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Administrative privileges	The administrator is the name of the person who maintains a system and makes changes. You have administrative access to your own computer, but you may not have all administrative privileges for your work computer—in an office or academic environment, the administrator is usually an IT person, who you’ll need to call to help you install plug-ins and new software.
Application	A term often used to mean roughly the same thing as "software program"— though sometimes it means a customized software program or one that runs only in a certain environment. An application is used to accomplish (i.e., applied to ) a certain task. A word processing program, such as Microsoft Word, is a type of application.
Asynchronous	Occurring at no specific, pre-ordained time—asynchronous activities happen when each participant individually chooses to participate. A threaded discussion board is an asynchronous forum.
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Blackboard	A Web application that runs on the World Wide Web, offering some functions of both learning management and content management systems. Blackboard is a leading system used by academic institutions. HCO uses Blackboard.
Blog	Besides being a fun word to say, a blog is basically a journal that is available on the Web. It derives from the term "Web log." The activity of updating a blog is "blogging" and someone who keeps a blog is a "blogger." Are you a blogger?
Bookmark	A bookmark on the Web saves your place, much like a physical bookmark in a book does. When you "bookmark" a page, you tell your computer to remember that page's Web address (URL), so that you can go back to it easily, without having to type in the URL again. Each browser has an easy method of saving URLs to create bookmarks. You can manage your bookmarks by sorting them into folders that you name. When you save a bookmark in one browser, it is only saved to that browser. If you have more than one browser on your computer, you can create different collections of bookmarks in each one.
Broadband connection	A type of Internet connection that transmits data at high speed so that it can carry multiple voice, video or data quickly. You would pay for a broadband Internet to access the Internet though a cable connection. If you're accessing the Internet from an office building, you have a type of very fast broadband connection called a T1 or T3. (Note: If you don't have a broadband connection, you have a dial-up or DSL connection through your phone lines.)
Browser	A computer program that allows you to "browse" and interact with material on the World Wide Web. Netscape Navigator, Firefox, and Internet Explorer are popular browsers.
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Chatroom	An online synchronous environment where you can "chat" with others in real time. Think of it as a place to meet people on the Internet instead of going to a physical, real place—it's a virtual place. Lately, chatrooms have been getting bad press, but in an virtual university environment they’re an excellent medium for dialog.
Cohort	A group of students who experience their (distance/online) education together as a group. Often the cohort will meet face to face on a scheduled basis, but undertake other instruction individually, perhaps online. A class could be a cohort, or there could be several cohorts in a class.
Content management system	Technology that works with Web servers to dynamically create Web pages from centrally stored content. Blackboard is a content management system: it allows your instructors to input content one way and displays that content to you another way, identifying you based on your login information.
Cookie	In computer terms, not a tasty treat, but a a piece of information sent by a Web server to your browser (e.g. Netscape). Cookies can record logins, registration identification, user preferences, etc. The browser saves the information on your computer, and sends it back to the Web server whenever you return to the Web site. The Web server may use the cookie to customize the display it sends to you, or it may keep track of the different pages within the site you're accessed. Browsers can be configured to alert the user when a cookie is being sent, or to refuse to accept cookies. Cookie information is what recognizes whether you are logged in or not—because of that, some sites can’t be accessed unless the browser accepts cookies. Some cookies distributed by marketing companies are considered "spyware," collecting information as you surf the Web and sending it back to the marketing company as research. You may not want them to have all that information!
Crash	Just like a car, your computer can crash and come to a complete unanticipated halt. Sometimes, this is also called a "freeze." This will happen if you try opening too many windows or applications, especially if you don't have enough memory.
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Data	Distinct pieces of information. For example, the color "red" is a piece of data, that may be in a larger database about colors.
Dial-up	A type of Internet connection. With this type of connection, your computer uses the phone line to get online—think of it as your computer calling the Internet; and the Internet accepting the call. Dial-up is a type of service you need to pay for, but it’s slower and less expensive than DSL or broadband.
Discussion board	Any online "bulletin board" where you can leave messages and where you can see responses.
Distance learning	Education that serves students not physically located at the parent institution. The students may be located at one or several "satellite" location(s), such as a video conference class connecting a teacher at one institution to two cohorts, one in the Midwest US and one in Switzerland. Distance learning does not have to be electronic—correspondence by snail mail or teleconference, or any other way of connecting learners, is also distance learning. Ideally, a program blends all the formats that work best for its content and student population.
Domain name	Another term for Web address (URL).
Double click	To press your mouse button two times quickly in a row. This action has different results than clicking once, depending on where you are (a file list requires double-clicking to open a file; a toolbar will open an application if you click just once). Do not double-click unless necessary! If you double-click a toolbar, you open two instances of the same program, clogging up your computers memory and possibly crashing it.
