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PRIVACY IN CYBERSPACE

Key Terms

F

Free Software: See the Free Software Definition, from the GNU project. Compare open source.

G

GNU: See the GNU website for more information.

L

Linux: Combined with the GNU project, Linux is the largest and most successful free software project. Some consider it to be the largest collaborative project in human history--greater even than the construction of the pyramids in human input. Linux is technically the “kernel,” or heart of the operating system. See the Linux website for more information.

N

Node: A node is a connection point in a network. On the Internet, each node receives data that includes “routing” information. This information is then used to pass the data on to the next node, until it reaches its destination. (more information at Wikipedia).

O

Open Source: See the Open Source Definition, from the Open Source Initiative. Compare free software.

P

Peer-to-peer: A peer-to-peer computer network refers to any network that does not have fixed clients and servers, but a number of peer nodes that function as both clients and servers to the other nodes on the network. A peer-to-peer network requires no center, and can facilitate widespread dissemination of information. The Internet itself was conceived of as a peer-to-peer network. (more information at Wikipedia).

Proxy Server: a server which can serve as a “middleman” between a web browser and the rest of the world. Anonymizer is an example of a proxy server: instead of requesting web pages directly from a website, the web browser requests documents from Anonymizer, which in turn requests the document from the website. From the target website’s point of view, the request comes from Anonymizer, rather than the original user. (there are many other uses for proxy servers and proxy gateways that are beyond the scope of this glossary).

S

Source code: The human-readable instructions that make up a computer program. When programmers write or modify software, they are usually working with the source code. Before it can be run, source code needs to be translated (by a “compiler”) into “object code” (also known as “machine code” or “binary”), which can be read and executed by a computer. Historically, software was distributed along with its source code; however, with the advent of proprietary software binary-only distribution has become common.

U

Usenet: One of the oldest computer network communications system still in use, Usenet comprises thousands of topical discussion groups that are widely disseminated. (more information at Wikipedia).

W

Weblog: Whatis.com definse a weblog as “a Web site of personal or non-commercial origin that uses a dated log format that is updated on a daily or very frequent basis with new information about a particular subject or range of subjects. The information can be written by the site owner, gleaned from other Web sites or other sources, or contributed by users.” See the full definition for more information.