Browser: An application that acts as an interface for processing code, allowing for viewing and
interaction on Web Pages.
BUS: The architecture in which information flows between computer components and devices. Most
of the internal system components, including the processor, memory, and storage devices, talk to each other over one or more "buses".
Byte: a set of bits that represent a single character. There are 8 bits in a byte.
Caching: Local
storage of recently viewed web pages for faster retrieval of information. Browsers store the most recently viewed web pages
on the user's hard drive. When the user requests to see the content (text or images) again, instead of retrieving it from
the web, the browser will search for it in a local folder on the viewer's system called the cache. The result is faster page
loads for the viewer. This process causes underreporting of the number of times a viewer actually saw a web page or ad.
Campaign: A
series of operations to achieve a goal. The process associated with assembly, delivery and tracking of email messaging.
CD-R: Compact Disc Recordable.
CD-ROM: Compact Disc Read Only Memory.
CD-RW (Compact Disc Re-Writable): CDs that can be written onto many times. Data can also be removed
at any time but data written onto a CD-RW disc can only be read by CD-RW drive.
Chipset: The chipset manages the system and its capabilities. All components communicate with
the processor through the chipset - controlling all data transfer.
Click: a clickthrough is generated when a user clicks with their mouse on a hyperlink within
the email message and is redirected to their browser (or email application) to view the link's corresponding web page. A clickthrough
(CTR) is often stated as a percentage of clicks over received messages.
Client: a computer that accesses shared network resources provided by another computer (the server,
hence client/server relationship).
Compress File: way of reducing a file or files sizes for Internet transport via e-mail. Usually
in ZIP format.
Cookie: A value placed onto a user's hard drive, which can only be accessed by the author of the
cookie. It allows for the communication of tracking or preference-related information, collected within the author's web site
or domain.
CPC: Cost Per Click - A dollar amount associated with campaign budgeting as
it relates to performance. The cost associated with each click generated.
CPM: Cost Per
Thousand - A dollar amount associated with campaign budgeting as it relates to quantity of delivery or usage. Refers to units
of one thousand.
CPU (Central Processing Unit): The brain of the computer.
Creative: The
content of an email message or sign up program web page. It includes items like, images, message copy, html code etc. Also
referred to as Deliverables.
Credit and debit cards: VISA, MasterCard, American Express, INTERAC Direct Payment, Discover and JCB.
Deliverables: The content of an email message or sign up program web page. It includes items
like, images, message copy, html code etc. Also referred to as Creative.
Desktop Publishing: creating documents on your computer, such as web pages, flyers, posters, catalogues,
newsletters and graphics.
Digital Certificate: An electronic method of establishing your identification when doing business or
other transactions on the web.
DNS (Domain Name System): System that locates a website via the site's numerical address.
Domain Name: Resource location identifier that corresponds with a unique IP address.
Double
Opt-in: A user fills out a web-based subscription/registration form. They are then sent an initial activation
message. To activate their subscription, the subscriber is required to click on a special link in the activation email. This
ensures that the email address is validated and that the recipient agrees to receive communications.
Download: load a file from a host, such as a website or another computer onto your own computer.
Downtime: the length of time that a website or network cannot be accessed.
DVD: Digital Versatile Disc.
Email: An electronic communication sent and received via a standard set of protocols.
Email
Newsletter: A periodically published document or message, containing news and announcements on a subject. Email
Newsletters are an excellent vehicle for communicating with small to large audiences. Also referred to as an eNewsletter.
Ethernet: common method of networking computers in a LAN.
FAQ: Frequently
Asked Questions
Firewall: a computer security system used to restrict access to and from a network.
FireWire (or IEEE1394): a very high-speed serial bus for connecting devices to your personal computer
at data tranfer speeds up to 400Mbps.
Flash: A Rich Media file format allowing for high animation and audio compression. Requires
a plug-in for viewing.
Frequency: The number of times a unique recipient or user has viewed
the same email message or web page.
GHz (GigaHertz): Measurement of internal processor speed.
GIF: Graphical Image Format - a graphical file format which supports static and animated images.
GIF files are denoted by the extension .gif.
Gigabyte: Measurement of memory. 1GB = 1,024 Mb.
Gmail: A very popular Web portal and web-based email provider that is an extension of the widely
popular search engine Google. Other major web-based email providers are Hotmail and Yahoo.
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service): enables data to be sent and received via a mobile phone network.
GUI (Graphical User Interface): Allows you to control a computer through graphics and icons displayed
on screen.
Hacker: a person who breaks through computer security systems.
Hardware: physical items such as computers, printers, scanners and external modems.
HD: Hard Drive.
Hit: Occurs when a file request is made to a web server. Downloading a single web page may
generate several hits, one for each graphic or text file that is transferred. Not to be confused with page views.
Host: usually a computer, which hosts other computers for a person or organization.
Hotmail: Microsoft's
very popular Web portal and web-based email provider. Other major web-based email providers are Google's Gmail and Yahoo's
mail service.
HTML: Hyper-Text Markup Language - An acronym for the language that converts
raw ASCII text into formatted text, hyperlinks, forms and graphics for display in a browser.
