Advanced Internet Topics
Thursday, August 30, 2007 - By: Laura Chan
Advanced Internet Topics
You have a general notion about the Internet, and how to find it on your computer. You also have a pretty good grasp on the tools and functions of the Internet, like your modem, web browser and downloading. Now let’s take the next step by learning about some of the advanced functionality of the Internet.
Advanced Internet Terminology
Web Conferencing
Web Conferencing allows people in disparate parts of the world, or even just in different rooms, to communicate with each other. Using providers like WebEx or GoToMeeting, conference participants can view the computer desktop of the host of the conference in real time. Audio is provided by telephone, or can be streamed along with the video. Many people find web conferencing a helpful tool, especially when dealing with clients who relocate from significant distances.
Pop-Ups
Pop-ups or pop-up ads are advertisements that inconveniently open over top of a website’s content. Often an advertiser will pay top dollar to buy a pop-up ad, despite its negative connotation. While most people close the ad immediately, visitors are obliged to view the ad, even if only for a split-second while they close this ad.
Pop-Up Blocker
A Pop-Up Blocker does just what it implies: block pop-ups. You can download these programs from many different providers. Your ISP might offer a pop-up blocker as well. Several newer versions of popular web browsers include a pop-up blocker. Some anti-virus software contains pop-up blocking capabilities. Be weary, however, of pop-up blockers offered in “toolbars” or “shopping buddies.” While these seemingly benign toolbars may offer you searching, shopping, movie ticket finding, etc. in one “free” download, remember these companies don’t give these away without reason. These programs place “cookies” on your computer, tracking your movement over the net to report your marketing data back to the company that provided you with that “toolbar.” Pretty sneaky, huh? Always use pop-up blockers provided by reputable sources.
Acrobat (.pdf) Files
Adobe Acrobat or .pdf files are documents with condensed formatting designed to be easily downloaded and read. PDF stands for Portable Document Format. With .pdf files, file sizes tend to be smaller as the document is “locked’ for editing. These files are useful to have on your website for a variety of reasons.
- Files in this format print predictably
- Information on the document cannot be changed accidentally
- You can have a form that a client can print out and look clean, and email to you simultaneously.
- The software required to read documents in this format is absolutely free.
Blog
Short for web log, a blog is a space for news and commentary, often on a particular topic. Often authored and moderated by one person or group, subscribers to the blog post comments to the different topics listed. The blogger posts these in chronological order, in a format much like a journal.
You may want to use a blog in your website to discuss new listings or market trends.
RSS
RSS is an acronym for Really Simple Syndication. Often this technology is thought of in the same vein as a blog, though they are hardly similar. RSS is a feed sent from a website. With a “feed reader” or “aggregator,” you can read the feed from all of the websites to which you have subscribed. To prevent downloading unwanted data, the feed reader checks each site to which you are subscribed for any updated content. When new content is found, the feed reader downloads the content and presents it in the reader. RSS and blogs are often associated because blogs are an example of content updated frequently that an RSS feed would facilitate reading.
Chat/Instant Message
This technology allows Internet users to send text to each other in nearly real time. In the earlier days of the Internet, chat rooms were the medium by which most instant communication on the web occurred. A chat room is a forum where users can log in with other many other users, and live comments can be read by the entire “room.” Chat rooms still exist in a variety of settings, ranging from virtual meetings to simple chat rooms on some of the leading Internet Content Providers. Instant Messaging provides a one on one chat environment.
