Internet Terms-F

For example, quoting several passages from a book for use in a review or to emphasize a point in an article would probably be considered fair use by most publishers.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) a list of common questions on a Website, bulletin board, or other public forum or service, compiled for the convenience of both the information provider and the user. Offering FAQ pages has become one of the standards of quality in providing online customer service.

fatal error an occurrence that takes place for any number of reasons while operating a computer that often causes the system to crash, resulting in the loss of any unsaved work.

fax (abbreviation for facsimile) the transmission of a copy of a paper document over telephone lines using a fax machine or a computer equipped with a fax modem. The term may be used as either a noun or a verb. As a noun one might say, “I received a fax from the office today.” As a verb, “I’ll fax this contract to the office in the morning.” fax modem a computer device that allows for the transmission and receiving of documents as faxes. As a rule, the quality of a fax received via a computer will be consistent with the quality of the printer ultimately printing the document.
A fax modem may be installed inside the computer or present as an external modem. Some fax modems also function as regular modems.

Fetch a Macintosh program that transfers files using file transfer protocol (FTP) from a computer to a server or from a server to a computer. This is one of the ways that Web pages are loaded from a Web designer to the server that offers them to users via the World Wide Web.

fiber optics the use of glass or plastic fibers for the electronic transmission of data.
The technology has several advantages over traditional wire cables in that transmission speed is greatly increased; fiber optics allow for greater bandwidth with no electromagnetic noise; fiber optic cables can carry more data; they transmit the data digitally; and they are lighter and thinner than wire cables.

file a compilation of data stored on a computer disk, identified by a name called the file name. Almost all data is stored in some type of file. A file has a first and last name and may contain an entire program or a single document.

file compression see data compression.

file extension see extension.

file format a method for encoding or arranging data in a file. Every program uses a particular format for organizing the information in the files they produce. For example, text is arranged differently than images or graphics. That is why most word processing programs cannot display photographs.

file recovery when deleting a file from a disk, the space it occupied is not actually overwritten until it is needed for new data. Therefore, in some cases it is possible to retrieve the deleted information. Some files created using Windows applications may be resurrected by going to the Recycle Bin, clicking on the file you wish to bring back so it is selected or shaded, then clicking on “Restore File.” Files created by programs other than Microsoft, may be restored with software available from several software companies, such as Norton Utilities.

filter 1. software that takes data and transforms it in some way, such as converting files in a particular format to another. 2. in image processing programs, a filter is a tool that modifies an image such as a bitmap.

find an operating system command that searches particular directories for files with specific attributes.

finger Unix software that weeds out information (particularly email info) about an Internet user and returns the data to the requesting party. This might include the user’s full name and whether he is online at the moment. Due to abuse by commercial mass emailers, Unix systems now ignore many finger queries.

Firetalk an online realtime chat service that allows users to communicate with other registered users anywhere in the world verbally. The service also offers teleconferencing, voicemail, instant messages, and a realtime chat service for Websites.

 firewall a security system designed to keep unauthorized individuals from gaining access to a private network. A firewall may be deployed in either software or hardware or both concurrently. One of the functions of a firewall is to effectively screen all incoming and outgoing messages.

firmware a combination of software and hardware that is stored in a fixed form such as read-only memory (ROM). Firmware can be found in many common appliances such as fax machines and telephones. see embedded chip.

fixed-pitch type a font in which each letter has the same width and requires the same amount of space.
flame a particularly intense insult or derogatory comment made via email, in a chat room, bulletin or message board or another online public forum.

flame war any type of online discussion that turns to a vigorous exchange (often from many sources) of insults and angry remarks. Some of the more popular stock message boards have been known to play host to heated flame wars.

floating toolbar a set of tools appearing on a computer desktop that can be dragged with the mouse cursor to another desktop location at the user’s convenience.

floppy disk a portable magnetic storage disk, the term is somewhat of a misnomer.
The 5 1/4 inch storage disk used in early model PCs was flexible, thus called a floppy disk. Today, the most common portable disk still called a floppy is the 3 1/2 inch variety. Unlike the earlier 5 1/4 inch version, the 3 1/2 inch floppy is rigid, but the name floppy has managed to stick. Floppy disks usually store 1.44 MB of data. see Figure F.02.


flush text or images aligned along a border or margin. For example, the terms in this book are flush left, or lined up in a column against a left border.

folder an object within a software application that may contain files and/or other folders. The use of folders can be helpful in the organization of data stored in a computer. see directory.

font a particular lettering style that incorporates size, spacing, and pitch. Word processing programs offer many different fonts. The default font in many writing programs is Times New Roman.

footprint the space on a physical desktop (as opposed to a computer screen) that a device such as a computer or printer requires. The term is borrowed from the construction trade, where a footprint often refers to the space a house or building will occupy on a piece of land.

foreground the program currently running on your computer. Most computers have the ability to operate more than one application at a time, called multitasking. The program that is receiving instructions from your mouse or keyboard is the one running in the foreground.

form an online document designed to accept feedback from a user. A form contains fields where the user can enter name, email address, telephone number and other information. After completing a form a simple mouse click sends the information to the requesting party. Online forms minimize the number of paper documents needed for a wide variety of purposes such as product warranty registration, entering contests, and requesting information.

FORTRAN (Formula Translator) developed by IBM in the late 1950s, one of the first high-level program languages, used primarily for scientific calculations, which remains in use today.

forward a command button on a Web browser that allows a user quick access to a Web page. The forward button works only if the user has first clicked the “back” button. In this case, the forward command allows the user to re-visit a previously viewed page.

fragmentation the condition on a disk in which files are scattered around the disk in pieces. The computer is still able to read the files but not with optimum efficiency. Disk fragmentation occurs from the continual deleting of many files over a period of time. Modern operating systems contain applications that defrag disks when directed by a user. These programs should be run periodically.

frame describes the physical format for viewing a Web page offering the user the ability to scroll up, down, or horizontally as needed. Frames may be divided into two or more sections with each frame allowing the user options for scrolling, as well as other methods for manipulating the frame, such as minimizing or maximizing the view.


There are several reasons the software is offered free. Freeware, also sometimes erroneously called shareware, is a limited version of a program that the manufacturer, distributor or author would like people to purchase. Giving users a free taste is designed to get them to buy a more comprehensive version. Another reason an individual might offer free software on the World Wide Web, or free anything for that matter, is to drive traffic to a particular Website. Online revenues are often generated by site traffic, and giving software away is a popular way of getting visitors. Finally, some people simply want others to experience their creation and are willing to distribute it freely to accomplish that end.

front end a user interface which facilitates communication with another computer, or the working aspect of an application.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) a common method for moving files from one computer to a another over a network. Utilizing FTP is a common way for Web pages to be uploaded to Web servers by their creators.

FTP site a Web server that makes FTP files available for downloading. see anonymous FTP.

full duplex the transmission of data in two directions at the same time such as on a telephone. Most modems operate this way.

function a specific task performed by a software program.

function keys the upper row of keys on the main portion of the keyboard labeled F1 through F12. The function of each one depends on the program running. see Special Key Functions, page 281.

fuzzy logic a conclusion reached by a computer recognizing that all values are not absolutes such as yes or no, black or white etc. Fuzzy logic makes calculations considering values in varying degrees between absolutes. For example, a computer might recognize black and white as absolutes, yet make an evaluation based on a shade of gray, which is somewhere between.