Download and Install	Uploading and downloading are simply terms used to describe the process of moving files from one computer to another—and having those files locally on your machine. Downloading: For example, if you found a piece of software, on the Internet, you would begin by clicking on the link, getting a file location dialog box, and choosing a location on your computer. Then with a single click, you'd choose to save the file; the software would download to the location you’d chosen, and you could begin installing it. Installing: Simply go to the location on your computer you've downloaded the software. Double click the file and follow the onscreen instructions for installing the software.
DSL	A type of Internet connection (digital subscriber line). A method for moving data at high speeds over regular phone lines. A DSL circuit is much faster than a regular phone connection, even though the wires coming into the subscriber's premises are the same (copper) wires used for regular phone service.
Database	A collection of information organized in such a way that a computer program can quickly select desired pieces of data. Think of a database as an electronic filing system. For example, you could have a database consisting of different types of foods, sports, or city information. And a program could pull together sets of data from the various databases to show for instance what foods and sports are popular in the city of Boston.
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E-mail	Electronic mail, a system of sending messages through the Internet. Also spelled without the hyphen: email.
Emoticon	A fun facial expression represented either by graphics or symbols on your keyboard. For example, a smile could be represented by a colon and a right parenthesis :) Emotions are a casual way to help set the tone you're trying to type.
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File extension	An indicator of what format a file uses—often, of which application created it. (For example, a Microsoft Word document has an extension of ".doc.") A file extension is preceded by a period and three letters. To see a list of extensions and their associated applications, visit: http://www.mantex.co.uk/ou/t171/t171-05.htm
Firewall	A type of filter— figuratively an electronic wall that determines whether to allow certain types of information through to its destination. There are a number of firewall screening methods and programs. Microsoft Windows comes with a firewall that you may have turned on or off when you set up your computer. To check, click on the Start button in the lower left corner, then Settings > Control Panel > Network Connections. Then with your cursor over the icon "Local Area connection",” press the right button on your mouse and select "Properties." Click the last tab ("Advanced") and then the button: "Settings." You will then see if the firewall for Windows is on or off. You may have other firewall applications on if you are connecting from your workplace. You should ask your computer administrator if any administrative privileges have to be reconfigured.
Flash	The behind-the-scenes code responsible for a lot of the animation and interactivity you see on Web pages. As a Web surfer, you don’t need to know about Flash unless your browser has a problem running it. Older browsers may require a “'plug-in,” a piece of code on your computer that runs Flash. The newer browsers automatically come with Flash. If you have an older browser that doesn't already have Flash, you will be asked to download it.
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GUI	Graphical user interface. It's pronounced gooey, like something sticky, but actually, it's the most commonly used computer interface. Microsoft Windows and MacOS both have GUIs. Typical elements of a GUI are a mouse interface and a system of visual directories that look like file folders. Unless you’re typing text commands into a terminal at a caret prompt, looking at a bunch of text scrolling up the screen, you’re using a GUI.
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Hacker	A slang term for a computer enthusiast. A hacker in the most common Internet sense is an outsider who finds a way to break in and make someone else’s computer operate other than what it was originally programmed to do. Among professional programmers, the term also implies an amateur or a programmer who lacks formal training. To hack code in a professional context could mean write non-standard code that is not necessarily elegant but gets the program to do what the programmer needs it to do.
Hardware	The mechanical and electronic parts of a computer, not the software, which is the programming.
Host	In a restaurant, the host seats many guests. Similarly a host is any computer on a network that provides services to other computers on the network. It is quite common to have one host machine provide several services, such as email and Web. For example, host refers specifically to the machine (acting as a server) where a Web site resides.
HTML	(HyperText Markup Language) The coding language used to create hypertext documents for use on the World Wide Web. HTML looks a lot like old-fashioned typesetting code, where you surround a block of text with codes that indicate how it should appear, In HTML you can specify that a block of text, or a word, is linked to another file on the Internet.
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Icon	A small picture or symbol that represents some object or function—a small picture of a file folder for a directory, a rectangle with a bent corner for a file, or a miniature illustration for a program.
Instructor-led	The more traditional model in which a teacher directs the student's progress at every stage. The opposite of this approach is self-paced.
Intranet	A private network inside a company or organization, which uses software like that used on the Internet but is for internal use only and is not accessible to the public. Companies use intranets to manage projects, provide employee information, distribute data, etc.
IT	Information Technology (though sometimes its used to stand for Instructional Technology instead). IT is a professional field, people who work in IT work with computers. Technology companies have various IT departments, some which might focus on hardware while others focus on software.
