Computing and the Internet is full of terms that novices of the web may find confusing. This is a glossary with a basic description of some terms relating to the computer and internet world.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is measured in bits per second and is the amount of data that can be sent through a network or modem connection. The higher than bandwidth, the more data that can be transferred. If the bandwidth is high it can cope with more visitors and more downloads. It also affects the speed at which the site loads.
Dashboard
A dashboard is a user interface used on many different types of software. From the dashboard you may get the options and see basic information about your account. The word is taken from a dashboard on a car, where you will see basic information like speed and mileage and reach option such as the gears and radio.
Desktop Publishing
Desktop publishing is where a computer is used to create a document. If words and images are created and combined in designing something, it is called desktop publishing. The creation of a poster using a computer is a good example of desktop publishing.
Encryption
When data is scrambled so it can only be decoded and understood by someone who it should be, it is called encryption. It is effectively a way of enhancing the security of confidential information so if someone who shouldn’t manages to access it, they won’t be able to understand it.
Facebook
Facebook is the name of a social networking website (see below for social networking) where users can create a profile of themselves and share information and photographs with other users who they have specified as a friend. Friends being able to post messages to each other is a popular feature of Facebook.
Firewall
This is software that prevents viruses (see below for virus) and other malicious programs from accessing a computer system. Its job is to spot programs and websites that could be dangerous, and they can prevent traffic from certain IP addresses.
Hard Disk
A hard disk is the internal memory (see below for memory) of a computer and somewhere you can save documents and other files to.
JavaScript
This is a programming language. It is used in the creation of web pages and is used for the dynamic and interactive parts of sites, such as rollovers and image rotation.
LAN
LAN stands for local area network, a computer network that is limited to a small area, such as an office or school. With a LAN, users (who will usually have a user name and password) will be able to access the same files and information from shared areas of the network. It also means users can access the same files from different computers.
Memory
Computers need memory to store data. A hard drive (see above) is an example. Memory can also come in the form of external devices plugged into a computer, such as the almost obsolete floppy disk, CD’s and USB drives.
Open Source
If a piece of software’s code is open for the use of any member of the public, it is called open source software. The code can be modified where necessary, so users are effectively taking a program created by someone else and modifying it how they please. Examples include some web development software. This can be used by different web development companies who can modify it to suit their needs.
Page Views
The number of times a webpage has been viewed is called the number of page views. It is a statistic that is regularly used by website owners to see how many times each page has been viewed. This can help them to establish visitor behaviour, and is one metric of measuring the success or failure of a webpage, and a website in general.
Screenshot
A screenshot is effectively an image taken of what is seen on a computer screen, using the computer. It is also sometimes called a screen grab.
Script
A computer script is a set of commands. These are instructions to a computer. They are used to run processes on computers and computer systems.
SEO
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation and refers to optimising a website for the search engines to give it the best chance possible of appearing towards the top of the search engines. On-page and off-page techniques can be used. On-page SEO are things carried out on the website itself. Off-page SEO is generating links from other websites to yours.
Social Networking
Social networking websites are sites where people can share information about themselves with others. Basically, they are online networks of people or online communities.
WAN
WAN stands for Wide Area Network, as opposed to a local area network (see above). It essentially does the same thing but over a larger distance. Whereas a LAN may be only within an office, a WAN can connect people from different towns, or even different countries.
Web Host
For a website to be viewed by others, it needs to be hosted on a server. Web hosts (or web hosting companies) lease servers to website owners, where their sites can be uploaded for the world to see.
Virus
A computer virus is a malicious script or piece of software that can infect a computer. This can cause havoc by destroying the computer. Some viruses will allow the virus’s creator to view confidential information contained on a computer.
Andrew Marshall (c)
For Internet Advice visit Know The Net.
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advice. Show all posts
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Email Marketing Tips
Many businesses make use of email marketing. There are a number of benefits to this form of marketing. It can be extremely cost effective as unlike sending a letter, sending an email doesn’t cost anything (although you may be paying for professional email marketing services). An advantage over calling potential customers is that calling at an inconvenient time can mean a lost opportunity. If you email at an inconvenient time, the recipient can read it when it suits them. Below is some email marketing advice with some tips on running a successful campaign.
Research Your Readers
To need to know who you are sending your emails too. You don’t want to just send then to as many people as possible hoping that you will somehow capture some business. This will be a waste of time, and if you are paying for email marketing services, money. You need to decide upon a target audience to make sure you are sending them to those likely to be interested in what you are offering.
Clarity
Clarity is very important in an email marketing campaign. Like any type of advertising, you have to make sure it is made clear who you are, what you do, and how your products or services can be beneficial. While being important that you get your message across, you shouldn’t overcomplicate things.
Your Email Must Stand Out
With email marketing first impressions are everything. It is easier for someone to delete your email (and therefore never read it again) than read it. You need to hook them in and not ramble on about unrelated matters before getting to the point further down the page. You need to interest them early and be unique. You should be as brief as possible and concise.
People Don’t Trust Emails
Most people receive a lot of spam emails and when receiving something they are not expecting may be inclined to delete it immediately. Make sure your emails aren’t mistaken for spam. Use a descriptive title to give readers an accurate idea of what the email could be, without seeming spammy.
Build Trust
It might be a good idea to offer your readers something for free with your first email to them. This could simply be some useful or informative information (without giving away your secrets). This will make them more likely to read future emails. Not trying to sell anything with your first correspondence is a good way to built trust.
Personalisation
Where possible treat readers as individuals so they don’t feel as though they are just one person on a long list. Use their name if you can and aim to meet their individual needs.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Research Your Readers
To need to know who you are sending your emails too. You don’t want to just send then to as many people as possible hoping that you will somehow capture some business. This will be a waste of time, and if you are paying for email marketing services, money. You need to decide upon a target audience to make sure you are sending them to those likely to be interested in what you are offering.
