Words like ``browser,'' ``server'' and ``URL'' might be as confusing to the typical tire dealer as ``bead,'' ``sipe'' and ``UTQG'' are to the typical motorist. But never fear. TIRE BUSINESS has compiled some layman's definitions for some of today's most popular electronic phrases:
Address—A set of characters that tells your computer where to look for a particular piece of information. (Also called a Uniform Resource Locator or URL.) The address for Rubber & Plastics News' Internet site, for instance, is: http://www.rubbernews.com.
Browser—A computer software program (like Netscape or Internet Explorer) that enables you to search for and view information received from the Internet.
E-mail (Electronic mail) —Messages that are sent from computer to computer.
http (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol)—The part of an Internet address that tells your computer how to exchange information.
Homepage—An Internet site's starting information.
HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language)—A computer programming language used for the Internet.
Internet—A vast collection of interconnected computers and computer networks.
Modem—A device that connects your computer to the Internet via a phone line.
Search engine—A computer software program that allows you to find information on the Internet.
Server—A commercial computer that provides Internet access to your computer.
Site—The place where a particular address is located.
World Wide Web—A portion of the Internet that uses the hyper text format.