named anchor

n. In HTML, a tag within a document that can act as a destination for a hyperlink. Named anchors are useful because they allow a link to a specific location within a document. Also called named target. See also anchor (definition 2), HTML, hyperlink.

name server

n. See CSO name server, DNS server.

NAMPS

n. Acronym for Narrow-band Analog Mobile Phone Service. A standard proposed by Motorola Corporation that combines the current AMPS cellular telephone standard with digital signaling information, resulting in higher performance and increased capabilities. See also AMPS.

nano-

prefix Abbreviated n. Metric prefix meaning 10^-9 (one billionth).

nanosecond

n. One billionth of a second. A nanosecond is a time measure used to represent computing speed, particularly the speed at which electrical signals travel through circuits within the computer. Acronym: ns.

National Center for Supercomputing Applications

n. See NCSA (definition 1).

National Science Foundation

n. A U.S. government agency intended to promote scientific research by funding both research projects and projects that facilitate scientific communication, such as NSFnet, the former backbone of the Internet. See also backbone (definition 1), NSFnet.

native

adj. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of something that is in its original form. For example, many applications are able to work with files in a number of formats; the format the application uses internally is its native file format. Files in other formats must be converted to the application's native format before they can be processed by the application.

natural language

n. A language spoken or written by humans, as opposed to a programming language or a machine language. Understanding natural language and approximating it in a computer environment is one goal of research in artificial intelligence.

natural language query

n. A query to a database system that is composed in a subset of a natural language, such as English or Japanese. The query must conform to some restrictive syntax rules so that the system can parse it. See also parse, syntax.

navigation keys

n. The keys on a keyboard controlling cursor movement, including the four arrow keys and the Backspace, End, Home, Page Down, and Page Up keys. See also arrow key, Backspace key, End key, Home key, Page Down key, Page Up key.

Navigator

n. See Netscape Navigator.

NBP

n. Acronym for Name Binding Protocol. A protocol used on AppleTalk local area networks to translate between node names (known to users) and numeric AppleTalk addresses. NBP operates at the transport level (level 4 of the ISO/OSI model). See also AppleTalk, communications protocol, ISO/OSI model.

NCSA

n. 1. Acronym for National Center for Supercomputing Applications. A research center located at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. NCSA was founded in 1985 as a part of the National Science Foundation, specializing in scientific visualization tasks, but is best known as the home of NCSA Mosaic, the first graphical Web browser, and of NCSA Telnet. See also Mosaic, NCSA Telnet. 2. Acronym for National Computer Security Association. An education and information organization concerned with computer security issues. Founded in 1989 and based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, NCSA supplies books on computer security and hosts an annual conference.

NCSA server

n. The HTTP server developed by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications of the University of Illinois. This server and the CERN server were the first HTTP servers developed for the World Wide Web and are available free through downloading. See also HTTP server (definition 1), NCSA (definition 1). Compare CERN server.

NCSA Telnet

n. A freeware telnet client program developed and distributed by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications. See also client (definition 2), NCSA (definition 1).

NDMP

n. Acronym for Network Data Management Protocol. An open protocol for network-based backups of file servers that allows platform-independent data storage. See also backup, communications protocol, file server.

net.

or net prefix A prefix used to describe people and institutions on the Internet. For example, a very well respected person might be described as a net.god.

Net

n. 1. Short for Internet. 2. Short for Usenet.

net address

n. 1. A World Wide Web address (URL). See also URL. 2. An e-mail address. 3. The DNS name or IP address of a machine. See also DNS (definition 1), IP address.

NetBEUI

n. Short for NetBIOS Enhanced User Interface. An enhanced NetBIOS protocol for network operating systems, originated by IBM for the LAN Manager server and now used with many other networks. See also LAN Manager, NetBIOS.

NetBIOS

n. An application programming interface (API) that can be used by application programs on a local area network consisting of IBM and compatible microcomputers running MS-DOS, OS/2, or some version of UNIX. Primarily of interest to programmers, NetBIOS provides application programs with a uniform set of commands for requesting the lower-level network services required to conduct sessions between nodes on a network and to transmit information back and forth. See also application programming interface.

