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Glossary2
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market order An order in the market to buy or sell an equity at the best available offer, as opposed to a limit order that imposes a limit on the price. (See limit order)
menu A text or graphic screen that lists choices for the user, which can be selected by pointing with a cursor and pressing a button.
meta-list A list of lists of Web sites or a large directory with links to other Web sites -- the Internet yellow pages, like Yahoo!, for example.
Modulator-Demodulator (modem) An electronic device in your computer that lets you transmit data Internet data over a phone line.
multimedia A composite medium that combines text, audio, and video for communications or for representation of environments.
Mulitpurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) A method of transmitting information, like pictures, in particular formats, over the Internet.
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Netscape One of the popular navigators of the Internet.
network computer A very basic and in-expensive computer designed to rely on a server to store all the information it needs.
nonlinear Literally, not linear.
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object oriented programming In contrast to procedural programming, a kind of programming that clusters events, functions, and properties with a reference object.
off-line Not online.
off-line browser A computer program that can translate HTML into readable text and pictures but doesn't need to be connected to a network.
online A service connected to a network that provides access to a database using telephone lines or broadcast.
online course An instruction course given online, using either synchronous or asynchronous communication facilities, connected to a server that acts as a repository for course information and as a mechanism for facilitating communication.
online investing Using the facilities and services of the Internet to buy and sell stocks, bonds, and other securities.
operating system The software which, when run on a computer, makes up the platform for program operations. It is the essential software that runs all the other (application) software.
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paradigm shift A major change in the way we think about things -- a different example or model of what occurs.
perception skills Same as information acquisition skills, in contrast to motor skills. Skills in acquiring information.
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) A hand-held computer about the size of large calculators that can now send email.
platform The combination of hardware and operating system software that defines an installed base for users of a given piece of software.
platform independent A piece of software that should work on a computer no matter what operating system it has.
plug-in A piece of software used as part of a Web browser to extend the browsers capabilities. Plug-ins perform tasks that the Web browser cannot, e.g. a plug-in can be used to play sound files or show a video.
Point to Point Protocol (PPP) A communications protocol used with a modem that allows user computers to communicate with their local Internet Service Provider.
portable A program is said to be portable if it is platform independent or it can easily be altered to run on different platforms.
protocol A set of rules that govern how information being transmitted is to be formatted.
proxy server A proxy server is a computer connected to the Internet that will accept requests from computers without direct connection that wish to access the Internet.
public domain software Software that anyone can copy or use free of charge.
pull-down menu A list of options obtained by clicking on a base menu.
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quadratic equation A nonlinear equation in which one or more of the terms is squared but not raised to a higher power.
qualitative Like perceptions, not expressed as a quantity.
quantitative Expressed or expressible as a quantity.
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radio button A type of control used to select items from a list of items.
random access memory (RAM) A temporary storage facility for data while it is stored, manipulated, or read by the user. RAM memory disappears when the computer is turned off.
reading Just as you understand the phrase 'reading a book,' but in a more general sense of being able to "read" characteristics of special environments (like golf courses or tennis courts).
Rich Text Format (RTF) A standard format developed by Microsoft to convert word processor documents into a form that can be recognized by different word processors.
Robot A name for a program to explore the Web on its own, collecting information.
router Same as gateway.
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scripting language An abbreviated program development language that's designed to be embedded in HTML and run in your Web browser.
search engine A computer program that lets you find words or phrases in a database like the Web.
short sale Selling borrowed shares of an equity with the expectation of buying shares at a lower price to replace the borrowed shares.
shorting against the box Shorting shares of an equity as insurance when you have a profit in the equity.
server A central computer connected to a network and used to provide client services, such as holding a database or Web page or directing email.
service provider A commercial organization that provides access to the Internet for a fee.
shareware Copyright software distributed without charge for sampling but to be paid for if used.
shockwave A multimedia plug-in for use with Web browsers.
signature A personal message about the sender usually found at the end of an email message.
simulation A make-believe system designed to represent the structure and dynamics of a real system.
skill A sensory-motor proficiency, facility, or dexterity acquired through training or experience.
software Usually refers to computer programs.
streaming A method of sending information to a browser to avoid a long wait.
subnetwork Computers connected over a private network.
surfing A term for browsing the Web using various links.
synchronous communication A form of transmitting information that takes place simultaneously, as in a telephone conversation.
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Talk A program to allow synchronous text communication over networks.
TCP/IP The networking protocol, or language, used by computers on the Internet to communicate with each other.
Telnet A protocol for linking two computers together.
text box A control element used to display text.
throughput A measure over time of the output or production of a system, particularly a computer program.
ticker tape A device for scrolling real-time data, like stock market prices.
training The process or routine of being trained.
Transparent GIF A GIF that appears to float on top of the browser display window.
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uniform resource locator (URL) An address format to refer to documents on the Internet.
Upgrade An improved version of a software or hardware product.
upload The process of copying a file from your computer to another computer via a network.
unzip Decompress data so that it returns to its original form.
Usenet A system for distributing text from newsgroups (asynchronous bulletin boards) among cooperating computers.
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VBScript A programming language developed from Visual Basic that forms part of an HTML page.
virtual reality Using a computer to mimic reality, ranging from drawing 3D pictures to wearing helmets with built-in video screens.
Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) A programming language that enables three dimensional 'worlds' to be displayed on a browser.
virus A computer equivalent of a human virus, a piece of code that inserts itself into (or infects) other pieces of code.
Visual Basic A program development system designed and developed by Microsoft to be user friendly in the preparation of graphics user interfaces.
Visual Basic Script (VBScript) An abbreviated version of the program development system known as Visual Basic and used to provide programs for use in Web pages.
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Wide Area Network (WAN) A network of computers distributed over a wide geographical area.
Web browser A software program that's used to transfer and interpret documents on the Web.
Whiteboard A form of communication that uses an area on the screen to write, draw and paste graphics.
World Wide Web (WWW) A large part of the Internet that can be accessed using hyperlinks.
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zip Compress data to take up less space and thereby speed up its transmission.
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