Glossary of Web Terms
Accessible Web Design
Animation
Broken Links / Dead Links
Client Package
Color Scheme
Content Management System (CMS)
Design
Design Process
Digital Photography
Domain Name
Domain Registrar
Dynamic Content
eCommerce
Flash
Font / Typeface
Forms
Forums / Message Board / Discussion Group
Graphics
Guestbook
Internet Hosting
Keywords
Link / Hyperlink
Logo
Marketing
Pages / Sections
Photos
Search Engine
Search Engine Optimization
Server
Site Map
Splash / Intro Page
Target Audience
Testing / Validating
Thumbnails
URL
User Testing
Web Content
Web Maintenance
Web Site
Accessible Web Design
The practice of designing web pages on the Internet so they are accessible to all users, especially those with disabilities.This primary audience consists of users who are:
- blind
- sight impaired
(e.g. common types of poor eyesight and color blindness)
- motor impaired
(e.g. Parkinson's Disease, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, stroke)
- cognitively impaired
(i.e. dyslexia or poor short-term memory)
- hearing impaired or deaf -
non-native speakers of the web site's language (s), including users of sign languages
Individuals would have the ability to perceive, understand, navigate, interact and contribute with and to the world wide web and society.
It is giving older people with limited abilities due to aging, access to knowledge, health care, other services and the world around them.
It encompasses all disabilities that affect access to the Web, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, neurological and technological. Making your online services accessible means making them available to the broadest possible range of users, including those with disabilities of all kinds.
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Animation
The optical illusion of motion created by a consecutive display of images of static elements. The technique is produced frame by frame. These frames may be generated by computers or photographing a drawn or painted image, or by repeatedly making small changes to a model unit such as is used in claymation and stop-motion, then photographing the results with a special animation camera. When the frames are strung together and the resulting film is viewed, there is an illusion of continuous movement due to the persistence of vision. Graphics file formats like .gif, .mng, .svg and Flash (.swf) allow animation to be viewed on a computer or over the internet.Return to Top
Broken Link / Dead link
A broken link or dead link is a link on the web that points to a web page or server that is permanently unavailable. Dead links are commonplace on the Internet, but they are considered to be unprofessional. The most common result of a dead link is a 404 error, which indicates that the page could not be found. Dead links can also refer to URLs that point to sites unrelated to the content requested, e.g., a search for "Sports at ESPN.com" resulting in pornography or advertisements.Return to Top
Client Package
Information regarding client's web site. This may include the following:- The web site's Date of Creation
- Hosting information (where the site is hosted, how to access it including Login and Password info)
- Where the Domain Name is registered
- A CD with copies of the site's files
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Color Scheme
A color scheme is the choice of colors used in design for a range of media.For example, the use of a white background with black text is an example of a basic and commonly default color scheme in web design. Color schemes are used to create style and appeal. Colors that create an aesthetic feeling when used together will commonly accompany each other in color schemes.
A basic color scheme will use 2 colors that look appealing together. Color schemes can also contain different shades of a single color; for example, a color scheme that mixes different shades of green, ranging from very light (almost white) to very dark.
In order for a web site to be accessible to Color Blind users, color choices must be taken into account. Color should not be used to convey meaning, such as my choice of bold in this case instead of color. Background and foreground color should contrast. Ensure that text and graphics are understandable when viewed without color.