NetBSD

n. A free version of the BSD UNIX operating system developed as a result of a volunteer effort. NetBSD is highly interoperable, runs on many hardware platforms, and is nearly POSIX compliant. See also BSD UNIX, POSIX.

net.god

n. A highly respected person within the Internet community.

nethead

n. 1. A person who uses the Internet as if addicted to it. 2. A Grateful Dead fan who participates in the rec.music.gdead newsgroup or some other forum dedicated to that band.

netiquette

n. Short for network etiquette. Principles of courtesy observed in sending electronic messages, such as e-mail and Usenet postings. The consequences of violating netiquette include being flamed and having one's name placed in the bozo filter of one's intended audience. Disapproved behavior includes gratuitous personal insults; posting of large amounts of irrelevant material; giving away the plot of a movie, television show, or novel without warning; posting offensive material without encrypting it; and excessive cross-posting of a message to multiple groups without regard to whether the group members are likely to find it interesting. See also bozo filter, flame².

netizen

n. A person who participates in online communication through the Internet and other networks, especially conference and chat services, such as Internet news or Fidonet. Compare lurker.

NetPC

n. A computer platform specification created by Microsoft and Intel in 1996 for systems that use Windows NT server based application programs, rather than applications located on the client computer.

Netscape Navigator

n. The most widely used family of Web browser programs, made by Netscape Corporation. Versions of Netscape Navigator are available for the Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT, and Macintosh platforms, and for many varieties of UNIX. Netscape Navigator, which is based on NCSA's Mosaic Web browser, was one of the first commercially available Web browsers. See also Mosaic, Web browser.

Netspeak

n. The set of conventions for writing English in e-mail, IRCs, and newsgroups. Netspeak is characterized by acronyms (such as IMHO or ROFL) and clarifying devices such as emotags and emoticons. Use of Netspeak should be governed by netiquette. See also emotag, emoticon, IMHO, IRC, netiquette, ROFL.

Net surfing

n. The practice of exploring the Internet without a specific goal in mind. The concept of Net surfing is similar to (and probably derived from) "channel surfing" in reference to watching television.

Net TV

n. See Internet television.

NetWare

n. Novell's LAN operating system. NetWare runs on many different hardware platforms and network configurations.

network

n. A group of computers and associated devices that are connected by communications facilities. A network can involve permanent connections, such as cables, or temporary connections made through telephone or other communication links. A network can be as small as a local area network consisting of a few computers, printers, and other devices, or it can consist of many small and large computers distributed over a vast geographic area.

network adapter

n. An expansion card or other device used to connect a computer to a local area network.

network administrator

n. The person in charge of operations on a computer network. The duties of a network administrator can be broad and might include such tasks as installing new workstations and other devices, adding and removing individuals from the list of authorized users, archiving files, overseeing password protection and other security measures, monitoring usage of shared resources, and handling malfunctioning equipment. See also system administrator.

network architecture

n. The underlying structure of a computer network, including hardware, functional layers, interfaces, and protocols, used to establish communication and ensure the reliable transfer of information. Network architectures are designed to provide both philosophical and physical standards for the complexities of establishing communications links and transferring information without conflict. Various network architectures exist, including the internationally accepted seven-layer ISO Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model and IBM's Systems Network Architecture (SNA). See also ISO/OSI model, SNA.

network computer

n. A computer having the hardware and software necessary for it to be connected to a network. Acronym: NC.

network control program

n. In a communications network that includes a mainframe computer, a program that usually resides in a communications controller and takes over communications tasks such as routing, error control, line control, and polling (checking terminals for transmissions), leaving the main computer free for other functions. See also communications controller.

network device driver

n. Software that coordinates communication between the network adapter card and the computer's hardware and other software, controlling the physical function of the network adapter card.

network directory

n. On a local area network, a directory on a disk that is located on a computer other than the one the user is operating. A network directory differs from a network drive in that the user has access to only that directory. Whether the rest of the disk is accessible to the user depends on whether he or she has been granted access rights by the network administrator. On the Apple Macintosh, a network directory is referred to as a shared folder. Also called networked directory, shared directory. See also network drive, shared folder.

network drive

n. On a local area network, a disk drive whose disk is available to other computers on the network. Access to a network drive might not be allowed to all users of the network; many operating systems contain security provisions that enable a network administrator to grant or deny access to part or all of a network drive. Also called networked drive. See also network directory.

