A
AIR
Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR), also known as Adobe AIR, is a cross-platform runtime environment developed by Adobe Systems for building rich Internet applications using Adobe Flash, Adobe Flex, HTML, or Ajax, that can be deployed as a desktop application.
AJAX
Ajax (shorthand for asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is a group of interrelated web development techniques used on the client-side to create interactive web applications. With Ajax, web applications can retrieve data from the server asynchronously in the background without interfering with the display and behavior of the existing page. The use of Ajax techniques has led to an increase in interactive or dynamic interfaces on web pages.
Keyword(s): AJAX, languages, applications
API
An Application Programming Interface (API) is an interface implemented by a software program which enables it to interact with other software. It is similar to the way the user interface facilitates interaction between humans and computers. An API is implemented by applications, libraries, and operating systems to determine their vocabularies and calling conventions, and is used to access their services. It may include specifications for routines, data structures, object classes, and protocols used to communicate between the consumer and the implementer of the API.
Avatar
An avatar is a computer user’s representation of himself/herself or alter ego whether in the form of a three-dimensional model used in computer games, a two-dimensional icon (picture) or a one-dimensional username used on Internet forums and other communities, or a text construct found on early systems such as MUDs. It is an object representing the user. The term “avatar” can also refer to the personality connected with the screen name, or handle, of an Internet user. Note there are quite a number of online sites that allow you to create your avatar in many different ways, for example as a Simpsons’ character, also used in animations and virtual worlds such as Second Life.
B
Blog
A blog (a shortening of the term “web log”) is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. “Blog” can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.
C
Cloud
Computing with Internet Services where all data and applications are on external servers on the web. Shared resources, software and information are provided to computers and other devices connected to the web on-demand. The result is that files and data are not held locally on personal computers or laptops and therefore can be accessed by the user from any machine anywhere in the world.
E
Embed
Adding a Web 2.0 media element such as a slideshow map or movie in a web page or wiki. This course contains a substantial quantity of embedded media.
F
Flash Adobe Flash (formerly Macromedia Flash) is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to Web pages.
Folkonomy
A folksonomy is a system of classification derived from the practice and method of collaboratively creating and managing tags to annotate and categorise content; this practice is also known as collaborative tagging, social classification, social indexing, and social tagging.
M
Mashup
A mashup( or more properly digital mashup) is digital media content containing any or all of text, graphics, audio, video and animation drawn from pre-existing sources, to create a new derivative work.
Metadata
Metadata is loosely defined as data about data. Metadata can be stored and managed in a database, often called a registry or repository. Metadata is a concept that applies mainly to electronically archived data and is used to describe the a) definition, b)structure and c) administration of data files with all contents in context to ease the use of the captured and archived data for further use. Web pages often include metadata in the form of meta tags. Description and keywords meta tags are commonly used to describe the Web page’s content. Most search engines use this data when adding pages to their search index.
P
Perpetual beta
Perpetual beta is a term used to describe software or a system which remains at the beta development stage for an extended or even indefinite period of time. It has come to be associated with the development and release of a service in which constant updates are the foundation for the habitability or usability of a service. Google is a good example.
Podcast
A podcast (or non-streamed webcast) is a series of digital media files (usually audio) that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication (RSS). This mode of delivery differentiates it from other means of accessing media files over the Internet, such as direct download, or streaming. A list of all the audio files currently associated with a given series is maintained centrally on the distributor’s server as a web feed, and the listener or viewer employs special client application software known as a podcatcher that can access this web feed, check it for updates, and download any new files in the series. An example of a podcatcher is iTunes.
R
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song (film, literature etc.). It should not be confused with a mashup.
RIA
Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) are web applications that have many of the characteristics of desktop applications. They might be delivered by way of a a browser plug-in or independently, Adobe Flash, Java and Microsoft Silverlight are currently the three top frameworks.
RSS
RSS (most commonly expanded as Really Simple Syndication) is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works—such as blog entries, news headlines, audio, and video in a standardised format. An RSS document (which is called a “feed”, “web feed”, or “channel”) includes full or summarised text, plus metadata such as publishing dates and authorship. Web feeds allow publishers to syndicate content automatically. Readers who want to subscribe to timely updates from websites or to aggregate (put together) feeds from many sites into one place. RSS feeds can be read using software called an “RSS reader”, “feed reader”, or “aggregator”, which can be web-based, desktop-based, or mobile-device-based.
S
Semantic Web
The Semantic Web is an evolving development of the World Wide Web in which the meaning (semantics) of information on the web is defined, making it possible for machines to process it. Google is a good example of using Semantic Web technology. If a website developer adds metadata (of a limited scope and type), then the search engine will find it and report it as part of the search results.
