Glossary of Terms

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I

ICMP - Internet Control Message Protocol, an exceedingly uninteresting low-level protocol that Internet computers use. Used by ping.

Icon - A little picture intended to represent something bigger, such as a program or a choice of action or object.

IMO (IMHO) - In my opinion or in my humble opinion.

Internet Explorer - Microsoft's Web browser. Also See: Netscape

Internet Relay Chat (IRC) - A system that enables bored undergraduates and, occasionally, other Internet folks to talk to each other in real time (rather than after a delay, as with e-mail messages).

Internet - An interconnected bunch of computer networks, including networks in all parts of the world. Internet Protocol See IP.

lnterNIC - The Internet Network Information Centre, a repository of information about the Internet. It is divided into two parts: Directory Services, run by AT&T in New Jersey, and Registration Services, run by Network Solutions in Virginia. It is funded partially by the National Science Foundation and partially by fees that are charged to register Internet domains.

Interrupt Character - A key or combination of keys you can press to stop whatever is happening on your computer. You might find that you have started something and don't want to wait for it to finish. Common interrupt characters are Ctrl-C and Ctrl-D. Telnet's usual interrupt character is Ctrl-].

Intranet - A private network inside a company or organization that uses the same kinds of software that you would find on the public Internet, but that is only for internal use. As the Internet has become more popular many of the tools used on the Internet are being used in private networks, for example, many companies have web servers that are available only to employees. Note that an Intranet may not actually be an Internet, it may simply be a network. See Also: Internet, Network IP

Internet Protocol - A scheme that enables information to be routed from one network to another as necessary.

IP Number - (Internet Protocol Number) A unique number consisting of 4 parts separated by dots, e.g. 66.194.41.155 is the IP for noblelabs's server. Every machine that is on the Internet has a unique IP number, if a machine does not have an IP number; it is not really on the Internet. Most machines also have one or more Domain Names that are easier for people to remember. Also See: Domain Name, Internet, and TCP/IP

IPP - (Internet Presence Provider) No dial-up connections sold - just hosting. IPPs usually specialize in providing Web site hosting, hosting of on-line databases, catalogues and e-commerce solutions etc.

ISDN - (Integrated Services Digital Network) Is a way to move more data over existing regular phone lines. ISDN is rapidly becoming available in the USA and in most markets it is priced very comparably to standard analogue phone circuits. It can provide speeds of roughly 128,000 bits-per-second over regular phone lines. In practice, most people will be limited to 56,000 or 64,000 bits-per-second.

ISO 9000 - A set of standards for electrical and electronic products, formulated by the International Standards Organization. Product quality standards in most nations either meet or exceed ISO9000 standards.

ISO - (Independent Service Organization) A firm or organization which offers to process online credit card transactions, usually in exchange for transaction fees or a percentage of sales. Merchants must generally establish a merchant account before contracting for ISO services, although some ISOs claim not to require separate merchant accounts. Also See: Factoring

ISP - (Internet Service Provider) An institution that provides access to the Internet in some form, usually dial-up or cable and charge for the service. Also See: Internet, IPP

Issuing Bank - The bank that maintains the consumer's credit card account and which must pay out to the merchant's account in a credit card purchase. The issuing back then bills the customer for the debt.

Issuing Bank - Issues the credit to a credit card holder. When sale authorization is requested, the merchant's bank requests the funds to be transferred from the credit card company, which in turn receives the funds from the issuing bank.