Dictionary of the Internet - Softcover

Ince, Darrel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0192801244 ISBN 13: 9780192801241

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2001

Synopsis

This dictionary of the Internet provides 4000 terms on the Web, software technology, jargon, e-commerce, security, and the technical and organizational infrastructure of the Internet. By concentrating on the Internet and its structure, the reference work does not cover basic computing terms. A free CD-ROM included with the book contains the full dictionary entries in a browsable format with hyperlinks between entries. There are also links to relevant websites. The dictionary is supported by a separate web site where updates for downloading are posted. Sample entries from the text are also be displayed.

About this title

Review

On the Internet, nobody knows you're using reference books. Darrel Ince's Dictionary of the Internet will guide readers through the twisty passages of current jargon, slang and technical terms with aplomb. The Dictionary is thorough--over 4,000 entries cover commercial, recreational and propeller-head (geek) language.

Acknowledging the weakness of ink-and-paper references in the digital age, the book comes with a CD-ROM containing all of the text linked and ready for Web updates. "Checksum", "gossip architecture" and "Zen mail" all find homes here, and the appendices explaining Internet country codes, common emoticons and standard chat abbreviations will be welcome by any networked computer. The information is scalable--newbies should get as much out of it as hard-core nerds, and the excellent cross-referencing makes it perfect for bootstrapping self-learners. --Rob Lightner

From the Author

I wrote this dictionary when I discovered that there were no dictionaries which concentrate on the Internet. I was giving a talk to an audience of oil company developers when I was asked about a term that I had never heard of before. All the dictionaries I consulted tended to be general works which mainly contained terms such as 'byte', 'memory' and 'disk drive' and only generally familiar Internet terms such as 'World Wide Web' or 'Search Engine'.

The dictionary was initially intended to contain technical terms; however after a few months work I realised that the Internet supported a rich linguistic culture, and it would be remiss of me not to include jargon terms, abbreviations and much of the amusing language employed by news group and chat room users.

So as well as having technical entries such as access token, add-on virus, stateless server, static IP and Web farm you will find entries on Bobo the Web money, Zen mail, sock puppet, scudgram, prisoner of Bill, pubic key (sic) and ippie.

So, if you are an alpha geek whose main job is security, and if you need to look out for godzillagrams, derf attacks and chatterbots and are in a bad mood because you have received some Zen mail, made a mistake using a grim reaper, become the recipient of a Ponzi scam and had to take some phone calls from bullet clickers then I hope you will enjoy the dictionary.

The dictionary comes as a book (a dead tree), a CD (a coffee holder) and a Web site. The CD contains the dictionary with hyperlinked entries and with many of the terms associated with external links that provide further material from the Web.The site will be launched at the beginning of September when the book is published.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0192801244
• ISBN 13: 9780192801241
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 350