Clarity
Clarity is very important in an email marketing campaign. Like any type of advertising, you have to make sure it is made clear who you are, what you do, and how your products or services can be beneficial. While being important that you get your message across, you shouldn’t overcomplicate things.
Your Email Must Stand Out
With email marketing first impressions are everything. It is easier for someone to delete your email (and therefore never read it again) than read it. You need to hook them in and not ramble on about unrelated matters before getting to the point further down the page. You need to interest them early and be unique. You should be as brief as possible and concise.
People Don’t Trust Emails
Most people receive a lot of spam emails and when receiving something they are not expecting may be inclined to delete it immediately. Make sure your emails aren’t mistaken for spam. Use a descriptive title to give readers an accurate idea of what the email could be, without seeming spammy.
Build Trust
It might be a good idea to offer your readers something for free with your first email to them. This could simply be some useful or informative information (without giving away your secrets). This will make them more likely to read future emails. Not trying to sell anything with your first correspondence is a good way to built trust.
Personalisation
Where possible treat readers as individuals so they don’t feel as though they are just one person on a long list. Use their name if you can and aim to meet their individual needs.
Andrew Marshall (c)
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Safe Online Shopping Tips
With Christmas coming up the number of people shopping online is likely to be the highest it has even been. With many great offers available internet shopping has increased significantly in recent times. Monday 29th November is expected to be the busiest even online shopping day in the UK. It is being dubbed ‘Magic Monday’.
There are advantages to shopping online. You can avoid the crowds, you don’t have to leave your computer, and there are many great deals available that you can’t get in the shops. However, there are also things to be wary of. There are people who use internet shopping to their advantage to carry out malicious attacks to either damage people’s computers, or to gain their payment details. This has made internet safety imperative.
So what can you do to avoid being defrauded? Here are some tips for safe online shopping.
The first thing you should do is make sure your computer is up to date with the latest anti-virus software and spam filters. This will ensure you have the best protection possible against those wishing to attack your computer with viruses. It is important though, to make sure these are genuine products. Be careful as some software advertised as anti-virus can actually attack your computer with a virus, which will either damage your computer or gain access to confidential information stored on your computer.
Before purchasing through a website it is important to make sure you check it is safe. It is wise to make sure the company in question has a telephone number and address on their website. If they do not they may not be a reputable business. You might even want to give the company a call if you have any doubts. It is a good idea to use businesses that you know of, as you know you can trust them.
For any websites that you are unsure of you should carry out some research. It is a good idea to type the name of the website into a search engine and ask about it on relevant forums. If people have been fooled by them before you will usually find someone has written about it to warn others.
If a website has what seems like ridiculous offers then be wary. If prices are way under the norm then don’t trust it unless you are sure. Although it may be genuine it isn’t worth the risk if you are unsure.
When purchasing online you should ideally pay using a credit card, which gives you more rights should there be a problem. PIN’s are never required for online purchases so if a site asks for this do not enter it and use a different website instead. There are two things you should look for in the address box to make sure a payment is secure. For a secure payment the URL should begin with ‘https’ rather than the usual ‘http’. There should also be a lock symbol. If you have entered any card details and then realise you have made a mistake and are suspicious of the site, contact your bank immediately and explain the situation.
The most basic advice when it comes to internet shopping is not to take risks. If you have suspicions about a website, don’t use it. It is not worth the risk to save a little money or inconvenience if you are risking your computer being hacked into or your payment details being obtained by criminals.
Andrew Marshall (c)
There are advantages to shopping online. You can avoid the crowds, you don’t have to leave your computer, and there are many great deals available that you can’t get in the shops. However, there are also things to be wary of. There are people who use internet shopping to their advantage to carry out malicious attacks to either damage people’s computers, or to gain their payment details. This has made internet safety imperative.
So what can you do to avoid being defrauded? Here are some tips for safe online shopping.
The first thing you should do is make sure your computer is up to date with the latest anti-virus software and spam filters. This will ensure you have the best protection possible against those wishing to attack your computer with viruses. It is important though, to make sure these are genuine products. Be careful as some software advertised as anti-virus can actually attack your computer with a virus, which will either damage your computer or gain access to confidential information stored on your computer.
Before purchasing through a website it is important to make sure you check it is safe. It is wise to make sure the company in question has a telephone number and address on their website. If they do not they may not be a reputable business. You might even want to give the company a call if you have any doubts. It is a good idea to use businesses that you know of, as you know you can trust them.
For any websites that you are unsure of you should carry out some research. It is a good idea to type the name of the website into a search engine and ask about it on relevant forums. If people have been fooled by them before you will usually find someone has written about it to warn others.
If a website has what seems like ridiculous offers then be wary. If prices are way under the norm then don’t trust it unless you are sure. Although it may be genuine it isn’t worth the risk if you are unsure.
When purchasing online you should ideally pay using a credit card, which gives you more rights should there be a problem. PIN’s are never required for online purchases so if a site asks for this do not enter it and use a different website instead. There are two things you should look for in the address box to make sure a payment is secure. For a secure payment the URL should begin with ‘https’ rather than the usual ‘http’. There should also be a lock symbol. If you have entered any card details and then realise you have made a mistake and are suspicious of the site, contact your bank immediately and explain the situation.
The most basic advice when it comes to internet shopping is not to take risks. If you have suspicions about a website, don’t use it. It is not worth the risk to save a little money or inconvenience if you are risking your computer being hacked into or your payment details being obtained by criminals.
Andrew Marshall (c)
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