These days almost everybody who is looking to conduct some research uses the web with the help of search engines such as Google and Yahoo. A big mistake people make though, is thinking that everything on the Web is available via search engines. Google claim to index more than 10 billion web pages and 2.1 billion images. That is a lot of content, but it is really just the tip of the iceberg.
The actual number of web pages on the Internet could be several hundred times that figure, and nobody really knows the actual true size of the Web. This is because of the Deep Web or the Invisible Web as it is sometimes called. This is a mass of information that can be accessed online, but can’t actually be indexed by traditional search engines, mainly because it is locked up in databases and served up as dynamic pages in response to certain queries or searches. The deep web also includes sites that require registration or otherwise restrict access to their content, thereby restricting search engines form indexing them.
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Recent reports suggest that Microsoft will still allow PC manufacturers to offer the ever-popular XP on new PCs until at least Spring 2010. A new figure for net-books also shows the incredible popularity of XP, with 96% of all net-books shipped with it as the native operating system.
The failure of Vista to really engage with the public is probably the main reason why XP keeps hanging around long past its supposed sell by date. Vista certainly had lots of flashy features, but it was far less stable than XP and at it’s launch, it was oversold and decidedly undercooked.
At the end of the day, XP may not have some of Vista’s shiny features, but it has become the most popular piece of software in history because it is reliable, functional and familiar and most crucially it is able to run on almost any system.
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No matter which browser you choose between Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari, there is actually no such thing as a totally secure one. Each new browser release promises a more secure browsing experience, and in some cases they are more secure, but, the totally secure browser is a myth.
Each of the most popular browsers has countless patched vulnerabilities. Even the newest Google Chrome released in Beta form in September 2008, has nearly a dozen exploits already. Also the ultra simplistic Linux browser, which can’t even display pictures or video, has had five vulnerabilities.
When assessing the overall weakness of a browser, you need to consider vulnerability counts and the frequency of announced exploits. IE may be the most attacked of all of the browsers out there, but it is by no means the only one with problems. Choose carefully and always update your browser frequently.
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Microsoft plans to offer up to six different versions of Windows 7, with the company insistent that the different options will benefit both computer makers and customers.
Windows 7 Home Premium will be aimed at the majority of consumers, while Windows 7 Professional is designed for businesses. Microsoft will however offer equivalents of all the versions it offered with Vista, and which at the time, caused much confusion. These options will include the notorious Home Basic, the Starter Edition (that was until now restricted to developing countries), Enterprise and Ultimate.
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One of the most common myths about web design is that you should never Java Script in your web design. The rationale is that because it is not universally enabled on all browsers, designers should avoid it all together. In fact, Java Script is the focus of all modern browsers. The right way to approach Java Script with web design is to build accessible websites that work with or without Java Script. Apart from its functionality, Javascript can also enhance user experience by creating transitional effects such as fading and sliding animation – it is definitely a component that no web designer can choose to ignore.
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4.5 Petabytes – The size of the Internet archives wayback machine after an upgrade by Sun Microsystems. If you have ever wondered how big the internet actually is, we can reveal that the archive is held in a single 20 foot shipping container.
66.61% - The iPhones sahre of the mobile web traffic in February 2009, according to Net Applications. The scenod most popular OS, is Window’s Mobile at 6.91 per cent.
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AAC – Apple’s compressed audio file format.
Active X – Microsoft concept that allows a program to run inside a web-page
ADSL – (Asynchronous Digital Subscribers Line) Basically this means Broadband over the Phone Line.
Antivirus Scanner – Programs such as AVG or Norton that detects and usually gets rid of computer viruses.
AOL - (America Online) A large and major ISP that encourages subscribers to use its own web browser and email.
Applet – A Small program
Archive – A file that bundles a set of other files together under a single name for transfer or back-up. It is often compressed to reduce size, or encrypted for privacy.
Attachment – File included with email or other form of message.
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Backbone - The set of hidden paths that carry most of the net’s traffic.
Bandwidth – The Speed of an Internet connection. Increased Bandwidth means more data can flow at the same time.
Binary File – Any file that contains more then just plain text, such as a program or image.
Bin Hex – Method of encoding, used on Macs.
Blog - A journal-like personal webpage, with WordPress being the most popular software to use.
Bookmarks – File used to store web addresses.
BPS – (Bits per second) Basic measure of data transfer.
Broadband – High speed Internet transfer.
Browser – Program for viewing Web pages such as Internet Explorer and Firefox.
Buffer - Temporary data storage for ensuring the smooth flow of data (IE: For online video and radio etc.)
Bug - Programming error in software or hardware that causes a recurring malfunction.
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Cache - Temporary storage space, or a snapshot copy of a web-page stored by your browser, a search engine, etc.
Client - Program that accesses information across a network, such as a web browser or news-reader.
COM Port - See Serial Port.
Context Menu – - See Mouse Menu
Crash - When a program or operating system fails to respond or causes other programs to malfunction.
Cyber – A prefix for anything to do with the Internet – eg: cybercafe.
Cyberspace - Coined By science fiction writer William Gibson to describe the virtual world that exists within the marriage of computers, telecommunications networks and digital media.
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Default – The Standard Settings.
Dialog Box - Window that appears on the screen to ask or tell you something.
Dial-Up Connection – Temporary network connection between two computers via a telephone line and an analogue modem.
Digital Signing - Encrypted data appended to a message to identify the sender.
DNS - (Domain Name System), The system that locates the numerical IP address corresponding to a host name.
Domain - Part of the DNS name that specifies details about the host, such as its location and whether it is part of a commercial (.com), government (.gov) or educational (.edu) entity.
Donation Software – Software that encourages its users to make a donation to the developers or a named charity.
Download - To copy files from a remote computer to your own.
Driver - Small program that acts like a translator between a device and programs that use that device.
DRM (Digital Rights Management), The encoded protection of compressed audio formats purchased from legitimate music download sites.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), Also called xDSL. A type of broadband connection that comes in various types, the most popular of which is ADSL.
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