Welcome to the ever-changing world of computing, where the reality of style and usage is indeed virtual. In this chapter you’ll find definitions for technical terms that will be helpful when editing stories. But unless the technology is widely understood or the section is devoted to computing, use a simpler substitute. Example: Why refer to a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) when Web address is more easily understood?

Also, many of the entries in this chapter contain computing slang and jargon that have become the common "style" over the original words, such as e-mail instead of electronic mail, CD-ROM instead of Compact Disc-Read-Only Memory. This chapter will help you identify shortened forms of words that have entered mainstream usage. Sources for this chapter include Netlingo (www.netlingo.com), "The PC Webopædia," "HotWired" and "The Technology Encyclopedia."

Adobe Acrobat, pdf files

Created by Adobe Systems Inc., Acrobat decodes, reads and converts documents to the Portable Document Format (pdf). The stand-alone Acrobat Reader program allows scalable graphics and type to be displayed and printed from any computer. Avoid the abbreviation pdf; try Acrobat Reader instead. Note: pdf format is redundant.

Apple Computer Inc., Macintosh

A personal-computer company founded in 1976 by Steven Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Apple is acceptable on second reference. Apple computer is an acceptable reference to the computer itself. Apple created the Macintosh, or Mac, an computer and its operating system. Do not refer to these computers as personal computers, or PCs, which refer specifically to computers that are IBM- or Windows-compatible.

applets

A small application or script that performs a computer function.

ASCII

Acronym for the American Standard Code for Information Interchange. (Pronounced ask-ee.)

Most computers use ASCII codes — which assign a number to each common letter, number, punctuation mark, space and other symbol — to represent basic text, making which makes it possible to transfer text data from one computer or one program to another. ASCII is is preferred on first reference, but it must be accompanied by a definition.

avatar

A graphical icon that represents a real person in a cyberspace system.

backup, back up

(n) A backup is a copy of files or programs made in case the first medium fails.

(v) back up.

bandwidth, bps, Hz

The amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time. For digital devices, the bandwidth is usually expressed in bits or bytes per second (bps). For analog devices, the bandwidth is expressed in cycles per second, or Hertz (Hz). Examples: 56,000 bps, 56k bps, 33.6k-bps modem, 10M bps, 85 Hz.

baud rate, modem speed

The baud rate of a modem or other communications device indicates the number of times it can transmit or receive a signal through a communications line. A modem’s actual transmission speed may or may not correspond to its baud rate, depending on how many bits it can transfer per baud, so modem speed is commonly measured in bits per second (bps) or, less commonly, characters per second (cps).indicates the number of bits per second that a modem can transmit or receive. In a story detailing the speed of a 56k-bps modem, for example, 56k is an acceptable abbreviation on first reference. In a general news story, a definition is helpful. For example, a modem speed of 56k means that 56,000 bits are transmitted each second (abbreviated 56k bps). See bandwidth, bps, Hz.

bit, byte

Short for binary digit, the smallest unit of information on a machine. A single bit can hold only one of two values: 0 or 1. More meaningful information is obtained by combining consecutive bits into larger units. For example, a byte is composed of eight consecutive bits. Some prefixes:

• kilo denotes thousands.
• mega denotes millions.
• giga denotes billions.

bookmark

To index a URL within a Web browser for future reference.

bug

Slang for a technical problem within a computer program, application or Internet page.

bulletin board system, BBS

Avoid the abbreviation BBS. It’s an electronic message center. Most bulletin boards serve specific interest groups. They allow you to dial in with a modem or other device, review messages left by others, and leave your own message if you want.

CD-ROM

Preferred first reference for compact disc-read-only memory. A type of optical disc capable of storing large amounts of data.

chat, chat room

Real-time communication between two or more users via computer. Once a chat has been initiated, often in a chat room, users can enter text by typing on the keyboard and the entered text will appear on the other users’ monitors.

chip, microprocessor, CPU

A chip is an integrated computer circuit. A microprocessor is a silicon chip that contains a CPU (central processing unit; abbreviation acceptable on first reference), which controls all the operations of a computer.. In the world of personal computers, the terms microprocessor, microprocessor and CPU are used interchangeably. At the heart of all personal computers and most workstations sits a microprocessor.

compact disc, CD

CD is acceptable on first reference; CDs plural.

cookie

A unique identifier stored on your hard drive. Cookies can be used by Web sites to track individuals’ usage.

cyberspace

A metaphor for describing the nonphysical terrain created by computer systems. The cyber- prefix is often overused to mean anything in the digital world. Examples: cyberpunk, cybergeek, cybercrats and cyberbucks. Use the prefix sparingly.

data, datum

Datum is singular. Data, a plural noun, takes plural verbs and pronouns.

disc, disk

A round, plastic, metallic-looking disc used for optical storage and read by a laser. It can store music (on a compact disc, CD, computer data (CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and movies (laserdisc, or videodisc or DVD).