Network File System

n. A distributed file system developed by Sun Microsystems that allows users of Windows NT and UNIX workstations to access remote files and directories on a network as if they were local. Acronym: NFS.

network information center

n. See NIC (definition 2).

network interface card

n. See network adapter.

network latency

n. The time it takes for information to be transferred between computers in a network.

network layer

n. The third of the seven layers in the ISO/OSI model for standardizing computer-to-computer communications. The network layer is one level above the data-link layer and ensures that information arrives at its intended destination. It is the middle of the three layers (data-link, network, and transport) concerned with the actual movement of information from one device to another. See also ISO/OSI model.

network meltdown

See broadcast storm.

Network News Transfer Protocol

n. See NNTP.

network operating system

n. An operating system installed on a server in a local area network that coordinates the activities of providing services to the computers and other devices attached to the network. Unlike a single-user operating system, a network operating system must acknowledge and respond to requests from many workstations, managing such details as network access and communications, resource allocation and sharing, data protection, and error control.

network OS

n. See network operating system.

network protocol

n. A set of rules and parameters that define and enable communication through a network.

network services

n. 1. In a corporate environment, the division that maintains the network and the computers. 2. In a Windows environment, extensions to the operating system that allow it to perform network functions such as network printing and file sharing.

network software

n. Software including a component that facilitates connection to or participation in a network.

Network Terminator 1

n. An ISDN device that acts as interface between an ISDN telephone line and one or more terminal adapters or terminal devices such as an ISDN telephone. See also ISDN, ISDN terminal adapter. Acronym: NT-1.

Network Time Protocol

n. An Internet protocol used to synchronize the clocks in computers connected to the Internet. See also communications protocol. Acronym: NTP.

newbie

n. 1. An inexperienced user on the Internet. 2. In a particularly derogatory sense, an inexperienced Usenet user who asks for information that is readily available in the FAQ. See also FAQ.

news.announce.newusers

n. A newsgroup that contains general information for new users about using Internet newsgroups for new users.

news feed

or newsfeed n. Deliveries, exchanges, or distributions of newsgroup articles to and from news servers. News feeds are accomplished through cooperating news servers, which communicate via NNTP through network connections. Also called feed. See also newsgroup, news server, NNTP.

newsgroup

n. A forum on the Internet for threaded discussions on a specified range of subjects. A newsgroup consists of articles and follow-up posts. An article with all of its follow-up posts all of which are (supposed to be) related to the specific subject named in the original article's subject line constitutes a thread. Each newsgroup has a name that consists of a series of words, separated by periods, indicating the newsgroup's subject in terms of increasingly narrow categories, such as rec.crafts.textiles.needlework. Some newsgroups can be read and posted to only on one site; others, such as those in the seven Usenet hierarchies or those in ClariNet, circulate throughout the Internet. See also article, bit. newsgroups, ClariNet, follow-up, Great Renaming, local newsgroups, mail reflector, threaded discussion, traditional newsgroup hierarchy, Usenet. Compare mailing list.

newsmaster

n. The person in charge of maintaining the Internet news server at a particular host. Sending e-mail to "newsmaster@domain.name" is the standard way to reach a given newsmaster.

news. newsgroups

n. Usenet newsgroups that are part of the news. hierarchy and begin with "news." These newsgroups cover topics that deal with Usenet itself, such as Usenet policy and the creation of new Usenet newsgroups. See also newsgroup, traditional newsgroup hierarchy, Usenet. Compare comp. newsgroups, misc. newsgroups, rec. newsgroups, sci. newsgroups, soc. newsgroups, talk. newsgroups.

newsreader

n. A Usenet client program that enables a user to subscribe to Usenet newsgroups, read articles, post follow-ups, reply by e-mail, and post articles. Many Web browsers also provide these functions. See also article, e-mail (definition 1), follow-up, newsgroup, Usenet, Web browser.

news server

n. A computer or program that exchanges Internet newsgroups with newsreader clients and other servers. See also newsgroup, newsreader.

