Glossary of Terms

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G

Gateway - A computer that connects one network with another when the two networks use different protocols. The UUNET computer connects the UUCP network with the Internet, for example, providing a way for mail messages to move between the two networks. Also an older name for what's now called a router

GIF (Graphic Interchange File) - A file type that contains a graphic, photo or other image. GIFs are commonly found on the Web, along with another graphic file format. the JPEG. GIFs tend to take less memory and bandwidth than JPEGs, and can contain animation. JPEGs offer greater image clarity, especially for photo images. Also See: JPEG

Gigabyte - 1024 Megabytes, Also See: Byte, Megabyte

Global Kill File - A file that tells your Usenet newsreader which articles you always want to skip. This file applies to all the newsgroups to which you subscribe.

Gopher - A system that lets you find information by using menus (lots of menus) To use Gopher, you usually telnet to a Gopher server and begin browsing the menus.

gov - When these letters appear in the last part of an address it indicates that the host computer is run by some part of a government body, probably the U.S. federal government, rather than by a company or university. Most .gov sites are in the United States.