A disk is a small flat plastic component, housed in paper or plastic, used for data storage written in digital form. Although the term floppy is somewhat of a misnomer because the modern disks are not flexible, the term can be applied to the 5¼-inch and 3½-inch disks, or other floppy-like devices such as the Zip disk.

Hard disk is also spelled with a "k." See hard drive, hard disk.

domain name, IP address

A domain name identifies an Internet protocol address. For example, the domain name newsday.com represents the IP address 170.165.230.130. Domain names are used with various extensions in URLs to identify particular Web pages. The full URL of newsday.com’s home page is http://www.newsday.com. See URL.

DOS

Always use the acronym, which stands for disk operating system. It is best known as the computer operating system launched originally developed by Microsoft for IBM and IBM-compatible computers in 1980, though the name dates to the 1960s.

download, upload

To download is to copy data (usually an entire file) from a main source to a peripheral device.

To upload is to transfer a file from a personal computer to a server or network, usually via FTP. Upload is the preferred usage, but FTP is also acceptable when accompanied by an explanation. See FTP.

DVD

Digital video disc, which can be abbreviated on first reference. It is a high-density CD used to store movies, music and software. See disc, disk.

e-mail

Short for electronic mail, the transmission of messages over communications networks.

In headlines, use E-Mail. To begin a sentence, E-mail.

Acceptable as a collective noun ("How did we ever live before e-mail?"), adjective (e-mail attachments) or as a verb (she e-mailed him this morning). Avoid using it as a singular noun, as in I received five e-mails. Better: I received five e-mail messages.

encryption

The translation of data into a secret code. Encryption is the most effective way to achieve data security.

FAQs, frequently asked questions

A list of questions and answers related to a newsgroup, software, Web site or whatever. FAQ lists help prevent online discussions from being overrun by common user questions. Frequently asked questions is preferred on first reference.

file server, server

An advanced personal computer that ships and stores data to networks of other PCs, known as clients.

firewall

A system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network.

flame

(n) A searing e-mail message in which the writer attacks another e-mail participant in overly harsh, and often personal, terms.

(v) To post or e-mail a flame.

freeware, shareware

Freeware is copyrighted software given away for free by the author. Although it is available for free, the author retains the copyright, which means that the user cannot do anything with it that is not expressly allowed by the author. Usually, the author allows people to use the software, but not sell it.

Shareware is software distributed on the basis of an honor system. Most shareware is delivered free of charge, but the author usually requests that you pay a small fee if you like the program and use it regularly.

FTP

Abbreviation of file transfer protocol, the protocol used on the Internet for sending files. Uploading or downloading files is the preferred usage, but FTP is also acceptable when accompanied by an explanation.

gif, graphics interchange format

A standard for digitized images developed by CompuServe using compression technology from Unisys, gif (lowercase except at the beginning of a sentence) is a file format commonly used on the World Wide Web. The abbreviation is acceptable on first reference, with a definition. Pictures and graphics on Web pages are sent as gif files because the files are small and download quickly. Gif format is redundant. Also see JPEG.

graphical user interface, GUI

Spell out on first reference. A program interface that takes advantage of the computer’s graphics capabilities to make the program easier to use. On second reference, use GUI, pronounced goo-ey.

hacker, newbie

A hacker is a skilled computer user who tries to access or manipulate other individuals’ or organizations’ computer systems.

A newbie is a slang term for someone who is a new user on an online service, particularly the Internet.

hard drive, or hard disk drivedisk

Either is acceptable. Not hard disk drive. The mechanism that stores data on a hard diskcomputer. It is a fixed, self-contained storage mechanism, not a device for storing data on portable media such as floppies or discs.

hardware, software, firmware

Hardware refers to objects that you can actually touch: disks, disk drives, display screens, keyboards, printers, boards and chips.

Software refers to the instructions executed by a computer, stored electronically. Anything that can be stored electronically is software. The two main types are system software and application programs.