Newton

adj. Pertaining to the Apple Newton MessagePad personal digital assistant (PDA). See also PDA.

Newton OS

n. The operating system that controls the Apple Newton MessagePad personal digital assistant (PDA). See also PDA.

NeXT

n. A product of NeXT Computer, Inc. (later NeXT Software, Inc.), a computer manufacturer and software developer founded in 1985 by Steven Jobs. NeXT was purchased by Apple Computer in 1997.

NIC

n. 1. Acronym for network interface card. 2. Acronym for network information center. An organization that provides information about a network and other support to users of the network. The principal NIC for the Internet is InterNIC. Intranets and other private networks may have their own NICs. See also InterNIC. See network adapter.

NiCad battery

n. See nickel cadmium battery.

nickel cadmium battery

n. A rechargeable battery that uses an alkaline electrolyte. Nickel cadmium batteries typically have a longer operating life and storage life than similar lead-acid batteries. Also called NiCad battery. Compare lead ion battery, lithium ion battery, nickel metal hydride battery.

nickel metal hydride battery

n. A rechargeable battery that offers longer life and superior performance compared with similar nickel cadmium or other alkaline batteries. Also called NiMH battery. Compare lead ion battery, lithium ion battery, nickel cadmium battery.

nickname

n. A name used in the destination field of an e-mail editor in place of one or more complete network addresses. For example "Fred" might be a nickname for fred@history.washington.edu. If the nickname has been established within the program, a user need only type "Fred" instead of the entire address, or perhaps "history faculty" instead of all the individual faculty addresses. See also alias (definition 2).

node

n. 1. A junction of some type. 2. In local area networks, a device that is connected to the network and is capable of communicating with other network devices. 3. In tree structures, a location on the tree that can have links to one or more nodes below it. Some authors make a distinction between node and element, with an element being a given data type and a node comprising one or more elements as well as any supporting data structures. See also element (definition 1), graph, pointer (definition 1), queue, stack, tree.

noise

n. 1. Any interference that affects the operation of a device. 2. Unwanted electrical signals, produced either naturally or by the circuitry, that degrade the quality or performance of a communications channel. See also distortion.

Novell NetWare

n. A family of local area network operating system products produced by Novell, Inc. Designed to run on IBM PCs and Apple Macintoshes, Novell NetWare allows users to share files and system resources such as hard disks and printers. See also network operating system.

NTFS

n. Acronym for NT file system. An advanced file system designed for use specifically with the Windows NT operating system. It supports long filenames, full security access control, file system recovery, extremely large storage media, and various features for the Windows NT POSIX subsystem. It also supports object-oriented applications by treating all files as objects with user-defined and system-defined attributes. See also FAT file system, HPFS, POSIX.

NTLM

n. Stands for NT LanMan) The Windows NT Challenge/Response authentication protocol. This protocol uses encryption for secure transmission of passwords.

NTP

n. Acronym for Network Time Protocol. A protocol used for synchronizing the system time on a computer to that of a server or other reference source such as a radio, satellite receiver, or modem. NTP provides time

NuBus

n. A high-performance expansion bus used in Apple Macintosh computers, offering high bandwidth and multiple bus controllers. Invented at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), NuBus was eventually licensed to Texas Instruments and other companies. See also bus.

nuke

vb. 1. To erase a file, directory, or entire hard disk. 2. To stop a process in an operating system, an application, or a program. Also called kill.

number cruncher

n. 1. A computer that is able to quickly perform large amounts of mathematical computations. 2. A powerful workstation. 3. A program whose main task is to perform mathematical computations, for example, a statistical program. 4. A person who uses a computer to analyze numbers.

number crunching