Basic HTML Glossary

ASP - Active Server Ppages. Pages that as well as HTML, contain scripts which work on Microsoft servers. ASP is often used to link to databases so that it can dynamically create files for the user.

Attribute - An attribute is another part of a tag. In this example,
<font color="red">,
color is the attribute.

Browser - An application that enables you to view files on the internet, usually HTML files. You can use this software to view pages both online and offline. An example of a browser would be Internet Explorer.

Crack/crackz/cracking - A crack is a small program/file whose typical purpose is to make the trial version of a program into a full version. It might do this by disabling any time limit that the trial version includes. As with 'warez', this is illegal.

Comments - A comment is a section of text that is inserted into HTML (or another language's) code, basically to leave a note for yourself or to others about the code. For example, you might want to remind yourself where one section of the page begins.

Cookie - A cookie is a tiny text file (kept in Windows>Cookies if you're running Windows). Each time you visit a site the file is written to, or read from. It might contain information like the last time you visited, or if the site is an e-commerce one, hold information about the type of products you typically buy, so it can direct you towards suitable offers.

CSS - Cascading Style Sheets. CSS allows web authors/developers more flexibility and control over the content of pages. For example, one CSS file can contain formatting instructions such as color, font, font-size, etc., for an entire site. Therefore if a developer wished to change the color of all the text in a site to red, only one file needs to be changed. CSS is supported by all modern browsers.

.css - A file written in or saved as CSS.

Debug, debugging - methodically correcting code, script or programming for errors.

DHTML - Dynamic HyperText Markup Language.. This isn't really a language as such - what it describes is the use of HTML, CSS and Javascript to make 'dynamic' pages - perhaps involving animation and more visually appealing site components.

Download / downloading - The transfer of one or more files from one computer to the other. Can be done with either HTTP or FTP.

Dreamweaver - Dreamweaver is an industry-standard web design/development package produced by Macromedia. It's what's referred to as a WYSIWYG design application - it uses a visual interface so that you can see your design as you create it. Dreamweaver integrates very well with Fireworks and Flash, and can automate many JavaScript and DHTML functions.

Elements - An element is the main part of a tag. In this example -
<font color="red">
font is the element.

E-commerce - in essence, online shopping and retail. We recommend setting up a OS Commerce (open source/free software) store, and have the store customized to your design (we have hundreds to choose from).

Eudora - is an popular alternative to Microsoft's Outlook e-mail client.

Exchange E-Mail Hosting - Outlook 2003 provides an integrated solution for managing and organizing e-mail messages, schedules, tasks, notes, contacts, and other information. Outlook 2003 delivers innovations you can use to manage your communications, organize your work, and work better with others—all from one place. This solution costs about $7/month and allows you to access your e-mail in the same way, wherever you are. In other words, the server maintains a copy of your e-mail messages, personal contacts, calendar and more. Contact us for more information about setting up this account for you.

Firefox - Mozilla Firefox has some features that distinguish it from other browsers like Internet Explorer. However, it lacks many features found in other browsers, in an effort to combat interface bloat and to allow the browser to be shipped as a small, pared-down core easily customizable to meet individual users' needs. Instead of providing all features in the standard distribution, Firefox relies on the extension system to allow users to modify the browser according to their requirements.

Fireworks - Fireworks is a graphics application produced by Macromedia. It was developed especially for making and treating graphics for use on the web, and as such is especially good at image optimization and slicing.

.fla - .fla files are native to Macromedia Flash. This is the file extension used when creating these files (as opposed to .swf when they are exported).

Flash - Flash is an animation/interactivity application developed by Macromedia. It allows web authors to create scalable animations and to develop highly interactive, visually appealing sites. To view Flash pages, the user must have the Flash plugin installed - nearly all modern browers come with this installed as standard.

Freeware - Freeware is software that is available for free, and can be freely passed on and distributed.

FTP - File Transfer Protocol. A method of data transfer that is used to download and upload files computer to computer. For example, uploading HTML files to the server which holds your site.

