Technology
Online
The state in which a computer is connected to another computer or server via a network. A computer communicating with another computer.
Online community
A meeting place on the Internet for people who share common interests and needs. Online communities can be open to all or be limited to membership only and may or may not be moderated.
Online learning
Learning delivered by web-based or internet-based technologies. See web-based training and internet-based training.
Operating system
A set of routines and programs that control a system's resources and provide access to its services, e.g. Windows XP, Athena (unix), Linux, Macintosh OS X.
Open source software
1) Software in which the source code is available to the general public for use and/or modification from its original design free of charge. The Linux operating system is an example of open source software.
2) Software that meets each of nine requirements listed by the non-profit Open Source Initiative in its Open Source
Packet
A bundle of data transmitted over a network. Packets have no set size; they can range from one character to hundreds of characters.
Page turner
A derogatory term for e-learning that offers little to no graphics or interaction, instead comprising mainly pages of text.
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
Handheld computer device used to organize personal information such as contacts, schedules, and so forth. Data can usually be transferred to a desktop computer by cable or wireless transmission.
PDF (Portable Document Format)
File format developed by Adobe Systems to enable users of any hardware or software platform to view documents exactly as they were created — with fonts, images, links, and layouts as they were originally designed.
Peer-to-peer network (P2P)
A communication network that enables users to connect their computers and share files directly with other users without having to go through a centralized server. Groove is an example of an application that runs on a peer-to-peer network.
Personalization
Tailoring web content to an individual user. Can be accomplished by a user entering preferences or by a computer guessing about the user's preferences.
Pixel (picture element)
Tiny dots that make up a computer image. The more pixels a computer monitor can display, the better the image resolution and quality. On a color monitor, every pixel is composed of a red, a green, and a blue dot that are small enough to appear as a single entity.
Plug-in
An accessory program that adds capabilities to the main program. Used on web pages to display multimedia content.
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
The patent-free graphics compression format developed by Macromedia expected to replace GIF. PNG offers advanced graphics features such as 48-bit color.
POP (Post Office Protocol)
The set of rules and standards that govern the retrieval of e-mail messages from a mail server.
Portal
A web site that acts as a doorway to the Internet or a portion of the Internet, targeted towards one particular subject.
Post
To publish a message in an online forum or newsgroup; to place an HTML page on the World Wide Web.
Prescriptive learning
A process in which only coursework that matches a learner's identified skill and knowledge gaps is offered to him or her, with the goal of making the learning experience more meaningful, efficient, and cost-effective.
Production (video)
The process of filming all of the essential material for a production.
Protocol
An agreed-upon format for transmitting data between two devices.
Pull technology
In reference to the Internet or other online services, the technology whereby people use software such as a web browser to locate and "pull down" information for themselves.
Push technology
In reference to the Internet or other online services, the technology whereby information is sent directly to a user's computer.
QuickTime
A digital audio and video file-format and architecture developed by Apple Computer, Inc. Can be viewed on most computing platforms.
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