Internet Terms-I

icon a small picture or image representing a program or file. An icon might also be the logo for a software manufacturer or one of its products. Many computer users set up their desktops with icons that represent shortcuts to opening programs or functions. see graphical user interface, shortcut.

ICQ (I Seek You) a popular free Internet chat program that alerts members as to the online presence of other ICQ subscribers and allows them to chat, send messages, files, URL’s and play games. A user must download ICQ software and register before using the program.

illegal operation in Windows, a message box that appears telling the user that the program running has attempted to perform a function it is unable to execute for any number of reasons. Usually it refers to a function related to an error in programming.

iMac a colorful and stylish computer by Apple that offers users features such as easy Internet access with a choice of browsers, the ability to play MP3 files, QuickTime4 for digital video and streaming media, and in some models, a DVD player. Apple’s comparable notebook computer is the iBook.

image map an image on a Web page that contains a number of hyperlinks. For example, a Website devoted to the study of human anatomy might display a picture of the human body. Directing the mouse cursor over the head and clicking could bring the user to a page that showed the brain, along with text describing the brain’s functions. Clicking on the heart might bring him to a page describing heart functions, and so on.

image processing the manipulation and alteration of images using computer software such as Adobe PhotoShop.

import the use of a file in a particular application that was created using a format other than that of the destination application. For example, some programs allow graphics to be imported using several different formats such as jpeg and tiff.

impression the number of times an entire Web page is viewed. Impressions are counted to determine the number of visits to the site. Some Webmasters are interested in more information than simply the number of viewings. Because they are measuring the effectiveness of certain types of advertising, the path a user takes to arrive at a Web page is important, such as arriving as a result of clicking a banner ad, or finding his way from a particular search engine.

index 1. a list, usually alphabetical, that refers to records in a database. 2. the list of features offered on a Website.

infopreneur an individual who endeavors to build a business selling information.
The medium for achieving this end includes, but is not limited to the Internet.
For example, it is widely believed that the Internet offers many profit opportunities, however, because it is a relatively new media, companies are uncertain as to how to tap this vast market. An infopreneur with specific knowledge of Internet marketing might offer any of a number of services such as consulting, classes, manuals, etc. to help companies with a desire to enter this market.

information superhighway a popular term used to describe the Internet and virtually all associated computer networks. The term is almost self-explanatory in that information is the main stock in trade of the Internet. The highway or network over which the information travels makes it available to many people.
Some feel that the Internet needs closer monitoring by the government while others believe that cyberspace is the last frontier of freedom. It should be inter- 61 information superhighway 66 esting to see how these differing opinions influence further development of the medium in the years to come. Enforcing mandates related to the World Wide Web will certainly present challenges because questions of legal jurisdiction, penalties for violations, and enforcement in an ever-expanding global enterprise are almost certain to arise.

Infoseek a popular Internet search engine that utilizes keywords or phrases to seek and locate information on the World Wide Web.

initialize 1. to start a system or application 2. to assign a value to a variable for the first time.

inkjet printer a printer that creates characters and images by spraying fine streams of ink onto paper at high speeds. Inkjet printers are relatively inexpensive and produce high quality text and graphics in both black and white and color.

input data entered into a computer from a keyboard, voice recognition software, a mouse, another computer, or data storage device such as a disk or tape.

insertion point the place on a computer monitor where text or an image will next appear, usually indicated by a flashing cursor.

integrated circuit also referred to as IC, another name for a chip. An electronic device first developed in the 1950s, made from semiconductor material such as silicon, containing tiny transistors, resistors, diodes, as well as a number of ever improving and shrinking components. In computer lexicon, it is likely one is speaking of the microprocessor or the brain of the computer when making reference to the IC or main integrated circuit. see chip.

Intel a leading semiconductor chip maker, that supplies the computing and communications industries with chips, boards, systems and software that are integral in computers, servers and networking and communications products.

intelligent terminal a terminal consisting of a computer monitor and keyboard that has the ability to process data using a microprocessor and memory, resulting in the ability to perform special display functions.

interactive a computer that accepts input from a user via a mouse and/or keyboard and returns results immediately. Most modern computers are interactive. A non-interactive application would be one that, once started, would require no human intervention.

interface an intermediary between two systems, applications or devices. For example, the interface for a particular computer game might be a joystick. The joystick allows the user to interface with the game program, initiate commands, react to prompts, etc.

Internet (Net) the worldwide network of computers originally set up by the US Department of Defense in the late 1960s. Called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), it was designed to function as a continuing method of communication should any part of the system be destroyed by nuclear attack or sabotage. In time, it was used as a means of communication among university scholars throughout the United States. It eventually evolved into the popular electronic forum for international communication by way of interactive discussion, email, commercial Websites, entertainment and much more.
The term internet written with a lower case “i” indicates a local computer network.

Internet Explorer (IE, MIE) Microsoft’s popular Web browser, available for both PC and Macintosh. In addition to offering an email program, Internet Explorer allows users to view Web pages. see Explorer.

Internet Service Provider (ISP) a company that provides Internet service to a customer. Usually, in exchange for a fee, the company provides access to the Internet and one or more email accounts. Many providers offer unlimited monthly usage for a flat fee of around $20. It’s important to use an ISP that provides a local dial-up number, otherwise the user is charged long distance rates while connected to the Internet. It has become increasingly popular for some ISPs to offer free access to the Internet. Under this arrangement, the provider displays some type of advertising on the user’s screen (which can’t be removed) for the duration of the online session.

Internet Society the Internet SOCiety (ISOC) is a professional membership society with more than 150 organizational and 6,000 individual members in over 100 countries. It provides leadership in addressing issues that confront the future of the Internet, and is the organization home for the groups responsible for Internet Society Internet infrastructure standards, including the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the Internet Architecture Board (IAB).

intranet a group of computers, often belonging to a company or some other private enterprise, linked together for the purpose of communications. The intranet may function using the Internet as a means of transmitting data or as a completely isolated network. As part of the Internet, a particular intranet might use security measures such as passwords, key codes, and firewalls to keep communications exclusive to that organization.

Iomega a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of personal and professional storage solutions such as Zip and Jaz disks and drives for users of personal computers and consumer electronics devices.

IP (Internet Protocol) a set of protocols that allow computers to communicate with each other.

IP address (Internet Protocol address) a computer’s numeric identity on the Internet.
All computers of Web surfers are identified by a number. As a user, the number assigned may either be static (always remains the same) or may be offered on an “as available” basis each time the individual logs on. A user’s number is assigned by her ISP.

IRC (Internet Relay Chat) an online chat system that allows users to communicate in realtime anywhere in the world. What makes ICR unique is it’s ability to accommodate more than two users at one time.

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) a standard used for the transmission of digital data including voice and video signals over telephone wires without a modem at a significantly faster speed.

ISP a company that provides customers with a connection to the Internet. see Internet Service Provider.

IT (Information Technology) the study and implementation of computers for communications purposes. This is a rapidly growing field with a wide range of opportunities. There is hardly a modern medium, to large-size business in existence without an IT officer and department to oversee the processing and management of electronic information of all types.

iteration a computer processor’s single cycle through a group of programming instructions. see loop.