Whether you're looking to streamline your business, better manage your

family's finances, or learn about a specific medical condition, the Internet

can be the easiest, most accessible and cost-effective source of

information. If all the computer jargon you hear has made you feel that

surfing the World Wide Web is like conquering a never-ending tidal wave of

information, it's time to get hip to the lingo of the Web. The Georgia

Society of CPAs says that understanding basic terminology is an important

first step in effectively using the Internet.

How the Internet Works

The Internet allows computers - more than 50 million — from all over the

world to talk to each other through a backbone of privately held networks.

These networks connect computers together so that information can be

exchanged.

INTERNET DEFINITIONS

* Bandwidth -The transmission capacity of an electronic line such as a

communications network or computer channel.

* Browser - A program used for viewing pages and navigating from page

to page on the Web. Netscape and Internet Explorer are the dominant browsers

in the marketplace.

* Cookies - Data created by a Web server that is stored on a user's

computer. Cookies provide a way for the Web site to keep track of a user's

patterns and preferences and contain a range of URLs (addresses) for which

they are valid. When the browser encounters those URLs again, it sends

specific cookies to the Web server. For example, if your user ID were stored

as a cookie, you would not have to type it in again each time you access

that particular Web page. If you don't want your cookies saved, you can set

your browser to disable cookies or warn you before accepting a cookie. Look

for the cookie options in your browser under the “Options” or “Preferences”

menu.

* Dialup - A temporary network connection made over a regular phone

system, rather than one through an internal network or permanently leased

line. This is typically the way a user would connect to the Internet or an

online service at home.

* Domain Name - This name is what people will type in to find you on

the Web - for example, www.yourfirm.com. Other systems translate domain

names into actual network addresses, which allow people to visit your site.

Typically you would use your company name or something that can be easily

remembered for your domain name.

* E-mail - An electronic message sent over a computer system to one or

more individual users.

* Home Page -The main page of a Web site that often includes

directories or links to additional information.

* HTML (HyperText Markup Language) - The computer language used for

creating and developing most Web pages, as well as pages on an

organization's Intranet.

* Hyperlink - A connection point within a document that browsing

software can use as a pointer, or shortcut, to another section in the same

Web site or on a different site. In most designs, you activate the

hyperlink by clicking on it or selecting it.

* ISP (Internet Service Provider) - A company that offers access to

the Internet, such as AOL (one of many providers). Users obtain an account

on the service provider's system to log onto the Internet.

* Intranet - An Intranet is an in-house private Web site for internal

users. Using the exact same technologies as the Internet, an Intranet is

generally only accessible by employees directly connected to the company's

internal network.

* Netiquette (network etiquette) - The informal rules of good behavior

on the Internet. For example, using profanity or upper case to make a point

is not good netiquette.

* Protocol - Protocol is a set of agreed-upon rules or standards that

computers rely on to communicate with each other.

* Search Engine - A program, such as Yahoo or Excite that maintains a

catalog of data sources that is searchable by topic or keywords.

* TCP/IP - Protocol/Internet Protocol is the common language of the

Internet. TCP ensures that data is transmitted correctly between two

computers.

* URL (Uniform Resource Locator) - A URL is the global address of

files, documents and other resources on the Internet. An URL starts with a

file type designator (e.g., http://, ftp://, gopher://) followed by a domain

name, a directory, a file name, and occasionally additional information.

* Web Master - The person or company responsible for maintaining a Web

site. Most commercial and institutional Web sites include a “mail-to”

message generator, where you can send comments about the site or report any

problems.

* World Wide Web (WWW) - The WWW is an Internet facility that links

documents (Web pages) locally and remotely. Essentially, the Web is a

distributed system of pages, documents and hyperlinks between these items

that you access through a Web browser program.

The Internet is changing the way we live and using it will only become more

and more important. Knowledge and hands-on experience will boost your

confidence, spark your interest, and create a Web-savvy user.

The GSCPA is the premier professional organization for CPAs in the state of

Georgia. With over 10,000 members throughout the state, the purpose of the

GSCPA is to promote the study of accountancy and applicable laws, provide

continuing professional education, maintain high ethical and work standards,

and provide information about accounting issues to the membership and the

public. For more information, access our web site at www.gscpa.org

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