Computer Terms D
E F
DHCP --
(Dynamic Host
Configuration
Protocol)
DHCP is a
protocol by
which a machine
can obtain an IP
number (and
other network
configuration
information)
from a server on
the local
network.
DHTML --
(Dynamic
Hypertext Markup
Language)
DHTML refers to
web pages that
use a
combination of
HTML,
JavaScript, and
CSS to create
features such as
letting the user
drag items
around on the
web page, some
simple kinds of
animation, and
many more.
DNS --
(Domain Name
System)
The Domain Name
System is the
system that
translates
Internet domain
names into IP
numbers. A "DNS
Server" is a
server that
performs IP
translation.
Domain
Name
The unique name
that identifies
an Internet
site. Domain
Names always
have 2 or more
parts, separated
by dots. The
part on the left
is the most
specific, and
the part on the
right is the
most general. A
given machine
may have more
than one Domain
Name but a given
Domain Name
points to only
one machine. For
example, the
domain names:
thundercloud.net
chipper.thundercloud.net
store.thundercloud.net
All point to the
same machine
(server).
Download
Transferring
data (usually a
file) from one
computer to
another.
DSL --
(Digital
Subscriber Line)
A method for
moving data over
regular phone
lines. A DSL
circuit is much
faster than a
regular phone
connection, and
the wires coming
into the
subscriber's
premises are the
same (copper)
wires used for
regular phone
service. A
common
configuration of
DSL allows
downloads at
speeds of up to
1.544 megabits
per second, and
uploads at
speeds of 128
kilobits per
second. This
arrangement is
called ADSL:
Asymmetric
Digital
Subscriber Line.
ADSL is the most
common form of
DSL.
Email --
(Electronic
Mail)
Messages
containing text
and sometimes
graphics and
attachments,
sent from one
person to
another via
computer. E-mail
can also be sent
automatically to
a large number
of addresses
(mass mailings,
announcements,
spam).
Ethernet
A very common
method of
networking
computers in a
LAN (Local Area
Connection).
There is more
than one type of
Ethernet. The
standard type
is"100-BaseT"
which can handle
up to about
100,000,000
bits-per-second
and can be used
with almost any
kind of
computer.
Extranet
An intranet
(closed network)
that is
accessible to
computers that
are not
physically part
of a company's'
own private
network, but
that is not
accessible to
the general
public, for
example to allow
vendors and
business
partners to
access a company
web site. Often
an intranet will
make use of a
Virtual Private
Network. (VPN.)
FAQ --
(Frequently
Asked Questions)
FAQ are
documents that
list and answer
the most
frequently asked
questions on a
particular
subject. FAQ
are usually
written by
people who have
grown tired of
answering the
same questions
over and over
:-)
Firewall
Software,
hardware or a
combination of
hardware and
software that
separates a
Network into two
or more parts
and isolates a
machine or
machines from
the WAN (Wide
Area Network)
for security
purposes.
Flame
Flame has refers
to any kind of
derogatory
comment no
matter how
witless or
crude. Used a a
verb - To
"Flame" someone
or a group of
people, means to
sent or post
denigrating
comments. A
"Flame War" is
usually a war of
nasty comments
sent back and
forth between
two (or more)
people.
Normally, a
waste of time
and not useful.
FTP --
(File Transfer
Protocol)
A very common
method of moving
files between
two Internet
sites. FTP is a
way to login to
another Internet
site for the
purposes of
retrieving
and/or sending
files. There are
many Internet
sites that have
established
repositories of
material that
can be obtained
using FTP, by
logging in using
the account name
"anonymous",
thus these sites
are called
"anonymous ftp
servers". FTP
was invented and
in general use
long before the
advent of the
World Wide Web
and originally
was always used
from a text-only
interface. |