The Lexicon of New Media Terms

Go to: # | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | View all (170k)

Note: These entries have been loosely complied from hundreds of online and print sources. Make independent confirmation and proper citation before using any of this material for professional or academic purposes.

Terms beginning with "C"

C++: A programming language, normal letters and numbers which get turned into binary code by a compiler.
C2C: Consumer-to-consumer marketing in which products or services are exchanged between individuals (for example, eBay's online auctions).
CA: Certificate Authority, a third party that issues certificates for encryption and verification use. Examples include Verisign and Thawte Consulting.
cache: A technique computers and Web browsers use to save memory by storing frequently accessed files; for example, images recently downloaded for display on a Web page.
call to action: Copy in an advertisement that asks a viewer to do something specific; for example, "call now" or "click here."
case sensative: When uppercase and lowercase letters are considered two different characters; for example, "Something" vs. "something" for example.
CD: Compact disc, a thin circle of plastic with tiny pits burned onto one side to reflect a laser and play back digital signals.
CDF: Channel definition format, an XML proposal from Microsoft for use with push media.
CD-R: A recordable compact disc (a "blank" CD) which can have data stored on it once using a CD-ROM burner.
CD-ROM: Compact disc read-only-memory, a form of media storage which typically can hold up to 650 megabytes of data per disc.
CD-ROM burner: A device which can transfer files permanently to a CD-ROM.
CD-RW: Like a CD-R, but data stored on it multiple times, re-rewriting over old data.
Celeron: A type of processor made by Intel Corp.; better than a Pentium I.
CERN: European Organization for Nuclear Research, where Tim Berners-Lee invented the first web browser and server in 1990.
certificate: A form of identification for sercure communications.
CGI: Common gateway interface, a way Web servers process input data submitted by users or scripts.
channels: The way in which push media delivers content to the user.
cheat codes: Passwords for a video game which allow the player to skip game levels, gain extra life levels or power, etc.
cheek-by-jowl: When two things are close to each other or are tightly integrated, as in "Our Web server sits cheek-by-jowl to our client database."
Chiat, Jay: Legendary advertising executive, formerly of Chait/Day and later founder of the content broker company ScreamingMedia.
churn: When a user leaves a service such as dialup ISP account or listserv subscription.
clickthrough: The rate at which viewers actually click on ad banners and go to the advertiser's site; from 1% to 3% is considered a good rate by industry standards.
client: Software that requests services from another computer (called the server); browsers act as clients of Web sites.
CLUT file: Color look-up table, the set of available colors for a given application; a program's working palette is a subset of the broader CLUT.
CMC: Computer Mediated Communication
CMYK: Cyan, magenta, yellow and black, the four colors of ink used in process color printing.
Cnet: A family or Web sites and television programs dealing with new electronic technology: Cnet.com, Builder.com, News.com, etc.
CNN: Cable News Network founded by Ted Turner in Atlanta in 1980; later bought by Time Warner.
cntl-alt-delete: The three keys which can be pressed all at the same time to restart Windows OS; also called "Control-Alt-Delete" or "three finger reboot."
COBRA: Common Object Request Broker Architecture, a UNIX-based way to communicate between components.
Cold Fusion: A commerical program which runs with a Web server to send out HTML files from a database.
COMDEX: A series of annual trade shows for technology professionals and vendors.
compiler: A program which takes programming language like C++ or Java and turns it into ones and zeros for a computer to understand.
Compuserv: A propritary online network service popular in the 1980s; bought by AOL in 1997.
convergence: When two or more professional disiplines become combined due to changes in technology; for example, Web sites becoming more like interactive television.
CPC: Cost-per-click, an method where the advertiser only pays for the number of clickthroughs an ad gets rather than the exposure of impressions.
CPM: Cost per throusand impressions, a metric for judging different media buys; divide the cost an ad by the estimated viewership to find the CPM.
CPU: Core processing unit, more commonly used refering to the main computer box with the processor and memory chips inside.
crack: Codes allowing users to either change a commerical program or cheat at a video game.
crash: When separate programs conflict or data traffic overloads a computer, causing the entire system to shut down or freeze.
creative: Marketing-speak for ads or the people who design advertising.
crop: Cutting off unwanted pieces of an image.
CSS: Cascading stylesheets, a method of defining typesfaces, colors and other features within an XML or HTML document.
CSS-P: Cascading stylesheet positioning, a method of assigning layouts to XML or HTML documents.
cursor: An underline character often used in text strings in place of a space; available from shift-dash on most keyboards.
cut-and-paste: A function designed into both the Windows and Mac interface which allows users to copy content from one file or application, hold it in temporary storage, and then insert it into another file or application.
cyberpunk: A form of science fiction (most popular in the 1980s) that foresaw a 21st century dominated by eco-disasters, social decay and Internet use.
cyberspace: Overly dramatic slang for the Internet.

Go to: # | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | View all (170k)