Social Network
A social network focuses on building and reflecting of social networks or social relations among people, e.g., who share interests and/or activities. A social network service essentially consists of a representation of each user (often a profile), his/her social links, and a variety of additional services. Examples include, Facebook, MySpace, Bebo, Linkedin and Twitter.
Social Software
Social software encompasses a range of software systems that allow users to interact and share data. This computer-mediated communication has become very popular with social sites like MySpace, Facebook and Bebo media sites like Flickr and YouTube as well as commercial sites like Amazon.com and eBay.
Streaming
Streaming refers to audio or video that is constantly received by, and normally presented to, an end-user while being delivered by a streaming provider. The name refers to the delivery method of rather than to the medium itself. The distinction is usually applied to media that are distributed over telecommunications networks, as most other delivery systems are either inherently streaming (e.g. radio, television) or inherently non-streaming (e.g., books, video cassettes, audio CDs). The verb ‘to stream’ is also derived from this term, meaning to deliver media in this manner. Internet radio is a commonly streamed medium.
T
Tag
A tag is a non-hierarchical keyword or term assigned to a piece of information (such as an internet bookmark, digital image, or computer file). This kind of metadata helps describe an item and allows it to be found again by browsing or searching. Tags are generally chosen informally and personally by the item’s creator or by its viewer, depending on the system.
V
Vodcast Video podcast (sometimes shortened to vodcast) is a term used for the online delivery of video on demand content via a RSS feed. While podcasts commonly contain audio files vodcasting refers to the distribution of video. Web television series are often distributed as video podcasts. Vodcasts like podcasts are not streamed but files associated with a given series are maintained centrally on the distributor’s server as a web feed, and the listener or viewer employs special client application software known as a podcatcher that can access this web feed, check it for updates, and download any new files in the series. An example of a podcatcher is iTunes.
W
Widget
A widget (short for web widget) is a mini-web application you can put in your web page, blog or social profile that can quickly and easily provide your visitors with user specific information or extra functionality. Often widgets are available in a ready-to-use format as snippets of HTML code which is available from the the website which hosts the widget. You can “copy” that code and “embed” in your web page. Some widgets are customisable by the user enabling you to change the background colour and other aspects of the ‘look and feel’ of the embedded item.
Wiki
A wiki is a website that allows the easy creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used to create collaborative websites, to power community websites, for personal note taking, in corporate intranets, and in knowledge management systems. Wikis may exist to serve a specific topic, be used as a collaborative workspace or be wide-ranging, for example, the collaborative encyclopedia Wikipedia.
AIR
Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR), also known as Adobe AIR, is a cross-platform runtime environment developed by Adobe Systems for building rich Internet applications using Adobe Flash, Adobe Flex, HTML, or Ajax, that can be deployed as a desktop application.
AJAX
Ajax (shorthand for asynchronous JavaScript and XML) is a group of interrelated web development techniques used on the client-side to create interactive web applications. With Ajax, web applications can retrieve data from the server asynchronously in the background without interfering with the display and behavior of the existing page. The use of Ajax techniques has led to an increase in interactive or dynamic interfaces on web pages.
Keyword(s): AJAX, languages, applications
API
An Application Programming Interface (API) is an interface implemented by a software program which enables it to interact with other software. It is similar to the way the user interface facilitates interaction between humans and computers. An API is implemented by applications, libraries, and operating systems to determine their vocabularies and calling conventions, and is used to access their services. It may include specifications for routines, data structures, object classes, and protocols used to communicate between the consumer and the implementer of the API.
Avatar
An avatar is a computer user’s representation of himself/herself or alter ego whether in the form of a three-dimensional model used in computer games, a two-dimensional icon (picture) or a one-dimensional username used on Internet forums and other communities, or a text construct found on early systems such as MUDs. It is an object representing the user. The term “avatar” can also refer to the personality connected with the screen name, or handle, of an Internet user. Note there are quite a number of online sites that allow you to create your avatar in many different ways, for example as a Simpsons’ character, also used in animations and virtual worlds such as Second Life.
B
Blog
A blog (a shortening of the term “web log”) is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. “Blog” can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.
C
Cloud
Computing with Internet Services where all data and applications are on external servers on the web. Shared resources, software and information are provided to computers and other devices connected to the web on-demand. The result is that files and data are not held locally on personal computers or laptops and therefore can be accessed by the user from any machine anywhere in the world.
E
Embed
Adding a Web 2.0 media element such as a slideshow map or movie in a web page or wiki. This course contains a substantial quantity of embedded media.
F
Flash Adobe Flash (formerly Macromedia Flash) is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to Web pages.
Folkonomy
A folksonomy is a system of classification derived from the practice and method of collaboratively creating and managing tags to annotate and categorise content; this practice is also known as collaborative tagging, social classification, social indexing, and social tagging.
M
Mashup
A mashup( or more properly digital mashup) is digital media content containing any or all of text, graphics, audio, video and animation drawn from pre-existing sources, to create a new derivative work.
