An Internet Dictionary

The computer industry and the Internet are adding new words everyday to our language. Learn the meaning of these new terms in words you can understand.

A Tip Before You Begin

This Internet Dictionary is easy to use. To find what you are looking for, click on the first letter of any word you want to find.

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A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

C

CD-ROM

An abbreviation for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory or Media. A circular disc that records, and plays back information in a computer's CD-ROM drive. Most CD-ROMs only play back information.

CD-ROM drive

Also called CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory or Media) player. A slot or drawer in the computer's tower that plays circular discs called, CD-ROMs.

CGI script

An abbreviation for Common Gateway Interface. A way for programmers to create and reply to forms Web visitors fill in. Visit Whatis.com, an online dictionary, for more information on CGI.

chat

A term to describe people talking on the Internet in real time. Users type messages back and forth in group e-mail.

chat room

A place on the Internet where people gather to talk in real time. Users chat by typing messages back and forth in group e-mail.

check box

A box on a form. Click to select the box and click again to de-select it. Selecting puts a check mark in the box.

click

To quickly press a mouse button. Double clicking means pressing the mouse button twice.

client

A program or user that requests service from the server. For example, someone requests Web pages from servers around the Web. The user's browser is the client. The computer that takes the request and sends back the Web page is the server. Visit Whatis.com, an online dictionary, for more information on client.

client/server

Two computer programs interact where one, the client, requests a service from the other, the server. These can exist on a single computer, a network or on the Internet. Visit Whatis.com for more information on client/server.

clipboard

A place on the computer where you temporarily store cut or copied information. Paste and save the stored information, text or graphics, in another program. This information disappears when the program closes or new information replaces it on the clipboard.

command

A computer instruction to perform an action. Print and Save are computer commands.

computer

A device that receives information and changes it to produce a result as directed by a program or set of instructions.

computer menu

A selection of computer commands available on a computer screen.

cookie

A way for the Web site managers to remember who visited their Web pages and keep some information about their visitors. Visit Whatis.com, an online dictionary, for more information on cookie.

copy

A computer command that copies the selected text and places it in the clipboard. The picture or text remains in the original document.

counter

A program that counts and displays how many visitors to a Web page. Many sites use a counter to show the popularity of the site.

cursor

A flashing vertical bar that indicates where the next character will be typed or selected.

cut

A computer command that removes selected text from the computer screen and places it in the clipboard.

cybercitizen

Also called netizen. A citizen of the Internet.

cybercommunity

The online community consisting of individuals linked around the world.

cyberspace

The community linking every person and every computer on the Internet.

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