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A

Acceptable Use Policy: The Acceptable Use Policy an agreement between the customer / user and the Internet Service Provider (ISP) to use their network in a responsible & ethical manner.
ADSL: Broadband 'splits' the telephone line so that both voice and data can be transmitted along one line. This is done in the home via a broadband modem and filters, and at the telephone exchange for ADSL broadband or at the cable network for cable broadband. ADSL broadband connects you to the Internet via a BT line and the local BT phone exchange. Broadband ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is a type of DSL. It works by splitting your existing telephone line signal into two, voice and data can be transmitted along one line. Upload speeds are different, in fact always less than the download speeds hence this is why it is "asymmetric".
ADSL Modem: An ADSL Modem is a device that connects your computer to the Internet using ADSL technology.
Always On: Always On is a key feature that means broadband is a permanent connection to the internet. A broadband connection lets you access the internet from the minute you switch on your computer. A broadband connection is different to a narrowband (dial up) connection as you don't need to 'dial up' using a standard modem connection.
Applet: An applet is a small software application. Java applets are often built into web pages to make them interactive, providing greater viewing features & animations.
ASCII: ASCII Stands for "American Standard Code for Information Interchange". This is a universal code used to communicate with computers using the characters found on a standard computer keyboard. Creating pictures with only these keyboard symbols is known as "aSCII art".
Asymmetric Connection: An Asymmetric Connection a connection where the upload (upstream) and download (downstream) speeds are different. Typically, upload speeds are slower than download speeds. see ADSL.
Avatar: An Avatar is an image used to represent a person in an online setting. Avatars are most commonly used in chat rooms & forums.
AVI: AVI (Audio Video Interleaved) a video clip format or sound and video file format on Windows systems.

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B

Backbone: A Backbone High-speed telecommunication line used to connect local branches of the Internet. The term backbone refers to a main data transmission line, or trunk line. and is one or more data transmission lines (predominantly optic fibre but can also be based on microwave technology) that local data networks connect to at points called nodes. Local networks connect to the infrastructure backbone to achieve long distance data transmission.
Bandwidth: Bandwidth is a way of measuring the speed or data transmission rate or the total amount of information that can be transmitted over a period of time along channels from computer to computer. Generally measured in bits per second or kbps (kilobits per second or mbps (megabits per second).
Banner: A Banner is a small advertisement sometimes found on web pages and comes in variable sizes. Too many can seem intrusive, but a few is acceptable and helps fund the running of a website.
Beta Software: Beta Software is Software that is at an unfinished or 'in progress state' and it test status to iron out any flaws.
BIT: BIT is short for binary digit. It is the smallest measurement of computer unit of data either a 1 or a 0.
Bitmap: A Bitmap is an image file format. It is often abbreviated to BMP. Others include JPEG or GIF.
Bot: A Bot is an automated software programme that can execute certain tasks.
Bounce: An email that cannot be delivered sends a message back to the sender. This is called a bounce. Messages are not delivered for a variety of reasons, for example misspelt email addresses or banned IP addresses.
BPS: BPS stands for Bits Per Second and is the rate at which data is moved.
Broadband: Broadband is fast internet access. High bandwidth telecommunications, capable of transmitting and receiving data at higher speeds compared to a standard dial-up modem. What Better-Broadband.co.uk is all about!
Browser: Browser a program used to search for and display web pages, hence what you are using now to read this (viewing through a browser). An Internet browser translates the programming language (HTML) of the Internet into words and graphics that you can view in a web page. The most popular two are Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox.
Bundling: Bundling is the practice of combining a number of different telecommunications products or services for sale at a single usually lower price. Broadband bundles can include mobile, cheap telephone services (fixed line and/or VOIP), Internet (broadband) and digital television services.
Byte: A byte is a series of bits, and is the measurement of computer storage and memory space. A Kilobyte (1K) is equal to 1024 bytes, and a megabyte (1MB) is one thousand Kilobytes.

