Applet <APPLET>
Application
Applications are separate programs that work when you open them. They do not work within Netscape, and are always in a separate window. Your machine must be correctly configured to use an application.
ASCII
This stands for the American Standard Code for Information Interchange. It is a code for representing Roman alphabet letters and numbers, primarily for texts in English. There are 127 numbers. Most computers use ASCII for text, but not for word processing. Programs are never in ASCII.
Cascading Style Sheet <STYLE>
A style sheet defines how different elements, such as text and links, appear. These style sheets can then be applied to any Web page. These work partially only in Netscape Communicator 4+ and MS Explorer 3+.
Client
The machine you use to access the internet.
Client-Server Architecture
The relationship your computer (client) has with other computers (servers).
CSS
See: Cascading Style Sheet
Database <FORM>
Information that is organized into a catalog.
Deprecated
An HTML tag that should no longer be used
DTD
document type definition. A file associated with XML documents that defines how the markup tags should be interpreted by the application presenting the document.
Dublin Core
The main attempt today at standardizing metadata.
Dynamic Fonts <LINK REL="fontdef" SRC="http://[url].pfr">
Dynamic fonts check the client's machine to see if a certain font is available for use. If not, it will download the font and use it to display information only in specific applications. They work only on Communicator 4.03+ and Explorer can be configured to use it.
Dynamic HTML
DHTML allows the page to change (generated pages) without the need for the server's work. It works only on Communicator 4 and Explorer 3 & 4.
EAD
Encoded Archival Definition. A metadata format for archival-type materials.
EAD Home Page
executable program
A file in a format that the computer can directly execute. Executable files cannot be read by humans.
Explorer-Specific Tags
button
colgroup
comment
del
dfn
fieldset
iframe |
label
legend
marquee
tbody
tfoot
thead |
For detailed information, see: The Compendium of HTML Elements
Frame <FRAMESET> <FRAME>
A feature supported by most modern Web browsers that can divide the browser display area into two or more sections (frames). The contents of each frame are taken from a different Web page. It works on all later browsers (Netscape 2.01+ and Explorer 3+)
Generated Page
A page that is created, e.g. the page after doing a search on the Search this Site on the Library web.
gif .gif
Graphic Interchange Format. These images use fewer colors
GILS
Government Information Locator Service. A metadata format created by and for the U.S. Government, but also used in other applications.
GILS Home Page
HTML <HTML>
HyperText Markup Language. A programming language which allows computers to share information over the internet.It was based on the markup performed by editors on manuscripts. They have traditionally used special marks to denote spacing, bold, alignment, etc.
Image <IMG>
Netscape and Explorer currently handle only two types of images: jpeg and gif.
ISO
International Organization for Standardization.. An international organization composed of national standards bodies from over 75 countries. ISO has defined a number of important computer standards.
Java <APPLET>
is a programming language used to write programs that can be used by almost all computers and browsers. Java programs are called applets. As long as your machine is configured correctly, Java works on Netscape 2.01+, and Explorer 3+.
Javascript <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="Javascript">
A simplified programming language when compared to Java. It was designed by Netscape and is supported by different browsers, although it is only partially supported by Explorer.
Jscript <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="Jscript">
The Microsoft version of Javascript. It does not work in Netscape.
jpeg .jpeg .jpg
Joint Photographic Experts Group. These images use millions of colors, but can be rather blurry.
Link <A HREF> <A NAME>
A reference to another document on the Internet.
Metadata <META>
Cataloging information on the Internet.
MIME types - Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions
A specification for sending non-ASCII files over the Internet. In this way, you can get and use images, audio, video, etc.
Netscape-Specific Tags
Ilayer
keygen
layer
multicol
spacer
For detailed information, see: The Compendium of HTML Elements
Plugin <EMBED> <OBJECT>
Separate programs that work within a browser for specific purposes.
Postscript
Primarily a language for printing documents on laser printers, but it can be adapted to produce images on other types of devices (i.e. computer screens).
PURL
Persistent Uniform Resource Locator. An alternative to a URL which would give a web document or resource a more permanent web address.
Server
Powerful computers that store and manage files for the Internet.
Static Page
A page that doesn't change, e.g. Princeton University Library's Cataloging Documentation.
Unicode
An attempt to include more alphabets into computer coding. Unlike ASCII, which uses 8 bits for each character, Unicode uses 16 bits, which means that it can represent more than 65,000 unique characters. The details are still undergoing standardization.
URL
Uniform Resource Locator. The global address of documents and other resources on the World Wide Web.
URN
Uniform Resource Number. An alternative to a URL which would give a web document or resource a more permanent web address.
Vbscript <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="VBscript">
Visual Basic Script. It is one of the members of the programming language of Visual Basic. It is similar to Javascript, but works only in Microsoft Explorer.
XML
eXtensible Markup Language. It enables designers to create their own customized tags to provide functionality not available with HTML. It doesn't work in any browser as yet.
