Attachment:  A file that is linked to and sent with an e-mail message.  Attachments can contain any type of file:  a spreadsheet, graphics, sound, or program (this is how you can attach pictures to e-mail messages).

Bookmark:  A shortcute to an internet site.  Boomarks can be stored and accessed via Web browsers and other Interent programs.

BPS (Bits Per Second):  A speed rating for computer modems that measures the mazimum number of bits per second that can be transferred over a standard telephone line under ideal conditions.

Cache:  An area of a computer's hard disk in which the text and graphics of Web pages opened by a Web browser are stored.  When you revisit a Web page, the Web browser looks in the cache to see if it can retrieve the data fro the page instead of having to download it again.

Chat:  A conversation on the Internet, between tow or more people, in real time.  Users type their part of the conversation at the keyboard.

Cookie:  A short string of text, containing information relating to your activity at a particular Web site, that is dloadd to your hard disk and accessed the next time you visit that site.

Download:  The proces of transferring a file from a remote computer to your computer.

Electronic Mail (E-mail):  A system for sending messages between computers that are linked electronically over a network.

E-mail Address:  An identifier that allows e-mail to be delivered to the correct computer or user.

Freeware:  Software that is distributed on the Internet for free use and redistribution, but the author retains copyright.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol):  A protocol for transferring files on the Internet between all types of computers.

Gopher:  A menu-based system that enables you to browse and retrieve files from Gopher servers.

Home Page:  The introductory page on a Web site.  It usually contains a table of contents for teh site and provides hot links to other pages.

Hot Link:  A shortcut that links to other web pages or internet sites.

HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language):  The formatting language used to create Web pages.

HTTP (Hyper Text Transport Protocol):  The protocol used to retrieve documents that are pointed to by hypertect links on Webpages.  These documents could be located anywhere on the Internet.

Hypertext:  Text taht contains links to other parks of a docuent, or to documents held on another computer.

ISP (internet service provider):  A commercial Company that provides access to the Internet for a Fee.

Java:  A programming language tht is used, among other things, to embed small programs in Web pages.

Modem:  An electronic device that allows remote computers to communicate with each other via a telephone line.

Netiquette:  The unwritten code of conduct for the proper and polite usage of the Internet.

Newbie:  A user who is new to the Internet.

Newgroups:  Internet discussion groups, devoted to specific topics, in which people can post comments or information.

Plug-in:  A program that adds features to a program such as a Web browser, so that it can handle files types containing, for example, 3-D and multimedia elements.

Protocol:  A set of rules that two computers must follow when they communicate.

Search Engine:  Software that searches for Specific information or files on the Internet, based on the criteria you give it.

Web page:  A single page on a web site that usually can display text, graphics, sound, video, animation, and interactive elemnts.

Web site:  Although this actually refers to a computer that stores Web pages, the term is commonly usd as a synonym for a collection of Web pages.

World Wide Web:  the collection of web sites on the Internet.