – is usually a destructive program that is believed to be doing one thing when it is actually doing something else in the background.

Uptime – is an important term in the ‘life’ of a website as it measure how accessible the website is. 100% uptime means that the website is accessible at all time (which is impossible!). There will always be an interruption sometime, so 99% uptime is more feasible.

UNIX – is a portable, flexible and powerful open source multi-user, multitasking computer operating system written in high level programming language and can be used, modified and distributed by any user for free. It is has since been modified into various programs such as Linux.

UNIX hosting – is a webhosting service that operates on a UNIX machine.

Upload – is to transfer a file from one’s computer to a remote computer or storage facility elsewhere on the network or internet.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator) – is the string of characters that identify resources on the internet. An example is http://www.waterford.sz/documents/TindzabaTakamhlaba08.pdf. The first part of the address (http) is called a protocol identifier and it indicates what protocol to use, and the second part (www.waterford.sz) is called a resource name and it specifies the IP address or the domain name where the resource is located. The ccTLD is .sz. The protocol identifier and the resource name are separated by a colon and two forward slashes. The next part identifies the folder in which the PDF is found.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) – is a standardised serial bus interface that allows various different devices to plug into computers.

Virus – is a malicious software program that can multiply itself and cause harm in the operations of the computer it is in. A virus will usually multiply itself and end up using all the available memory and in the process drastically slow down or halt other computer operations.

W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) – is an international industry consortium founded in October 1994 to develop common protocols that promote the evolution of the World Wide Web and ensure its interoperability. Services provided by the Consortium include: a repository of information about the World Wide Web for developers and users; reference code implementations to embody and promote standards; and various prototype and sample applications to demonstrate use of new technology.

WAN (Wide Area Network) – refers to a network linking a group of LAN within a relatively large geographical area.

WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) – is the protocol used to deliver Web pages to suitably equipped mobile phones and Personal Data Assistants.

Web 2.0 – refers to the second generation of world wide web technology that aims to improve the quality of resources available on the internet. Through web 2.0, websites now have dynamic content and allow for features like blogs, forums and other collaboration and information sharing features. Web 2.0 has made networking sites like facebook, linkedin and hi5 possible.

Webmail – refers to a web based program that allows one to access and administer email on your mailbox.

Web server – is the server that is dedicated to providing web services to the internet. Such a server will hold websites and other related materials that can viewed on the internet.

Website – refers to the collection of web files and related content that is available for view on the internet. A website is found by typing the URL into a web browser and this action will return the homepage; from which you can navigate to find other web pages or resources on that particular website. Every website must be owned and managed by an individual, group, company or organization.

Webhosting or Web Hosting – refers to the service of providing the necessary resources needed to operate and manage websites. The resources are managed by a webhosting company and are usually shared between various users at a fee.

Webstats – refers to statistics about your website which you can analyse for various purposes.

WHOIS – contains information about who is responsible for domain names is publicly available to allow rapid resolution of technical problems and to permit enforcement of consumer protection, trademark, and other laws. The registrar will make this information available to the public on a "Whois" site. It is however possible to register a domain in the name of a third party, as long as they agree to accept responsibility -- ask your registrar for further details.

Wifi (Wireless Frequency) – refers to the radio frequency IEEE 802.11 standard that is used to connect devices wirelessly rather than using network cables.

Wiki – is a type of website that allows people to add, edit, change or remove the content of the website.

Windows hosting – is a type of webhosting done on a system running Microsoft windows OS.

WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) – is an intergovernmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland responsible for the promotion of the protection of intellectual rights throughout the world. It is one of the 16 specialized agencies of the United Nations system of organizations.

WWW (World Wide Web) – is a term used to describe the interconnected systems of Hypertext Markup Language documents that can be found via the Internet by clicking on links on web pages. Graphics, audio, video and other files may also be found via the world wide web.

Worm – a malicious software program that can multiply itself and spread over two or more networks causing disruption and destruction.

WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) – is a term used to describe graphic user interface programs that allow a developer to see how the final product will look like. Dreamweaver is an example of WYSIWYG web development software.

XML (Extensible Markup Language) – is a specification developed by the W3C. XML allows designers to create their own customized tags, enabling the definition, transmission, validation, and interpretation of data between applications and organizations >>>

You Tube - is a video sharing website where users can upload, view and share video clips >>>