Firmware refers to computer instructions stored in nonvolatile storage, usually on a computer’s motherboard, such as ROM (read-only memory)and PROM (programmable read-only memory).

home page

Two words. The main page of a Web site. Typically, the home page serves as an index or table of contents to other documents stored at the site.

HTML, hypertext

Hypertext Markup Language, a language used to create Web documents. It supports links to other documents, as well as graphics, audio, and video files. HTML is acceptable on first reference, but should include a definition.

Hypertext is the manner in which objects (text, pictures, audio, programs, and so on) can be creatively linked to each other. It is often indicated by blue, underlined color text (hyperlinks) that can be clicked on with a mouse.

http://

Most later browsers will put in the http:// for you. Still, for precision, don't take it out from Web addresses. Short for hypertext transfer protocol, the underlying protocol used by the World Wide Web.

Http defines how messages are formatted and transmitted, and what actions Web servers and browsers should take in response to various commands. For example, when you enter a URL in your browser, this actually sends an http command to the Web server directing it to fetch and transmit the requested Web page.

Don’t include http:// when listing a Web address unless there is no www. preceding it: www.aol.com, http://my.aol.com/weather.

icon

A small picture that represents an object or program.

Internet, intranet, Net

Spell out Internet on first reference, but Net is acceptable in headlines and on second reference; both are capitalized. A global web connecting more than a million computers and is composed of the World Wide Web, newsgroups and e-mail. Unlike online services, which are centrally controlled, the Internet is decentralized by design. Each Internet computer, called a host, is independent but can be accessible to other Internet uses.

An intranet is a private network accessible only within an organization. The word does not capitalize unless part of a company name.

Internet service provider, ISP

Use Internet service provider on first reference, and try "provider" on second reference to avoid the abbreviation. An Internet service provider is a company that provides access to the Internet. For a monthly fee, the service provider gives the user a software package, user name, password and access phone number. Equipped with a modem, the user can then log on to the Internet and browse the World Wide Web and Usenet, and send and receive e-mail.

jpeg or jpg, Joint Photographic Experts Group

Lowercase jpeg (pronounced jay-peg) except at the beginning of a sentence; the abbreviation is acceptable on first reference, with a definition. One of the two most common types of images used on the World Wide Web, the other being gif. The shorter jpg (without the "e") extension is usually only used in association with PC-platform files. The abbreviation stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group, the original name of the committee that wrote the standard. Designed for compressing either full-color or gray-scale images, jpegs download faster and contain better resolution than gifs, but are less adept at rendering nonrealistic images such as line art, and cannot handle black-and-white or moving images. Also see gif.

kilobyte, megabyte

A kilobyte is 1,024 bytes and is abbreviated on second reference with a lowercase k. Leave no space between k and the preceding number, as in 128k of storage.

A megabyte is one million bytes, but avoid the abbreviation MB unless it’s in tabular material or listed multiple times.

laserdisc

One word.

listserv

Generic term for mail-handling software that lets people subscribe and unsubscribe to e-mail lists.

login, logon (n); log in, log on (v)

A login or logon is the account name (user name or user identification) and/or password used to access a computer system or Web site. Used as a verb to log in, the term means the act of typing in a user name and password. Login and logon are used interchangeably, as are log in and logon.

logon, log on

Logon is one word as a noun, but log on is two words as a verb.

logoff, logout (n); log off, log out (v)

To log off is to remove yourself from being logged in. After a logoff, you will have to log back in to regain access. Logoff and logout are used interchangeably, as are log off and log out.

megahertz

A unit of frequency of 1 million hertz. Used to measure the clock rate of microprocessors, and thus often serves to indicate the speed at which a computer runs: The PC contains a 233-megahertz WinChip All lowercase. The abbreviation, to be used only in tabular material or in multiple references, is MHz, with the M and H capitalized.

modem

Acronym for modulator-demodulator. A modem is a device or program that enables a computer to transmit data over telephone lines or a cable network.

modem speed

The baud rate, which is the modem speed, indicates the number of bits per second that a modem can transmit or receive. In a story detailing the speed of a modem, for example, 56k is an acceptable abbreviation on first reference. In a general news story, a definition is helpful. For example, a baud rate of 56k means that 56,000 bits are transmitted each second (abbreviated 56k bps. See baud rate, modem speed.).

motherboard

The main circuit board of a microcomputer. It contains the microprocessor.

mouse, mice

A mouse is a device that controls the movement of the cursor or pointer on a display screen. Mice (plural) contain at least one button and sometimes many more, which have different functions depending on what program is running.

mousepad

One word.