Example: Red/Green and other color blindness disabilities
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Content Management System
A Content Management System (CMS) is a secure, private area that empowers web site owners with the ability to enter and modify their own data rather than send content to a webmaster for updating, if they choose. CMS is perfect for frequent content changes.Return to Top
Design
The artistic process of creating a web site, logo or corporate identity. It may involve both the technical aspects as well, of how a web site works. Some of the features that make up design are:- graphic creation
- animation creation
- color selection
- font selection
- navigation design
- content creation
- HTML / XHML / XML authoring
- programming
- ecommerce development
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Design Process
A design process generates a conceptual solution for a problem stated in the form of requirements. A design process is usually followed by an implementation process which provides a concrete solution based on the design. In this case it is the method that takes the client and the web designer from an idea of a web site to the actual creation and implementation of the site.Return to Top
Digital Photography
Digital photography, as opposed to film photography, uses an electronic sensor to record the image as binary data. This facilitates storage and editing of the images on personal computers. Digital cameras now outsell film cameras and include features not found in film cameras such as the ability to shoot video and record audio.Return to Top
Domain Name
A name that is entered into a computer (e.g. as part of a Web site or other URL, or an email address) and then looked up in the global Domain Name System (DNS) which informs the computer of the IP address (es) with that name. They are sometimes colloquially (and incorrectly) referred to by marketers as "Web addresses". Domain names are hostnames that provide more easily memorable names to stand in for numeric IP addresses. Each string of letters, digits and hyphens between the dots is called a label in the parlance of the domain name system (DNS). Valid labels are subject to certain rules, which have relaxed over the course of time. Ideally, labels must start with a letter, and end with a letter or digit; any intervening characters may be letters, digits, or hyphens. Domain names are compared case-insensitively. It is now permissible for labels to start with a digit (but may not be entirely numeric), and for labels to contain underscores, but support for such domain names is uneven. These are the rules imposed by the way names are looked up ("resolved") by DNS. Translating numeric addresses to alphabetical ones, domain names allow Internet users to localize and visit Web sites. Additionally since more than one IP address can be assigned to a domain name, and more than one domain name assigned to an IP address, one server can have multiple roles, and one role can be spread among multiple servers. One IP address can even be assigned to several servers, such as with hijacked IP space.Return to Top
Domain Registrar
The company that registers your domain name. We recommend GoDaddy.com, although you can register your site through any number of companies.Return to Top
Dynamic Content
Dynamic content is the ability to have the presentation of information on a web page, or other services, influenced by other factors. The servers that create the web page run computer programs that, according to a sequence of decisions, alter the content of the page in real-time. Dynamic content could be as simple as putting the current date in a web page. At its most complex it can identify the person using the page, and personalize the information presented to the preferences they gave to the server when they registered to receive that service. Dynamic content is usually enabled by the use of scripting languages such as CGI, Perl or JavaScript.Return to Top
eCommerce
Electronic commerce, e-commerce or ecommerce consists primarily of the distributing, buying, selling, marketing, and servicing of products or services over electronic systems such as the Internet and other computer networks. The information technology industry might see it as an electronic business application aimed at commercial transactions. It can involve electronic funds transfer, supply chain management, e-marketing, online marketing, online transaction processing, electronic data interchange, automated inventory management systems, and automated data-collection systems. It typically uses electronic communications technology such as the Internet, extranets, email, Ebooks, databases, and mobile phones. Return to TopFlash
Flash refers to both the Macromedia Flash Player and to a multimedia authoring program used to create content for it as well as games or movies created using the program. The Flash Player, developed and distributed by Adobe Systems (formerly by Macromedia), is a client application available in most dominant web browsers. It features support for vector and raster graphics, a scripting language called ActionScript and bidirectional streaming of audio and video. Strictly speaking, Macromedia Flash is the integrated development environment (IDE) and Flash Player is the virtual machine used to run the Flash files, but in colloquial language these have become mixed: "Flash" can mean either the authoring environment, the player, or the application files. Flash technology has become a popular method for adding animation and interactivity to web pages; several software products, systems, and devices are able to create or display Flash. Flash is commonly used to create animations and advertisements; to design web-page elements; to add video to web sites; and, more recently, to develop Rich Internet Applications. The Flash files, traditionally called "flash movies", usually have a .swf file extension and may appear as an element of a web page or to be "played" in the standalone Flash Player.Return to Top
Font / Typeface
In typography, a typeface consists of a coordinated set of characters, designed with stylistic unity. A typeface usually comprises an alphabet of letters, numerals, and punctuation marks. In digital typography the font is the computer file that stores the vector paths, before they are rendered on a screen or a page. Vector-based digital type outlines have no reproduction size limit. A font family is a group of related fonts which vary only in weight, orientation, width, etc, but not design. For example, Times is a font family, whereas Times Roman, Times Italic and Times Bold are individual fonts making up the Times family. Font families typically contain several fonts, though some, such as Helvetica, may consist of dozens of fonts. Helvetica, Century Schoolbook, and Courier are examples of three widely distributed typefaces.Return to Top
Forms