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C

Cable: An electric cable provides an electric connection for telephones, televisions & computers etc.. A fibre optic cable is made up of optical fibres that transmit large amounts of data at the speed of light. A cable modem is a device that transfers data, usually Internet over a pay TV cable infrastructure.
Cable Broadband: Cable Broadband provides users high speed Internet access through a cable line without using a telephone lines. Packages can also offer or come in conjunction with home telephone and digital cable television.
Cable Modem: A Cable Modem is a device that connects you PC to the cable network (ISP) and allows you to transfer and receive data, usually Internet over a pay TV cable infrastructure.
Cache: A computer cache is a small fast memory that keeps copies of Web pages you have recently visited. It does this to speed things up. If you revisit a page that is copied in your cache, then the computer can simply use that copy rather than going all the way back to the original server.
CD-ROM: CD-ROM Stands for Compact Disk Read-Only Memory. A CD-ROM is a storage medium for digital data.
CGI: CGI stands for Common Gateway Interface. CGIs are programs that process requests from a browser and display the results on the Web pages. They are often used to make forms or guestbooks on homepages work properly.
Chat: Chat is obviously a conversation between more than two people over the internet. See IRC
Client: Client is the program which requests data or information from a server. Many popular Internet applications, including WWW, Gopher and FTP, are client/server applications.
Content: Content refers to all types and forms of information, including, text, HTML, interactive and/or dynamic Web pages, images, animation, video and sound files. Content however is more than just information on a web page, the way it is delivered, organised, and shown together also form content.
Contention Ratio: Contention Ratio : The number of users who share the bandwidth on a single connection. With most broadband technologies, some of the bandwidth is shared between other users. For example, if the service is contended or oversubscribed at 20:1, it means that you share the bandwidth with up to 19 other users. An ideal scenario usually adopted more by businesses or those requiring extremely high usage have what is know as uncontended or 1:1 contention).
Cookie: A Cookie is a small parcel of information (a small text file), sent from a website to your computer when you access a particular webpage. Cookies are harmless and often used to store personal details, such as names and preferences to save people having to re-enter that information over again. A cookie identifies your computer to the web site and lets the site know that you have been there before.
Cryptography: Cryptography is a method of mathematically scrambling information while it is in transit between machines so that it cannot be understood by people who do not have the "key" to decode it. This process is typically used to pass sensitive data such as credit card details.
Cybercafe: A Cybercafe an Internet cafi, were you can access the Internet when away from home.
Cyberspace: Cyberspace is a computer generate virtual universe and the Internet.

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D

Data: Data is Information that is collected, stored or processed systematically.
Database: Database a large set of data or information organised so that it is easy to retrieve.
Desktop Dialler: A Desktop dialler is a link on your computer's desktop that opens an Internet connection.
Dial-up Networking: Dial-up Networking as it sounds, Dial-Up Networking is a component of the Windows operating system that allows you to connect to the Internet.
DNS: DNS Stands for Domain Name Service, and translates computer addresses, that are written as numbers, to addresses in words. This is what makes them intelligible to users (people).
Domain Name: The Internet is divided into named domains, based around a hierarchy. Every organisation has a domain, and every computer in the organisation is given a unique name. Better-broadband.co.uk is an example of a domain name or internet address. Also known as a URL.
Domain Name Parking: Domain Name Parking is the process of registering a domain name before it is actually ready to be used.
Download: Download is the process of transferring & saving one or more files from a remote computer or from the web to your local computer. Opposite to upload.
Download Allowance: Download Allowance is the amount of data you are permitted to download from the Internet without incurring any additional charges.
Download Limit: Download Limit is the amount of data you are permitted to download from the Internet without incurring any additional charges.
Download Speed: Download Speed is the speed at which you download, or receive, information or data from the Internet.
Downstream: Downstream This refers to the flow of data (such as web pages) from the ISP to your Computer. For most residential users downstream speed is most important as viewing web pages, checking email and downloading files or applications means sending lots of data to your Computer, rather than you sending lots of data elsewhere.
DSL: DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a technology, family of digital telecommunications protocols, designed to allow & bring high speed data communication / high-bandwidth information to homes and small businesses over the existing copper telephone lines between end-users and telephone companies.
Dynamic IP address: Dynamic IP address is an IP address that is automatically assigned to your computer when you access the Internet.

