WEB HOSTING GLOSSARY

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Administrative Privileges
The account owner has root access to their account with the ability to manipulate their own system files.

Anonymous FTP (Anon FTP)
A method for anonymously downloading and uploading files using FTP. User use "anonymous" as their username and their email address fro a password.

ASP (Active Server Pages)
ASP is Microsoft's server-side scripting technology. It makes it possible to create dynamic and database-driven websites.

Auto Responder
Allows users to create a reply message that is automatically sent whenever an email is sent to a specific email account.

Bandwidth
The amount of data that is transferred to/from a website, including web page visits, email, etc.

Catch-All Email Box
An email box that "catches" all email that is sent a particular domain where the box that the email is sent to does not exist.

ColdFusion MX
A popular language used to create dynamic sites.

Dedicated IP Address
Each hosting account has its own IP address instead of multiple accounts sharing the same IP.

Dedicated Web Server
Each hosting account has its own web server.

Disk Space
The amount of space a website is allowed to use for its files and email.

FrontPage Extensions
A set of programs that "extend" the web server to allow users to take advantage of special features offered by their FrontPage software. They enable enhanced functionality such as discussion boards, search engines, and hit counters.

Guestbook
Provides visitors with an area to leave public messages on a website.

Java Runtime Environment
The minimum standard for running Java applications.

Majordomo
Mailing list software that makes it possible to send an email to everyone on the list.

Miva
A popular shopping cart system for E-commerce sites. It includes a full shopping cart as well as a web-based administration interface and real-time processing (optional).

Mod PERL
Improves the speed to the PERL scripts by combining PERL programming language and the Apache web server. It makes it possible to write Apache modules entirely in PERL.

Mod PHP
Allows users to use PHP to create web-based applications and dynamic websites.

MySQL
A popular database system that allows users to create dynamic websites and web-based applications.

PERL
A popular scripting language often used to create CGI scripts.

PhpMyAdmin
A popular administration system for managing a MySQL database.

Pointed Domain
When a domain name is pointed to an existing website. The website can be accessed by the original domain name or the pointed domain name.

POP Accounts
Email accounts on a hosted site. An example of a POP account would be "sales@whateverdomain.com".

PostgreSQL
A database system that allows users to create dynamic websites and web-based applications.

Real Server
Makes it possible to stream Real Video and Real Audio files instead of requiring the user to download the file before they can view or hear it.

SSH (Secure Shell)
A secure method for accessing a hosting account via the command line.

SSL (Secure Socket Layer)
Makes it possible for a website to transfer information securely. SSL is commonly used on E-commerce site for secure order processing. You can use your own certificate or some hosts will allow you to share theirs.

Sub-Domains / Virtual Hosting Accounts
Websites that exist within a directory of a main hosting account.

Telnet
A relatively insecure method for accessing a hosting account via the command line. (See SSH)

Web-based Email Client
Allows users to send and recieve email from almost any computer with internet access. The user does not have to download and install any software to their local machine.