So, the other day I’m over at my mom and dads house (who are now in their 70’s) and my mom is asking me about a website that she heard about on TV. I asked her… “what is the domain name?” And she didn’t know how to respond. Even though she is a frequent web user she didn’t know what a domain name was. So I thought I would create a post that explains what some of the most common internet terms mean. There are hundreds, possibly thousands of internet terms but I am only going to explain the 10 most common internet terms. That way, this article will not represent “information overload”, if just one person, learns just one thing from this blog post I will have done my job. 
1. Blog.
A shortened version of the word “weblog”. A blog is essentially a internet version of a newspaper editorial. Although a blog can also be very personal, similar to diary. This website is an example of a blog. Blogs are usually categorized by daily or weekly entries. Blogs have become a very popular way to spread breaking news on the internet.
2. Browser
A browser is the software you use to view websites. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome, and Opera are common examples.
3. Cache
To avoid re-downloading every aspect of your favorite website each time you visit it, your computer stores parts of it on your computer. This allows you to more quickly load websites when you visit them a second time. These files are called cache.
4. Domain Name
Every website has a unique address. And it would be difficult to remember the address of a website if it were just made of number and dots. A domain name is a way to give websites an address that is memorable and relevant to the content of the website. An example of a domain name is FedEx.com, Gatorade.com, Google.com or Yahoo.com.
5. Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Internet service providers are companies that provide access to the internet through their equipment. A ISP is similar to a phone company in that phone companies provide access to telecommunications for folks who wish to have a telephone. Common ISP’s are Comcast, BellSouth, Qwest, America Online, etc. If you wish to have access to the internet you will need to pay an ISP so you can access the internet through their service.
6. IP Address
An IP address is a numerical identifying code that every computer which connects to the internet is assigned. Your computer that you are using right now has an IP address. Want to know what your IP address is? Find out here… what is my IP address?
7. QuickTime
QuickTime is a type of video file that was developed by apple computer. QuickTime video is one of the most popular video formats on the internet.
8. Router
A router is a piece of hardware that connects one network to another. A router can be wired or wireless. A router essentially “routes” traffic from one network to another. Routers can also be software and not hardware but those are generally referred to as gateways. A common use of a router is as follows: your cable or DSL modem is a router, and it routes your computers connection to the internet through your ISP.
9. Search Engine
A search engine is nothing more than a website that helps you find what you are looking for on the internet. Popular search engines are google.com, Yahoo.com, and Bing.com
10. Webmaster
A webmaster is a person who is in charge of taking care of a website. Do you have a website? Do you take care of it? If so, you are a webmaster!
OK mom… I hope that this article was helpful to you in some way.
