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WebsiteCompass
The World’s #1 Internet Magazine
winter 14
1GUIDE
TWITTER
THROUGH 140
CHARACTERS
& 500 MILLION
DAILY TWEETS
ATTENTION ONLINE SHOPPERS:
Time to Socialize!
Say Goodbye to Old Gadgets
9
SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES
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WebsiteCompass
Contents
Website Compass™ is a publication
of Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc.
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Fort Collins, CO 80528
970-818-5012 • Fax 970-449-0771
ISSN 1525-951X
No part of this publication may be
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or transmitted in any form, electronic,
photocopying, recording, mechanical, or
otherwise without prior written permission
of the publisher. Website Compass™ is a
trademark of Cornerstone Publishing Group,
Inc. Copyright© 2014 by Cornerstone
Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
Trademarks – All brand names and
product names used in this publication are
trade names, service marks, trademarks, or
registered trademarks of their respective
owners. Website Compass magazine is an
independent magazine and is not affiliated
with, nor has it been authorized, sponsored
or otherwise approved by Microsoft
Corporation, Google, Pinterest, Twitter,
and Facebook. All screen shots are the
property of their respective owners.
Advertisers – To obtain advertising
information, contact:
Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc.
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Website Compass magazine to your Internet
subscribers and a free customized online
version of Website Compass, contact:
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Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc.
3544 Long Creek Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80528
970-818-5012 • Fax 970-449-0771
[email protected]
Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc.
(the Author and Publisher) as well as any
participating Internet Service Provider
Partners hereby disclaim all warranties
relating to Website Compass magazine or
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to a user’s computer caused by utilizing this
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consequential, indirect, or similar damages
due to loss of data or any other reason
when utilizing information/tutorials from
Website Compass magazine or its websites.
In no event shall the Author or ISP Partner
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8
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13
10
FEATURE STORY
2 1 Twitter Guide
Through 140 Characters
& 500 Million Daily Tweets
Join the conversations taking place
on the world’s second most popular
social network
INTERNET CONNECTIONS
8 It’s Important to
Bridge the Digital Divide
Though high-speed Internet is
available to over 90 percent of
American homes, not everyone
is online
SOCIAL MEDIA BASICS
10 Expand Your Social
Media Horizons
9 popular social networking sites
you may not have tried yet
18
15
BEYOND THE BASICS
15 Attention Online
Shoppers: Time to Socialize!
New sites capture the fun of browsing at
the mall with friends
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
18 Ask Dr. Webbie
Answers to your Internet questions
A TO Z
19 Internet Glossary
Words and definitions
Tutorials in This Issue
6
6
7
7
12
How to Get Started With Twitter
How to Post a Tweet
How to Follow People on Twitter
How to Search on Twitter
How to Delete Social Media Accounts
BACK TO BASICS
13 Saying Good-bye
to Old Gadgets
How to dispose of unwanted
electronics without trashing
the environment
WebsiteCompass
1
Feature Story
1GUIDE
TWITTER
THROUGH 140
CHARACTERS
& 500 MILLION
DAILY TWEETS
Join the conversations taking place on the
world’s second most popular social network
In the last few years, hundreds of social media networks have popped up online. Some are for sharing
photos, videos, recipes, book recommendations, or advice. Other sites enable you to exchange business
information, ask questions, shop, date, find new friends, or discuss art. The list goes on and on. It can be
challenging to keep track of them all, learn which ones friends like, and figure out how to use them.
By now, many people are familiar with the interface, conventions,
and etiquette of Facebook. Each site has its own rules, and some
social media networks are easier to figure out than others. Twitter
is one of those services that may seem puzzling at first but will be
well worth exploring since it’s become increasingly instrumental in
politics, entertainment, business, and the emergence of “citizen
journalism.”
Part of the mystery and power of Twitter is its abbreviated format
of just 140 characters (including spaces) per post. You may be
surprised at how much information can be communicated in
this brief length. For example, in 2008, NASA chose
to announce the discovery of ice on Mars
through its Mars Phoenix Twitter account:
2
WebsiteCompass
Are you ready to celebrate?
Well, get ready: We have ICE!!!!!
Yes, ICE, *WATER ICE* on Mars! w00t!!!
Best day ever!!
We’ve put together this Twitter guide to help you understand,
use, and enjoy one of the social media world’s biggest success
stories. You’ll learn about Twitter lingo (what the heck is a hashtag,
anyway?), what teens— heavy consumers of social media—think
about Twitter, the relationship between Twitter and TV,
Twitter’s recent initial public offering (IPO), basic Twitter
how-to’s, and more.
Study Your Twitter
Vocabulary List
Before you start exploring Twitter, it’s
helpful to understand some of the lingo:
At Symbol (@) – Used to designate
the name of another Twitter user within
a tweet (e.g. @BarackObama).
W
hile Twitter boasts only a fraction
of the number of users that Facebook
has, it’s currently the second-most-used
social media site with around 250 million
unique visitors per month. What do all
those users find so interesting about a steady
stream of mere 140-character posts?
In addition to text, each post (called a
“tweet”) can include a link to an interesting
article, photo, or video. A single tweet
can also be part of a larger conversation;
you can quickly get a number of perspectives based on the people you “follow.”
Those available to follow on Twitter
include news organizations, companies,
celebrities, and ordinary people. Twitter
posts are public by default, so it’s easy to
follow and tweet with people you don’t
personally know.
You can see what people are saying about
a particular topic by checking out tweets
designated by a particular “hashtag.” For
example, say you’re watching the Super
Bowl and you want to see what others are
saying about the game. When you access
#superbowl, you can see others’ tweets,
which you can respond to or “retweet.”
Or you can add your own by including
“#superbowl” in your tweets.
Twitter started in 2006 and began to gain
popularity with early adopters in 2007.
By 2008, Twitter started to be used for, and
known as, a means to report and find news.
In 2009, actor Ashton Kutcher became
the first Twitter user with 1 million followers.
(As of November 2013, singer Katy Perry
was the most-followed person on Twitter,
with more than 47 million followers.)
Direct Message (DM) – A private tweet
to a Twitter user who’s following you.
Follow – To connect with someone on
Twitter. Once you follow someone, you
will see their posts in your timeline.
Hashtag (#) – A word or phrase prefixed
with the # symbol. Used to contribute
to the conversation on that topic (e.g.
#knitting).
Retweet (RT) – A message from
someone else that you’re forwarding.
Timeline – The chronological stream
of tweets from people you’re following.
Tweet – A message that you post on
Twitter or the act of posting a message.
Twitter – The name of the service. When
you’re using it, you aren’t “twittering;” you
are “tweeting.”
FAST FACT: Twitter’s status as a
real-time, news-gathering tool was
cemented in January 2009 when a
US Airways plane with 155 people
on board made a miraculous landing
on the Hudson River. An eyewitness
tweeted out a widely shared photo
of passengers waiting on the plane’s
wing to be rescued.
WebsiteCompass
3
Feature Story
What Do Teens Think
of Twitter?
Twitter Takes Its Stock to Wall Street
T
witter’s initial public offering (IPO)
happened in November 2013 and
caused quite a stir in the business world.
