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Glossary
of Terms
Random Access Memory
RAM
defines the computers capacity for "memory".
Memory is like an electronic checkerboard, with each
square holding one byte of data or instruction. When
personal computers first came on the market in the late
1970s, 64 kilobytes of RAM was the upper limit. Today,
64 megabytes of RAM is the starting point for a desktop
computer i.e. a thousand times as much.
Reciprocal Link
When two (or more) web sites exchange URLs by mentioning
each other on their own sites.
Relational Database
A relational database is a set of data items organised
as a collection of formally-described tables from which
data can be retrieved or reassembled in numerous ways
without having to reorganise the database tables.
Remote Access
Remote access is the ability to gain access to computers
or networks from a remote location.
RF (Radio Frequency)
A technology used to create wireless networking; it
is also dubbed "Real Fast."
RFID
(Radio Frequency IDentification)
A technology that was initially developed to track cattle,
it is now the cutting edge in merchandise, parcel, and
baggage tracking. Unlike sensomatic clips that set off
alarms in department stores, RFID comes in the form
of a small label that serves as a portable database,
picking up stored information sent by radio waves. Ultimately,
this technology is slated to allow a customer to walk
out of a library or department store without stopping
to check-out a book or pay for a product, because the
processing will be handled behind-the-screens.
RISC
(Reduced Instruction Set Computer)
Reduced Instruction Set Computer is a simplistic instruction
based architecture, which lessens chip complication
by keeping instructions constant.
ROI
(Return On Investment)
Return On Investment is a process to help management
decision- making by quantifying the return on various
investment alternatives.
Routing
Routing is the process of transmitting packets or frames
from its source to destination. Routing is performed
by a device called a router. This device contains a
table, which enables the packet to travel the best path
to its destination.
RSA
A public key encryption technology developed by RSA
Data Security, Inc. The acronym stands for Rivest, Shamir,
and Adelman, the inventors of the technique. The RSA
algorithm is based on the fact that there is no efficient
way to factor very large numbers. The RSA algorithm
has become the de facto standard for industrial-strength
encryption, especially for data sent over the Internet.
It is built into many software products, including Netscape
Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Search Engine
These are websites, which store information about webpages
and which allow you to search through this information
to find the specific page that you are looking for.
Some of the most popular search engines include Yahoo
and Alta Vista and the recent newcomer Google. You
can register your website with all the search engines
and this is one of the most important methods of marketing
your site online. Hidden words, known as meta tags,
can be inserted into your webpages and the search engines
use these meta tags to identify your site. Search Engine
Watch will give you a good introduction to the mechanics
of search engines.
Search Engine Optimisation
This covers a variety of measures to ensure that when
a potential customer keys in words relevant to their
products, their site is as close as possible to the
top of the search engines list.
Semantic Web
The Semantic Web is the next generation of the Web.
Tim Berners-Lee, the man credited with the invention
of the Web, is developing it. Currently web search engines
provide lists of links to information resulting from
keyword searches. The idea behind the Semantic web is
to make it more intuitive to users needs, giving exact
result each time.
Server
Computer hardware and software that is attached to a
network and which automatically stores, processes, and
transmits data or information that is generally accessed
by many people using client programs. A standard language
is used to define this client-server interaction.
Shareware
Copyrighted software that is distributed over the Internet or from one satisfied user to another user. No fee is
charged for trying the program, but the user is expected
to pay a donation to the owner and tell others about
the program if he or she continues to use it
Shopping Cart
A piece of software that keeps a record of the choices
you make during an online buying session.
Smart Card
A Smart card is a credit-card sized plastic card containing
a microprocessor and memory. The card can be programmed
to hold a range of information.
SME (Small to Medium Sized Enterprises)
Various definitions exist however for the purpose of
this book, it is assumed that companies with 250 employees
or less can be described as an SME. This encompasses
most Irish businesses.
Software
Software can be defined as the set of instructions for
the computer - it dictates what is to be done. Software
runs on (i.e. operates on) hardware. A list of instructions
that undertakes a particular requirement or task is
known as a "program." The two major categories
of software are "system software" and "application
software." System software is made up of control
programmes for the computer itself, such as the operating
system and database management system (DBMS). Application
software is any programme that processes data for the
user (e.g. inventory, payroll, spreadsheets, word processors,
etc.).Often
people confuse software with data however it is not
data - it tells the hardware how to deal with the data
- in simple terms software is "run" (i.e.
a set of instructions is initiated) and data is then
processed.
Spam
Flooding message boards, newsgroups, mailing lists,
or your mailbox with off- topic messages - usually ads
or promotions or deliberate disruptions. It is a major
violation of netiquette, and it violates member agreements
in most places and can lead to account cancellation.
