Bandwidth
This refers to the amount of data that can be sent or received in a given time. The greater the bandwidth - the quicker the information transfer.

Below The Line
A Below The Line agency targets consumers, customers or trade groups according to their needs or preferences. Marketing and sales strategies are specific and typically measurable.

Bitmap
A computer graphic image comprised of dots of colour that correspond directly to data bits stored in memory.

Bits Per Second (bps)
Characters or blocks per unit time passing between equipment in a data transmission system. The quicker the better.

Brainstorming
Brainstorming is the process of understanding a situation and finding solutions to a problem by engaging in the production and sharing of ideas.

Bytes
Bits organized in sets of eight are called Bytes. The number 8 was chosen because a binary number with eight digits is enough to represent the characters and symbols on a keyboard.

Chips
What computers are made from, tiny pieces of silicone. Millions of transistors are etched on to the surface of a chip and are inter-connected.

Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM)
Information can be stored permanently on CD-ROM's much in the way that audio compact discs store music. ROM stands for Read Only Memory, which means you retrieve data from it, but you can not change the data that is there or add any new data.

Compression
Bandwidth limitations can be overcome by compression. Akin to the sending of a shorthand message that can be converted into the full message at the other end.

Compression ratio
The factor by which digital data can be compressed.

Computer Aided Design (CAD)
Design activities that incorporate the use of computers. Graphic design, desktop publishing, product design, architectural design etc.

Domain Name Server (DNS)
The division of names into domains, the logical organizational principle of the Internet naming scheme. Special computers called DNS convert these names to numbers that stand for physical Internet addresses.

Download
Means to transfer a computer file from another computer to your computer.

Email
Electronic mail. This is an easy way to send files via a computer network.

Ethernet
Was created as a means of sharing computer resources in a LAN.

Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)
Products that are sold quickly at relatively low cost. Though the absolute profit made on FMCG products is relatively small, they generally sell in large quantities.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
This is a standard way to send files to other computer users linked to the Internet.

Firewall
A way of controlling what can and cannot be passed between internal and external networks.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)
A method of interacting with a computer using windows, icons, menus and other graphical devices.

Graphics Interchange Format (GIF)
A file format that is used generally for saving graphics and is readable by most Web Browsers. An alternative is the JPEG.

Hardware
The equipment needed to run the software. ie, computer, scanner, cd burner.

Hard disk
The part of the computer that stores files and programs. The size of the hard disk is measured in Megabytes (Mb) and Gigabytes (Gb). This disk can be written to and read from.

Hyperlink or Link
A link is a line of text or area of graphics that links you to another area of that particular website or jumps to another area or URL on the web.

Hyper-Text Markup Language (HTML)
A uniform way of representing information like text, headings, paragraphs, images and sounds on any computer system.

Hyper-Text Transport Protocol (HTTP)
Is for linking and transporting HTML information

Interface Messages Processor (IMP)
Is a dedicated communications machine that bridges a computer and the telephone lines connecting remote locations.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Is a company that offers its customers access to the Internet.

Intranet (Internal Network)
An organizations internal computer link.

Java
A programming language for websites that can include Multimedia.

Joint Photographics Expert Group (JPEG)
This is a graphic file format, similar to a GIF.

Kilobyte (Kbyte)
1024 bytes of data.

Local Area Network (LAN)
Computers linked within the same building.

Marketing
Marketing is the management process, which identifies, anticipates and supplies customer requirements efficiently and profitably. An understanding of the customer or consumer.

Media
Nonpersonal communications channels including print media (newspapers, magazines, direct mail), broadcast media (radio, television), and display media (billboards, signs, posters).

Megahertz (MHz)
Processing power can be measured by how many times the fastest computer circuit can switch on and off in one second. MIP's and MHz are used to rate computers much as maximum revolutions per minute (RPM's) rate a cars engine.

Memory
As the information (1's and 0's) enter the computer, they are stored in solid state "switches" that set either open or closed. This constitutes the computers memory organized in sets of eight called Bytes. The number 8 was chosen because a Binary number with eight digits is enough to represent the characters and symbols on a keyboard.

Menu
A range of options for the user, pull down, pop up or a static list. Often represented as images or icons from which the user can choose a desired action.

Million Instructions Per Second (MIPS)
Processing power is usually measured in how many millions of instructions a computer can perform in one second.

Pixel
The smallest unit of the computer screen. Pixels refer to screen resolution. ie, 72 pixels (or dots) per inch.

Plug-Ins
These are extensions to your browser and enhance functionality.

Point of Information (POI)
This is the name given to systems that provide information to people at museums, exhibitions etc.

Point of Purchase (POP)
Signs, displays, and other techniques of attracting attention and promoting products at their location of sale.

Point of Sale (POS)
Advertising, promotion and vending available to the public in stores.

Point to Point Protocol (PPP)
This protocol allows the link from the computer to the Internet.

Points of Presence (POP's)
Refer to a local computer owned and operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Random Access Memory (RAM)
Taken together, all the chips that hold the numbers that a computer is working on at any given time are called its primary memory, the RAM. The RAM is fast but forgetful, when you turn off your computer the information is lost. This is why we save the information to the computers secondary memory, the Hard disk. Which preserves the numbers even when the power is off. If you then want to access and work on this information in the future the computer moves the information from the secondary memory to the primary memory where it can be manipulated. When you hit save it copies the new data from the RAM back on to the hard disk.

Real time
Computer processing that takes place instantaneously.

Resolution
The measure of detail in an image or sound. Images are measured in pixels (dots) per inch. 72 dpi is the norm for use on the web. 300 dpi is the norm for use in print

Scan
Scanning is a process that converts photos, text and graphics on paper to a digital file. These scanned items are usually saved as GIF or JPEG if used for the web or EPS or TIFF if used for print.

Search Engine
These engines find the relevant sites when you type in your key word search.

Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
Advertising a product or service on search engine results pages. These are usually listed as "sponsored links" or "advertisement" on the results pages of popular engines.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Signs, displays, and other techniques of attracting attention and promoting products at their location of sale. Motto Advertising specializes in creating innovative POP advertising.

Telecommunications
Is the reliable and rapid transportation of information from one place to another. Improvements in technology mean that computer information (1's and 0's) can be sent over a wire by turning an electrical current on and off rapidly (Digitally). And they can also be sent through air by switching a radio wave transmitter between two frequencies (Analogue).

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
This holds the Internet together like a glue by its set of rules. It is the common language between computers linked to the Internet.

Universal Resource Locator (URL)
The primary agreements which establishes a unique address for any and every piece of information made available on the Internet. Be it a document, image, sound or video.

Upload
Means to send a computer file to another computer.

Web
The web is nothing more than a specific way of using the addressing and transport capabilities of the Internet.

Web Browser
Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer are examples of web browsers. It is a program that reads or browses web pages.

Web Site
A specific address on the World Wide Web where pages on a chosen subject are found.

Wide Area Network (WAN)
Computers connected across a few square miles, ie, a university site.