The Jargon Jungle!


This is the first in a series of articles that looks at getting more from your PC. Over the coming weeks, I shall cover a number of areas, including: how to create documents made up of different programs, how to look after your PC and reclaim some of those lost megabytes that today's software is so fond of taking and much more.

Before we begin, it is worth it to make sure that we are clear on some of the terms that are used in computing. Some terms you will know, others you may not. You may find it useful to print this article and keep for later reference, as I shall be using these terms later.

Program — A series of instructions carried out by a computer in order to carry out a task. In simple terms, an application that we run. Your word processor, spreadsheet, database, Internet browser, etc. are programs.

Browser — A program used to view web pages on the Internet. The two most popular are Internet Explorer and Netscape.

URL — Universal Resource Location. In other words, an address of (typically) a web site on the Internet. It can be other things too and should be looked at as a 'point' you can go to on the World Wide Web.

IRC — Internet Relay Chat. A method of communication whereby two or more people can "chat" to one another in so called "rooms." In fact, there are two things needed for IRC: an IRC server, which is a computer (or URL) — that is, set up as a contact point where you "connect" and enter rooms. The IRC server will run programs that handle the "chatting" that users carry out. The second thing needed is an IRC client program. You, the user, keep this program on your computer. It is this program that you use for connection to chat. Popular examples of IRC client programs are mIRC, Pirch and Microsoft Chat.

HTTP — HyperText Transport Protocol. A method of sending information on the Internet from one computer to another without having to worry about the make or, to a large extent, the model of computer. Like people, computers have their own languages and do not always communicate in the same way as each other. You can't, for example, run Macintosh programs on a PC. HTTP is a standard language that causes these differences to not prohibit the viewing of such data.

The copyright of the article The Jargon Jungle! in PC Support is owned by Chris Cruickshank. Permission to republish The Jargon Jungle! in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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