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1200 West University Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301
Phone:
605-995-2697
E-mail: helpdesk@dwu.edu
Web: http://www.dwu.edu/is//
Internet Glossary
BOOKMARK
A function of a browser that lets you return to your favorite Web sites
quickly.
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Software that allows you to navigate the Internet and view Web sites.
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Places to leave an electronic message or share news that anyone can read
and respond to. Marketers or others can get your e-mail address from
bulletin boards and newsgroups.
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A place for people to converse online by typing messages to each other.
(Once you're in a chat room, others can contact you by e-mail. Some online
services monitor their chat rooms and encourage children to report offensive
chatter. Some allow parents to deny access to chat rooms altogether.
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A way for a group of people to converse online in real-time by typing
messages to each other.
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A bit of electronic information that can be placed in your computer when
you visit a Web site to track what you look at there, recognize you when you
return, and in some cases, track where else you go on the Internet. You can
set your online preferences to limit or let you know about "cookies" that a
Web site places on your computer.
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A nickname for the Internet.
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The transfer of files or software from a remote computer to your
computer.
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An electronic computer-to-computer message between one or more
individuals.
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A method used to scramble information such as a credit card account
number so it can be transmitted securely and unscrambled only by the person
for whom it was intended.
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Software you can buy that lets you block access to Web sites and content
that you may find unsuitable.
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A computer, monitor, keyboard, modem, mouse, or other computer equipment.
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The international network that allows computers to talk to other
computers in words, text, graphics, and sound.
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A service that allows you to connect to the Internet. When you sign up
(it takes special software and a modem), you'll be asked to enter a screen
name, a secret password and your credit card number. Usually, online charges
are billed to your credit card. Most providers allow you to review your
monthly expenses online instead of sending you a separate itemized bill. If
you note unexpected charges from your ISP, call for an explanation. If
you're not satisfied with the explanation, or think you may be the victim of
fraud, write a letter to your credit card company and your state Attorney
General.
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Unsolicited commercial e-mail; also known as "spam." Usually junk e-mail
doesn't contain the recipient's address on the "To" line. Instead, the
addressee is a made-up name, such as "friend@public.com." Or the address on
the "To" line is identical to the one on the "From' line.
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A word you enter into a search engine to begin the search for specific
information or Web sites.
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Connections on a Web site that allow you to change to other parts of the
same Web site or to other Web sites.
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An online mailing list that allows individuals or organizations to send
e"mail to groups of people at one time.
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An internal or external device that connects your computer to a phone
line and, if you wish, to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that can link
you to the Internet.
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An ISP with added information, entertainment and shopping features.
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A personal code that you use to access your account with your ISP.
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A statement on a Web site describing what information about you is
collected by the site, and how it is used. Ideally, the policy is posted
prominently and offers you options about the use of your personal
information. These options are called opt-in and opt-out. An opt-in choice
means the Web site won't use your information unless you specifically say
it's okay. An opt-out choice means the Web site can use the information
unless you specifically direct it not to.
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The name you call yourself when you communicate online. You may want to
abbreviate your name or make up a name. Your ISP may allow you to use
several screen names.
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A function that lets you search for information and Web sites. Using a
search engine is like accessing the main card file in a library, only
easier. A few keywords can lead you almost anywhere on the Internet. You can
find search engines or a search function on many Web sites.
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A computer program. Software tells the computer how to do specific
things.
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A Web site address. It is what lets you locate a particular site. For
example, www.FAQFarm.com is the URL for FAQ Farm. Private, corporate, or
commercial URLs usually end in .com. Government URLs usually end in .gov.
Non-profit organizations and trade associations usually end in .org. Other
countries use different endings.
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Computer code that can damage your files or disrupt your computer system.
Special software can warn about viruses and sometimes fix the damage they
cause. The first rule in avoiding viruses is to never open a program or file
that you were not expecting to receive, even if you know and trust the
person who sent it.
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An Internet destination where you can look at and retrieve data. A Web
site is made up of one or more "pages" and may be created by an individual,
an organization, a government agency, a school, or a company to offer
information and, in many cases, to allow interactive communication with
visitors.
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