The company, not yet profitable, reflected
growing losses that outweighed growing
revenue, which amounted to around $500
million in 2013. Twitter’s popularity is
not in question; it has over 200 million
users, who each check in 230 times per
month on average and post around 500
million tweets each day. Users are also
interacting with more ads over time. But
popularity doesn’t necessarily translate into
dollars, so the question on everyone’s mind
is, “How will the company make money?”
Twitter has integrated well with mobile
technology; 70 percent of its ad revenue
comes from this area. This adaptation
could serve Twitter well as mobile computing continues to increase. However,
Twitter will need to do more than just
sell ads visible on mobile devices. To
bump revenues even more, Twitter has
been increasing its ad space inventory,
4
WebsiteCompass
Reversing last year’s trend, teens are now
favoring Twitter over Facebook as their
social media outlet of choice. In a recent
report outlining the findings of a market
research project, Piper Jaffray found that
only 23 percent of teens view Facebook
as their most important social network,
down from 42 percent last year. Meanwhile, 26 percent named Twitter as the
most important. Fewer than 10 percent
chose Tumblr, Google+, or Pinterest. In
another report from Pew Research, teens
cited the ease of being open and
expressive as the reason for switching
from Facebook to alternative sites, like
Instagram and Twitter. This is due in part
to many of their parents not having
accounts on these services, as well as
the lack of “oversharing” and “drama”
frequently found on Facebook.
and will likely soon integrate a feature
that allows users to purchase advertised
products directly from the Twitter timeline.
Shares of Twitter
soared to close almost 73
percent above their offering
price, $26 a share, in their
first day on the stock market.
Prior to the IPO, potential investors were
mixed regarding their views on how good
an investment Twitter would be. A majority,
23 of 29, broker-dealers and independent
advisers contacted by Reuters said they
weren’t recommending Twitter shares to
clients. As it turned out, shares of Twitter
soared to close almost 73 percent above
their offering price, $26 a share, in their
first day on the stock market. Unlike
Facebook’s messy debut on the NASDAQ
in 2012, Twitter’s offering went smoothly.
QUICK TIP: If you want to start
a hashtag, check first to see if it’s
already in use and means what
you want it to mean. To do this,
type the hashtag (such as
#worldseries) into the Twitter
search bar.
Twitter Serves as a “Digital Water
Cooler” for TV Viewers
A
mericans love TV and social media
outlets like Twitter have given them
a new way to enjoy it. A recent report
by eMarketer found that about half of
Americans access social networks while
watching TV, and about one in six post
comments during live broadcasts. Nielsen,
the media research company, has reported
that one in three Twitter users have posted
about TV. This practice is known as
“dual screening” or the “second screen”
phenomenon. Viewers may still discuss
last night’s game or episode around a
real water cooler the next day at work,
but Twitter serves as a “digital water
cooler” that enables discussion during
broadcasts. Tweets can be anything from
predictions to observations to wisecracks.
A recent New York Times article notes
that sports events are likely to yield the
highest engagement, as much as 50 percent
of TV activity on Twitter. Highly anticipated
TV events, such as the final episode of
Breaking Bad, are also likely to generate
high participation. Twitter reported that
about 600,000 people posted over 1.2
million tweets about the Breaking Bad
finale over a 10-hour period. Facebook
reported significant activity surrounding
this finale as well; however, Twitter’s
rapid-fire, real-time format is better suited
to immediate discussion-style interactions.
The Twitter-TV connection can work both
ways. For instance, during the U.S. presidential election in 2012, viewers tweeted
their thoughts and impressions, and news
organizations presented a selection of
those tweets as part of their broadcasts.
On The Voice, a Fox reality show, viewers
are encouraged to tweet their responses to
singers’ performances.
Twitter reported that
about 600,000 people posted
over 1.2 million tweets about
the Breaking Bad finale over a
10-hour period.
Nielsen, the company that has been
researching and reporting the habits of
TV viewers for decades, is now doing
the same for “social TV.” Nielsen Twitter
TV Ratings tool, Nielsen’s new product,
measures Twitter activity that involves
TV shows. The metric covers tweets
pertaining to shows (e.g. “Watching
#homeland. Can’t believe what Carrie’s
doing now.”), as well as the reach of
those tweets, which is the number of
people who see them. For example,
if 2,000 people are tweeting about a
show, 100,000 people are seeing those
tweets. The purpose of the tool is to
more fully understand the relationship
between Twitter and TV. This information is useful to TV networks and
advertisers, and also ultimately to viewers who may benefit from additional
Twitter features and targeted ads.
FAST FACT: Twitter has been
testing TV-related designs
including a “TV trending” box
that appears in users’ timelines
to highlight popular shows and a
“stream” that allows users to view
only TV-related discussions. WebsiteCompass
5
Feature Story
Twitter for Babies
Who can have a Twitter account? Anyone,
including babies! Of course, babies can’t
operate Twitter but their parents can—
and do. Tech-savvy parents have been
setting up accounts for their newborns
and tweeting in their voices. Their reasons
include:
T
hink about how you use Facebook now: You’re posting updates, uploading photos,
sharing links, commenting, and clicking on “Like” effortlessly, right? But it wasn’t
always that way. If you’re like many people, Facebook seemed complicated when you
first started using it. The same is true for Twitter: It may feel like a whole new world
at first but it just takes getting used to. The following four tutorials will help you do
just that.
•They want to talk about the baby
outside of their own professional
accounts
TUTORIAL
•They want to post photos for
grandparents.
1. Go to twitter.com and follow the instructions to sign up for an account.
How to Get Started With Twitter
•They want to reserve virtual accounts
and domains for their child to use later
2. Find and follow interesting Twitter accounts. For starters, check the
“Who to follow” section on your home page.
In fact, some parents have also taken
the steps of reserving URLs and Gmail
accounts for their babies. Of course,
Twitter may no longer be a “thing” when
these babes are old enough to tweet
for themselves. But if it is, their accounts
will be ready and waiting.
3. Sign in to Twitter often and read the tweets that show up in your timeline.
You may want to just read posts from others for a while before contributing
your own.
FAST FACT: Just 0.05 percent
of Twitter users attract nearly 50
percent of the attention. These
users include media, celebrities,
and organizations. 6
Twitter Tutorials
WebsiteCompass
4. Get the Twitter app on your phone so you can check in on the go.
TUTORIAL
How to Post a Tweet
1. When you’re ready to tweet, click Compose on your home page and write a
message under 140 characters including spaces. The more you contribute,
the more followers you’re likely to get.
2. If you find something interesting you’d like to pass along, use the Retweet
link on a tweet to send it to your followers.
3. You can also reply to someone’s tweet using the Reply link on a tweet.
4. To get someone’s attention or mention them in a tweet, use the @ sign in
front of their username. (Some celebrities will even respond when you do this!)
5. Ready for the next step? Explore images, direct messages, and lists.
TUTORIAL
How to Follow People on Twitter
Twitter is only as good as the accounts you follow. In addition to using the
“Who to follow” function, here are a few tips:
1. Often Twitter users will mention others in their tweets with the @ sign followed
by the username. To follow the mentioned user, click the username link, then
click Follow on the user summary.
