PawPrint.net Glossary of Terms

A protocol for asynchronous data communications that represents the evolution from x.25 and Frame Relay. It includes specific considerations for QoS and allows for different packet priority and size.

RAM is a type of computer storage whose contents can be accessed in any order. This is in contrast to sequential memory devices such as magnetic tapes, discs and drums, in which the mechanical movement of the storage medium forces the computer to access data in a fixed order. It is usually implied that RAM can be both written to and read from, in contrast to read-only memory or ROM.

Computers use RAM to hold the program code and data during execution. In the first electronic computers, RAM wa...

A compressed graphics format specifically designed for photographs. It´s name an acronym that stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. It works by changing the images data from colours to frequencies (that represent detail) using a FFT and then discarding some of the high detail data - the resulting image is slightly blurry but this is barely noticable by the human eye and represents a significant saving of space.

A protocol developed to enable the transfer of files across a network. It provides a reletively insecure username and password  security but has been more recently enhanced to allow for SSL encryption to provide a secure password exchange.

To some extent the use of FTP has been superceeded by SFTP (a component of SSH) or the secure file transfer protocol.

A compressed graphic format suited for flat color images (illustrations) and drawings. It compresses images by referencing areas of the same colour thus it is less suitable then JPEG for photographic images (where there are colour gradients)

Originally created by CompuServ it was the subject of proposed law suits and patent discussions which have largely been dropped.

1) When linking to another web site a Back-Link signifies a return links.

2) Sometimes used to refer to links from other web sites in general.