Key Terms

Don't let unfamiliar terms discourage you from learning all you can about Google tools. If you don't completely understand what one of these words means, flip to the indicated page, read the full definition there, and find techniques related to that term.

Algorithm

A set of rules for performing a task. In Google's case, algorithms are what determines what pages it says match your search requests.

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Archive

A list of messages in a group that are more than 30 days old. You do not have to do anything special to search or read through archives. But you cannot reply to a message that is more than 30 days old.

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AutoFill

A feature of the Google Toolbar that fills in web forms with text you define.

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AutoLink

A feature of the Google Toolbar that automatically creates links on pages you visit so that you can delve deeper into the information presented on the page.

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Backlinks

A method of keeping track of other blogs and pages on the Web that link to your blog.

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Blog

An online journal or column, typically written by a single person, which is often personal or political in nature.

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Cached

A copy of something, such as a web page, that is stored locally or on a server. If the page is changed, the cached version stores the old version of the page.

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Contact list

A list of people in Google Talk with whom you correspond.

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Cookie

A small bit of data put on a computer that identifies a person and can store personal preferences and other information.

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Driver

Software that hardware (such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras) needs in order to work with your computer.

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Filters

A rule that is applied to incoming mailfor example, to move it to a certain label.

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Gmail

Google's email service, which you use by going to the Google Gmail page.

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Google Toolbar

A toolbar for your browser that enables you to search Google no matter where you are on the Internet.

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Header

Information about a newsgroup message or email message that includes information such as the Internet Service Provider, where the message originated, the servers the message traversed, and more.

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IP address

A unique number, such as 233.23.234.22, that identifies each computer that uses the Internet. The IP address of your computer is typically assigned by your ISP when you connect to the Internet. Your ISP changes your IP address each time you connect, and if you have an always-on connection (such as with a cable modem or DSL modem), your ISP also changes the IP address occasionally.

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Label (Gmail)

A way to organize your mail in Gmail. Labels function much like folders in email programs.

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Label (Picasa)

A method of organizing pictures in Picasa that enables you to view, in a single location, pictures from different folders.

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Newsgroup

An Internet-based discussion board. There are thousands of newsgroups available, and you can read them using Google Groups.

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PageRank

A Google feature that ranks the importance of the page you're currently visiting on a 110 point basis, with 10 as the top choice.

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Personal indicators

In Gmail, an indication of whether mail has been sent to your specific address or instead to a mailing list.

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Personalized Home

A customized Google page that has links to your personalized news, weather, stock information, and links to other Google services, such as Gmail.

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Personalized Search

A feature of Google that keeps a record of all your searches and allows you to revisit your search history.

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POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3)

A communications protocol that governs the receiving of email. A POP3 mail server receives mail; you then connect to the POP3 server and retrieve mail from the server using your email software.

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Pop-ups

Small browser windows that pop up over your current web page when you visit certain websites. Pop-ups usually offer advertisements or other promotional material.

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Post page

A separate web page that contains an individual post from your blog. The post also lives on your main blog page.

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Proxy server

A server that provides Internet security by shielding you from direct connections over the Internet. Rather than making a direct connection to sites and Internet services, your PC makes a connection to a proxy server, which then makes the connection to the Internet.

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RSS (Really Simple Syndication)

A technology that allows websites to send a feed of information to subscribers. You can subscribe for free to RSS feeds. A typical RSS feed includes a summary of information. To read more, you click a link to go to the site that originally published the information.

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SafeSearch

A Google feature that blocks any search results that contain explicit sexual content. You can choose from two levels of SafeSearch, or choose not to use it at all.

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Search engine

A site that allows you to search the Web.

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Search operator

Special words or symbols you can use in concert with search terms to make it easier for you to narrow your search.

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Search term

The string of characters you type into the search box for which you want Google to search the Internet.

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Server

A computer whose job is to perform a specialized task and deliver information. For example, a web server serves up websites, while an email server sends or receives email.

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Signature

Text that is automatically appended to the bottom of all your outgoing email, often including your contact information.

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SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol)

A communications protocol that governs the sending of email. When you send email, you send it to an SMTP server, which in turn sends the mail towards its destination.

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Stop word

A common word that Google ignores when it does a search, such as the, be, or from.

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URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

A web address that uniquely identifies a web page, such as http://www.google.com.

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Wallpaper

The background image on your PC's desktop.

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Wishlist

A list of items you are interested in having bought for you for a birthday or holiday, for example.

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