2. It’s considered good Twitter etiquette to follow those who follow you. To find
out who’s following you, click Followers in the upper-left corner of your home
page. Locate a user you want to follow and click Follow next to their name.
3. Perform a search (see next tutorial) using a term related to an interest (e.g.
“hiking”). Use the instructions above to follow people with similar interests.
TUTORIAL
How to Search on Twitter
World’s First Twitter
Hotel Opens in Spain
As digital devices encompass more
and more of our lives, some people are
looking for vacation experiences that
allow them to disconnect or experience
a “digital detox.” However, others want
to go in the other direction; that’s where
Sol Wave House, a hotel in Spain comes in.
This party-oriented beachfront hotel
incorporates a “Twitter concierge,”
mustaches on bathroom mirrors to
facilitate goofy “selfies” (photos of one’s
self taken by one’s self ), and the ability
to contact others registered on the
hotel’s network. Guests, who tend to
be in the 18 to 29 age group, can
receive tweeted invitations to pool
parties and other events, and tweet
each other based on numbers printed
on poolside beds.
Looking for something specific on Twitter? Here’s how to find it:
1. From your Twitter home page, locate the search field at the top of the screen.
2. Type in your inquiry, such as “puppies.” Press Enter on your keyboard.
3. Select your view based on what you want to see. In the left column, you can
choose between People, which lists users with the search term in their username,
and Photos. At the top of the search results, you can choose between Top (tweets
that have caught the attention of other users), All, and People you follow.
4. To perform a more specific search by date, location, user, or other filters,
use the advanced search operators listed at https://support.twitter.com/
articles/71577-using-advanced-search.
QUICK TIP: If you start following
a larger number of Twitter users,
you may want to use a social media
dashboard like TweetDeck to
organize them into manageable
groups.
WebsiteCompass
7
Internet Connections
It’s Important to Bridge
the Digital Divide
Though high-speed Internet is available to over 90 percent
of American homes, not everyone is online
T
he digital revolution has changed
people’s lives in multiple ways. Internet
access provides benefits including greater
access to information, more convenient
shopping and bill paying, the ability to
work outside of an office, and increased
opportunities to stay in touch with family,
friends, and colleagues.
Associates International, reasons for lack
of Internet use include:
However, not everyone is willing or able to
take full advantage of the Internet. According
to a recent White House broadband report,
high-speed Internet service is available to
91 percent of Americans’ homes yet only 71
percent of them subscribe to this service.
Besides missing out on the benefits mentioned
above, those who don’t go online may be
unable to access job opportunities, government services, health care, and education.
• A physical inability to access the Internet
What’s Keeping People
From the Internet?
Based on results from a recent study
conducted by Princeton Survey Research
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WebsiteCompass
• Disinterest
• Difficulty using the Internet
• Concern about cyber issues
(such as spam and hackers)
• The expense of owning a computer
or paying for an online connection
High-speed Internet
service is available to 91 percent
of Americans’ homes yet only
71 percent of them subscribe
to this service
Some people do have Internet access
available to them — just not at home.
Those with mobile devices and a sufficient
data plan can still get online with a Wi-Fi
connection. This may seem like a good
substitute and, for some people, it may
be. But it doesn’t allow students and other
job seekers to practice critical computer
skills, such as using Microsoft Word®, which
employers now assume applicants for many
positions will have. For this reason, the
digital divide involves more than just Internet
service. It also includes having the right
access to the right computer equipment and
software —and knowing how to use them.
Effects on Education and Employment
Education is one area in which the digital
divide is particularly apparent. Students
without access to a computer at home are
less likely to graduate from high school.
Teachers in lower-income communities know
their students need essential computer skills,
so they want to create assignments that
help develop them. However, these teachers
also know their students may not have access
to computers at home; as a result, they may
not be able to complete assignments or
may have a much harder time doing so.
The inability to complete assignments can be the beginning of
an unfortunate cycle: Without adequate computer skills, young
people can’t qualify for many jobs nor can they easily apply for
them, since many employers only accept applications online.
Without the opportunity to qualify or apply for employment,
many struggle to find work that could pay them good wages.
Sadly, particularly since the start of the Great Recession, some
families must make the choice between a computer and rent,
or between broadband service and groceries.
Programs Developed to Help
Various parties are stepping up to address this situation. For
example, Computers for Families provides low-income families
in Santa Barbara, Calif., with refurbished computer equipment
as well as technical assistance and computer instruction. This
program is paid for by companies and organizations in the local
area. A study conducted by the University of Southern California
revealed that Computers for Families participants were more
likely to perform certain tasks, such as using a computer for more
than one hour per day and submitting job applications. Participants
in the study also considered using computers important for their
children’s academic achievement.
A similar program in Florida, Estella’s Brilliant Bus, provides
free tutoring on computers. (Its founder, Estella Pyfrom, was one
of the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2013.) The bus brings technology
to people who don’t have it and can’t get to it. The program
caters to small children all the way up to senior citizens. Program
volunteers teach computer and Internet basics as well as reading,
math, and science classes. For younger students, the computers
also have educational software with interactive exercises that
support school curricula. For older students, the computers provide
GED and college prep assistance. Adults can access online banking
tutorials and get help searching for jobs and housing. Participants
can also use the bus as an open computer lab.
While these programs can’t reach everyone who needs support,
they do help bridge the digital divide and provide inspiration
to other communities.
The Digital Divide
BY THE NUMBERS
The Digital Divide Initiative is an organization that fosters
partnerships to bring technology to underserved populations.
Projects include the IBM Kidsmart Support Project, the IBM/DDI
Partnership, and the Parent Empowerment Center. The organization has gathered statistics showing how the digital divide —also
known as digital exclusion — affects people in the U.S.
Here are some of the most striking numbers:
6to
8
Percent increased chance of graduating high
school that results from students having
access to a home PC and Internet service
9.5
Number (in millions) of U.S. students who
lack digital access at home
22
Where the U.S. ranks on the worldwide list of
countries in terms of home online access
50
Percent of today’s jobs that require
technology skills
77
Percent of jobs expected to require
technology skills in the next 10 years
$32,000,000,000
Cost of the digital divide per year in healthcare and social
program inefficiencies, lost tax revenue, lost earnings
potential, and other expenses
WebsiteCompass
9
Social Media Basics
Expand Your Social Media Horizons
9 popular social networking sites you may not have tried yet
T
he hot names in social media —
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest,
and Instagram — are so big that they
overshadow many of the other social media
sites out there. But lesser-known sites are
collectively visited by hundreds of millions
of users each month. Whether you want
to meet new people, exchange ideas with
people who have similar interests, start a
blog, watch a video, or find a good book,
there’s a social media site out there for
you. The list below describes nine social
media sites that could become your next
online hangout.
(including photographers, illustrators, film
makers, and video game designers) can
create galleries to display and sell their
work. You can also collaborate and share
ideas with other artists. Art appreciators
can view galleries, read artist journals,
participate in chat rooms, post comments,
and buy prints.
