---------------How to Access Electronic Information---------------
Glossary of Technical Terms
:-) This is a smiley symbol, one of the ways a person can portray mood. It is called an emoticon and there are literally hundreds of them from the obvious to the obscure. This particular example expresses "happiness". Don't see it? Tilt your head to the left 90 degrees.
Abstract
A short statement giving the main ideas of an article or a book; a summary.
ARCHIE
An index system that looks for files and directories in a database of countless anonymous m sites. Invented in Canada by Peter Deutsch of McGill University. (See also File Transfer Protocol [FTP]).Baud rate
The speed at which modems transfer data.BBS (bulletin board system)
An electronic bulletin board system that is a message database where people can leave messages for others, usually grouped by topic. Thousands of local BBS systems are in operation throughout Canada and the us.Citation
A quotation or reference given as an authority for facts or opinions.Connect time
Actual time that you are connected to an online database (important if you are paying long distance charges!)Database
An organized collection of information or data.Descriptor
A precise subject term chosen to define the topic.Downloading
The electronic transfer of information from a remote computer to your computer. The reverse is called Uploading.e-mail (electronic mail)
A system whereby a computer user can exchange messages with other computer users (or groups of users) via a communications network. Electronic mail is one of the most popular uses of the Internet.Field
Space reserved for storing specific information in a database program, for example, a person's name or postal code.File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
A set of rules permitting a user on one Internet host to access and transfer files to another host over the network. FTP is the name, not only of the protocol, but also of the program used to execute the protocol. (See Protocol.)Flame
To express a strong opinion or criticism of something, usually as an inflammatory statement in an electronic mail message.Freenet
A community-based bulletin board system, providing community-related information and in many cases links to the Internet and USENET.Full text
The complete text of a newspaper, periodical, or book.Gateways
A system by which two incompatible networks or applications can communicate with each other.GOPHER
Allows users to browse various types of data. The menu system is presented to the user in a hierarchical arrangement of documents and by using a client-server communications model.Hold
To reserve a library book that you want to borrow.Host
The central or controlling computer in a network of computers. It provides services that other computers can access via the network.Hypertext
A method of accessing information so that the user chooses the order in which information is received regardless of how the topics were originally organized. The World Wide Web is a Hypertext system.Internet
A series of interconnected networks that includes local area, regional, and national networks. It supports electronic mail, remote login, and file transfer services.Keyword
Any term used for searching a database by topic or content.LISTSERV lists
Mailing lists that act as newsgroups. Messages sent to a LISTSERV address are sent to everyone who has subscribed to the list. Responses are sent back to the LISTSERV address.Login
Also known as logon. To establish a connection to a computer system or on-line service before using it. Many systems require the user to type an identification number or a password before the system can be accessed.Lurk.
To read messages in a USENET newsgroup without contributing.Menu
A list of commands and options available within a program.Modem
A device used by one computer to communicate to other computers through the phone line. Modems come in various speeds, or baud rates.Mouse
A hand-held device used to control the pointer on the computer screen.Multimedia
Software which combines two or more media such as video, audio, and graphics.Netiquette
A pun on "etiquette". Guidelines for conducting oneself on electronic communications. CAPITALS indicate screams.Network
A communications system that links two or more computers. It can be as simple as a cable strung between two computers a few feet apart or as complex as hundreds of thousands of computers around the world linked through fibre optic cables, phone lines or satellites.Online
When your computer is hooked up to your printer and is ready to print, it is online. Also refers to being connected to a modem service such as your local Freenet.OPAC
Online Public Access Catalogue-a term used to describe any type of computerized library catalogue.Protocol
- Message formats and the rules two computers must follow to exchange messages.
- The method used to transfer a file between a host system and your computer.
There are several types of protocols such as FTP.
Public Domain
Software in which the copyright owner has waived rights and can be copied and used by anyone.Remote Access
Access to a computer not directly wired to your own. Remote access requires communications hardware, software, and actual physical links; these can be as simple as telephone lines or as complex as a TELNET login to another computer across the Intemet.Shareware
Software that you can legally copy but must pay for if you use regularly. Once you pay for shareware you will get a manual, telephone support and future upgrades.Site License
A software license allows installation of a specified number of copies of a software package at a specific location.Snail mail
The traditional postal service.TELNET
A program that allows a computer user at one site to connect to and work on a computer at another site. TELNET requires Internet access, that is, you must be on a TCP/IP network with a gateway to the Internet. Unlike FTP and electronic mail, TELNET gives access to the remote host's applications, such as library catalogues, databases and gophers.Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
The standard protocol which allows computers of different types to communicate across a network.Truncation
Search technique using the stem of a word, such as "pollut" which will retrieve "polluter", "pollution", "polluted" and any other words containing "pollut".USENET
Consists of several thousand subject areas known as newsgroups. Topics range from locksmithing to religion to bowling. As a user of the Internet, you can subscribe to any of the USENET newsgroups carried by your Internet service provider.VERONICA
An index system for keyword searches of gopher directories and items from most of the gopher servers. VERONICA is an acronym for Very Easy Rodent Oriented Netwide Index to Computerized Archives.WORLD WIDE WEB (WWW)
The www project merges the techniques of information retrieval and hypertext, to form an easy but powerful global information system. It was developed at CERN, the European Laboratory for Particle Physics, in Switzerland.