DHTML (Dynamic HyperText Markup Language) - A newer markup language that combines Javascript (see Java), HTML (see HTML), DOM (Document Object Model). It is used to create web pages that are more interactive and which contain dynamic, or changing, content.

Dithering - Creating the illusion of shades of colors by varying the pattern of dots of certain colors. For example, in newspaper print, shades of gray are created by varying the patterns of black and white dots. In printing, dithering is often called halftoning.

Domain Name - A string of text registered with InterNIC that is associated with one or more IP Address. A domain name is necessary to a URL (see URL). In a URL such as "http://www.webmonkey.com/page1.html" the phrase "www.webmonkey.com" is the domain name.

File Compression - Any method for reducing the size of file for the purpose of storage or to increase transfer speed over a network. Some file compression is "lossy" meaning that it loses some of the data in a file. Lossy compression is typically only used on images (such as JPEG).

Flash - A vector-based multimedia tool that allows authors to create interactive animations and sounds and embed them into a web page. Users must have the flash plug-in to view the embedded flash objects. The format was created by Macromedia and is similar to Shockwave.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) - A protocol for sending files other than web pages over the internet.

GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) - A file format for images developed my Compuserve. It is a bitmapped format (the image data is stored in a two-dimensional array). The format supports multiple color depths and resolutions, as well as compression. The updated GIF89a format supports animation and transparency.

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) - A markup language (a set of commands embedded into a text file) that is used by browsers to format and display a web page.

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) - A protocol, or list of rules, used to deliver web pages from the server to the client's browser (see Client, see Browser). It is also used by the browser to request pages from the server.

Hyperlink - A piece of text, image, or hot spot on a page that takes the user to a new page or another point on the same page when the user clicks on it.

Imagemap - An image that acts as multiple links depending on where the user clicks the image. For example, imagine a picture of a group of people. Depending on whose face you click, you get a page about that person.

Index Page - The default page (usually called "index.html") that is viewed when a user goes to your web site. For example, when a user types in "http://www.cnet.com" they are automatically taken to CNET's index page because they did not specify a particular page.

Internet - A world-wide network of computers accessable via telephone lines and digital connections. The main protocol used is TCP/IP. Users connecting from home generally use Internet Service Providers which give users a temporary IP address each time they connect. Once a user is connected, they can access any other server on the Internet. The most common servers contain web pages and send them using HTTP, although some use other protocols such as FTP. Other methods of accessing the Internet involve broadband connections that are permanantly connected to the Internet and provide faster data transfers.

ISP (Internet Service Provider) - A company that provides access to the Internet. Most individuals connect by dialing into one of the ISP's servers over phone lines. However, in recent years, some ISPs have begun offering broadband connections, such as cable and DSL, to individuals. ISPs also provide more direct connections to companies.