4. CafeMom calls itself “a meeting place
for moms.” The site features a wide variety
of content and features. On it, you can
meet other moms and join in conversations,
read parenting advice or pose a question,
watch videos, play games, or participate
in chat rooms. Site users include expectant moms all the way through moms of
teenage kids.
1. Google+ is a Facebook-like application
that allows you to post updates, photos,
links, and other content. The main features
that make it different from Facebook are
“circles,” which contain contacts in different
areas of your life; “communities,” which
help you find others with similar interests;
and “hangouts,” which enable you to have
informal video chats with friends.
2. deviantART is a social network for artists
and art enthusiasts. Artists of all varieties
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WebsiteCompass
3. LiveJournal is an online journal service
that encourages user interaction. You can
update your journal and customize its
visibility to be open to the public, visible
just to you, or visible to just certain people.
You can also read others’ entries and
comment on them. The service includes
“communities,” group journals in which
multiple people can post.
5. Ning is a platform that allows you to
build your own social network. You can
customize the way it looks and operates,
and populate it with your own content.
Like other social media sites, features
include forums, photos, liking, and sharing.
You can also create a blog, integrate with
other social media platforms, and adjust
privacy controls.
friends by commenting on their book
selections or seeing how they’ve rated
books. You can also use the search and
suggested book functions to find ideas
for your next good read.
6. Meetup allows users to create groups
online that meet offline. The interests
represented are almost limitless including
biking, reading, dating, writing, drinking
wine, discussing religion, staying well,
speaking foreign languages, gaming, and
much more. Once a group is set up, members
can post ideas for future meetings, exchange
messages, post photos of meetings, and
rate meetings.
7. Goodreads is the social media site
for readers. You can create “shelves”
of books you have read, are currently
reading, and want to read. Interact with
Maintaining Privacy
on Social Media Sites
8. Vimeo is similar to YouTube in that
it allows you to upload and share videos.
You can also watch videos posted by others
as well as full-length films. In addition,
there’s a feature called Enhancer that enables
you to change the look of your videos and
add soundtracks. One advantage of Vimeo
over YouTube: no ads.
9. Tumblr, commonly described as a
blogging site, might more accurately be
defined as an online scrapbook. In addition
to blog posts, you can share photos,
quotes, links, music, and videos. You can
interact with others by following their
blogs, or liking, sharing, or commenting
on their content.
With social media, there is an inherent
tradeoff: When you choose to interact
with others online, you must offer
information about yourself. When you
do so, there is always the possibility this
information could be used against you.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take
to protect your privacy when using social
media. Here are a few to get you started:
• Know what you’re sharing and with
whom you’re sharing it. Prior to using
a site, explore it carefully to understand
exactly how it works.
• Many sites allow you to share at varying
levels. Adjust your settings based on how
you want your information to be used.
• Develop strong passwords. They should
be at least 10 characters and mix
numbers, letters, and characters in
combinations not found in the dictionary.
• Some sites are more suited to connecting
with strangers than others. Social media
can be great for meeting new people,
but be careful with whom you connect.
• Monitor what you share. It may seem
almost too obvious to mention but
people do forget that they have control
over what they put out there.
• F inally, have security software in place
and keep it up to date.
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Social Media Basics
Pulling the Plug: How to Delete Social Media Accounts
T
here are as many reasons to discontinue using social media
as there are to use it. Maybe you’ve stopped visiting a site,
find it too distracting, or are just plain bored. No matter the cause,
most social media sites make it easy to delete your account. Here’s
how to do it with Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
4. The next page will be a confirmation page. To confirm, click the Deactivate button.
If you happen to have “deactivator’s remorse,” you can reactivate your
Twitter account within 30 days.
Facebook
Facebook gives you two options for opting out: deactivating and deleting. Deactivating your account means everything you’ve posted gets taken
down but your information is held by Facebook in case you want to return.
To deactivate, follow these steps:
1. F rom your Home page, click Settings (the gear icon in the
upper-right corner).
2. Choose Account Settings.
3. In the left column, select Security.
4. At the bottom of the list, click Deactivate your account.
5. Facebook then asks if you’re sure you want to deactivate and your
reason for leaving. Select the appropriate choice and click Confirm.
Pinterest
Pinterest allows you to deactivate your account, rather than completely
delete it. This means your profile and pins will be deleted but your account
will still exist. To deactivate, follow these steps:
1. L og in to the Pinterest website (you won’t be able to deactivate from the app).
2. Click your username in the upper-right corner.
3. Select Settings.
To completely delete your Facebook account, visit this page and follow
the instructions from there: https://www.facebook.com/help/delete_
account. Prior to deleting your account, you may want to download your
content. To do so, follow steps 1 and 2 above, and then the following:
1. In the left column, select General.
2. At the bottom of the list, click Download a copy.
3. You will then be guided through the remaining steps.
Twitter
To deactivate your Twitter account, follow these steps:
1. From your Home Page, click the gear icon in the upper-right corner.
2. Select Settings.
3.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Deactivate my
account.
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WebsiteCompass
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click Deactivate Account.
5. You will see an option to deactivate or cancel. To deactivate, click
Deactivate Now.
Pinterest will preserve your username and password so if you want to
start pinning again, you can just log in.
Back to Basics
Saying Good-bye to Old Gadgets
How to dispose of unwanted electronics without trashing the environment
W
e all have that friend. The one who
always has to have the latest, greatest
gadget. He changes laptops like square
dance partners and stands in line to be one
of the first to own a cool new device.
Unfortunately, frequent upgrading takes
a toll on all of us. The manufacture of
computers and other electronic devices
consumes energy and produces carbon
emissions. What’s more, discarded
electronics contain lead and other toxic
substances that can contaminate landfills
and incinerator ashes. Some “e-waste” makes
its way to developing countries, where
it’s processed by unsuspecting workers
under extremely hazardous conditions.
Disposing of old computer equipment
responsibly is a simple act that does a
world of good. It allows for recovery of
valuable materials like gold, silver, copper,
and palladium and reduces air and water
pollution associated with mining.
If there are outdated devices lurking in
your closet, here’s a quick and handy
guide to responsible disposal:
Under 3 Years Old?
Sell or Trade It
Even if you’ve moved on, your youngish
device might still be in demand with consumers. Consider trading it in for cash,
retail credit, or even a donation to your
favorite charity. Here are some options
to explore:
BestBuy’s comprehensive trade-in program
(www.bestbuy.com) accepts many brands
of computers, music players, video game
systems, cameras, and even musical instruments. Payment is in the form of a Best
Buy gift card.
Gazelle (gazelle.com) pays in cash or
Amazon gift cards for in-demand electronic items with an emphasis on Apple
products. Shipping is free on items over $1.
Glyde (glyde.com) is a marketplace that
lets you price used wireless devices and
list them for sale. Once you’ve got a buyer,
the company sends you a shipping kit in
the mail.
Amazon’s trade-in program (amazon.com)
offers free shipping for eligible used electronic devices. Payment is in the form of
a gift card.
