F

Frames
Frames allow a visual HTML Browser window to be split into segments, each of which can show a different document. They have been obsoleted in HTML 5.


FTP
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a standard network protocol used to copy a file from one host to another over a TCP/IP-based network, such as the Internet.


FTP Client
A piece of software that you run on computer that will connect to an FTP Server to download or upload files.

FTP Server
An FTP Server is a piece of software that is running on a computer and uses the File Transfer Protocol to store and share files. Remote computers can connect anonymously, if allowed, or with a user name and password in order to download files from this server using a piece of software called a FTP Client.


Firewall
Software that acts as a security filter that can restrict types of network communication. Most often used between an individual computer (or a LAN) and the Internet.

Flash
A vector-based multimedia format developed by Adobe for use on the web.
Learn more about Flash in our Flash tutorial

Form
See HTML Form.

Forum
In web terms: The same as Newsgroup.

Frame
In web terms: A part of the browser screen displaying a particular content. Frames are often used to display content from different web pages.

FrontPage
Web development software for the Windows platform. Developed by Microsoft.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
One of the most common methods for sending files between two computers.

FTP Server
A web server you can logon to, and download files from (or upload files to). Anonymous FTP is a method for downloading files from an FTP server without using a logon account.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
A list of facts about a specific subject. Usually presented in a question and answer format.
Firewall
Computer hardware and/or software that limits access to a computer over a network or from an outside source. Used to prevent computer hackers from getting into a company's computer systems.
Frame
On web pages, a "frame" refer to a part of the screen which is reserved for a particular purpose. On this web site, there is a "navigation frame" and a "content frame".
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
A standard that allows users to transfer files from one computer to another using a modem and telephone lines. Like HTTP, FTP is a protocol that provides a way of uploading and downloading files, including .DOC, .EXE, .SIT, .ZIP, .GIF, .JPG, etc.

FAQ

(Frequently Asked Question) Lists of frequently asked questions and answers to them are used as a way of sharing knowledge on the web. They are a very good way of finding solutions to different problems. Some companies include them in their websites to minimize the number of Customer Support inquiries.

Fast Ethernet

Fast Ethernet is the implementation of Ethernet standard that operates at the speed of 100Mbps.

FCC

(Federal Communications Commission). U.S.A. telecommunications regulatory organization. It controls standards that pertain to electronic and electromagnetic transmission and also licenses the frequencies and bandwidth for the commercial use.

FDDI

(Fiber Distributed Data Interface). A very high speed network protocol. Uses fiber-optic cable, and is mainly used as the backbone network protocol due to its speed. It is also often the choice for critical applications due to its reliability.

Fibre Optic Cable

A cable used for transmitting data as a light wave. A fiber optic cable is composed of one or more optical fibers. It is more expensive that copper wire, but offers higher transmission speeds and allows for communication over larger distances.

Filename extension

Last three or four letters of a file name that appear after the dot. Used to designate the type of file and the format used.

Filtering

Screening network packets for certain properties, such as the source or destination address, protocol used or even a pattern in the data. It is used in firewalls in order to decide if the traffic is to be forwarded or rejected. Provides the basis for network security.

Finger

A Unix program used to display information about users of the system. Can be used remotely.

Firewall

Firewall refers to either software-only or separate software and hardware combination that serves to protect an internal network or a computer from attacks and unauthorized access by sitting between the Internet and the internal network.

Flame

An insulting email message sent to an individual as punishment for not adhering to the netiquette. Can be sometimes seen in the newsgroups or on internet message boards.

FPU

Floating Point Unit. A part of the computer responsible for high precision mathematical operations.

Frame Relay

A fast packet switching protocol. Used mainly in Wide Area Networks. It differs from ATM in that packets can have variable length.

FrontPage Extensions

Microsoft's server-side applications that lets users of FrontPage Web site creation tool to incorporate "web-bots" that perform pre-packaged function like full-text Web site searching or adding a hit counter. FrontPage extensions are also available for Unix-based operating systems but some hosts refuse to use them because of potential security holes.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol. The Internet protocol defining how to download and upload files between a client and an FTP server. Popular client FTP programs are CuteFTP and WS_FTP. Major browser also have FTP capability.

FTPmail

Using email messages to access the FTP sites. Requires a special software installed on the server.

FYI

For Your Information

FAQ
This is the acronym for Frequently Asked Questions. A common feature on the Internet, FAQs are files of answers to commonly asked questions. Read FAQs before wasting electrons asking obvious questions. Saves you from receiving flames.
Firewall
This term refers to security measures designed to protect a networked system from unauthorized or unwelcome access.
FTP
File Transfer Protocol is a protocol that allows the transfer of files from one computer to another. FTP is also the verb used to describe the act of transferring files from one computer to another.