Each day millions of people around the globe are using the internet. Whether for commerce or personal use, this technology allows greater flexibility in working hours and location, thus, knowledge in the basic internet terms became a basic necessity in every home and businesses – big or small.
These days the internet is used for diverse purposes depending upon the requirement, such as communication, gathering information, researching, education, entertainment, real time updates on news and more. If you are new in using the web and the internet, knowing the definition of the most used and common internet terms are bound to be helpful for better understanding.
Operating System
An Operating System or better known as OS is the software that is being installed to the computer which serves as the user interface. It is the one responsible in allocating memory, tasks processing and disks/peripherals access. No software programs can run without an Operating System. Windows, Mac OS, and Linux are the most used OS running in computers and laptops.
www
www simply means world wide web. The www or what others just call web are the web pages which can be accessed using a web browser like Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera, Safari, etc.
Web Page
Web page refers to an individual HTML document which consist a world wide web. It is written in hyper-text markup language or HTML, which works together with HTTP.
Website
A website is a collection of web pages. For instance Technogrub.com is a web site which contains web pages that make up its site.
Take note that a web page and a website are two different things.
HTML
HTML or Hyper-Text Markup Language is the language that web pages are written in. It is also known as hypertext documents wherein the arrangement of words, phrases and sentences conforms to the rules of the HTML syntax in order for the page to be properly displayed in a web browser. HTML language can be easily learned through tutorials or formal education.
There are programs like graphical interface which you can use to create a web page. This program allows you to place objects and text on the page and the HTML code is written for you.
http
Have you noticed that all Web site addresses begin with http://? It is simply because it is the language protocol used to transfer data over the World Wide Web. http is the technical acronym which stands for hypertext transfer protocol.
https
https is the same with http yet only uses a secure socket layer (SSL) for security reasons. Sites that requires you to log in like investment, banking, e-commerce websites are just some of the sites that uses https which means HyperText Transport Protocol Secure.
Note: If the web address starts with https://, then you are viewing and accessing a secured website. Data being sent back and forth are being encrypted with SSL encryption making it hidden and unrecognizable for hackers.
URL
URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. It is the name or the address of an internet page or website, for e.g. – http://www.technogrub.com
IP Address
Internet Protocol Address or IP Address is made up of numerical codes separated by three dots – 00.00.00.000 that identifies and tracks your computer on the internet. An IP address can be static or dynamic depending on your subscription with your ISP.
ISP
ISP stands for Internet Service Provider. It is the company that provides and offers internet connection services for a monthly fee. Your ISP also assigns your IP address.
Wi-Fi
Coffee shops sales boom when a Wi-Fi connection is being offered to customers. Wi-fi is a wireless internet connection which allows laptops, tablets and other devices to connect to wireless routers of an establishment.
Apps
Apps are small software applications designed to provide useful functions popular for tablets and mobile platforms.
Photo credits: KROMKRATHOG – FreeDigitalPhotos.Net
I am well aware of the terms posted here and even used them everyday but if I’m going to explain them to someone else, I know I won’t be able to explain it like this haha! Thanks for refreshing my memory. 😀
Very helpful and basic terms those newbies will definitely find this one helpful.
There are so many things to learn when it comes to the world of internet. These are helpful for those who are new. Same here, I am aware of these terms and know them, but don’t know how to properly explain it to others that would ask me. LOL! Thanks for sharing.
Until now, I find it hard to remember the acronym of some of the internet terms.