NextWorth (www.nextworth.com) buys
used tablets, gadgets, and laptops. Payment
is through check, PayPal, or a Target gift
card. Devices can be surrendered via free
UPS shipping or at participating stores.
E-Cycle (www.e-cycle.com) buys used
tablets and provides free data deletion.
You can keep the proceeds or have them
donated to the charity of your choice.
If you have your eye on a specific brand
for your new device, many technology
manufacturers let you trade in certain
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13
Back to Basics
high-demand devices (including competitors’
products) toward a discount on your next
purchase. Popular examples include Apple,
Sony, HP, Lenovo, and Toshiba. For more
details, visit the company website.
3–5 Years Old?
Donate It
Don’t Forget to
Erase Your Data
Before parting ways with your old
computer, it’s important to take steps to
remove your personal data. Unfortunately,
you can’t simply place your sensitive files
in the Recycle Bin and then empty it.
This doesn’t completely delete the files;
it only hides them from the operating
system until they’re overwritten and
someone with the right tools could
recover them.
If you’ll be recycling your computer,
you’ll want to destroy all data using
a hard drive eraser such as Active@
KillDisk (killdisk.com). Also be sure to
remove the battery, as it may need
to be recycled separately. If you’ll be
gifting or donating your machine and
wish to keep the operating system
intact, you can remove just personal
data with software such File Shredder
(fileshredder.org). Mac users can take
advantage of a built-in capability to
securely delete files.
For more information or assistance,
consult with a local computer technician.
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Your last-generation laptop may seem like
a dinosaur to you. But to your Aunt Gladys,
who just wants to shop online and video
chat with her grandkids, it could be a
treasure. So before recycling your old
electronics, consider gifting them to others
who can appreciate them.
Many technology
manufacturers let you
trade in certain high-demand
devices (including competitors’
products) toward a discount
on your next purchase.
Don’t know anyone in need? The National
Cristina Foundation (www.cristina.org)
helps old computers, laptops, cameras, and
accessories find new life with at-risk students
and people who are disabled or economically
disadvantaged. Visit their website to search
for local schools and nonprofits in need
and arrange a tax-deductible donation.
Another option is the National Coalition
Against Domestic Violence (www.NCADV
.org), which collects laptops, music players,
digital cameras, and game consoles for
refurbishment and resale. Proceeds support
programs that assist survivors of domestic
violence. Visit the organization’s website
to print a free shipping label.
5+ Years Old?
Recycle It
Let’s face it. That desktop computer
you bought in 1999 is useless
today. But it’s a perfect candidate for recycling and there are plenty of programs out
there to help. Recycling is a responsible
practice being embraced by almost all
technology manufacturers. Companies
usually designate drop sites or provide
free shipping for unwanted devices.
Some even accept products from other
manufacturers. For details, visit the
company website.
Many retail, nonprofit, and government
organizations also provide free, environmentally friendly recycling services:
Staples stores (www.staples.com) accept
desktop computers, laptops, printers, and
other consumer and office electronics (but
not TVs).
Best Buy stores (www.bestbuy.com) offer
free recycling for older consumer electronics
with no trade-in value including computers,
TVs, and game consoles.
The Consumer Electronics Association
(www.greenergadgets.org) and Basel Action
Network (www.e-stewards.org) maintain
searchable online directories of green
recyclers nationwide.
Beyond the Basics
Attention Online Shoppers:
Time to Socialize!
New sites capture the fun of browsing at the mall with friends and more
T
oday, practically every product from
clothing and cosmetics to skateboards
is available for online purchase — often at
deeper discounts than in stores. So why
does your 13-year-old still love going to
the mall?
Well, because it’s fun.
To many of us, shopping means far more
than forking over cash. Your teen doesn’t
hang out at the mall just to buy stuff. She
also wants to check out what’s cool and
new, discuss potential purchases with
friends, and show off her unique style.
While products have been sold online for
almost two decades, many retailers are just
starting to grasp the deeper emotional
significance of shopping. “There’s a whole
chunk of commerce that never went online,”
says Craig Donato, director of social at
QVC. “That is window shopping, or
shopping for fun and entertainment.”
Social shopping
makes it easy to buy the
amazing stuff you collect.
Now a new breed of sites is seeking to
recreate the experience of browsing the
racks with family and friends. “Social
shopping” sites like Kaboodle and Fab
give you the tools you need to discover
new products, showcase your fashion sense,
and connect with others who share your
tastes. And unlike general image-sharing
sites like Pinterest, social shopping makes
it easy to buy the amazing stuff you collect.
Next Generation of
e-Commerce
Each social shopping site has a unique
twist but many offer some form of the
following opportunities:
See more of what you like. Whether
you’re into steampunk fashion or pearls
and sweater sets, social shopping makes
it easy to find and follow members and
celebrities who share your tastes. Most
sites also let you follow brands, retailers,
and individual products. Based on this
information, the newsfeed on your profile
page provides a steady stream of updates,
deals, and recommendations.
Plan and organize purchases. Let’s
say your mission is to create the ultimate
pirate costume. As you shop the site’s
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15
Beyond the Basics
collection, you click the “like” button
next to an eye patch, a fake sword, and
a skull-and-crossbones hat. The site saves
all your finds to a single list or board for
easy access.
Browse Around Social
Shopping Sites
If you’re new to social shopping, here’s a
brief list of some of the more popular sites:
Showcase your style. Now that you’ve
put together the perfect pirate getup, why
not show it off? Some sites offer design tools
that make it easy to create magazine-style
fashion layouts. Name and share your “style
board,” and soon pirate fans everywhere
will be following you.
from gadgets to spices. Worried your hairspray may be tested on animals? Actress
Alicia Silverstone brings you the best in
cruelty-free beauty products. Members
get great deals on clothing, accessories,
jewelry, health and beauty products, home
décor, and electronics accessories, with
an emphasis on niche brands.
Help build the marketplace. While some
social shopping sites are curated (meaning
a group of experts pick the products), others
are crowd-sourced by members. So when
you stumble upon the baddest pair of
motorcycle boots ever, you can use a simple
bookmarking tool to add it to the site. (To
help others find stuff they love, add tags
like #leather and #bikerboots.)
Buy the best. Those lacy leggings look
adorable in the photo but will they fall to
pieces in the wash? Many sites encourage
reader reviews that give the real scoop on
products. (For more on reviews, see the
sidebar.)
Kaboodle (www.kaboodle.com) bills
itself as a “shopping community” that
emphasizes fun and interaction. You’ll
find plenty of tools to help you create
sharable content like blogs, style boards,
and more. Not sure which dress goes best
with your new banana-yellow pumps?
Post a poll so fellow members can weigh
in. You can even shop with friends via video
chat. Content covers apparel, beauty, and
home fashion. Similar site: Polyvore
(www.polyvore.com)
Share the experience with friends.
Most social shopping sites integrate with
Facebook, Pinterest, Google+, or Twitter.
Activity by your connections appears in
your newsfeed and with the touch of a
button, you can share your favorite products
and style boards. (Note: If you enable
sharing, keep a close eye on your feeds.