Interactive elements which allow a user to input information to be utilized by the web site. Forms can be used to gather information supplied by the user in order to help the user interact with various components within the site.Return to Top
Forums / Message Board / Discussion Group
An Internet forum is a facility on the Web for having discussions, or the web application software used to provide the facility. A sense of virtual community often develops around forums that have regular users. Technology, computer games, and politics are popular areas for forum themes, but there are forums for a huge number of different topics. Internet forums are also commonly referred to as web forums, message boards, discussion boards, discussion forums, discussion groups, bulletin boards, fora (proper latin plural) or simply forums.Return to Top
Graphics
Visual presentations on some surface such as a wall, canvas, computer screen, paper or stone to inform, illustrate or entertain. Examples are photographs, drawings, Line Art, graphs, diagrams, symbols, geometric designs, maps, engineering drawings, or other images which are not only text. Graphics is often used in combination with text and color. Graphics can be functional or artistic. Graphics can be imaginary or representing something in the real world. The latter can be a recorded version, such as a photograph, or an interpretation by a scientist to highlight essential features, or an artist, in which case the distinction with imaginary graphics may get blurred. But in the case of the computer, it is a picture or image produced on a computer. These can include .BMPs (bitmaps), .JPGs (joint photographic experts group), .GIFs (graphical interface format), and .PNGs (portable network graphics) among others.Return to Top
Guestbook
A guestbook, in the context of an Internet web site, is a type of logging system that allows visitors to a web site indicate that they have visited. Also, it is possible in some guestbooks for visitors to express their thoughts about the site or its subject. Generally, it does not require the poster to create a user account, as it is an informal method of dropping off a quick message. The purpose of a web site guestbook is to display the kind of visitors the site gets, including the part of the world they reside in, and gain feedback from them. This allows the webmaster to assess and improve their site. Often, e-mail addresses, the visitor's site's URLs and IP addresses are collected, and sometimes published. A guestbook is not intended to be a place for discussion. Due to this, a guestbook is different from a chat room (which is more or less realtime communication), or an internet forum (which is intended to be a location for discussions), or a blog (which is intended for regular updates and more involved exchanges).Return to Top
Internet Hosting
A service that runs Internet servers, allowing organizations and individuals to serve content on the Internet. There are various levels of service and various kinds of services offered. The most common kind of hosting is web hosting. A web hosting service provides individuals, organizations and users with online systems for storing information, images, video, or any content accessible via the Web. Web hosts are companies that provide space on a server they own for use by their clients as well as providing Internet connectivity, typically in a data center. Web hosts can also provide data center space and connectivity to the Internet for servers they do not own to be located in their data center. Most hosting services offer a combined variety of services; most web hosting services also offer email hosting service, for example. A host can also refer to a Web hosting company. While we do not physically host sites, we manage hosting through GoDaddy.com and bluehost.com.Return to Top
Keywords
A word describing a concept found in a document such as a Web page, constituting part of the metadata (literally "data about data", information about another set of data), for the document. Words which pertain to your web site and are placed in the content of your pages. Keywords are one way to generate higher placement rankings in search engines.Return to Top
Link / Hyperlink
A hyperlink, or simply a link, is a reference in a hypertext document to another document or other resource. As such, it is similar to a citation in literature. Combined with a data network and suitable access protocol, a computer can be instructed to fetch the resource referenced. Hyperlinks are part of the foundation of the World Wide Web created by Tim Berners-Lee. He saw the possibility of using hyperlinks to link every unit of information to any other unit of information over the Internet. Hyperlinks were therefore integral to the creation of the World Wide Web. Phrases, titles, words or images that direct visitors to another page on your site or to another web site. Many sites have a "Links" page. Also, having your site listed as a non-reciprocal link on other sites can generate higher placement rankings in search engines.Return to Top
Logo
A logo is the graphic element of a trademark or brand, which is set in a special typeface and/or font, or arranged in a particular, but legible, way. The shape, color, typeface, etc. should be distinctly different from others in a similar market. A logo is an iconic symbol designed to represent a company, product or service. It also depicts an organization's personality. In recent times the term 'logo' has been used to describe signs, emblems, coats of arms, symbols and even flags.Return to Top
Marketing
Is "the process of planning and executing the pricing, promotion, and distribution of goods, ideas, and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational goals." Another definition, perhaps simpler and more universal, is the process of moving people closer to making a decision to purchase, use, follow, refer, upload, download, obey, reject, conform, become complacent to another person's, society's or organization's value. Simply, if it doesn't facilitate a "sale" then it's not marketing.Return to Top
Pages / Sections
A web page is a resource on the Web, usually in written in HTML / XHTML format and with hypertext links to enable navigation from one page or section to another. Web pages often use associated graphic files to provide illustration, and these too can be clickable links. The pages on your web site are those that are listed in navigation. Often, areas of a web site are separated into sections to facilitate organization as well as the user's experience. The number of pages included varies per package, but you can add on as may as you need.Return to Top
Photos
Photos can add a lot to your site, but too many can bog down the speed of your pages and detract from your business presence. Photos may also need some retouching, resizing, and, in some cases, cutting. The number of photos included varies per package, but more photos can be added to your site for an additional fee.Return to Top
