Term

In the context of electronic mail at U.Va., an alias is an alternate address that can be used to address email messages to an individual. Aliases are usually assigned because they are easier to remember than a U.Va. Computing ID. For example, mst3k@virginia.edu might have the email alias mystery@virginia.edu.

For purposes of the CSS course, electronic communications should be thought of as the exchange of information from one computer to another. These exchanges usually happen because one person requests the information from an automated system or because one person is sending information to another.

Electronic mail is a form of electronic communications wherein a person uses a mail program (called a client) to compose a message that is sent to specific address via established protocols. That address might be the address of an individual or the address of an email mailing list.

Hypertext Markup Language is the codes that are inserted into a file of information to tell a web browser (like Netscape or Internet Explorer) how to display the information in a document. HTML allows you to insert links to other relevant pieces of information via connections called hyperlinks.

Internet Messaging Access Protocol is a definition of how an email client can access messages stored on a server as if the messages were on the client's own computer.

The Internet is a global network linking millions of computers together for communications purposes.**

An electronic mail mailing lists is used to send a message to a group of people by specifying only one address. The people who are members of the list usually share a common interest or purpose. Only those individuals who are subscribed to the list will receive the messages addresses to the list.

U.Va. has the majordomo mailing list program. Other mailing list programs include listserv and listproc.

Majordomo is a computer program that manages electronic mail mailing lists. While a program like Microsoft Word does word processing and a program like Simeon or Eudora is used to send email messages, majordomo manages both the maintenance of mailing lists and the distribution of messages to members of the lists it mananges.

Just as there are commonly accepted practices for behavior among peoples of various cultures, there are also commonly accepted practices for behavior in the electronic community. Netiquette (short for Network Etiquette) is a term used to talk about these practices, which include making certain that your message is conveyed in a responsible manner, taking into account the personal rights of others.

Post Office Protocol is a definition of how a mail client like Eudora or Netscape can access messages on a mail server like the Central Mail Service at U.Va. With the Post Office Protocol, the mail client will visit the server and download the messages from the server to the local computer on which the mail client is running. The messages are then processed and stored on the local computer.

A search engine is a computer program that allows you to find information. The information might be stored in a database or on the World Wide Web. Yahoo, Alta Vista, Excite, Infoseek are common search engines on the World Wide Web.

Simeon is an email client at U.Va. that is support by ITC and that uses IMAP to access messages on the Central Mail Service.

URL, which stands for Universal Resource Locator, is the address of a web site on the internet. The URL of the ITCWeb web site is: http://www.itc.virginia.edu/.

The Library's on-line catalog system is named VIRGO. The Library has numerous resources that can be used by faculty, staff and students.

A web browser is a computer program that you use to access information on the World Wide Web. Most web browsers allow you to display not only text but also to see pictures and hear sounds or view movies. You can move from web site to web site by clicking on links that are displayed on the pages. Netscape and Internet Explorer are web browsers commonly used in the U.Va. community.

A web editor is a software program that allows you to create, edit, and maintain web pages via a graphical interface on your personal computer. Their use is similar to the use of a word processor. Dream Weaver, FrontPage 98, and Page Composer are commonly used web editors. For a detailed web editor comparison, refer to the following web site: http://www.itc.virginia.edu/desktop/web/
comparison.html

The World Wide Web (WWW) is the public information that is available on computers all over the world through the internet.

 "Whois" is a term commonly used at U.Va., which refers to a database that contains name and department information for many members of the U.Va. community. It also contains telephone and registered email addresses for some members of the community.

WYSIWYG is an acronym for "What you see is what you get." It is pronounced wizzy-wig and refers to the ability to get an exact match between what is seen on-screen and what is seen when the file is printed. It is normally used in reference to programs offering graphical user interface (GUI) capabilities.*