Definitions

Here are some words to help you understand the Web. Some of these have other meanings. (Surfing, for example, requires a board. Now it can also require a mouse!)

Address (or URL): Uniform Resource Locator; tells your computer where to find a Web site (www.brad.com is an address)

Browser: a computer program that gives people access to the Web

Download: to receive a file; to save a file or picture from the Web onto your computer or a disc

E-mail: electronic mail that is sent over the Web

Home Page: the front page of a Web site

Instant Messaging (IM): a real-time form of Internet communication, similar to a phone conversation but with text not voice

Internet: a system connecting computers around the world (the Web is on the Internet)

Link: a connection from one Web page or site to another; blue underlined words are links

Search Engine: a service that allows a user to find a Web site by typing in a topic

Surfing: exploring the Web for fun and learning