Consumers have criticized some sites for
sharing too much too often.)
Get rewarded. Brands and retailers often
Open Sky (www.opensky.com) is a social
thank their followers with exclusive coupons
and updates. Some sites also give you credit
for referring friends or sharing products.
marketplace curated by celebrities. Looking
for gifts for the gourmand in your life?
Chef Bobby Flay posts his kitchen favorites
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WebsiteCompass
Lockerz (www.lockerz.com) is a social
marketplace that also serves as a repository
for your favorite online music, photos,
and videos. Members earn “Lockerz points”
toward purchases by browsing others’
content, sharing products to their networks,
and otherwise participating in the community. Content is member curated and
covers fashion, art, humor, entertainment,
gifts, accessories, travel, and hobbies. Similar
site: Wanelo (www.Wanelo.com), which
is another crowd-sourced marketplace but
with more emphasis on shopping.
The Fancy (www.fancy.com) is an elegant
shopping site curated by both brand partners
and members. One of its most unique
features is the group gift tool, which allows
friends to contribute toward the purchase
of a present. (Credit cards are charged only
if the total is reached.) For $39 a month,
The Fancy will mail you a themed “Fancy
Box” containing $80 worth of hand-chosen
products (celebrity box curators include
Tyler Florence and Jennifer Love Hewitt).
Similar sites: Fab (www.fab.com) and
toGather (gather.qvc.com)
4 Ways to Spot a Fake Online Review
Crafty advertisers work hard to convince you those $120 jeans will make you look skinnier
and more attractive. But thanks to your favorite social shopping site, you know they’re
actually baggy in the waist and run two sizes too big. Thank goodness for consumer reviews!
Market research shows that customer reviews on popular sites have a significant effect
on sales. Unfortunately, this has led to a practice called “astroturfing” in which companies
plant glowing reviews of their own products —and fabricate scathing ones for competitors.
According to the technology research firm Gartner, 10 to 15 percent of online reviews
will be fake or paid by 2014. Some unscrupulous companies strong-arm employees
into astroturfing or offer gift cards in return for a five-star rating. Entire firms dedicated
to fake reviews have sprung up in developing countries.
RueLaLa (www.ruelala.com) offers
exclusive “flash sales” for members. Products
cover name brand apparel, beauty, home
décor, and even travel destinations. Refer
friends and receive site credit when they
make a purchase. Similar site: The Clymb
(www.theclymb.com) focuses on outdoor
gear and apparel.
The tide against fake reviews may be slowly turning. The State of New York recently
charged several companies who solicited fake reviews with false advertising and fined
them accordingly.
In the meantime, use the following tips to spot a false review:
1. Trust the source. Each site has its share of regular, dependable reviewers. You’ll figure
out who they are just by hanging around. Some companies also highlight the most
credible reviews (denoting them as Amazon-verified purchases, for example).
2. Expect moderation. Real reviewers know that no product is perfect for everyone.
Red flags include unlikely superlatives (“The best book since Gone With the Wind!”)
and emotional language (“I’m over the moon about this lint remover!”).
3. Look for specifics. A person who actually used that upright vacuum will likely speak
to details like its suction power, noise level, and whether it falls over when you use the
attachment.
4. Check reviewers’ histories. Suspect any person who only posts to defend or condemn
a certain product — or who leaves a flurry of glowing or scathing reviews over the course
of an hour.
WebsiteCompass
17
FAQ’s
Dr. Webbie
Answers your frequently asked questions
QUESTION:
QUESTION:
I know computer monitors have changed a lot over
the years. With today’s monitors, do I still need to
have a screensaver?
I’ve recently met several married couples who met
online. I’m curious—just how common is online
dating these days?
ANSWER:
In the past, screensavers actually protected your screen from
a phenomenon called “image burn-in,” which was an image
burned onto the screen as a result of a prolonged, stationary
image being displayed. This was the case with CRT monitors
because the phosphors that emit light inside the CRT were worn
down unevenly, which made certain areas of the screen darker
than others. The dark portions were visible as the burn-in.
With newer LCD technology, there are no phosphors to burn
so the problem doesn’t exist. However, you still might want to
use a screensaver for entertainment purposes. You can display
your own personal slideshows, photos, or festive and whimsical
images, or choose from the many screensavers available online.
You can also make your screensaver password protected, so it
helps with computer security. Some screensavers even perform
other useful tasks like scanning for viruses.
With today’s computers, saving power is really more of a concern
than saving the screen, especially with battery-powered units
since screensavers generally use a fair amount of power. To save
your screen and power, turning off your monitor is the best approach.
You can even have your computer do this automatically after
a period of nonuse. To do this, find the power options on your
computer and adjust the settings from there. If you just can’t
let go of your screensaver, set your computer to use it for a few
minutes and then power off the monitor.
ANSWER:
Based on a report recently released by Pew Internet, about one
in ten Americans have used an online dating site — such as
Match.com, eHarmony, and OkCupid — or a mobile dating
app. The report is based on a telephone survey of over 2,000
adults, aged 18 and older, completed in May 2013. Of these
online daters, 66 percent have had a date with someone they
met through a dating site or app, and 23 percent have met a
spouse or long-term partner through such a site. Some other
key findings from the report are listed below:
• T
he number of American adults who report having used
an online dating site has risen by 8 percent since 2008.
• C
ollege-educated adults are more likely to participate in
online dating
• O
nline dating is more common for those between their
mid-20s and mid-40s
• 3
8 percent of American singles who are actively looking
for a partner have used online dating
The report also reveals current public perceptions about online
dating and compares them to perceptions a few years ago. In
2005, 44 percent of Internet users agreed that online dating is a
good way to meet people. That number is now up to 59 percent.
One of the study’s co-authors notes that today there is less stigma
attached to online dating than in the past.
Is there an Internet question you’d like to see answered in a future Website Compass? Email it to [email protected].
18
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Glossary
Address Book - A feature of an email
program, or a stand-alone application,
that stores and organizes a list of email
addresses and other contact information a
computer user frequently uses.
that requests information or services from a
server. Your computer becomes a “client”
when you connect to your ISP for a service
such as surfing the Internet or using email.
Alerts - Automatic notifications, often
images, and text can be stored using less
disk space. After a file is compressed into a
smaller file size, it will require less time to
transmit over a network.
by email, that news on topics you’ve specified is now online.
APP - Shorthand for application, app is
popularly used to describe software that
enhances the usefulness of mobile phones,
media players, and social networking sites.
AUTO-COMPLETE - Feature that predicts
a word or phrase before the user types it in
completely.
Blog - (short for Weblog) Writings similar
to a journal or diary by individuals that are
posted to the Internet. Someone who
writes a blog is a “blogger.”
Bookmark - A reference to a file or
webpage you plan to frequently visit.
Most Internet browsers let you maintain
and organize a list of bookmarks (also
called “favorites” when using Microsoft
Internet Explorer) to make it easy to return
to them again.
