DNS-Domain Name System. A network of databases that translates a domain name such as "Microcat.com" into an Internet Protocol (IP) address, such as 123.456.789.00, and vise versa.

FTP-File Transfer Protocol. A standard for sharing files over the Internet.

GIF-Graphics Interchange Format. A graphics file compression created by Compuserve.

HTML-Hypertext Markup Language. A set of codes, used for World Wide Web pages on the Internet.

HTTP-Hypertext Transfer Protocol. A set of standards that lets Web browsers and Web servers exchange data.

Internet-A decentralized, global system of linked computer networks that let a countless number of people exchange information, via e-mail, the World Wide Web, newsgroups, and file transfer protocol.

ISDN-Integrated Services Digital Network. A set of standards used for digital phone lines that can transmit voice, video, and data.

ISP-Internet Service Provider. A company that provides a connection to the Internet.

JAVA-A programming language created by Sun Microsystems.

JPEG-Joint Photographic Experts Group. A graphics file compression created by the organization it's named for and used for still images such as 16 and 24 bit photographs and artwork.

MIME-Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions. A protocol that enhances e-mail, allowing it to consist of more than only simple text characters, also allowing messages to include graphics, audio, and video.

PERL-Practical Extraction and Report Language. A programming language designed by larry Wall that has become the dominate language of CGI scripts.

PDF-Portable Document Format. A file type developed by Adobe Systems Inc. that allows documents created with any number of applications to be exchanged and viewed on a variety of platforms.

PNG-Portable Network Graphics. A bit-mapped graphics format intended to replace the GIF format because it adds improvements. PNG files can be grayscale or true color and no information is lost during compression.

PPP-Point-to-Point Protocol. A communications protocol that lets users directly access the Internet via a modem using either a standard telephone or ISDN line.

QuickTime-An audiovisual file format developed by Apple Computer that most often is used for downloading and then viewing movie clips.

RealPlayer-A Web browser plug-in from Real Networks that is a format for on-line audio and video.

SMGL-A generic language created by the International organization for Standards. HTML is based on SGML; XML is a simplified version on SGML. SGML standards organize electronic documents but do not control their format.

Shockwave-A browser plug-in that lets users access text, graphics, animation, video and sound created with one of Macromedia's authoring tools: Flash, Director or Authorware.

SLIP-Serial Link Internet protocol. A communications protocol that lets users directly access the Internet via a dial-up connection, such as a modem and telephone line. It's being replaced by PPP.

TCP/IP-Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. A set of protocols developed by the U.S. Department of Defense that govern communication over the Internet. TCP deals with how the data is broken down for transmission, and IP dictates how these packets of information are sent.

URL-Universal Resource Locator. The standardized name or address of a file available over the Internet, including Web sites and FTP sites.

W3C-World Wide Web Consortium. An organization created in 1994 by Tim Berners-Lee, considered the father of the World Wide Web, with the goal of "leading the Web to its full potential." The W3C sets standards for the Web, including versions of HTML and recommendations for browsers.

WWW-World Wide Web. A graphical interface for the Internet. HTML files are exchanged over the Internet and interpreted by Web browsers on all kinds of computer platforms.