.gif - Graphics Interchange Format. It is a method of image compression to make them suitable for use on the web. This format is most suited to images that involve bold areas of color, such as logos, cartoons, etc. It is not suited to complicated images such as photographs. GIF's can also be animated (i.e. a sequence of images).

GoLive - GoLive is a visual web design application developed by Adobe. It is their equivalent to Macromedia's Dreamweaver.

Homesite - Homesite is a web-authoring package developed by Allaire. It is especially good for people who prefer to hand-code their HTML and Javascript. It includes tools such as validators and spell-checkers.

Hotmail - Hotmail is the world's most popular web-based email service. A web-based email service means you can log in to your account from any internet-connected computer in the world, and isn't tied to your Internet Service Provider. There are many e-mail solutions, but this is the biggest free service.

A more robust service is MS Outlook 2003 hosted on an Exchange Server. This solution costs about $7/month and allows you to access your e-mail in the same way, wherever you are. In other words, the server maintains a copy of your e-mail messages, personal contacts, calendar and more. Contact us for more information about setting up this account for you.

HTML - Hypertext Markup Language. The language used to create web-pages.

.html, .htm - Files written or saved as HTML. .htm is the native file format for Dreamweaver.

HTTP - Hypertext Transfer Protocol. A method of data transfer (or protocol, meaning a set of rules) which is used on the internet. Hence the http:// prefix to a website.

Internet Explorer - A web browser developed by Microsoft, comes as standard with the Windows operating system. Explorer is supposedly the world's most popular browser, some estimate as much as 80% of users are running Explorer 5.

IP - Internet Protocol - Internet Protocol is a set of rules which allows information to be travelled from computer to computer.

IP Number/ IP Address - Internet Protocol Number - every computer on the internet has an IP number assigned to it. If the computer is on a dialup modem (i.e. has to 'dial in' each time they want to use the internet) this number changes each time (what's known as a Dynamic IP.) If the user is on a cable or ADSL modem this number sometimes stays the same (known as a Static IP).; An example of an IP number would be 218.102.113.12.

ISP - Internet Service Provider - The company that you pay (or don't pay) to connect to the internet with. For example, Freeserve, Tiscali, BT Internet.

Java - Java is a compiled, cross-platform programming language often used to create 'applets' (small programs) for use on the internet.

Javascript - Javascript is a scripting language deisgned to make web-sites more interactive and dynamic. For example, Javascript allows you to create rollovers, where an image changes to another when the mouse is moved over it.

.jpeg - Joint Photographic Experts Group. It is a system of image compression that was developed for photographs. This is the best format to use if your image is a photo, or contains many colors or gradients.

Link - a section of text, an image (or part of an image) that has been coded to create a 'hyperlink' - which when clicked on takes the user to a different page (or part of a page), site, or an image. Links can also be used to trigger JavaScript functions, for example closing the current window.

META Tags - META Tags are hidden text placed in the HEAD section of your HTML page that are used by most major search engines to index your site based on your keywords and descriptions.  It is very important to use META Tags as well as a good TITLE if you expect to be found in most search engines. Here is a good tool for creating these tags: http://www.photonfx.net/metagen.php

Mouseover - a mouseover is a Javscript event, which describes what happens when the user moves their mouse over a certain area of the screen. This is most commonly used to describe the changing of one image to another.

Netscape - Netscape developed the Navigator browser. The latest version of this is called simply 'Netscape 6'.

Notepad - Notepad is the 'bare-bones' text-editor that comes with the Windows operating system. You can use this to write (amongst others) HTML files.

Opera - is an 'alternative' web browser. It's increasing popularity is perhaps due to its compact file size and it's speed when running - it's reputed to be the fastest browser available. You can find out more here.

Offline - not connected to the internet.

Online - connected to the internet.

Outlook and Outlook Express - E-mail clients developed by Microsoft. Outlook is part of the Office suite of applications.

Paint Shop Pro - Paint Shop Pro (PSP) is a cheaper alternative to expensive software such as Photoshop. It's developed by JASC and is especially suited to making images suitable for web use.