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E

E commerce: Ecommerce, Short for electronic commerce, refers to the general exchange or selling of goods and services over the Internet.
E-mail: Email (Electronic Mail) a means of exchanging messages & transmission of these messages in electronic form, usually as text files between computer users.
Emoticon: An Emoticon are those little text based faces and objects you see in email and online chat. See also Smiley.
Encryption: Encryption is the translation of data into a secret code. This can be anything from pictures and text to programs or sensitive information.
EXE: EXE Short for "Executable". If you're using Windows you see it at the end of a file name as in "filename.exe". Your computer should be able to read and process the information in this file automatically. Executable files can also have a ".com" ending. In general, you should NEVER run .EXE files you receive in e-mail. They may be viruses or other dangerous programs. You should only run .EXE files if you trust the sender, and then only after checking that the sender who appears on the email actually did send you the file.
Extranet: Extranet is a network of computers, often in an office or linking business partners. Passwords are often required to access an extranet.

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F

FAQ: FAQ means Frequently Asked Questions: a list of common questions and their answers in a subject area.
Favourites: Favourites On Internet Explorer allows you to save websites you like.
Filters: Some Broadband customers require microfilters (or 'filters') for each device plugged into a phone socket at home, when using the broadband service. For example, telephone handsets, fax machines and dial-up modems.
Firewall: Firewalls are an extremely important & essential security measures for computers that are permanently connected to the Internet. Companies & personal users must always put up firewalls to stops & blocks people from gaining unauthorised access to their computers. This can be either a piece of software or a standalone piece of equipment (hardware). A good ISP would facilitate one step of this.
Flame: Flame is an unpleasant strongly-worded, abusive or overemotional email or forum posting. When someone flames you, the sensible thing to do is to ignore it. Few people have the necessary self-restraint required. see Flame War.
Flame War: Flame War is a series of flames, usually escalating in hysterical content and often sparked by a trivial comment in an otherwise innocuous newsgroup posting. Try to rise above it and avoid it.
Flash: Flash is a useful a plug-in that allows you to view special animations & multi-media effects on websites.
Follow Up: Follow Up is when an article posted to a newsgroup response to a previous article. A series of follow-ups creates a thread.
Freeware: Freeware Software is software that is entirely free. Sometimes confused with shareware
FTP: FTP means File Transfer Protocol and is a standard mechanism for moving data files over a TCP/IP network. The name is also used for the client program which implements the protocol ... "start ftp and get the file" ... and even as a verb ... "I'll just ftp it across to you" ...

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G

Gateway: A Gateway is a computer that connects two different systems together and can translate between the two. Email gateways will let messages pass between incompatible systems.
GIF: A GIF is a popular type of graphics file, for example, "moose.gif". The letters stand for Graphics Interchange Format.
Giga-Bits: Giga-bits per second (1000 million bits per second or one billion bits per second). A unit of measure of the speed at which data travels or information transmitted.
Gigabyte: A Gigabyte a unit of storage capacity. 1,024 megabytes.
GIS: GIS (Geographical Information System) is a computerised data management system designed to capture, store, retrieve, analyse and report geographical and demographic information.
Gopher: Gopher is an application that was developed at the University of Minnesota to help organise files on the Internet.

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H

Hacker: A Hacker is a person who enjoys exploring computer networks, by gaining unauthorised access to a computer, sometimes it's for fun, however often with the intention of causing harm & vital you take all the necessary precautions with reference to your internet security.
Hard Drive: A Hard Drive is where information is hard written on your computer. Similar to a cd or floppy disk, but in the computer.
History: History a list of recently visited websites stored by your browser.
Home Page: On the World Wide Web, the home page for a web server is the introductory page or front cover that the designers intend as the starting point for exploring a particular website.
Host: The Host is simply a computer on the network. When you are connected to an ISP, your computer is a host.
HTML: HTML Stands for HyperText Markup Language, and is the coded format language used for creating hypertext documents on the Internet and controlling how web pages appear.
HTTP: HTTP stands for HyperText Transport Protocol and is the Internet protocol that specifies how web servers and browsers can exchange data over a TCP/IP network.
Hyperlink: A Hyperlink is clickable text or image which automatically takes you to a new web page.
Hypertext: Hypertext is a document that contains embedded links to other documents. Hypertext is non-linear, and can be read by jumping from link to link, allowing the reader to explore areas of interest.

