We try our best not to confuse our clients with
technical jargon and we always try to talk in laymans terms. Sometimes however
this is inevitable which is why we have produced this handy little guide.
ASP
ASP or Active Server Pages is the precursor to ASP.net, ASP is similar in
operation to PHP but has now been deprecated in favour of the DotNet framework.
ASP.net
ASP.net which stands for Active Server Pages is a server side technology that
utilises the Microsoft DotNet framework. ASP.net is a very powerful technology
and is used for performing tasks on small websites as well as for building
enterprise level applications. An added benefit of ASP.net is the ability to
integrate seamlessly with windows and windows applications.
The ASP.net framework is the preferred development platform of Breed Creative
Solutions.
Databases
Databases are used to store a variety of information that can be collected on a
web site. SQL Server and Microsoft Access are two well known database
applications.
Domain Name
A domain name is the human understandable locator for a web site and it is
commonly known as a Url such as www.breedcreative.com
Flash
Flash is a popular technology used to add interactivity and animation to a web
site which also provides the ability to stream music and video.
FTP
File transfer protocol is the industry standard method of transferring files
across the internet.
HTML
HTML or Hypertext Markup Language are the original building blocks of the
internet. From the early days of the internet HTML has matured with several
specifications produced to ensure an equal experience regardless of the web
browser. HTML is limited and to provide a dynamic and engaging experience a
server side technology such as ASP.net must be used.
JavaScript
JavaScript is a scripting technology mainly used client side meaning that it
runs in the users browser such as Internet Explorer or FireFox. JavaScript
allows the web site to provide useful information to a user such as
informational message boxes or warnings when a form has been incorrectly
completed. JavaScript is generally used to provide a more interactive and user
friendly experience to the sites users.
Payment System / EPOS
E-commerce applications require a means to take payment for goods or services.
There are several secure payment systems including WorldPay and PayPal. These
payment systems are totally secure and usually when accessing these payment
systems a padlock icon will appear in the bottom right corner of the web
browser.
PDF
PDF stands for Portable Document Format. PDF is a cross-platform industry
standard file format that is often used for submitting files to be printed and
for downloading and transferring documents over the internet.
PHP
PHP stands for Hypertext Preprocessor and is the open source alternative to the
Microsoft technologies.
Servers
A web site or a web application will need to be hosted on a web server so that
they are visible to the public. The two main operating systems used on web
servers are Microsoft Windows Server and Linux.
Server Side
Technologies
Server side technologies are usually used to generate pages on the fly.
Technologies such as Microsoft's ASP and ASP.net and the open source PHP are the
main players in this market. ASP and ASP.net run on windows servers and PHP
usually runs on Linux servers. Pages can be created from information stored in a
database or in a text file. E-commerce applications and social networking sites
are among the types of web sites created using server side technologies.
Breed Creative Solutions focus primarily on the Microsoft technologies.
Shopping Cart
Shopping carts are mainly used on e-commerce web sites. A shopping cart is an
electronic version of a supermarket trolley and as you browse through the shop
you add items to the cart. When you have finished selecting the items that you
wish to buy you need to checkout and pay via a secure payment system.
Social Networking
Social Networking is the latest internet interest and well known sites such as
MySpace and Facebook fall under this category. They are known by this term
because of the way the sites bring people together with similar interests such
as the School/College/University attended.
SQL Server
SQL Server is Microsoft's main database software, it is one of the biggest
database software applications in the world and comes in various flavours. SQL
Server is used for a variety of reasons and these include storing information
about users from a register form or to store order and audit information. SQL
Server 2005 is the primary database server used by Breed Creative Solutions.
URL
URL stands for Universal Resource Locators and is the text portion of a web
address.
W3C
The W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) is an international consortium who develop the standards for internet technology.
Web Application
The term web application is used to describe a site that is powered by a backend
database such as an e-commerce web site so called because it acts similar to a
windows application in functionality.
Web Browsers
To be able to view web sites or web applications a browser is required. The main
web browsers are Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Mozilla's FireFox.
Web Site
A web site is a term that is commonly used to describe a collection of pages on
the internet belonging to a particular person / organisation. The term web site
is also used to describe a static site that requires no interaction from the
user.
Bleed
Bleed is a technique that allows the image or colour to run off the edge of the
page, usually up to 3mm. When the page is trimmed there are no white borders
around the edges.
Bitmap Image
A bitmap is a graphic image that is made up of fixed dots. When the image size
is increased the dot size gets bigger which in turn makes the image look jagged.
Clipping Path
A clipping path is a method of 'cutting out' a digital image from a background.
CMYK
CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and blacK which are the four colours of
ink used in full colour printing.
Die Cutting
Cutting to shape of paper or board, i.e. folders.
DPI
DPI stands for Dots Per Inch. This is the most common unit of measurement
indicating the resolution of monitors, printers and scanners.
Embossed
Emboss is the technique of pressing an image or shape into paper or board.
FTP
File transfer protocol is the industry standard method of transferring files
across the internet.
GSM
GSM stands for Grams per Square Metre. An A0 sheet of paper is the equivalent to
16 sheets of A4 and it is also the equivalent of 1 square metre. A sheet of
200gsm A0 paper should weigh 200grams.
Halftone
Halftone is a photograph that has been broken down into variable size dots
(screened), that when printed gives the illusion of continuous tonal changes.
Imposition
The process of placing pages on a larger sheet, so that when folded each page is
in the correct order when viewed as a finished piece.
Jpeg
Jpeg is a digital image file format with built in compression, Jpeg is a common
image format used on the internet and it is commonly used as a format for
digital cameras.
Laminated
When paper or card is laminated a clear adhesive film, matt or gloss, is applied
to protect it. This is commonly used on folders and the outer cover of
brochures.
Perfect Bound
Perfect bound or adhesive binding is the process of applying glue to the spine
of a brochure the outer cover is then wrapped around and glued into place.
RGB
RGB stands for Red, Green and Blue these are the primary colours of colour
monitors.
Saddle Stitched
Stapling, i.e. a brochure. The name refers to the shape of the equipment used.
UV Varnish
Ultra violet varnish. Gives a high gloss finish and can be applied over the
entire sheet or as a spot varnish over a particular area.
Vector Graphic
Artwork, usually illustrations or logo's, created using a software program that
defines lines, shapes and colours as mathematically plotted objects. As the size
of the illustration is increased, the lines, shapes and colours are
automatically redrawn at the increased size, maintaining the quality of the
image.
Wire Bound
Punching small holes along one edge of the pages of a document, then fastening
with a string of wire loops. This method allows the document to open flat.