MP3

MP3, or mpeg layer 3, is a standard for audio compression. MP3 (capital M and P, numeral 3) is acceptable in all references, with an explanation.

mpeg, Motion Picture Experts Group

A type of audio/video (multimedia) file found on the Internet; mpeg (lowercase except at the beginning of a sentence) is acceptable on all references, with an explanation. To hear or see an mpeg movie, the user needs to install a helper application or Web browser plug-in.

multimedia

The use of computers to present text, graphics, video, animation and sound in an integrated way.

netiquette

The etiquette practices for posting messages onto online services, and particularly Internet

newsgroups. An example:e, TO WRITE A MESSAGE IN CAPITAL LETTERS is considered shouting and is discouraged and often flamed. See flame.

network, LAN, WAN

A group of two or more computer systems linked together. There are many types of computer networks, including:

• local-area networks (LANs) : The computers are geographically close together (that is, in the same building). Abbreviation LAN is acceptable on second reference.
• wide-area networks (WANs) : The computers are farther apart and are connected by telephone lines or radio waves. Abbreviation WAN is acceptable on second reference.

newsgroup

Same as forum;, an online discussion group. On the Internet, there are literally thousands of newsgroups covering every conceivable interest.

online

Not on-line.

online service

A business that provides its subscribers with a wide variety of data transmitted over telecommunications lines. Online services provide an infrastructure in which subscribers can communicate with one another, either by exchanging e-mail messages or by participating in online conferences (forums). In addition, the service can connect users with an almost unlimited number of third-party information providers. Examples of online services include:

• America Online, AOL: Spell out on first reference. A popular online service. It is often abbreviated as
• AOL, which is acceptable on second reference.
• CompuServe Information Service: CompuServe on second reference; the company created one of the first online services.
• Microsoft Network, MSN: Microsoft’s online service launched in 1995. Also known as MSN, which is acceptable on second reference.
• Prodigy: An online service, developed jointly by IBM and Sears.

operating system

The underlying software that controls the computer’s hardware.

personal computer, PC

PC is short for personal computer, but more specifically an IBM-compatible or Windows-compatible personal computer. The first personal computer produced by IBM was called the PC, and increasingly the term PC came to

mean IBM or IBM-compatible personal computers, to the exclusion of other types of personal computers, such as the Macintoshes. To avoid confusion, avoid calling Apple or Apple-compatible computers PCs.

plug-in

A hardware or software module that adds a specific feature or service to a larger system. For example, there are a number of plug-ins for the Netscape Navigator browser that enable it to display different types of audio or video messages. Examples include:

• Active X: A loosely defined set of technologies developed by Microsoft and available to users with the Explorer browser.
• Shockwave: A technology developed by Macromedia Inc. that enables Web pages to view multimedia objects.

program, programmer, programming

An organized list of instructions that, when executed, causes the computer to behave in a predetermined manner. A programmer is one who writes programs.

programming languages

The code that underlies computer programs. There are many programming languages: C, C++, Pascal, BASIC, FORTRAN, COBOL and LISP are just a few. Below is some background:

• BASIC: A computer programming language. Acronym for Beginners’ All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. Use of acronym on first reference is acceptable if it is identified as a programming language. For example: That model of a personal computer uses the programming language, BASIC.
• COBOL: Acronym for common business oriented language. Developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s, COBOL is the second-oldest high-level programming language (FORTRAN is the oldest). It is particularly popular for business applications that run on large computers.
• FORTRAN: Acronym for formula translator, FORTRAN is the oldest high-level programming language. Designed by John Backus for IBM in the late 1950s, it is still popular today, particularly for scientific applications that require extensive mathematical computations.

• Java: Java is a general-purpose programming language that emerged from a secret project at Sun Microsystems. Java programs are, now called both applets and applications.
• JavaScript: A scripting language developed by Netscape to enable Web authors to design interactive sites.

protocol

A specification that describes how computers will talk to each other on a network.

