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Here is a list of those techno-babble words and their meanings with links to help you understand more. It is in alphabetical order. If you are looking for something in particular use a browser search. On a Mac type clover-f then enter any part of a word you are looking for. On a PC type ctrl-f  :

  • A blog is a type of web site or a [part of a site that is typified by a dynamically and regularly updated set of posts or updates by a single person or a set of people with a common interest. Often there is a secondary or primary purpose of generating traffic to the site because of the regularly updated content. That could help with sales and marketing or in some it may be a part of an affiliate marketing scheme. A blog is really an application specific CMS.
    • WordPress is an open source blog tool and publishing platform powered by PHP and MySQL. It’s often customized into a Content Management System (CMS). It has many features including a plug-in architecture and a template system. WordPress is used a LOT to implement web sites using both it’s blogging and CSM features.
  • CALDAV is an internet standard for data exchange between network calendar applications such as Apple iCal and many others.
  • A CMS is a software system that provides website authoring, collaboration, and administration tools designed to allow users with little knowledge of web programming languages or markup languages to create and manage website content with relative ease. A robust CMS provides the foundation for collaboration, offering users the ability to manage documents and output for multiple author editing and participation.
    • WordPress as above is both a blogging system and a CMS both.
    • Drupal is an open source general purpose CMS system
    • Joomla is an open soiurce general purpose CMS system
    • Typo3 is an open source general purpose CMS system
    • Zencart is an open source CMS with functionality specific to e-commerce checkout carts. You could use this CMS to implement a site or just the shopping section of a site.
  • Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is a language understood by web browsers that is used to define how information appears within a browser. The CSS code that defines the appearance of the presented information is separate from the HTML or XHTMAL code which defines the information content. This is a powerful concept because it allows information to be generated separately from the styling. It also allows information to be presented in different ways on different machines or in different contexts.
  • A Domain Name is a name that maps to an Internet Protocol (IP) address. There are servers on the Internet which distribute a global mapping of domain name to IP address maps. Domain Name registration is the act of reserving a name and registering with a service such that the mapping is distributed. Domain Name Servers (DNS) are servers which respond to requests for a name lookup.
  • eCommerce is simply doing business online. Implementing some kind of store in electronic form. There are numerous ways to implement an eCommerce solution depending on your needs including:
    • code a web page in HTML with buy buttons.
    • use some kind of web based service
    • some kind of CMS either specifically designed for eCommerce
    • a general purpose CMS themed to perform as an eCommerce solution.
    • a custom javascript or other script coded solution
  • Home Automation is the integration of computer information technology with sensors and actuators in your home pr business systems allowing remote or automated monitoring and activation of systems. There are a number of standards that support home over networks using your power distribution wiring and some newer standards that use wireless technology.
  • An Operating System (OS) is a piece of software that is the primary manager or a computer system. On a system boot the operating system is launched and then it manages the interface to users and system devices. It launches processes and applications and maintains security and the good behavior of applications. It implements user privileges making sure users only have their assigned system access. Examples of operating systems include: Apple Mac OS X, Apple iOS, Windows, various flavors of Linux and Unix including many embedded versions that are installed in devices such as printers and other appliances.

  • UNIX is a family of operating systems derived from the original Unix developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs. There are now many versions of Unix and Unix like operating systems such as Linux.

    Unix is a thing of true beauty. It was originally conceived of over 40 years ago and it is still the best operating system in use today and it’s dominance is only increasing. Flavors of Unix/Linux today include Apple Mac OS X, Apple iOS that powers all iPods, iPhones, iPads, all Android portable devices and numerous information appliances such as Internet routers, DSL modems, firewalls etc. etc. There are millions of copies of Linux in embedded systems in printers, cameras, (dumb) cell phones, automobiles etc. etc. It is concepts within Unix that effectively evolved into what became the Internet. Unix was a truly visionary well conceived set of ideas that appear to be independent of transitory implementation technologies. A thing of true beauty!

  • XHTML/HTML is the language that web page content is written in. XHTML is just well formed HTML. HTML can define the appearance and style of a web page but that is better defined separately in CSS language files.