You can't avoid running into "net speak" when you enter cyberspace, but don't let it stop you. Here are a few expressions that will help you get around, including some you've seen before in this Web site: Browser – a software tool that connects you to Web sites everywhere. Chat room – a continuing online conversation with a group of people on a subject of mutual interest. Cookie – a note fed to your computer by a Web site when you visit it. If you return to that site, it will "recognize" you and may have an individualized message or offer for you. "Cookies" collect information about you and what you do online. This could be helpful if, for example, you like to revisit the same gardening site to order supplies – you wouldn't have to provide information to the company again. You can stop cookies, however, by a setting in your browser. Click – what you do with the buttons on your "mouse" in order to open, save, and close files, view Web sites, and do other commands on your computer. Cursor – the arrow or bar that directs you to where you type text or use other commands. Download – an online transfer of files, pictures and software from one computer to another. Sometimes comes as an "Attachment" to an e-mail. E-mail – person-to-person communication via the Internet. Escrow service – holds your money until you confirm that you have received merchandise or services ordered. The escrow service then releases your money to the seller. This is one way to build in some protections when dealing with sites that don't take credit card payments, such as online auctions. The small fee for the escrow service may be worth the peace of mind. Filter – software that lets you screen out Web sites, chat rooms and e-mail that contain violence or pornography or other content you find objectionable. Online services may also provide filters that you can activate if desired. HTML – coded language used by Web page publishers that translates into readable text on a Web page. Link – a highlighted or underscored word on a Web page that, when clicked, links you to another page or another Web site. Also called a hyperlink. Index – a search engine tool that arranges Web sites in index form and lets you select subjects by category. Internet – the grand network of networks that links computers electronically so they can communicate in word, sound and pictures. Also called cyberspace. ISP (Internet Service Provider) – a company that connects you to the Internet. Keyword – a word typed in to access Web sites or to search the Internet for particular subject matter. Listserv – an online mailing list, such as a club membership. Subscribing to a listserv means that you continue to receive all communications sent by any members of the group. Lurking – observing a conversation in a chat room without signing in and participating. Not considered good manners. Message board – you can leave a message or ask a question and wait for others to respond online. Modem – a computer accessory that lets you link your computer to your phone line so you can communicate online. Mouse – a device that controls the movement of the cursor or pointer on a display screen. Netizen – someone who uses the Internet...a citizen of cyberspace. Netiquette – online etiquette. The tone of your online messages can be misunderstood in e-mail and chat groups. For example, some people take offense when you put lots of words in capital letters or make heavy use of exclamation points. To convey feelings with a little humor, some people use "smileys", which are letters and keyboard symbols used in a humorous way. For example: :-) is a smile. :-( is a frown. :-x is a kiss. Look at them sidewise and you'll get the idea. There are many other "emoticons" and you can invent your own. Newsgroups – a place to leave a message or a question online that others can respond to. Similar to bulletin boards and forums. Privacy policy – explanation on a Web site of how information about you may be collected and used for marketing purposes. You may wish to avoid giving information to Web sites that have unacceptable policies or none at all. Screen name – a name you use to identify yourself when you go online. Most online companies let you use more than one screen name. Also called "user name". Usually the first part of an e-mail address, followed by @ and then the name of the access provider. Search engine – an online tool that scours millions of Web sites for information you have requested and reports what it finds. Shareware – software offered free or on a trial basis either in disk form or to be downloaded by the user. Shopping bots (as in "robot") – price comparison services. You specify the type, model, manufacturer of a product and the service provides you with information about prices and where to buy the product. Some bots specialize in certain products. Software – a computer program that allows you to use your PC for word processing, calculating, to go online and for other functions. As distinguished from "hardware", which includes the computer itself. Spam – commercial e-mail you didn't ask for, usually from sources you don't know. Online companies try to limit spam because it annoys users and clogs the network. You can help detour spam by using a different screen name when you enter chat rooms. Streaming – receiving audio and video on your computer "live". URL (Uniform Resource Locator) – the Internet address of a Web site. Generally, if it's a government site, the URL will end in .gov; if it's a commercial site, it will be .com; and if it's a non-profit organization, it will end in .org. Web sites of schools end in .edu. A network of computers, .net. And a military organization, .mil. Web site – an Internet destination where you can view and retrieve data. Web master – the manager of a Web site. World Wide Web – the global network of Web sites. Also called "the Web".   Welcome • Things To Do Online • Let's Get Started • Word Savvy Web sites of Interest • Feedback • Back to CyberSavvy.org • Privacy Statement