Search Engine
A search engine is a program designed to help find information stored on a computer system such as the Web, inside a corporate or proprietary network or a personal computer. The search engine allows one to ask for content meeting specific criteria (typically those containing a given word or phrase) and retrieves a list of references that match those criteria. Search engines use regularly updated indexes to operate quickly and efficiently. Without further qualification, search engine usually refers to a Web search engine, which searches for information on the public Web. Other kinds of search engines are enterprise search engines, which search on intranets, personal search engines, which search individual personal computers, and mobile search engines. However, while different selection and relevance criteria may apply in different environments, the user will probably perceive little difference between operations in these. Some search engines also mine data available in newsgroups, large databases, or open directories like DMOZ.org. Unlike Web directories, which are maintained by human editors, search engines operate algorithmically. Most web sites which call themselves search engines are actually front ends to search engines owned by other companies.Return to Top
Search Engine Optimization
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is about the designing and coding of a web site so search engines will rank it high for a particular set of keywords. Search engines display different kinds of listings in the search engine results pages (SERPs), including: pay-per- click advertisements, paid inclusion listings, and organic search results. SEO is primarily concerned with advancing the goals of a web site by improving the number and position of its organic search results for a wide variety of relevant keywords. SEO strategies can increase both the number and quality of visitors, where quality means visitors who complete the action hoped for by the site owner (e.g. purchase, sign up, learn something).Return to Top
Server
A computer that delivers web pages to users. It is the "computer" where web site files (the whole web site) reside and are accessed through the Internet. A server can also be called a host or node.Return to Top
Site Map
A site map (or sitemap) is a web page that lists the pages on a web site, typically organized in hierarchical fashion. This helps visitors, and search engine robots, to find pages on the site. Site maps can improve search engine optimization of a site by making sure that all the pages can be found.Return to Top
Splash / Intro Page
A splash page of a web site is a sort of pre-home page front page, usually providing no real information. Often this page is graphics-intensive and used only for reasons of branding; sometimes it provides a choice of entry points for the site proper, for instance links to Macromedia Flash and HTML-only versions of the site. We do not condone the use of splash pages for accessibility reasons. They can hinder access by users with disabilities.Return to Top
Target Audience
A target audience is the primary group of people that something, usually an advertising campaign, is aimed at appealing to. A target audience can be people of a certain age group, gender, marital status, etc. (ex: teenagers, females, single people, etc.) A certain combination, like men from twenty to thirty is often a target audience. Other groups, although not the main focus, may also be interested.Return to Top
Testing / Validating
Testing and Validating a web site for errors when designing. Depending on the complexity of a program, testing and validating can take nearly as long as the actual creation of the program.Return to Top
Thumbnail
Thumbnails are reduced-size versions of pictures, used to make it easier to scan and recognize them, serving the same role for images as a normal text index does for words. Visual search engines and image-organizing programs normally use them, as can some modern operating systems or desktop environments. In practice the display size of an image in pixels should always correspond to its actual size, in part because one purpose of a thumbnail image on a web page is to reduce download time.Return to Top
URL
A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is a string of characters conforming to a standardized format, which refers to a resource on the Internet (such as a document or an image) by its location. For example, the URL of this page on Aardvark Web Works is:http://www.aardvarkwebworks.com/glossary.htm .
An HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) URL, commonly called a web address, is usually shown in the address bar of web browser. The term is typically pronounced as a spelled- out initialism ("yoo arr ell").
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User Testing
Determines how easily the user can navigate the web site. There are three components to User Testing:- Ask volunteer users to perform basic tasks within a web site design.
- Observe what the users do, where they succeed, and where they have difficulties with the user interface.
- Allow the users to solve any problems on their own.
The results of User Testing are then compiled and any necessary adjustments are applied to the web site design. Testing may be performed one or more times.
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Web Content
The body of a web page. Content includes actual words, sentences, and paragraphs, selling points, graphics, animations, etc. that do not comprise the framework of the page. This is the information that changes from page to page. We advise businesses to provide their own content. You know your business the best! Aardvark Web Works will help you edit your text, and help you add content that works best for the web. Keyword- rich content is a great way to generate higher placement rankings in search engines. We will accept your copy in just about any electronic format.Return to Top
Web Maintenance
The upkeep and updating of content, pages, images or information that is displayed on your web site. This can include updates, changes and technical support. For a nominal fee (2 hour minimum per month), Aardvark Web Works will maintain your web site. This includes updating content and photos.Return to Top
Web Site
A web site, according to Associated Press guidelines, is a collection of Web pages, typically common to a particular domain name or sub-domain on the Web on the Internet. To date, there are nearly 80 million web sites in the world with registered domains. A web page is an HTML / XHTML document accessible generally via HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol). All publicly accessible web sites are seen as constituting a mammoth "World Wide Web" of information.Return to Top
-- Thanks, in part, to Wikipedia.