Bandwidth - Commonly referred to as the amount of data that can be transferred over a network connection. Bandwidth is normally measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Simple HTML web pages do not require a large amount of bandwidth but full motion video will be viewed better on higher bandwidth.

Cookies - Tiny files Web sites can store on your computer to flag your browser. More info...

DNS (Domain Name Server) - This is a server that matches up the URL of a website (e.g. www.kinex.net) with its numeric IP address - it translates www.kinex.net into its unique numeric IP address (207.42.174.49). When you request a web page, the web browser must consult the domain name server to find out what the numeric translation of the URL is. This is necessary because computers only understand the numeric IP address, whereas we humans prefer to use more memorable text.

Firewall - As the term conveys, a firewall is an extra layer of security built into computers on a network, which restricts access to systems from the outside world. Firewalls protect against hackers and malicious intruders.

Flash - Flash is an animation format developed by the company Macromedia. One reason for the popularity of Flash is the file sizes are small. Animated, interactive content can be quickly downloaded. However, to be able to view a Flash file the user requires the Flash plug-in.

Freeware - Software on the web that is freely available (but retains a copyright).

GIF (Graphic Interchange Format) - One of the file formats for displaying images on the web. Gifs are the most suitable compressed format for text, cartoon or animated images.

HTML - Hyper Text Markup Language; the programming language used to create Web pages. It controls the content, layout, pictures, and colors on a page.

IP Address - The unique address of a computer in a network. IP addresses follow a specific structure, e.g. 207.42.174.49, and are used to identify each sender or receiver of data sent across the Internet. IP addresses can be likened to a telephone number - when you "call" that number, you are connected to the computer that "owns" that IP address.

IRC (Internet Relay Chat) - A text-based conference system that allows users to communicate synchronously. Users log into a channel on which other users are "chatting" and the conversations are displayed on the screen.

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) - A compressed file format for images used on the Web. The format was developed for high-quality photographs and allows for three levels of file compression. Another common format for images on the Web is the GIF format.

PDF (Portable Document Format) - Files saved in a postcript format from Adobe Acrobat software, otherwise known as Portable Document Formats (PDF). These files can be read with free Adobe Acrobat Reader software available from http://www.adobe.com/.

Pop-up - New browser window that opens without your control to usually to present advertising.

Router - Links a local network to a remote network. For example, your company's network probably uses a router to connect to the Internet. Can be used to connect a LAN (local area network) to a LAN, a WAN (wide area network) to a WAN, or a LAN to the Internet.

Search Engine -  Internet search engines (e.g. Google, AltaVista) help users find web pages on a given subject. The search engines maintain databases of web sites and use programs (often referred to as "spiders" or "robots") to collect information, which is then indexed by the search engine. Similar services are provided by "directories," which maintain ordered lists of websites, e.g. Yahoo!

Server - A high-power computer that is used to store and distribute data and/or applications.

Spyware - A broad term that refers to several types of programs which invade your privacy on the Web.

Home page - The Web page that loads automatically when you are connected to the Internet and open your Web browser.

Top Level Domain - The last component of a domain name. Common TLDs include .com, .com, and .org.

URL - Universal Resource Locator; Every page on the Web has a unique URL which tells where a page is located.

Web Browser - The program on a computer used to navigate the Web. When you request a Web page, like www.kinex.net, your Web browser sends a request through your Internet Service Provider to the Web server. Examples of common Web browsers are Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape, and Safari.

Webmaster - Administrator, maintainer and/or creater of a web site.

Web Server - A computer that stores Web pages and process requests for Web pages. Web servers usually reside at Internet Service Provider and Web hosting companies.

Zip Files - Files that have been compressed to a smaller file size using software such as WinZip or PowerZip.