Internet Glossary

Internet Glossary: • Avatar - a computer user's representation of himself/herself, whether in the form of a three-dimensional model used in computer games or a two- dimensional icon (picture). • Blog - Short for Web-log. An online journal where you can post stories, thoughts and opinions. • Chat - Real-time communication over the Internet between two or more individuals. You type and send a message that appears almost instantly to the individuals you are talking to. • Cyberbullying/cyberstalking - A form of harassment that occurs online and often includes rude or threatening messages, slanderous information, repeated unwanted messages or posting of malicious photos and blogs. • Cyberspace - Anyplace on the Internet that users can access. • Emoticons - Symbols that can be created using a keyboard and sent through e-mails or instant messengers. They are used to express different emotions, such as being happy : ). • Hyperlinks - An image or portion of text that when clicked connects to Web sites or other Internet resources like images, sounds, animations, videos. • Instant Messaging - Messages that appear immediately as you talk to another user. • Internet Address - Takes you to a specific place on the Internet. For example, the Internet address of the Herricks School District is http://herricks.org. • Log-in Name - The name that you pick to hide your identity online. It is also known as a username or screen name. In order to protect yourself it should never include your first name, last name or disclose if you’re a boy or girl. • MP3 - Digital music file that allows you to play music on your computer. • Netiquette - Refers to the correct and respectful way of behaving on the Internet. You should use the same behavior online as you do in the real- world and in the classroom. • Password Your secret word that you use to access e-mail and special log-in Web sites. Never share your password with anyone, except your parents and teacher. • Photo Sharing Sites - Sites that allow you to post photos in albums for others to view. • Piracy - Illegally copying copyrighted software, music or movies. • Podcast - An audio show broadcast over the Internet. • Surf - To search the Internet for Web sites and information • URL - Another way of saying Internet address. • Wiki - A wiki is a website that uses wiki software, allowing the easy creation and editing of any number of interlinked Web pages. Wikis are often used to create collaborative websites, meaning more than one person can edit the website. Different types of sites; things to think about... • com - This extension was originally meant for commercial organizations such as corporations but has since expanded for use by anybody. • net - Available for use by anybody. • edu - Meant for educational institutions from grade schools to universities. • org - Although it's now available for use by anybody, it was originally intended for nonprofit institutions like churches and charities. • gov - Meant for use by federal, state, city, and other government entities. Governments aside from the United States, however, often use their country's code as their extension. A number of country extensions also exist. For the most part, these are used for people and organizations from a particular region, such as:

us - United Statesjp - Japanfr - Franceuk - United Kingdom