The term was inspired by an old Monty Python sketch
about a repetitive menu with spam, eggs, and spam.
Spider
Search engine software that automatically traverse the
Internet , collecting information as they go, which is
then indexed and stored on the search engine's query
database.
Spyware
In general, spyware is any technology that helps to
gather information about a person or organisation without
their knowledge. On the Internet , spyware is a programme
that is put in a computer to secretly gather information
about the user for the purposes of analysis. Spyware
can get in a computer as a software virus or as the
result of installing a new program. The most common
example of Spyware is a cookie. Many websites use cookies
to enable them to personalise their pages. The cookie
will recognise your computer so that the next time you
log onto the site they welcome you by name.
SQL (Structured Query Language)
SQL is a standard interactive and programming language
for getting information from and updating a database.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer)
This is a protocol developed to securely transmit documents
via the net. It operates by using a public key to encrypt
(or code) information that's transferred over the SSL
connection. Both Internet Explorer and Netscape support
SSL, and many web sites use it to obtain confidential
user information, such as credit card numbers. Usually
urls that require an SSL connection start with https:
instead of http:
Stickiness
Ability to attract repeat visitors to your web site
by offering compulsive reasons to do so, such as dynamic
content, regular promotions, etc.
Storage
Systems
Scalable offerings with utmost reliability needed for
round-the-clock e-business demands.
Suites for e-Business
They are cross-platform packages that integrate the
software needed to easily deploy an e-business application.
SCM (Supply Chain Management)
An electronic alternative to the traditional paper chain,
providing companies with a smarter, faster, more efficient
way to get the right product to the right customer at
the right time and price. Combines the power of the
Internet with the latest technology, enabling participating
suppliers to access up-to-date company information and
enabling companies to better manage and track supply
and demand.
TBT
(Technology -Based Training)
Technology-based Training (TBT) is a general term that
refers to the use of technology in learning. It encompasses
a number of more specific terms such as CBT (computer-based
training), CBL (computer-based learning) and CBE (computer-based
education).
TCP/IP
(Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol)
TCP/IP is the group of communications protocols used
to connect hosts on the Internet .
Telnet
Telnet is a protocol that lets you log in to a remote
computer and use programs and data that the remote owner
has made available, just as if it were your local computer.
Terminal
Equipment for entering data into a mainframe computer
and for viewing data. This usually refers to a keyboard
and visual display unit (VDU). If the processing takes
place entirely in the mainframe, the unit may be referred
to as a "dumb terminal".
TTP
(Trusted Third Party)
Trusted Third Party - An independent, trustworthy organisation
that verifies individuals, companies and organisations
over the Internet .
Unified Messaging
Unified messaging is the integration of various
communications media
UNIX
A Bell Labs originated time sharing operating system.
URI
(Universal Resource Identifier)
Universal Resource Identifier. A standardised method
of identifying and locating resources, which includes
Uniform Resource Names (URN) and Uniform Resource Locators
(URL). The system is only partly implemented today,
but when fully implemented, when a URN is requested,
it will be systematically matched with a set of URLs
for the resource to find the best available route to
the resource.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator)
Address of any resource on the World Wide Web. The URL
of our home page is: http://www.openup.ie
URN (Uniform Resource Name)
A standardised name for a persistent, location-independent,
resource identifier. As conceived, when the system is
implemented, you will be able to link to a resource
by URN without specifying its location.
Usenet
Usenets are Internet Newsgroups or simply Newsgroups.
Most major browsers have a built-in newsreader. A newsgroup
is like a community bulletin board about a particular
subject. There are Newsgroups on just about every subject
imaginable.
User Interface
The User Interface is the connection between a user
and a computer program, which allows a user to utilise
a set of commands or menus to manipulate and communicate
with a program.
VAN (Value Added Network)
A VAN exchanges information electronically between subscribers
and their trading partners. Subscribers connect to the
private network to transmit messages. VANs provide electronic
mailboxes for EDI messages and keep records for audit
tracking.
Value Chains
The activities provided by a company to design, manufacture,
develop, fulfill, market and support its products and
services.
Vault Registry
Vault Registry is a security-rich, integrated registration
and certification solution that lets organisations establish
the level of trust needed to conduct e-business with
confidence on the Internet - reducing risk, driving
cost efficiencies, and opening new avenues for commerce.
Viral Marketing
Refers to a form of online marketing where the customer
passes on information to other potential customers,
instead of you contacting them directly: think of it
as "word of mouth" marketing for the Internet .
Common strategies include encouraging users to send
digital postcards and articles from your website to
friends.
Virtual Server
Owning your own server is expensive and difficult to
maintain. Most small websites are hosted on servers
maintained by Internet Service Providers, these are
known as virtual servers.
