A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Scanner
A device which scans images or printed material and converts them into a digital format which the computer can then process. Scanned images can be used in desktop publishing or added to web pages.
Search engine
A search engine is usually a website which allows you to search the internet for information. The search engine lists results that relate to your search phrase. For example, inputting 'Eastenders'; would bring up a list of sites on the web containing information and news on the residents of Albert Square.
Secure
A method of sending or storing information that is encrypted or security protected to prevent unauthorised users accessing it.
Server
A powerful computer which holds data to be shared over a network or over the internet. When you get a web page it is being sent to you by a server.
Shareware
Software which is free or almost free to try out. Shareware often has a 'free trial' period during which time you can test and use the program. After this, payment is required, but it is usually quite cheap.
Shockwave
A plug-in which gives you access to interactive multimedia on the world wide web. Often used to make CD-Roms it can be used to combine animation, video and audio into games or presentations.
Shopping Cart
The internet equivalent of a shopping trolley. On an online shopping site you choose what items you want and add them to your on-screen shopping cart by indicating what items you want. These stay in your cart until you check out.
Signature file
A small file of text which can be automatically added to every e-mail message you send. It usually contains details such as your name and e-mail address, but may also be your job title or a favourite quote. It is sometimes called a ".sig".
SMTP
The internet protocol for the sending and receiving of e-mail over the internet.
Snail mail
A jokey term used by techie folk for the conventional postal service because it is slow compared to e-mail.
Software
Any programs such as word processors, e-mail applications or internet browsers.
Sound Card
A piece of hardware inside your computer which you plug headphones or external speakers into.
Source
The code a web page is written in. This is usually HTML but may also involves CGI, Java or Java Script as well. You can view the HTML source code of a web page by clicking on the "View Source" menu option in your browser.
Spam
Junk e-mail sent to many people at once, usually involving advertising or offering services. Spam is very deeply frowned upon by most internet users, and where it involves advertising or a false return address it is particularly disliked.
Splash Page
A web page which the visitor sees while the rest of a website is loading. It is usually an animated design and often offers the visitor the choice of "skipping" this intro or watching the rest of the movie.
Spyware
Software that you install on your computer, often without you realising, that sends information on your software and internet usage to outside companies.
Streaming
When a sound or video file is played at almost the same time it is being sent from a website. In this way you don't have to wait for a clip to download, you just watch it as it downloads.
StuffIt
Macintosh software used for compressing files (making them take up less memory) so making them quicker to send over the internet. StuffIt files usually have the file extension .sit.
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