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I

Intelligent Dialler: see Connection Manager.
Internet: The Internet is a worldwide system of computer networks in which any one computer can get information from/or talk to any other connected computer using the TCP/IP protocols. often shortened to Net, or Web (World Wide Web). The Internet evolved from the ARPANET of the late 60s and early 70s.
Internet Explorer: Internet Explorer a program, a browser, that allows you to view web pages over the internet connection.
Internet Service Provider: An Internet Service Provider, abbreviated to ISP, refers to the organisation that provides access to the Internet, and possibly also email and web-hosting services & facilities.
Intranet: An intranet is basically a private internal Internet designed to be used inside a company, university or organisation for internal use only. That uses the same kinds of software found find on the public Internet. You often need passwords to access intranets.
IP (Internet Protocol): IP (Internet Protocol) is part of the TCP (Transport Control Protocol) / IP suite. IP refers to the set of communication standards that control communications activity on the Internet. It is simply a delivery method. Each computer on the network, both private and public, is allocated a unique address (an IP number) in much the same manner as an address written on an envelope to identify the intended recipient of conventional mail. IP forwards each data packet based on the destination address (the IP number); individual packets may be routed differently.
IP address: IP address also referred to as Internet protocol address is the unique 4-byte number which identifies a host on an IP network. Normally written as four decimals separated by "." Simply a number that uniquely identifies a computer connected to the Internet.
IRC: IRC (Internet Relay Chat) is a network application that allows users to "chat" in real-time by connecting their client to an IRC server and joining a conversation (called a channel).
ISDN: ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is a telephone technology that supports high speed data transmission. ISDN provides similar features to broadband but is not considered to be a broadband technology because of it's slower speeds relative to other technologies such as ADSL or fibre optic Cable. Specifically, ISDN is a set of communications standards allowing a single wire or optical fibre cable to carry voice, digital network services and video.
ISP: ISP stands for Internet Service Provider and refers to the organisation that provides access to the Internet, and possibly also email and web-hosting services & facilities.

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J

Java: Java is a computer programming language developed by Sun Microsystems and used to write web pages.
JPEG: The letters "JPEG" stand for Joint Photographic Experts Group. JPEGs are a popular type of graphics file often used in Web pages.

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K

Keyword: A Keyword a word or phrase you type into a search engine to search for a website.
Kilo-Bits: Kilo-bits per second (1000 bits per second), is simply a measure of the transmission speed (measure of bandwidth capacity) at which data travels.
Kilobyte: A Kilobyte is technically speaking a Kilobyte is 1,024 bytes, but it is often used loosely as a synonym for 1,000 bytes. A measure of bandwidth capacity or transmission speed, representing a thousand bits per second.

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L

LAN: LAN (Local Area Network) is a local computer network for communication between devices that are geographically bound.
Link: A Link is a clickable text or images that transfers you to another website.
List Server: A List Server is a program that provides mailing list support by automatically subscribing and unsubscribing list members and sending copies of every e-mail message to every list subscriber.
Login: Login is the process of entering a password to gain access to the Internet or a website.
Lurker: A Lurker is someone who reads forums or sits on the side in chat rooms but does not post messages or participate in discussions.
Lynx: Lynx is a text-based World Wide Web browser for Unix systems.

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M

Mail Server: A Mail Server is a computer that moves emails to various destinations.
Mailing List: Mailing list a list of email addresses used by a list server. a mailing list is a way of having a group discussion by email.
MAPI: MAPI (Microsoft's Messaging application Program Interface) is a mechanism for sending email directly from within applications such as word processors.
Mbps (Megabits): Mbps stands for Mega-bits per second (1 million bits per second) and again is simply a measure of the speed or transmission speed at which data travels. A measure of bandwidth capacity.
Media Player: Media Player is a program or plug-in that allows you to play music or video files for full enjoyment.
Megabyte MB: A Megabyte MB is a unit of storage capacity consisting of 1,048,576 bytes of data. (1 million bytes).
Metadata: Metadata refers to "data about data". For example, a library catalogue contains information (metadata) about publications (data).
Metered Internet package: Metered Internet package, provides Internet access on a pence per minute basis i.e. you are billed for every minute you spend online. Also known as "Pay as You Go" services.
Microfilter: A Microfilter is a small device that you plug into your phone socket and your computer communications cable which prevents your broadband connection being disrupted by any telephones connected to the same line.
Migration: A Migration is change from one hardware or software technology to another. Like how you would migrate or change / swap from your existing / current ISP to another for an improved package and service.
Mirror: Mirror is a replica website or server that is set-up to share traffic loads.
Modem: Modem Short for Modulator/Demodulator or modulation/demodulation, a modem is a device that allows remote computers to communicate, to transmit and receive data using telephone lines. You will probably use a modem to connect to the internet. The device which modulates or converts your computer's digital signals device to analogue signals suitable for carrying over a normal phone line and vice versa.
MOO: MOO (Multi-Object Orientation), a text-based virtual environment derived from the first multi-user adventure games. Once connected to a MOO, users can "move around" and interact with one another. An environment which allows more than one person to talk at one time, often also allowing display of emotions and object manipulation in a given environment.
MP3: MP3 is a music file format. A file compression scheme used to transfer audio files via the Internet and store in portable players and digital audio servers. So that you can download quicker and save more tracks on your computer or music media playing device.
MPEG: MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) a video file format. The standard for compression and storage of motion video, for example, videos available though the World Wide Web.
Multimedia: Multimedia is an Integration of multiple forms of media formats. e.g. text, graphics, video & audio.

