PawPrint.net Glossary of Terms

An address referring to a document on the Internet. This can be used to reference a web page via HTTP or a file to be accessed via FTP, for example. The reason for a URL (rather then just the address) is to define completely what a computer must do, and where it must go, to access a document (sometimes even on it´s local hard drive in the case of ´file:´)

The syntax of a URL consists of four elements:

Protocol://address/path/document - here are a few examples:

http://www.pawprint.net/in...

It usually consists of a metallic conductor pattern on an organic insulating substrate, more complex circuits have several layers stacked togeather. After assembly where components are added, it is known as a printed wiring assembly (PWA).  

Abbreviated as PDL, a language for describing the layout and contents of a printed page. The best-known PDLs are Adobe PostScript and Hewlett-Packard PCL (Printer Control Language), both of which are used to control laser printers.

Both PostScript and modern versions of PCL are object-oriented, meaning that they describe a page in terms of geometrical objects such as lines, arcs, and circles.

Used in conjunction with the Internet Protocol (IP) to transmit information over the Internet in the form of units.

While IP takes care of handling the actual delivery of the data, TCP takes care of keeping track of the packets that a message is divided into for efficient routing through the Internet. For example, when a web page is downloaded from a web server, the TCP program layer in that server divides the file into packets, numbers the packets, and then forwards them individually to the ...

The opening of a lens that admits light. Except in very simple cameras, the Aperture can be varied in size by an adjustable  diaphragm, which regulates the amount of light passing through the lens. The relative Aperture is measured as the focal length of the lens divided by the diameter of the Aperture; this is expressed as an f-number: f/3, f/5, and so on.

Aperature has a dramatic effect on the Depth-of-field of the photograph.

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.