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Jenzabar/Teams Elite	The registration and accounting software used at Hebrew College. Jenzabar includes some Web interface tools such as advising modules and online registration that Hebrew College is working to put in place to increase your online access to your student information. Your student ID number is your key in this system, which is why it is always included in your "Welcome to the Semester" letter and any administrative correspondence from the college such as class schedules, invoices, or transcripts.
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Keyboard	As the name implies, a keyboard is basically a board of keys. Along with the mouse, the keyboard is one of the primary input devices used with a computer.
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Learning object	An example or lesson that can be repurposed in different contexts where it's relevant. For example, one science teacher could link to a page that has a animation of how acid rain works. This animation is a learning object that other science teachers could use to explain the concept.
Learning management system	Blackboard is an example of an LMS. It's an all in one application package that provides various built-in features. For example, this software has features such as class enrollment, student, tracking, bulletin boards, etc.
Learning unit	Topics arranged in Blackboard are made up of Blackboard "learning units." When you enter a unit, you see only the first page of material. You must look above the content for the small back and forward arrows that allow you to navigate. There is also a "contents" button you can click to see a clickable list of all the pages in that topic, which you can use to navigate directly to any page.
Live Classroom	A software application which creates a synchronous virtual classroom. Instructors invite the students to discuss lessons they've been studying asynchronously. This way students can get immediate answers to questions they've had. Click the Live Classroom site link to visit the Live Classroom.
LOL	An example of shorthand used in a chatroom—stands for laugh out loud.
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Mac	Short for “Macintosh"—a popular model of computer made by Apple Computer introduced in 1984. Its main rival is Microsoft Windows PC.
Modem	A device that converts data to a form that can be transmitted by telephone, etc.
Mouse	Not a four-footed, tailed creature, but a device that (besides the keyboard) is the main input device for computers.
MP3	A compressed audio format. This format is popular for downloading across the Internet. Sound files may be labeled as "*.mp3".
Multimedia	A word coined in the 1920s with the advent of nationwide radio networks, mass-circulation newspapers, and magazines, all of which reach people through various means. So, multimedia is a combination of different formats—in the case of the Web, it’s usually text, graphics, animation, audio, and video.
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Newbie	A novice to the online world or computers in general. Are you a newbie?
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Online learning	An education program that serves students by providing instruction (and other academic services) through Internet technologies, especially the World Wide Web. This is an example of a distance learning program— not all distance learning programs will be online programs.
Operating system	Software that communicates with hardware, enabling applications to run. Windows XP is an example of an operating system. Well, until it crashes and you restart your computer, and no longer operates. Often referred to by the acronym "OS." What's your OS? The answer would be the platform and the version number or letter designation (e.g., Windows 3.1; Windows XP).
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Peripheral	This noun used to be an adjective. Now it can be used to refer to any equipment linked to a computer [eg: printer, scanner, modem, mouse etc]
Platform	Like an actual platform, this is the technical foundation for a computer’s activities. Operating systems (e.g., Windows, Mac OS, UNIX) can be described as platforms.
Plug-in	A small piece of software you download off the Internet and “plug in” to a larger application, adding features or functions to that application. Plug-ins enable browsers to play audio and video, for example.
Popup blockers	Sometimes called a pop-up killer, a pop-up blocker prevents pop-up windows from displaying. Pop-up blockers are useful because they screen out ads; however, they sometimes stop legitimate pop-ups from displaying.
Popup windows	A pop-up window is a new browser window created (launched or opened), either by the user clicking a button or link, or automatically when a Webpage is first viewed (loaded).
Portal	A Web site that is or is intended to be the first place people see when using the Web. Typically, a portal site has a catalog of Web sites or other service to entice people to use it as their main "point of entry" (hence "portal"). For example, Yahoo.com is a portal page to view either news, weather, sports, etc.
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Queue	To avoid any confusion, this term is pronounced exactly like the letter "Q". Go ahead say it aloud, it's fun :) A queue is a list of jobs that are waiting to be processed. When a job (for example a document being sent to a printer) is sent to a queue, it is simply added to that list of jobs.
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RAM	Abbreviation for Random Access Memory. Sometimes just called memory. This is part of a computer (hardware) for (temporary) storing of data. It goes away when you switch off off your computer. Various applications on your computer use RAM in order to run. If you have too many applications open, and not enough RAM, your computer may crash.
Router	A device that determines the next network point to which a data packet should be forwarded en route to its destination. The router is connected to at least two networks and determines which way to send each data packet based on its current understanding of the state of the networks it is connected to. Routers create or maintain a table of the available routes and use this information to determine the best route for a given data packet.
