3G - Much-vaunted 'third generation' of mobile phones, which will offer faster web navigation, quicker downloads and maybe even video on a mobile device which is permanently connected to the Net.

ADSL - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line; an always-on Internet connection which allows you to use your telephone at the same time as surfing the Net and allows access at speeds between 10 and 40 times faster than a standard modem.

Applet - A (Java) programme embedded in a web page that runs in your browser when you enter the site (as long as you have Java enabled). Applets are safer than executable downloads as they are safely contained within a protected environment and have little direct access to resources on your PC.

Avatar - Among people working on virtual reality and cyberspace interfaces, an "avatar" is an icon or representation of a user in a shared virtual reality. The term is sometimes used on MUDs.

b2b - business2business; trade term for an e-commerce site which offers sales to other businesses (for example, a plumbing supplies site). b2cs (business2consumer) provide sales to the public (for example, Amazon or Expedia). c2cs (consumer2consumer) include auction sites and classified ads.

Bandwidth - The amount of data that can be sent over a specified Internet connection, usually measured in bytes per second.

Bang - An exclamation point used to signify surprise in an online forum. Users often use a bang before online IDs on chat forums.

Bluetooth - A new communications protocol that enables electronic devices to communicate with one another without the need for cables or wires.

Broadband - Any access method which utilises the same communication channel for multiple services, including ADSL (voice and simultaneous data) and cable modems (TV and data).

Cookie - A small file that downloads onto your computer when you enter certain websites. The next time you visit that site, it may request the cookies back again, thus allowing the site owner to track your surfing habits - their use is controversial among the more conservative Internet users, but many sites will not operate properly if you turn them off in your options. Cookies are limited to particular domains, so sites cannot get cookies for other sites that you have visited.

Cracker - Someone who illegally gains access to a computer system and does damage to specific files or introduces a virus into the system.

Dial-up - A traditional Net connection in which a modem 'dials up' the Web through a phone line.

Domain - The name given to a site for ease of identification: this is the part of a web address between the 'www' and the suffix (.com, .net, .sg etc).

Dongle - A small hardware devise used for copy protection with some software. The dongle must be plugged into a port on the computer, or the software will not function.

Download - To copy something from a primary source to a more peripheral one, as in saving something found on the Web (currently located on its server) to diskette or to a file on the local hard drive.

E-commerce - The process of offering goods or services for sale directly through a website, either to other businesses or consumers.

Encryption - The process of coding messages so they cannot be read while in transit from one server to another. It is commonly used to hide credit card numbers sent over secure servers or to disguise confidential emails. Reading the encrypted message at the other end requires decryption by the computer receiving it.

Finger - Software that allows the user to enter the address of an Internet site to find information about that system's users or a particular user. Some e-finger addresses return other topic-specific information.

Firewall - Software which provides a barrier between a company's internal network connections and the Internet itself. Firewalls keep out unauthorised intruders and can audit both incoming and outgoing Internet use. Additional servers may scan incoming messages or downloads for viruses or unsuitable material. They can also be used to block access to certain types of site.

Flaming - Sending angry and sometimes abusive messages by e-mail or posting them on a discussion forum. (Noun form is flames—Indignant email responses.)

Frag - To shoot someone in a computer game.

FTP - File Transfer Protocol; a system which allows web users to upload files to or download files from remote computers. Simply typing ftp:// and the target file location starts an instant download to your computer.

Geek - Someone who spends time being "social" on a computer. This could mean chatting on IRC or MSN, playing multi-user games, posting to newsgroups and online forums, or even doing simple programming. Most geeks are technically adept and have a great love of computers, but not all geeks are programming wizards.

Guru - A more experienced user who helps a newer user (i.e. a newbie).

Hacker - The term hacker tends to refer to the more programming-intense set of the geek crowd. However the term is overused in the popular media, and therefore is no longer much used among "real geeks". The term "hacker" also has negative connotations related to cracking or illegally obtaining access to computers and accounts. However, most self-proclaimed hackers who illegally gain access to private computers do not do any damage to the computers, but are only interested in testing their skills (see Cracker).

HTML - HyperText Markup Language; the simple code web developers use to design pages and insert text based on simple tags around the text.

Intranet - A private company network which links computers in the same way as the Internet but without allowing any external access. It is useful for internal file-sharing, web serving or messaging.

IP - Internet Protocol; each computer on the Internet has its own IP address (which may be allocated by the ISP) which consists of a 32-bit number usually represented by four numbers separated by dots.

IRC - Internet Relay Chat; an Internet-based communications system that permits people from across the world to hold real-time conversations online, in a text-only form. IRC areas are divided into named 'channels', and any user can open his own channel.