BOOLEAN PHRASES - Linking words or
symbols in all caps that indicate the relationships of words to each other and refine
online searches.
compression - A method by which data,
Contact group - A group of email
addresses specified by a user. A contact
group allows one to easily send a message
to multiple recipients by entering the group
name in the “To:” field.
Cookie - A piece of information sent by a
Web server to be stored by your Web
browser. Whenever the browser makes
additional requests to that server, the server is able to use the information stored in
the “cookie” to customize a response based
on data from a previous connection.
CROWDSOURCING – Meeting a challenge
by asking many people — via the Internet —
if they can help.
CROWDTURFING – Organized, for-pay
efforts that hire people to create accounts
under false names and post certain reviews
or push a brand or website.
part of a Web address, it indicates that the
host computer is run by an educational
institution, usually in the United States.
Emoticon - (or Smileys) Short for emotion icon. Symbols composed of punctuation that help convey how an email message should be interpreted by the reader.
Ex. :-) = Happy, :-( = Sad
E-ZINE - A periodic publication distributed by email or posted on a website.
FAQ - Short for Frequently Asked Question.
favorite - See Bookmark.
FILTER BUBBLES - Process by which
websites show you search results and
feed items based on your past choices
and other factors.
firewall - A specially programmed
computer that connects networks (usually a local network to the Internet) and for
security reasons lets only certain kinds of
data in and out.
Firewire - (Also known as IEEE 1394) A
fast type of computer connection–similar to USB 2–that allows for high rates of
data transfer.
Flash - A multimedia program for viewing and creating interactive and animated
content on the Web.
BOTNET - A collection of compromised
CSS - (short for Cascading Style Sheet) A
specification for the presentation of html
documents that allow Web developers to
easily control the style and layout of single
or multiple webpages.
Broadband - (Broad Bandwidth) A
DNS - (Domain Name Server) A computer
Freeware - Software provided at no
charge by its originator.
Domain name - A “domain name” is a
unique name that is used to represent and
help locate a specific Web server on the
Internet. For example, “www.websitecompass.com” is a domain name. Each domain
name corresponds to a set of numbers
called an IP address.
ftp - (File Transfer Protocol) A common
method of transferring files between
two computers connected over a network. FTP is a way to login to an Internet
server for the purposes of retrieving and/
or sending files. Many publicly accessible
Internet sites allow their materials to be
obtained using FTP. Most FTP sites
require a user name and password.
Download - To copy or transfer a file
from a remote computer, usually a Web
server, to your computer.
gif - (Graphics Interchange Format) A file
format that uses compression for saving
and viewing images.
DSL - (Digital Subscriber Line) Allows users
gigabyte - A measure of computer
zombie computers running programs
automatically under remote direction.
high-speed network connection capable
of supporting a wide range of frequencies.
Browser - A software program that is
used to look at various kinds of Internet
resources. The most popular browsers
are Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox,
and Safari.
byte - A group of eight bits that repre-
sent a character. Computer memory and
disk capacity are measured in bytes. (A bit
is the smallest unit of measurement for
computer data.)
cache - The hard drive space your
browser uses to temporarily store webpages. When returning to a recently visited
page, the browser can get a copy of it from
the cache rather than the original server,
saving time and network traffic. The larger
amount of space you allocate for the
cache, the more webpages can be stored.
chat - When two or more people
exchange text messages in near real time
over the Internet. This is unlike email, in which
you send your message and wait for the
recipient to receive, read, and then respond.
Newer technology allows voice chatting.
which translates a domain name into a set
of numbers called an IP address.
to download and upload data over standard telephone lines. It provides a constant
Internet connection over which users can
receive voice and data simultaneously. It
isn’t available in many areas because it
requires a short distance to the DSL provider’s origin.
E-LEARNING - Any kind of learning that is
provided through the digital technology
used by computers.
E-PATIENT - An Internet user who looks
online for health information.
chat room - A system where people
can “chat” on a website through their browser.
eBook - (short for Electronic Book) A book
in digital format that can be read on a computer or other digital device.
CLIENT - A computer or piece of software
EDU - When these letters appear as the last
Forum - A section of a website where
users post and read topics of common
interest.
storage capacity equal to 1,000 megabytes, or 1 billion bytes.
gov - When these letters appear as the
last part of a Web address, it indicates that
the host computer is run by a government body, probably in the U.S.
Hacker - A person who tries to defeat
computer security measures and break
into websites and computers.
History - A browser feature which
keeps track of Web resources that have
been recently visited.
Home page - (or Homepage) Originally, a Home Page was defined as the
webpage your browser was set to use
when it was started up. The more com-
mon meaning now refers to the main
webpage for an organization, business,
person or simply the main page out of a
collection of webpages.
html - (HyperText Markup Language)
A coding language used to create
hypertext documents for use on the
Web. HTML files contain instructions on
how your browser displays text, images,
links and etc. HTML files usually end in
“.htm” or “.html.”
http - (HyperText Transfer Protocol) The
standard protocol for moving hypertext
files across the Internet.
Hypertext - Text that contains links to
other documents. Words or phrases in the
document that can be chosen by an Internet user which causes another document
to be retrieved and then displayed.
IP Address - A numeric address which
identifies a particular computer or server
over a network.
ISP - (Internet Service Provider) An institution that provides access to the Internet.
JAVA - A network-oriented programming language specifically designed for
writing programs that can be downloaded to your computer and run. By
using small Java programs called
“applets,” webpages can include functions such as animations, calculators,
chatrooms, games, etc.
JAVASCRIPT - A programming language
used to add interactive and dynamic features to webpages. It shares some characteristics with Java but is independent.
JPEG - (or JPG) Named after the committee that created it, the Joint Photographic Experts Group, this is a file format
that uses compression for saving
and viewing images.
LAN - (Local Area Network) A computer
network limited to an immediate area,
usually the same building or just one floor
of a building.
Link - (short for Hyperlink) A hypertext
connection that can take you to another
document or another part of the same
document. On the World Wide Web, links
appear either as underlined text or as
pictures/icons. To follow a link, double
click on the underlined text or on the corresponding icon.
LOCAL SHARED OBJECT - Also known
as a “Flash cookie,” it’s placed on your
computer by a Flash plug-in and stores data.
Login - Noun: the account name used to
gain access to a computer system. (Not a
Password) Verb: the act of entering into a
computer system, e.g. To use your email,
you must login to your ISP.
Mail server - A computer or application that stores, sends, and receives email
over a network.
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19
mailing LIST - A special type of email
address that remails all incoming mail to a
list of subscribers. Mailing lists specialize
in specific topics so Internet users can
subscribe to the ones that interest them.
pop - (Post Office Protocol) A protocol by
which a mail server lets you retrieve your
email and download it to your computer. A
POP server uses this protocol to enable users
to download email.
smtp - (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) The
method by which Internet mail is delivered
from one computer to another. An SMTP
server is the computer to which you send
outgoing email.
megabyte - A measure of a quantity of
data. (A million bytes or, technically, 1024
kilobytes.) A megabyte is large when referring to files containing only simple text messages. A megabyte may not be much when
referring to files containing complex color
photographs.
ppp - (Point-to-Point Protocol) A communication protocol for connecting a computer to
the Internet through a phone line.