Virus
A computer program that replicates on computer systems
by incorporating itself into shared programs. Viruses
range from harmless pranks that merely display an annoying
message to programs that can destroy files or disable
a computer altogether. Whether they're considered malicious
or malevolent, all viruses spread rapidly. For example,
from one computer to millions of others around the world,
infecting machines and causing them to crash. Some well-known
examples include the "I Love You" virus, code
red, and NIMDA. Viruses
are most commonly transmitted through email; "strains"
have appeared that use personal email address books
to propagate themselves from machine to machine. If
you are connected to the Internet or any other network,
it is important that you take precautions against viruses.
Get a virus-scanning program and do not open any email
attachments from people you do not know.
Visual Warehouse
Designed to simplify the process of building, managing,
and analysing data warehouses that accelerate the delivery
of business information to professionals who must make
the tough decisions that lead to business success.
WAN (Wide Area Network)
A group of connected local area networks (LAN, see definition
above) spanning a large geographical area, such as a
city or country.
WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)
WAP is the global standard for developing applications
over wireless networks, bringing the Internet to mobile
phones. It is a protocol for providing wireless devices
with secure access to text-based information, including
Web pages, chat, and email. WAP runs over most wireless
networks, including CDPD, CDMA, GSM, and TDMA. Basically,
WAP enables Internet companies to configure their content
only once for the microbrowsers (or small screens) of
almost any WAP-enabled device, regardless of the service
provider.
WDM
(Wavelength Division Multiplexing)
A technology that uses multiple lasers and transmits
multiple light signals simultaneously over a single
optical fibre. Each signal travels within its unique
colour band, which is modulated by the data (text, voice,
video, etc.). WDM enables the existing fibre infrastructure
of the telephone companies and other carriers to be
dramatically increased.
Web Farm
A group of computers acting as servers and housed together
in a single location, also sometimes called a server
cluster. A Web server farm is either a Web site that
has more than one server, or an Internet service provider
that provides Web hosting services using multiple servers.
In a server farm, if one server fails, another can act
as backup. A Web farm may refer to a Web site that uses
two or more servers to handle user requests. Web farm
is a term that is also used to mean a business that
performs Web site hosting on multiple servers.
Web Graphics
The two most common web graphics are J-PEG's and GIF's.
GIF stands for Graphic Interchange Format while J-PEG's
stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. As the
names suggest, GIF's are best for graphics and flat
images while J-PEGs are best for photographs.
Web
Host
A company that allows individuals or other companies
to use their server space to host web sites.
Web Page
A web page is a file that is displayed on a website.
Web pages are collections of HTML, graphics and other
multimedia files and they often allow users to interact
with the various page elements for the purposes of entertainment,
education or navigation.
Web Server
A web server is a computer that is linked to the Internet 24 hours a day. You have to host or place your site
on a web server to allow people to access your site
continuously.
Webmaster
The person in charge of implementing and modifying a
web site.
Website
Location on the Web owned and controlled by a single
person or organisation. It is a set of HTML pages linked
to each other.
WFA (Workflow Automation)
Workflow automation capabilities include but are not
limited to workflow balancing that automatically routes
tasks to people based on their role and length of their
work queue, and a robust interface for managers and
employees to manage assignments beyond just an email
message.
Wireless Application Device
Any hand-held digital wireless device such as a Smartphone,
mobile phone, pager or two-way radio.
WLL (Wireless Local Loop)
A wireless system, which bypasses a local landline telephone
system. A business or home phone system is connected
to a public network by a company that provides telecommunications
services rather then the local phone company.
WMS (Warehouse Management Systems)
A Warehouse Management System is a software application
used to manage operations in a warehouse. It can also
extend to automated handling equipment and communication
devices.
Workstation
A workstation is a desktop computer.
WWW
(World Wide Web)
The World Wide Web is basically a particular way of
transporting text, images (graphics) and other multimedia
content e.g. video and sound clips, over the Internet .
Web servers (computers or software) on the Internet are set to respond to particular requests by sending
documents to the requester, usually done in HTML (main
language for the WWW).
WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)
The term WYSIWYG applies to word processors and web
page development software where you manipulate text
and images directly without writing codes (such as HTML
or dot codes) for each attribute.
XBRL
(eXtensible Business Reporting Language)
XBRL
is an xml-based language being developed for the automation
of business information such as preparing, sharing and
analysis of financial reports, statements and audits.
XBRL will help to increase the efficiency of producing
manual, repetitive and error-prone financial documents
by developing a standardised approach. It will also
simplify the flow of financial information between software
programs.
XML (eXtensible Markup Language)
Extensible Markup Language is a document format for
the Web that is more flexible than HTML. Its use is
becoming common is eBusiness. It is a standard from
the W3C consortium and defines what data elements contain
using tags
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