Scanner

- a device which scans images or printed material and converts them into a digital format which the computer can then process. Scanned images can be used in desktop publishing or added to web pages.

Search engine

- A search engine is usually a website which allows you to search the internet for information. The search engine lists results that relate to your search phrase. For example, inputting 'Eastenders'; would bring up a list of sites on the web containing information and news on the residents of Albert Square.

Secure

- a method of sending or storing information that is encrypted or security protected to prevent unauthorised users accessing it.

Server

- a powerful computer which holds data to be shared over a network or over the internet. When you get a web page it is being sent to you by a server.

Shareware

- software which is free or almost free to try out. Shareware often has a 'free trial' period during which time you can test and use the program. After this, payment is required, but it is usually quite cheap.

Shockwave

- a plug-in which gives you access to interactive multimedia on the world wide web. Often used to make CD-Roms it can be used to combine animation, video and audio into games or presentations.

Shopping Cart

- the internet equivalent of a shopping trolley. On an online shopping site you choose what items you want and add them to your on-screen shopping cart by indicating what items you want. These stay in your cart until you check out.

Signature file

--a small file of text which can be automatically added to every e-mail message you send. It usually contains details such as your name and e-mail address, but may also be your job title or a favourite quote. It is sometimes called a ".sig".

SMTP

- the internet protocol for the sending and receiving of e-mail over the internet.

Snail mail

- a jokey term used by techie folk for the conventional postal service because it is slow compared to e-mail.

Software

- any programs such as word processors, e-mail applications or internet browsers.

Sound Card

- a piece of hardware inside your computer which you plug headphones or external speakers into.

Source

- the code a web page is written in. This is usually HTML but may also involves CGI, Java or Java Script as well. You can view the HTML source code of a web page by clicking on the "View Source" menu option in your browser.

Spam

- junk e-mail sent to many people at once, usually involving advertising or offering services. Spam is very deeply frowned upon by most internet users, and where it involves advertising or a false return address it is particularly disliked.

Splash Page

- a web page which the visitor sees while the rest of a website is loading. It is usually an animated design and often offers the visitor the choice of "skipping" this intro or watching the rest of the movie.

Spyware

- software that you install on your computer, often without you realising, that sends information on your software and internet usage to outside companies.

Streaming

- when a sound or video file is played at almost the same time it is being sent from a website. In this way you don't have to wait for a clip to download, you just watch it as it downloads.

StuffIt

- Macintosh software used for compressing files (making them take up less memory) so making them quicker to send over the internet. StuffIt files usually have the file extension .sit.