Bandwidth
Bandwidth refers to the amount of information or data that can be sent over a network connection in a given period of time. Usually measured in kilobits per second (Kbps), megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps).

Blog (weB LOG)
A blog is a journal that is available on the web. You can find many different blogs by doing a search on Google and type in "blog search". You can have your own blog which is free from various providers including Google where you use their program called Blogger

Boot
To "boot" is to start your computer.

Broadband
Broadband refers to a fast connection to the Internet. A cable connection or DSL is considered broadband, whereas a dialup modem connection is not.

Browser
A browser is a software program used to view the Internet. Some popular ones are Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox.

Chat
Chat Rooms are a part of the Internet where you can type messages to others in real-time.

Click
Click means to press the left mouse button. There is also a "double click" which means to click the left mouse button twice. You need to do this at a certain speed to work. The speed is determined by an adjustable setting. There is also a "right click" which is used less frequently.

Cookie
A "cookie" is a small file that is created when you visit a website. It holds information such as user name and browsing habits. They are used for various purposes such as showing you selected advertisements depending on your browsing habits and interests.

Copy
Copy is when you select text and or graphics from a software program or the Internet to "paste" into another program, usually to save it.

CPU
(Central Processing Unit) This is the "brains" of the computer. It is inside the computer.

Cursor
The Cursor is the vertical line that blinks. It indicates where the next letter will go when you type from the keyboard. You can move the cursor by placing your mouse where you want to type, and then hit the left mouse button.

Cyberspace
As you can travel into space on a space ship, you can travel into Cyberspace on your computer when you go on the Internet.

Domain Name
A unique name that identifies an Internet site. An example is yahoo.com. Domain names have various endings which indicate different things. Some examples are .com (commercial), .org (non-profit organization), .gov (government). They also indicate countries, .ca (Canada), .cn (China), .no (Norway) .tw (Taiwan) .yu (Yugoslavia), etc.

Download
Download means to copy a file from the Internet to your computer.

Driver
A "Driver" is software that enables hardware to work. For example a mouse needs a driver to work. There are generic drivers to make a mouse work, but the driver made for the specific mouse will work the best and provide extra options or features.

E-mail (electronic mail)
E-mail is a communication you make using the Internet. You can write a letter in a e-mail program such as Outlook Express. You can even include pictures, music and files. You would then send this to someone using their e-mail address. They would then receive your e-mail using their e-mail program - this is e-mail. A nice feature of e-mail is that you have a copy of the messages you sent and received.

Ethernet
A type of networking technology for local area networks.

Favorites or Bookmarks
Favorites or Bookmarks are a record of a web address or URL. They are used for convenience like an address book listing. Browsers have a place to store lists of Favorites for easy access. You can custom name them for easy recognition. One click on a Favorite will bring you to that website.

Firewall
A firewall is a software and/or hardware security system. It monitors data coming into your computer from the Internet, and also data going from your computer to the Internet.

Hard Drive (HDD hard disk drive)
A hard drive is a small device usually inside your computer which stores all your information, including software programs, videos, music and all files.

Hardware
Hardware or "computer hardware" are items such as a keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, printer, scanner, CD player, hard drive, flash drive, modem, sound card etc. See also "Software".

Homepage
Your Homepage is the place you go to when you start your browser. You can set your homepage to be any website you like. When you set your homepage, every time you start your browser it will automatically go there.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language)
The coding language used to create websites on the Internet.

Instant messaging
Instant messaging is similar to a chat room, but it is usually conversations between friends. These programs have "Buddy" lists where you can list whoever you want to talk with and see when they are on line (available to talk to).

Internet
The Internet is the worldwide, publicly accessible network of interconnected computer networks. It is a "network of networks" that consists of millions of smaller domestic, academic, business, and government networks, which provide information on Web pages and services such as electronic mail, online chat and file transfer.

Link
A "link" or "hyperlink" is text or an image on a Web page that a user can click on to go to another area of the current website, go to another website, download a file or open an application. Technically, a text link is called "hypertext" and image links are called "hypergraphics".

Mouse
A mouse is a tool used to navigate and utilize software programs and the Internet. It has a left & right button and usually a scroll wheel.

Paste
Pasting is the process of copying text and/or graphics from one program to another.

Phishing
Phishing is a criminal activity. Phishers attempt to fraudulently acquire sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords and credit card details, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Online banks are common targets. Phishing is typically carried out using email or instant messages, and often directs users to a phony website disquised as a legitimate one.

Podcast
A podcast is usually a audio file which can be downloaded from various websites. You can then listen to it anytime you like on your computer or on a portable device such as a MP3 player or an iPod.

Scroll
When viewing a page that is too large to be seen on the monitor, a scroll bar will show up on the right side. This allows you to see the rest of the document or page. You move the page by dragging the scroll bar or clicking on the up and down arrows. You can also use the scroll wheel on the mouse.

Search engine
A Search Engine is a program used for finding information. A few examples are Yahoo, Mamma, WebCrawler and Google.

Select
To “select” a word, paragraph, whole page, etc. – hold down the left mouse button and drag the cursor over the words you want to select.
You also can select a whole document by holding down the Ctrl key and then the A key. (Ctrl+A)
You can also select the first part of a paragraph then scroll down to the end, hold down the SHIFT key and left click the last letter of the paragraph. This will select the entire paragraph(s).

Software
Programs are called software, like Word, Excel, games, etc.

Spam (junk mail)
Spam is unwanted e-mail sent in bulk from people trying to sell you something, trying to cheat you, etc.

Surf
To "Surf" the web is to go from website to website.

Tab Key
The "Tab" key can be used when filling out forms to move the cursor from one box to the next.

Upload
Upload means to send a file from your computer to the Internet.

URL
The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address in the address area of a browser. This is the address of the website you are on. An example is "http://www.yahoo.com/".