ISP - Internet Service Provider; a company such as SingNet, Pacific Internet and Starhub which provides access to the Internet.

Java - A programming language. It can be used by developers to liven web pages by adding functionality not available in pure HTML. A Java programme run in your browser is actually called an applet, though you can set your computer not to accept them.

LAN - Local Area Network; a group of computers (usually in an office) which all run off the same server.

MOO - Acronym for a number of things, one of which is Multi-user dimension Object Oriented. They are multimedia, interactive environments in virtual space. Formerly in the confines of Telnet, MOOs now have taken advantage of WWW.

MSN Messenger - An instant messaging (IM) client for Windows and Mac OS computers, aimed mainly at home users. Usually shortened to "MSN", the proper acronym refers to the Microsoft Network that includes a whole suite of services such as news, email and search; example usage, "Do you have an MSN account?"

MUD - Multiple User Dimension, Multiple User Dungeon, or Multiple User Dialogue; a computer programme that users can log into and explore. Each user takes control of a computerised persona/avatar/incarnation/character. You can walk around, chat with other characters, explore dangerous monster-infested areas, solve puzzles, and even create your very own rooms, descriptions and items.

Netiquette - A pun on "etiquette"; refers to proper behaviour on a network.

Netizen - Derived from the term citizen, referring to a citizen of the Internet, or someone who uses network resources. The term connotes civic responsibility and participation.

Newbie - Refers to a new user of the Internet.

Phishing - A form of identity theft. Typically an email that looks like a mail from a legitimate company is sent to inform the user to update his/her record and to verify his/her username and password. The site is really a place to collect that information and steal the target's identity, money, records and whatever they can.

Peer-to-peer - Refers to a type of network where computers are connected together directly, rather than via a server, allowing them to access each other's hard disk etc.

Shouting - Typing in all-caps, an action which is considered to be the Net-equivalent of raising your voice.

SMTP - Simple Mail Transfer Protocol; the system which sends email between servers on the Internet.

Smileys - Also known as emoticons. Collections of character meant to totally replace body language, intonation and complete physical presence. For example, happy face ;-) smiley face :-)
sad face :-( when viewed sideways.

Snail mail - The standard name on the Internet for paper mail because e-mail can travel across the country and continents in seconds, whereas conventional mail takes days to get there.

Spam - Refers to unasked email, usually ads or special offers from companies.

SSL - Secure Sockets Layer; a system which adds a layer of security between the user and server, allowing e-commerce transactions to take place and passwords to be entered or read safely.

Streaming - The process of playing audio or video files over the Internet in real-time (rather than downloading them to your computer). Streaming can apply to short clips or entire concerts or films.

TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol; the language used by computers to "talk" to each other over the Internet.

Troll - A person who posts only to inflame opinion is "trolling for flames". Most are so obvious that only the most clueless newbies respond.

URL - Uniform Resource Locator; the name given to an entire web address e.g. www.yahoo.net.

Usenet - The collective name for newsgroups: an Internet distributed bulletin board which users can post messages to.

Virus - Any computer code which is designed to run on another computer system, without the knowledge of the user of that system. Viruses enter computers through emails or web downloads; 'worm' viruses replicate and send themselves to other users.

WAN - Wide Area Network; a network of privately connected computers spread over a long distance, often using leased lines.

ZENY - Online games money.

Adapted from Netspeak: The Lingo of the Internet

Some TLA (Three Letter Acronyms) And Other Frequently Used Shorthand

AFK = Away from keyboard
AFAIK = As far as I know
ASAP = As soon as possible
ASL = Age/Sex/Location
B4 = "before"
BRB = Be right back
BTW = By the way
CC = Carbon copy (used in emails)
DAT = "that"
F2F = Face to face
FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions
FYI = For your information
IMO = In my opinion; related words include IMHO (in my humble opinion) and IMNSHO (in my not so humble opinion)
IIRC = If I recall correctly
IRL = In real life
L8R = "later"
LOL = Laughing out loud
LYKE = "like"
OIC = "Oh, I see"
OTOH = On the other hand
PPLE = "people"
ROTFL = Rolling on the floor laughing
RTFM = Read the fine manual
STR8 = "straight"
TIA = Thanks in advance
TMK = To my knowledge
TMOT = Trust me on this
TTFN = Ta-ta for now (meaning, "good bye")
TTYL = Talk to you later
TTYTT = To tell you the truth
WADR = With all due respect
WYSIWYG = What you see is what you get (pronounced "weesy-wig")
U = "you"
YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary (meaning, "this was my experience, yours might be different")

Chatroom Dangers

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