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Scanner	A type of peripheral. Like a photocopier, a scanner captures an image of a paper document (e.g., a photo, pages in a printed book); instead of printing a reproduction, though, a scanner lets you save the electronic images it produces on your computer.
Search Engine	Think of a search engine as a car engine, something that runs to get you where you would like to go on the Web. It travels ( searches) to locate information on the World Wide Web by keywords you're entered to find Web sites which contain the information sought.
Self-paced	Self-paced elements step the student through a process of instruction without an instructor's involvement. The opposite of this approach is instructor-led.
Server	A machine whose prime purpose is to provide services such as files, applications, etc., to individual computer users. This machine centrally locates all the files, for example, Web pages that all users across the world can see.
Single-click	The process of pressing your mouse button one time. Just once!
Software	The generic category name for programs, routines, etc., that run on a computer . This includes operating systems as well as applications such as Microsoft office or Microsoft Word. A browser is also a piece of software.
Spyware	Just what it sounds like: programs or cookies that act as spies, transmitting personal information. Spyware often launches pop-up windows filled with ads, that will make your computer run slower. Anti-spyware software, like the program available at http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/ can help protect your computer.
Streaming	Think of a river and information traveling down that river. Streaming is a technology for transmitting electronic information in a stream, rather than in a complete package. This technology has enabled more accessible Internet audio and video. Audio, and especially video, files tend to be large, which makes downloading and accessing them as a complete package a very time-consuming operation. With streaming technology, however, the files can be downloaded and accessed at the same time, which makes using them much faster and easier.
Synchronous	Synchronous activities occur at a specific scheduled moment in real time, e.g. a prescheduled video conference. The opposite of asynchronous.
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Threaded discussions	Posts and replies on a discussion board that are arranged so that you can see which posts follow which other posts—so that you can follow the many threads of the discussion. For example, a post titled “Is Bush a good president?” might get a number of replies and replies to those replies; ultimately the conversation might have several branches, as people discussed particular responses to the original post.
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Upload	To transmit data from your computer to a server (central collection of files). For example, your instructor will have uploaded your Blackboard course files (documents, images, etc.) for all the students to read. If you ever attach a photo in an e-mail program, you’re uploading the picture to the e-mail server that sends out your message and photo.
URL	The address of a page on the World Wide Web. For example, www.hebrewcollege.edu. Think of an URL like a house address: it's a unique identifier showing where a Web site lives.
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Videoconferencing	Technology that allows two or more locations to conference with two-way video and voice communications.
Virtual classroom	Technology that allows online students to "meet" online. This can be either synchronous or asynchronous
Virtual cohort	A cohort that "meets" online rather than face to face.
Virus	A program or piece of code that is created by hackers to load onto your computer without your knowledge and run against your wishes. It makes your computer in essence, "sick" and run not as well as it should. Most viruses also have ways to replicate themselves and spread to other computers, for example by using your email address book, much like spreading germs or a cold for people.
Voice-over-IP	Technology that allows full voice communication over the Internet, not requiring the use of a dedicated telephone line. Also called VOIP. For example, Skype allows you to talk to someone around the world through your computer and headset if the other person has a Skype account as well.
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Webmaster	Someone who manages a Web site. He or she is the master of their domain.
Windows	A brand name operating system. (Microsoft's operating system). The operating system is named "windows" to create a metaphor between the 'windows' you see onscreen for accessing each program you run. It's important to understand how to "move between windows." Think of papers you have stacked on your desk for example a gas bill, a phone bill, a credit card bill. The gas bill is on top, but if you look underneath the gas bill, you can still find all the bills you opened. Similarly the Windows task bar across the bottom lists all the windows you have open, so you can find what you’re looking for and bring it to the top by clicking on it.
Wizard	The name wizard evokes a magical person who helps you skip drab details and accomplish your goals. A software wizard is an interactive utility that helps you through the steps required to complete a complex task. For example, you can try the Live Classroom wizard to see if your computer can be set up to run Live Classroom.
WWW	An abbreviation for "World Wide Web. " Each Web site address starts out with a www in front of the address to indicate is a Web site that available worldwide at anytime.
WYSIWYG	An abbreviation for "What you see is what you get."
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	No current entries for the letter X.
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YGBKM	An example of chatroom shorthand and stands for You've got to be kidding me.
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ZIP	If you see a file with the file extension ".zip" that file has been compressed in what's called a ZIP format. A Zip file is a file that has lots of files in it. Think of it as a file-cabinet containing lots of individual files. If you've downloaded a zipped file to your computer you can double-click on the file to open it. The process of opening a zip is called "extracting" the files. You’ll need a program like WinZip to do this; visit the WinZip site for a free version of this software.