PayPal - PayPal is an account-based system that lets anyone with an email address securely send and receive online payments using their credit card or bank account. It is the most popular way to electronically pay for eBay auctions and it is becoming a cheap way for merchants to accept credit cards on their on-line storefronts instead of using a traditional payment gateway

PERL - Practical Extraction Language - a language used to run programs on a web server, such as dealing with and processing forms, or guestbooks and hit counters.

Photoshop - Photoshop is the industry-standard graphics application developed by Adobe. The program is extensively used in the production, creation, manipulation and optimization of images for both web and print.

PHP - 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.

Plugin - An 'addon' to a browser, usually one that lets the viewer see additional content or sound. The most popular example being the Macromedia Flash plugin.

.psd - .psd files are native to Adobe Photoshop. These include information about the image, such as layers. .psd files can not be used on the web.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - The term used to describe the marketing technique of preparing a website to enhance its chances of being ranked in the top results of a search engine once a relevant search is undertaken. A number of factors are important when optimizing a website, including the content and structure of the website's copy and page layout, the HTML meta-tags and the submission process.

When we build a new web site, we first focus on "organic" search engine placement based on quality content. Second, we consult with you on your goals. Do you want to be the first listing on Google for certain search terms, or is it okay if your company comes up as the second result on Google? Third, what is your ongoing commitment to these goals? Do you have a budget for PPC? Do you want to manage the campaign yourself? Whatever your web placement goals are, we can help you achieve them.

Here is a web site with SEO information. If you're interested in how to improve your search engine ranking/page rank, we suggest that you subscribe to their newsletter. One of the best sources for SEO knowledge is Brucy Clay. This web site presents the art and science of search engine placement in a simple to understand, step-by-step process. Pictured at right is the SEO Relationship Chart that explains how search engines are related.

Server - A server is a computer dedicated to storing and 'hosting' the files of one or more web-sites. The server is where you would upload the files of your site to.

.swf - .swf is the file format that Macromedia Flash files appear in when exported (ready for web use).

Tags - Tags are the basis of markup languages such as HTML. They give the 'interpreter' (for example a web browser) instructions on how to display or render the material between them.

TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol. (Pronounced Tee-see-pip.) This is the method that a computer on the internet uses to 'talk', or communicate with, another.

Tooltip - A tooltip is a small amount of text that is displayed when the user hovers the mouse over an element of an application. This text might inform the user what a button is for, for example.

.txt - A 'plain' text file. This is the native file format of Notepad.

Upload / uploading - The transfer of one or more files from your computer to another. This can be done using either HTTP or FTP. For example, to get your web-site files online, you would first need to upload them to a server.

URL - Uniform Resource Locator. A web address, such as 'http://www.MyComputerAtWork.com'.

Visual Basic - Programming language developed by Microsoft. Most popular programming/developing language.

VBScript - Visual Basic Script. Scripting language developed by Microsoft.

WAP - Wireless Application Protocol. The method of data transfer to wireless devices, like mobile phones, PDAs, etc. The mobile equivalent of IP.

WML - Wireless Markup Language. This is a version of XML that is used to create pages for viewing on WAP (wireless) devices, such as mobile phones or PDAs.

.wml - A file written in or saved as WML.

WML Script - WML Script serves a similar purpose to Javscript - that is, to enhance interactive possibilites with the user in WAP pages, such as on mobile phones.

WYSIWIG - What You See Is What You Get. - Prounounced "wis-ee-wig". This acronym relates to web-design tools (such as Dreamweaver) which use a design interface that allows you to see how the page will appear as you work on it.

XHTML - Extensible HyperText Markup Language. Basically a combination of XML and HTML, this is like HTML but with an XML syntax. For example, any tag which doesn't have a closing tag must be closed within itself, e.g. <br />.

XML - Extensible Markup Language. - A markup language (like HTML is) which describes the data it contains. XML is very good for transferring data between applications and systems.

.xml - A file written in, or saved as, XML.