Q: It's hard to keep up with the new words, acronyms, and jargon relative to the Internet... can you enumerate and define some of them for me please?

Internet (The Net)
Essentially, the Internet is a network of networks. A network is composed of several individual computers connected by wires, cables, phone lines, or any type of data or electronic transmission system. The computers use special hardware and software that allow the "elements" to "communicate" with each other.

WWW
WWW stands for the World Wide Web. It is a system of Internet servers that support specially formatted documents. The documents are formatted in a language called HTML (HyperText Markup Language) that supports links to other documents, as well as graphics, audio, shockwave flash, quicktime, and video files. The World Wide Web allows you to jump from one website or document to another simply by clicking on hot spots (links). Almost the majority of websites are of the World Wide Web.
There are several applications called Web browsers that make it easy to access the World Wide Web. Two of the most popular being Netscape Navigator and Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

Website
Also known as Netsite, Webpage, or Home Page. Basically, it is equivalent to a virtual storefront, online brochure or information kit. It is almost always located on the same server (see next) and is accessed using a URL (see next). What you are viewing now is the SKY Internet website.

Server
A server is like the heart and brain of a network. The SERVER (computer) manages, files, stores, recognizes, prioritizes, routes, filters, processes and deciphers DATA derived from the Internet or other sources then TRANSLATES it back into something meaningful we can understand.

URL
Universal Resource Locator. The "address" assigned to a webpage (website address). Example: www.skyinet.net and www.bayantel.com.ph
When you place or type-in these URLs while in your browser (see next), they will bring you to the SKY Internet and BayanTel websites, respectively.

Browser
A web browser is a program used to view webpages. Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer are the two most popular browsers today although other browsers are available. Unless you're reading this in print, in a manual or a book, you are using a browser to read this right now.

Links
Links are words or graphic images on a webpage which brings you to another page or section of the website when mouse-clicked. Underlined text on a webpage usually indicate active links. Links also transform your normal pointer into a "pointing finger" or a "special arrow" when moused-over.

Download
Download is to transfer or copy files TO your computer from a remote system, server, or computer network. SKY Internet has a comprehensive collection of files and applications that you can download directly from its site. --more on this topic

Upload
The opposite of download. Upload is to transfer or copy files FROM your computer to a remote system, server, or computer network. Using FTP (see next) you can upload your files or website into your designated server space. --more on this topic

Convergence
Term used to describe the merging of "technologies" and the capability of each individual "technology" to cross system platforms and interconnect regardless of format. This interconnection or "convergence" is deemed to be the wave of the future. The technologies that are so far acknowledged to be within the bounds of "convergence" are broadcasting, telecommunications, and the Internet.

FTP
File Transfer Protocol. Software that adheres to data communication or system protocol standards. It provides the user the capability to upload (or download) files via the Internet.

GRIC
GRIC stands for Global Reach Internet Connection, the world's first and largest alliance of ISPs and telephone companies that provides global Internet-based communication services. SKY Internet is part of the GRIC alliance. Our customers therefore have access to global roaming, and other net-based services such us Internet faxing, paging, and telephony. --more on this topic

WYSIWYG
What You See Is What You Get. A term often used to describe software programs that allow the user to see exactly how something (such as a webpage layout) will appear in its final form.

TCP/IP
TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, the suite of communications protocols used to connect hosts on the Internet. TCP/IP is the de facto standard for transmitting data over networks. Even network operating systems that have their own protocols also support TCP/IP.

SMTP
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. It is the protocol used for "delivering" e-mail.

For a comprehensive collection of .net and .com definitions and other technical terms/explanations go to the webopedia website