Metadata
Metadata is loosely defined as data about data. Metadata can be stored and managed in a database, often called a registry or repository. Metadata is a concept that applies mainly to electronically archived data and is used to describe the a) definition, b)structure and c) administration of data files with all contents in context to ease the use of the captured and archived data for further use. Web pages often include metadata in the form of meta tags. Description and keywords meta tags are commonly used to describe the Web page’s content. Most search engines use this data when adding pages to their search index.
P
Perpetual beta
Perpetual beta is a term used to describe software or a system which remains at the beta development stage for an extended or even indefinite period of time. It has come to be associated with the development and release of a service in which constant updates are the foundation for the habitability or usability of a service. Google is a good example.
Podcast
A podcast (or non-streamed webcast) is a series of digital media files (usually audio) that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication (RSS). This mode of delivery differentiates it from other means of accessing media files over the Internet, such as direct download, or streaming. A list of all the audio files currently associated with a given series is maintained centrally on the distributor’s server as a web feed, and the listener or viewer employs special client application software known as a podcatcher that can access this web feed, check it for updates, and download any new files in the series. An example of a podcatcher is iTunes.
R
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song (film, literature etc.). It should not be confused with a mashup.
RIA
Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) are web applications that have many of the characteristics of desktop applications. They might be delivered by way of a a browser plug-in or independently, Adobe Flash, Java and Microsoft Silverlight are currently the three top frameworks.
RSS
RSS (most commonly expanded as Really Simple Syndication) is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works—such as blog entries, news headlines, audio, and video in a standardised format. An RSS document (which is called a “feed”, “web feed”, or “channel”) includes full or summarised text, plus metadata such as publishing dates and authorship. Web feeds allow publishers to syndicate content automatically. Readers who want to subscribe to timely updates from websites or to aggregate (put together) feeds from many sites into one place. RSS feeds can be read using software called an “RSS reader”, “feed reader”, or “aggregator”, which can be web-based, desktop-based, or mobile-device-based.
S
Semantic Web
The Semantic Web is an evolving development of the World Wide Web in which the meaning (semantics) of information on the web is defined, making it possible for machines to process it. Google is a good example of using Semantic Web technology. If a website developer adds metadata (of a limited scope and type), then the search engine will find it and report it as part of the search results.
Social Network
A social network focuses on building and reflecting of social networks or social relations among people, e.g., who share interests and/or activities. A social network service essentially consists of a representation of each user (often a profile), his/her social links, and a variety of additional services. Examples include, Facebook, MySpace, Bebo, Linkedin and Twitter.
Social Software
Social software encompasses a range of software systems that allow users to interact and share data. This computer-mediated communication has become very popular with social sites like MySpace, Facebook and Bebo media sites like Flickr and YouTube as well as commercial sites like Amazon.com and eBay.
Streaming
Streaming refers to audio or video that is constantly received by, and normally presented to, an end-user while being delivered by a streaming provider. The name refers to the delivery method of rather than to the medium itself. The distinction is usually applied to media that are distributed over telecommunications networks, as most other delivery systems are either inherently streaming (e.g. radio, television) or inherently non-streaming (e.g., books, video cassettes, audio CDs). The verb ‘to stream’ is also derived from this term, meaning to deliver media in this manner. Internet radio is a commonly streamed medium.
T
Tag
A tag is a non-hierarchical keyword or term assigned to a piece of information (such as an internet bookmark, digital image, or computer file). This kind of metadata helps describe an item and allows it to be found again by browsing or searching. Tags are generally chosen informally and personally by the item’s creator or by its viewer, depending on the system.
V
Vodcast Video podcast (sometimes shortened to vodcast) is a term used for the online delivery of video on demand content via a RSS feed. While podcasts commonly contain audio files vodcasting refers to the distribution of video. Web television series are often distributed as video podcasts. Vodcasts like podcasts are not streamed but files associated with a given series are maintained centrally on the distributor’s server as a web feed, and the listener or viewer employs special client application software known as a podcatcher that can access this web feed, check it for updates, and download any new files in the series. An example of a podcatcher is iTunes.
W
Widget
A widget (short for web widget) is a mini-web application you can put in your web page, blog or social profile that can quickly and easily provide your visitors with user specific information or extra functionality. Often widgets are available in a ready-to-use format as snippets of HTML code which is available from the the website which hosts the widget. You can “copy” that code and “embed” in your web page. Some widgets are customisable by the user enabling you to change the background colour and other aspects of the ‘look and feel’ of the embedded item.
Wiki
A wiki is a website that allows the easy creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used to create collaborative websites, to power community websites, for personal note taking, in corporate intranets, and in knowledge management systems. Wikis may exist to serve a specific topic, be used as a collaborative workspace or be wide-ranging, for example, the collaborative encyclopedia Wikipedia.