Computer and Internet Terms

This appendix lists the spelling, capitalization, and abbreviations of some common computer and Internet terms. This list is not intended to be exclusive. Alternative choices, in many cases, are acceptable. Proscribed usages are specifically indicated. 

An excellent source for definitions of these terms may be found at http // www.google.com/. In the search statement, use the syntax definerxyz where xyz is the term for which a definition is sought. 

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) 

CAD (computer-assisted design) CAD/CAM (computer-assisted design and manufacturing) 

CD-R (compact disc read-only) CD-ROM (compact disc with read-only memory) 

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Appendix 10-1 contains a list of some common computer and Internet terms. 

Webopedia—Online Dictionary for Computer and Internet Terms www.pcwebopaedia.com/... 

Descriptions of the simplest data structure entities and explanations of their nature follow in succeeding sections. Basic data structures are stack, queue, and other linear lists multiple-dimension arrays (recursive) lists and trees (including forests and binary trees). Pointer or link simply means computer data constituting a memory location. Level indicates position in a structure that is hierarchical. Link, level, and the elementary structures are almost intuitive concepts. They are fairly easily understood by reference to their names or to real-life situations to which they relate. Evolving computer practice has had two effects. First, the impact of the World Wide Web and Internet browsers has acquainted many computer users with two basic ideas link (pointer) and level. Second, computer specialists have increased their use of advanced data structures. These may be understandable from their names or descriptive properties. Some of these terms are tries, quad-trees (quadtrees, quaternary trees), leftist-trees, 2-3 trees, binary search trees, and heap. While they are less common data structures and unlikely to be part of a first course in the field, they enable algorithmic procedures in applications such as image transmission, geographic data, and library search. 

Explosive development of computer networks, the World Wide Web, and Internet browsers means that many technical terms discussed in this article will join links, pointers, and hierarchy in becoming common terms, not solely the province of computer experts using data structures. 

Social life The contents of the Internet function as a means to create knowledge from information. Thus, individuals create their image of the world to a large extent via indirect information sources. The Internet provides an easy option to access information from varying spatial scales. A critical assessment of the information quality should be recognized. This point relates to the simplified press the button doctrine of computing user interfaces. Issues of privacy and Internet security (in terms of abuse of open networks) remain one of the key challenges in their provision. 

There are several lists (formerly called electronic bulletin boards) available on the Internet where questions about computational chemistry can be asked and information exchanged freely. With the number of subscribers of these lists ranging from a few hundred to several thousand, usually there is someone willing to offer answers, including those from a beginner. The most famous of these lists, and broadest in terms of topics covered, is the Computational Chemistry List (CCL), which is administered by Dr. Jan K. Labanowski (presently at the University of Notre Dame). To post... 

Enhancements to pharmacy practice made possible by the Internet can be expressed in terms of the three C s content, communication, and commerce (Felkey and Fox, 2001). In the widely known book, Internet for Dummies, the Internet is defined as all of the computers in the world talking to all of the other computers in the world (Levine, Bauroudi, and Levine, 1996). Use of the Internet for health care purposes is growing exponentially, with well over 200 countries connected globally. 

Bioinformatics is a new and exciting subject developing its own methodologies, approaches and nomenclature with an elan which has not suffered from lack of precision about defining exactly what the subject is. As might be expected of a product of the computer age, it depends heavily on internet and database access, which are the essential tools of what has become termed in silico research. A very readable introduction to the subject is provided by Attwood and Parry-Smith (1999). 

Before we can discuss connecting Windows to the Internet, we need to discuss the Internet itself. There are some common terms and concepts every technician must understand about the Internet. First of all, the Internet is really just a bunch of private networks connected together using public telephone lines. These private networks are the access points to the Internet and are run by companies called Internet Service Providers (ISPs). They will sell you a connection to the Internet for a monthly service charge (kind of like your cable bill or phone bill). Your computer talks to the ISP using public phone lines, or even using new technologies such as cable or wireless. 

Technological advances have made the ability to integrate telephone and computer technologies with front- and back-office functions a realistic weapon in creating and maintaining long-term customer relations. The business that treats the telephone, the Internet, e-mail, and storefronts as complementary channels will just create more opportunities for capturing market share and the share of the consumer. 

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