RAM

Acronym for random-access memory, a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers and other devices, such as printers. RAM is acceptable on first reference.

readme

Readme (n) is one word. A file containing vital information about a software program or file.

screen saver

Decorative elements that occupy the computer monitor when left untended.

search engine

A program that searches documents for specified keywords and returns a list of the documents where the keywords were found. Although search engines are really a general class of programs, the term is often used to specifically describe systems such as Yahoo! and Excite that enable users to search for documents on the World Wide Web and Usenet newsgroups.

server

A computer or device on a network that manages network resources. For example, a file server is a computer and storage device dedicated to storing files.

snail mail

Slang for normal postal mail, in which an actual physical letter or package is delivered.

spam

Requires definition on first reference. Slang for electronic junk mail. Some people define spam even more generally as any unsolicited e-mail. However, if a long-lost brother finds your e-mail address and sends you a message, this could hardly be called spam, even though it’s unsolicited.

spider

A program designed to search Web sites and record their contents and URLs. Used by search engines to generate indexes.

surf

To browse or look at information on the World Wide Web by pointing and clicking and navigating in a nonlinear way (meaning anywhere the user wants to go at any time).

T1

A high-speed network link used instead of a modem for transferring data. There are also T2 and T3 lines, which are both faster than the T1 line.

URL

Avoid the jargon and use Web address instead. URL is the abbreviation of uniform resource locator, the global address of documents and other resources on the World Wide Web.

• As with phone numbers, an Internet URL should be checked to ensure it is working before a story is published.
• It is necessary to include the www, if appropriate, since some Web sites do not begin with these letters.
• In computing sections or within stories listing multiple URLs, the URL can be denoted in boldface. Otherwise, retain the story-text typeface.
• URLs can be case-sensitive, even though many will work when uppercase or lowercase characters are typed in. Use the Web publisher’s preference when using upper- and lowercase in URLs. Otherwise, use all lowercase, (after first testing that the lowercase URL works).
• With long URLs, do not break the URL usingat a hyphen. Do break it at a punctuation mark, but do not add a hyphen.
• At the end of a sentence, it is acceptable to add a period at the end of the URL.

Usenet

A worldwide bulletin board system that can be accessed through the Internet or through many online services. The Usenet contains thousands of forums, called newsgroups, that cover every imaginable interest group. It is used daily by millions of people around the world.

user name

A name used to gain access to a computer system. User names, and often passwords, are required in multi-user systems.

videodisc

One word.

virtual reality

An artificial environment created with computer hardware and software and presented to the user in such a way that it mimics a real environment.

virus

A digital infection, often hidden within a file or program and designed to amuse, annoy or destroy. Viruses spread from disk to disk unless deleted by anti-virus software.

Web, World Wide Web

Web is also acceptable on first reference. It refers to a system of Internet servers that support specially formatted documents. The documents are formatted in a language called HTML. World Wide Web is not synonymous with the Internet.

Web address

Preferred usage for the URL of a Web page.

Web browser, browser

Browser is acceptable in second reference. This is a software application used to locate and display Web pages. Three of the most popular browsers are Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Spyglass Mosaic.

Web site, Web page

A site (location) on the World Wide Web. Each Web site contains a home page, which is the first document users see when they enter the site. A Web page is any page within a Web site.

WebTV

WebTV is a way to access the Internet from a television. A computer is not needed and there’s no software to load; the subscriber needs a television, a phone line and a WebTV Internet terminal. WebTV Networks is a subsidiary of Microsoft Corp.

Webzine, zine, e-zine

A small publication or Web site published with limited resources and often advocating alternative views to mainstream media. Webzine or e-zine are also used.

window, Windows

A window is an enclosed, rectangular area on a display screen. Most modern operating systems and applications have graphical user interfaces that can let you divide the your display into several windows.

Windows is an operating system developed by Microsoft. Versions have included Windows 95, and Windows 98 and Windows 2000 (no apostrophe).

WYSIWYG, What You See Is What You Get

Pronounced wiz-ee-wig. An acronym used to describe onscreen representations of fonts, graphics and other page elements that mimic the exact look of the final printed document. Use sparingly and with a definition.

Y2K

Shorthand for the year 2000 in discussions of the so-called millennium bug, which threatened to cause problems for all hardware and software not designed to operate beyond 1999.

zip file

A Microsoft Windows-based compressed-file archive. A zip file can hold one or many compressed files as well as a directory structure. On the Internet large graphics and programs are compressed into zip files and then made available for download. After download, a decompression software program is used to "unzip" the file. One of the archives used is PKWare Inc.’s PKZIP; in the Macintosh platform, a similar archiving program is Stuffit from Aladdin Systems Inc.

Zip disk

A Zip disk is high-capacity removable storage disk developed by Iomega Corp.