SOCIAL GIFTING – Consumer’s ability to
send gifts using automatic information and
connections to social media friends.
Protocol - An agreed-on set of rules
that define how computers “talk” to each
other over a network.
spam - The act of sending unrequested
email to uninterested recipients or of posting
inappropriate messages to many uninterested newsgroups or mailing lists.
modem - (MOdulator, DEModulator) A
device that connects a computer to a phone
line and allows the computer to talk to other
computers through the phone system.
mpeg - (short for Motion Picture Experts
Group) A file format that uses compression
for sending and viewing audio/video files.
net - These letters that appear as the last
part of a Web address originally indicated
that the host computer was run by a networking company, usually an ISP in the United States. Today “.net” is commonly used
since there are no restrictions on who can
register for a “.net” domain name. Net can
also refer to a network or, when capitalized,
the Internet itself.
NETIQUETTE – Also called digital etiquette,
it’s a set of guidelines for how to behave
appropriately online.
network - The connection of two or more
computers together so that they can share
resources results in a computer network.
Connect two or more networks together and
you have an internet.
newsgroup - A discussion group for shar-
ing information on an area of interest.
online - You are online if you are working
on your computer while it’s connected to
another computer. It is mainly used in reference to the state of being connected to the
Internet itself.
org - When these letters appear as the last
part of a Web address, it indicates that the
host computer is run by a non-profit institution, usually in the U.S.
password - A combination of letters and
numbers a person chooses and then is
required to use when logging in to a computer program or system.
pdf - (Portable Document Format) A file for-
mat developed by Adobe that allows systemindependent documents to be created and
distributed across multiple computer systems
and have them appear as they were attended.
pHIShING - Attempting to acquire personal
or financial information by masquerading
as a trustworthy entity.
plug-in - A piece of software that extends
or enhances the capabilities of another program. Browser plug-ins commonly add features such as audio, video, animation, etc. One
of the most popular plug-ins is Flash Player.
20
WebsiteCompass
Quicktime - A multi-platform software
format and program developed by Apple
for viewing video or listening to audio. It
supports over 200 kinds of digital media.
realaudio - A streaming audio file format
that lets you listen to audio over the Internet.
reFRESH - (also Reload) A feature in Web
browsers that lets you load webpages
again to see if the content has been updated or changed.
spyware - (also referred to as Adware)
Software that secretly gathers user information and then transmits it to a third
party via the Internet. It is typically bundled as a hidden component of certain
freeware or shareware programs downloaded from the Internet.
router - An electronic device that connects two or more networks.
sSL - (Secured Sockets Layer) A protocol
that transmits Internet communications in
encrypted form. Information can be sent
between your computer and a server privately and unaltered.
rSS - (short for Really Simple Syndication
or Rich Site Summary) An XML-based format for syndicating Internet content. RSS
“feeds” are gathered and read using an
RSS reader commonly referred to as an
aggregator.
streaming - A technique where audio or
video transferred over a network immediately
begins to play while the rest of the file is still
downloading. Streaming was developed so
users wouldn’t have to wait on lengthy download times to view or listen to larger files.
SCAREWARE - Bogus software that masquerades as legitimate security programs.
t-1 - A connection capable of carrying data at
1,544,000 bits-per-second. At maximum theoretical capacity, a T-1 line could move a
megabyte in less than 10 seconds.
search engine - An automated program (also called a spider, crawler, robot,
or bot) that indexes millions of website
addresses. Special software within the
search engine then sorts and ranks these
sites based on a variety of criteria relevant
to keywords someone uses in a search.
SECURE server - A Web server which
uses encryption to prevent others from
reading data sent to or from your browser.
Online shopping sites normally use secure
servers so that others cannot intercept
credit card ordering information. You can
usually tell if you are on a secure server if
the “http” section of the domain name is
followed by an “s.” Example: “https://www.
websitecompass.com.”
server - A computer, or software package, that provides a specific service to
another computer, known as a client, over
a network. The term can refer to a particular piece of software or to the machine on
which the software is running. A single
server machine could have several different server software packages running on
it, thus providing many different servers to
clients on the network.
shareware - Software that is freely distributed but for which the author expects
payment from people who decide to keep
the software and use it.
TABBED BROWSING - A new feature
available on major browsers that allows
multiple webpages to be open in one
browser window.
terABYTE - A measure of computer storage
capacity equal to 1,000 gigabytes, or approximately a thousand billion bytes.
text file - A file that contains only textual
characters with no graphical information,
video, sound clips, etc. Often sent as an
attachment in emails, these files can be
opened by most word processing programs.
THREAD - A series of replies to a particular
subject. Threads are commonly found in
forums, newsgroups, and email programs.
TUMBLOGS - Name for the blogs posted on
Tumblr.
uSB - (Universal Serial Bus) USB is designed
for low- to mid-speed peripheral devices
such as keyboards, mice, printers, joysticks,
and modems. It supports up to 127 devices
connected in a “chain” to your computer.
These devices are automatically recognized
as they are plugged into the chain. A newer
version, USB 2.0, allows peripherals to communicate with your computer up to 40 times
faster than the original version of USB.
username - (or User Name) A unique name
a person uses to access a computer program
or system.
HASHTAG
A word or phrase prefixed
with the # symbol, used to
tag a topic on Twitter
vCards - Digital “business cards” that can be
attached to email messages. They usually contain information such as contact and business
names, phone numbers, and website addresses. vCards appear as attachments to email
messages with a .vcf file extension name.
virus - A software program that uses various
techniques for duplicating itself and traveling between computers. Viruses vary from
simple nuisances to serious problems for
networked computers.
WAV - (Pronounced “wave”) This is a Microsoft Windows sound file.
WEB 2.0 - Technology that allows website visitors
to not only read information, but also to contribute to it or use it to collaborate with others.
WEBCAM - (or Cam) A camera that sends live
or recorded video or a series of still pictures
over the Internet.
WEBMAIL - A system where a user can
access email through a webpage using an
Internet browser. Webmail can be easily sent,
read, and organized from any computer with
an Internet connection.
WI-FI - (short for Wireless Fidelity) A term for
a wireless local area network (WLAN) which
uses high frequency radio waves.
WIRELESS NETWORK - A network that
allows devices to communicate using radio or
light transmissions instead of wires.
XML - (eXtensible Markup Language) Similar
to HTML, XML is a programming language
that enables Web developers to create their
own customized tags. XML enables the definition, transmission, validation, and interpretation of data between applications and
between organizations.
ZIP - A format for data compression. (Not to
be confused with a Zip Disk, a name used by
Iomega for a removable storage device that
typically holds 100-250 MB.)
ZOMBIE - A computer attached to the
Internet that has been compromised by a
computer virus or Trojan horse and is being
controlled by a hacker.
zone - The last part of an Internet domain
name. If the zone is three letters long, it’s a
code indicating the type of organization that
owns the domain. If the zone is two letters,
it’s usually the country code in which the
organization that owns the computer
is located. Some common zones are: .com,
.net, .edu, .gov, and .org.
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