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N

Narrowband: Narrowband is used to classify the information capacity or bandwidth of a communication channel. Narrowband is generally taken to mean a bandwidth of 64kbits or less. Basically slower internet access like "Dial Up" is the more common term used for Narrowband.
Net: Net is the common abbreviation for the Internet.
Netiquette: Netiquette are the general rules of good, ethical behaviour on the Internet. They are (mostly) unwritten.
Netnews: Netnews another name for USENET news.
Network: A network is where a number of computers are connected to each other so that they can share resources like hardware or software.
Newbie: Newbie is generally, a term used for somebody who is new to the Internet.
Newsgroup: Newsgroup is an USENET bulletin board topic. Newsgroups are organised into several groups, including comp (for computers), soc (for society) and alt (for alternate). Discovering which newsgroups are appropriate for your needs & interests is the first step in using news.

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O

Offline: Offline is when you are not connected to the internet, but can still work on your computer, or view web pages which will be stored on your hard drive.
Online: Online is when you are connected to the Internet.
Online Games: Online Games are computer games played with others through the Internet. Broadband is best for this.
Order Tracking: Order Tracking allows customers to place and track their orders online.
Outlook Express: Outlook Express is an email program or email client.

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P

PHP: PHP (Hypertext Pre-processor) is a HTML embedded scripting language. The PHP Hypertext Preprocessor is a programming language that allows web developers to create dynamic content that interacts with databases. PHP is basically used for developing web based software applications.
Ping: Ping an Internet application that sends an "are you there?" message to a remote computer. Used to test network connectivity.
Pixel: A Pixel, short for picture element, is the smallest element that can be displayed on a video screen or computer monitor, and is often used as a unit of measurement for image size and resolution. The number of pixels (width and height) in an image defines its size.
Plug-in: A plug-in is a small add-on piece of software that extends the capabilities of a web browser, such as Firefox or Microsoft Internet Explorer, allowing it to run multimedia files.
POP: POP (Post Office Protocol), is a program which can accept e-mail on behalf of users, store it and then forward it when the user acts. The email equivalent of Poste Restante. Your e-mail stays at the ISP's or Email Servers central computers until your computer asks for it via POP.
Portal: A Portal a website that is a gateway to other related websites.
Postmaster: A Postmaster is the person at a site responsible for managing the email system. Every site which transfers email over the Internet must have a postmaster, to whom all failed mail is sent.
Proxy Server: A Proxy Server is a computer which stores a copy of the most frequently downloaded web sites, in order to give faster access to these pages when requested at any time in the future.

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Q

QIC: QIC abbreviation for quarter-inch cartridge, pronounced quick, a standard for magnetic tape drives. QIC tapes are among the most popular tapes used for backing up personal computers.

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R

RAM: RAM (Random Access Memory) is memory which stores data temporarily in your machine. When you switch your machine off, this data is lost and is not stored on your hard drive.
RFC: RFC (Request for Comments) is an Internet standard. The Internet is a collection of separate networks, and the RFC provides a mechanism for agreement on standards over all of them. This is as close to 'organised' as the Internet gets.
ROM: ROM (Read Only Memory) This is "built-in" computer memory containing data that normally can only be read, not written to. ROM contains the programming that allows your computer to be "booted up" or regenerated each time you turn it on.
Router: A Router an essential piece of hardware or device that connects two physical networks together and can transfer data between from one local area network (LAN) or local wide area network (LWAN) to another. The Internet is made up of a number of networks connected by lots of routers. Routers are sometimes referred to as gateways. Routers are very essential if you have more than one computer on a network. Routers can perform such functions as making decisions on the most expedient route by which to send the data, balancing traffic on the network and filtering traffic for internet security purposes.