HTTP: Hyper-Text
Transfer Protocol - The set of rules for transferring text from a web server to a browser over the Internet.
Hub: a device used to connect computers together.
Hyperlink: Text
based HTML code that allows for navigation between two pieces of content with a viewer's browser or email application.
IE: Internet Explorer - Microsoft's web browser.
Impression: The delivery of an advertisement or a page of information to a viewer's browser.
Internet: a vast collection of inter-connected worldwide networks.
Intranet: a private network inside a company or organization that uses the same kinds of software
that you would find on the public Internet, but only for its internal use.
IP Address: An
identifier for a computer or device on a TCP/IP network.
ISP: Internet Service Provider.
The company that provides a user with a physical connection to the Internet.
IT: Information and Technology.
JPG: Joint Pictures Expert Group
- a graphical file format. JPEG files are denoted by either a .jpeg or .jpg extension.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group): JPEG is common format for image files.
KB (Kilobyte): Measurement of memory equal to 1,000 Bytes.
Kbps (one thousand bits per second): The measure of data that can be transferred by a modem.
Keyword: A
word or phrase or segment of a phrase used to identify content for search or classification purposes.
LAN (Local Area Network): a computer limited to the immediate area, usually building or floor of a building.
Live
Launch List: A list of email addresses that will receive the live delivery of an email message. Also referred
to as the Target list.
Log File: A record of all the requests made to a web server over
a given time period.
Macro: A set of characters (i.e. @@-first_name-@@), which act as a
placeholder, indicating where personalized or dynamic content will be inserted.
MB (Megabyte): Measurement of memory. 1Mb = 1,000k.
Mbps: Million bits per second.
MHz (MegaHertz): Measurement of internal processor speed.
Microprocessor: an integrated circuit that accepts coded instructions for execution.
Modem (MOdulator, DEModulator): a device that connects your computer to a phone line, enabling the computer
to talk to other computers through the phone system.
Motherboard: main piece of hardware inside a computer. Other parts can be added to it, such
as sound cards, RAM, graphic cards, modems, etc.. The motherboard enables everything to work together.
Multimedia: combination of text, graphics, sounds and video.
Newsletter: A periodically published document or message, containing news and announcements
on a subject. Email Newsletters are an excellent vehicle for communicating with small to large audiences. Also referred to
as an Email Newsletter or eNewsletter.
One to One Marketing: One-to-one marketing is a
customer relationship management (CRM) strategy that emphasizes personalized, interactive communications with customers. This
method of marketing is thought to foster a greater customer loyalty and provide a better return on marketing investment, both
in the short term and throughout the lifetime of the relationship.
Online: computer that is connected to the Internet or network.
Online Reporting Tool (ORT): A secure web-based application that provides real-time transaction
and batch activity.
OS (Operating System): Program used to help run programs on a computer.
Page
View: The delivery of a page of information to a viewer's browser. Also referred to as a page visit.
PDA (Personal Digital Assistant): Hand held basic computer.
Peripheral: any piece of equipment attached to the computer (e.g., disk drives, printers,
CD-ROM).
Personal Area Network (PAN): the wireless connection of information technology devices within the range
of an individual person, typically within 10 metres.
Personalization: The addition of specific
recipient information to an email message. Use of this service requires a supporting database of recipient information. Placement
can be anywhere within the body of the email message, one or multiple times, as well as in the Subject Line and To: line.
Personalization would include items like a recipient's name in a greeting, an identification number, an address, a phone number
or even their age etc.. Exact placement of each personalized field is indicated by the use of a macro.
Plug-in: A
file containing data used to alter, enhance, or extend the operation of a parent application program.
Pixel
Shim: The images that are used to create blank spaces within html layouts, as an alternative to using space
characters.
Port: place where information goes into and out of a computer. For example, the serial port
is where a modem would be connected.
POS Terminal: a "point-of-sale" terminal is hardware
used to process card payments.
Preview List: A list of email addresses of the campaign preview/test recipients, who will receive
the preview launch(es). Also referred to as the Test List.
Proxy Server: A server that
acts as an intermediary between a client application, such as a web browser and a server. It intercepts all requests to the
server to see if it can fulfill the requests itself. If not, it forwards the request to the server.
Publisher: An individual or organization owning
or representing a list, newsletter or web property.
Queue: A sequence of stored data or
programs waiting to be processed. As it applies to email, campaigns are stored in a mail queue and are delivered using a FIFO
(first in - first out) method.
RAM (Random Access Memory): All memory accessible at any instant
(randomly) by a microprocessor. This memory is erased when the power is switched off.
Reach: The number of unique viewers exposed to a campaign.
Retention
Marketing: Marketing to existing clients/customers and prospects, with the goal of retaining their business
while stimulating the marketer's sales. Opposite of Acquisition Marketing.
Rules: Used
in Dynamic Content Delivery. A collection of 2 or more Statements. Rules are used to make real-time decisions on the composition
of an outgoing email message. By applying a rule (or multiple rules) to a client-supplied database, we can change all or part
of the content of each message in accordance with the recipient's database information. This is not to be confused with personalization.
