MyGolden.org GLOSSARY
Confused by all the new net lingo?? I know my folks were when they got started! Anyway, I thought an explanation of a few key internet terms may be helpful here, so here goes...
Browser (or Web Browser)
= The application "frame" that actually displays the web pages. Examples are Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), Netscape Navigator, and AOL's browser. You type in the website's address, called the URL, and the browser displays the page.
In the analogy to your Cable TV, the browser is like your TELEVISION SET. You set the channel (= the URL) and the TV shows you the picture. You may have various brands to choose from -- Panasonic, GE, etc. -- but they'll all work with your cable service, or satellite, etc. Likewise, various browers will work with the same Internet service.
Domain
= An internet "code" name that you register. Ours is MyGolden.org, of course! This code name is recognizable by special computers that act like the switchboard operators of yesteryear. You give them the code name, they connect you through.
You can also compare the domain to the speed-dial button on your phone. If you labeled "Sara" on your phone button, and then programmed it, you could press the button and get her phone number. Should she move (not that this ever happens!), you wouldn't have to change the label on the button; you'd just re-program your phone to connect to the new number. In the same way, if we wanted to move our website, the URL would change, but I could simply "re-program" MyGolden.org to point to the new URL.
ISP (Internet Service Provider)
= A company that provides the service of allowing you to access the Internet.
In the analogy to your Cable TV, the ISP is just like the cable service that you pay monthly. In choosing a premium TV service, you can choose between different mediums, such as coax cable, satellite, etc. Some mediums are faster (more bandwidth) than others. Same is true for high speed internet services, such as cable and DSL, which are gaining popularity -- and gradually DROPPING in price.
Website and URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
The website is the collection of pages and images that are stored on a computer ("server") somewhere, virtually anywhere. The URL is simply the site's address. It's the line at the top of your browser with those funny slashes.
In the analogy to your Cable TV, the website = the content, and the URL = the channel. Of course, there are millions of URL's out there!
ARE THE ABOVE EXPLANATIONS HELPFUL? If so, tell a friend! (Love visitors to our site!) You can simply email them this URL: http://www.geocities.com/irvinggolden/Glossary.html
NOTE TO AOL USERS: In context to the above terms, you are basically receiving the Internet Service and Browser (and to a smaller degree, some content) all bundled together. It's kind've like subscribing from a Cable Company that throws in a simple, free TV set; only the cable is welded to this particular set and cannot be disconnected! (Actually, this is an overstatement, but that's the jist.) I know, AOL has it's place -- you can't argue with success -- I just wanted to point this out so you're aware.
Hopefully AOL will offer high speed access (such as cable) at competitive rates... it'll depend in part on what happens w/ it's new partner, Time-Warner.