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S

Satellite: A Satellite is a vehicle put into orbit and used as a platform for data collection and transmission.
Satellite Broadband: Satellite Broadband offers two-way Internet access via satellites. Your computer, through a special satellite modem, broadcasts requests to a satellite dish that sits on top of your home or business premises. The dish then sends and receives signals from satellites that orbit some 22,000 miles above the earth. Currently, satellite broadband is slower in both the uplink and downlink, when compared to a DSL Internet services such as ADSL & SDSL as well as being much slower than Cable Broadband.
Satellite Connection: Satellite Connection is simply a connection to the Internet by means of using a satellite dish.
SDSL: SDSL Broadband (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line), An improved version of DSL is where the technology provides the same bandwidth in both directions where the upload speeds (upstream) and download speeds (downstream) are the same, over existing copper telephone lines. Hence, Symmetric.
Search engine: A Search Engine a site that allows you to search the Internet on specific subject.
Self Install: Self Install, means you are responsible for installing software and plugging in the microfilter, modem and any other equipment yourself.
Server: A Server is a computer that handles requests for data, e-mail, file transfers, and other network services from other computers (i.e. clients), that is shared by multiple users. Some servers have specific purposes & functions e.g. file server, mail server, web servers etc.
Shareware: Shareware is a program usable for a limited time before deciding if you wish to purchase it.
SHDSL: Single pair High-speed Digital Subscriber Line) is technology which allows two-way voice and data traffic. SHDSL is therefore better suited for users who require high bandwidth in both directions, such as business users. (ADSL is more suited for residential users who download more data than they upload).
Sig: Sig is a users signature file, appended to email and news postings. The sig can be anything from a one line address to a full page of aSCII art.
Smiley: A Smiley like an Emoticon are those little text based faces and objects you see in email and online chat. :-)
SMTP: SMTP (Simple Mail Transport Protocol) is the TCP/IP protocol which is used to transfer email between hosts. an SMTP server will accept mail messages for delivery to people on a local system.
Sound Card: A Sound card is a card which is in your computer which enables you to get sound. Speakers will plug into this sound card. Without a sound card, you will not be able to get sound.
SPAM: Spam Slang term for unwanted or unsolicited email or newsgroup messages, often commercial advertising. Always ensure you have the latest SPAM filters.
Static IP Address: A Static IP Address is an IP address that is permanent. Static IP addresses are usually attributed to servers and printers.
Surfing: Surfing is slang and means the same as Browsing the Internet, commonly can be referred to as "surfing".
Switch: A tool that opens or closes circuits and selects the correct paths or circuits to transmit incoming data.

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T

TCP/IP: The TCP/IP protocol is the most common suite is the basis of the Internet protocols. It is a collection of networking standards used by most Internet. TCP/IP is named after two of the core protocols: the Transmission Control Protocol and the Internet Protocol. See Internet Protocol.
Telecommute: Telecommute is where a person works at home and communicates with the office via electronic means over the internet.
Telnet: Telnet a protocol to allow a user of one computer to log in to another computer over the network.
Thread: Thread is a related series of USENET news postings or email messages in a mailing list, more commonly known as Newgroups and / or Forums. Most newsreaders will organise postings according to the subject, allowing you to read the articles in a thread in order.
Timeout: Timeout is an error returned by a network application when it does not get a response in a given time. Timeouts may be caused by network failure or an application problem.
Trojan Horse: A Trojan Horse is a malicious computer software program that allows hackers unauthorised access to your computer.

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U

Unix: Unix is a common multi-user operating system, like Windows, only older. Many Internet hosts, and a majority of servers, run Unix and most Internet tools were originally developed for Unix.
Unmetered Internet Access: Unmetered Internet Access package provides Internet access for a fixed monthly fee rather than cost per minute.
Upgrade: An upgrade is a later release of a software program. Most software companies work to improve their existing software by upgrading it periodically by adding new features and functions.
Upload: Upload is the process of transmitting & transfer of a file of data from one computer to another computer somewhere on the internet. It's the opposite of download.
Upload Speed: Upload Speed is the speed at which you upload, or send, data information to the Internet. see also Upstream
Upstream: Upstream, refers to the flow of data, such as web pages or FTP, meaning the transmission of data from your computer to the Internet. For most residential users downstream speed is the most important as viewing web pages, checking email and downloading files or applications means sending lots of data to your PC, rather than you sending lots of data elsewhere which will be more important for businesses or those that share lots of data or information.
URL: URL means Uniform Resource Locator, a standard way to specify the location of a file on the Internet an address on the world wide web). The URL combines the network protocol to use (eg. HTTP), the name of the host (eg www.better-broadband.co.uk) and the name of the file (online) into a single specification, eg. "http://www.better-broadband.co.uk" is the URL for www.better-broadband.co.uk.
USB: USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a quick and easy way of plugging peripherals into your machine. You can generally plug and unplug without causing any damage or problems. A standard port used for connecting external devices such as printers or digital cameras to a computer. causing any damage or problems.
USB Port: A USB Port is the Universal Serial Bus port, which is an external interface for connecting external devices to your computer e.g. scanners, printers, digital music players, digital cameras etc.
USENET: USENET is news a bulletin board system which lets people post messages on specific subjects to USENET newsgroups, where they can be read and replied to by all readers. News is one-to-many, where email is one-to-one.

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V

Video Card: Video card This is similar to a sound card and without one of these in your machine you will not be able to view anything as the monitor will have nowhere to plug into.
Video Conference: A Video Conference is a face to face conference between multiple people in different locations, using video technology to communicate (voice and video) over a broadband connection is a good way to do business or communicate with friends & relatives.
Viewer: A viewer is a software application or tool designed to display a specific type of file (usually one that contains something other than text) that your web browser normally can't display on its own. There are viewers to display graphics files, and to play sound or video files.
Virus: A computer Virus is a malicious software program that performs undesired actions on your computer and generally propagates itself to other computers. Always ensure as part or your internet security you have the latest antivirus software on your computer.
Virus Checker: A Virus Checker is an Internet Security program, know as antivirus software, that scans your computer for known viruses.
VPN: VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a secure encrypted connection between a user's distributed sites over a public network (e.g., the Internet). A private data network that makes use of the public telecommunication infrastructure, maintaining privacy through the use of a tunnelling protocol and security procedures. The idea of the VPN is to give the company the same capabilities at much lower cost by using the shared public infrastructure rather than a private one.

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W

WAN: WAN (Wide Area Network) is a computer network that spans a wider area than does a local area network.
Web Hosting: Web Hosting is the process of placing a customer's web site on a secure commercial web server.
Web Page: A Web Page a single document on the Internet. Web site a combined series of web pages
Web Space: Web space an allocation of storage space on a server that is connected to the Internet, enabling you to store emails or run a website.
Webmaster: A Webmaster is a person in charge of maintaining a web site. This may include writing HTML files, setting up more complex programs, and responding to e-mail. Many sites encourage you to mail comments and questions about the site's web pages to the webmaster.
WiFi: WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) is also often referred to as Wireless Networking, WiFi refers to a local area network using high frequency radio signals to transmit and receive data.
WinZip: WinZip is a compression program for Windows that allows you to "zip" and "unzip" files, as well as other standard types of archive files.
Wireless Broadband: Wireless Broadband offers a wonderful convenience & flexibility of use of your broadband connection, it supplements some existing broadband provider packages whether ADSL or Cable Broadband. A wireless LAN or WLAN is a "Wireless Local Area Network" that uses radio waves as its carrier: the last link with the users is wireless, to give a network connection to all users in the surrounding area. Areas may range from a single room in your home to an entire campus or business premises. The backbone network usually uses cables, with one or more wireless access points connecting the wireless users to the wired network. The beauty is freedom to roam with the field of the signal strength, like sitting in your garden on a sunny day or any room in your home, as well as allowing multiple users to access simultaneously.
Wires Only: Wires Only products used when talking about ADSL. Wires only allows you to buy your own ADSL modem, an engineer is not required onsite and services are generally cheaper.
WWW: WWW abbreviation for World Wide Web, in turn often abbreviated to Web.

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X

X-Window-System: X-Window-System is a distributed display technology that allows applications running on one computer to use the display (screen, keyboard and mouse) of another over the network. It is common on graphical workstations running Unix, but is also found on other operating systems

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Z

Zip: Zip is a popular data compression format. Files that have been compressed with the ZIP format are called ZIP files and usually end with a ".ZIP" extension.