Internet Jargon & Usage.

Computing & Information Services seminar

August 13, 1997, 2-4 p.m., Hamilton Smith 3.

instructors: Jim Cerny and Mary Peterson

http://unhinfo.unh.edu/NIS/Courses/Jargon/index.html

1. Overview:

Published description:

"Discussion of Internet jargon and usage, including recommended "dos" and "don'ts",

sources of online information, and how a usage sheet can help with preparation of Web

pages. Lecture/demo format. Prerequisite(s): Experience in Web browsing."

Support statement:

Computing & Information Services offers consulting support on general Internet usage and on the Netscape browser. There is no supported glossary or style sheet at this time.

Goals:

To identify online dictionary, glossary, and style resources.

To think in terms of relevant and irrelevant jargon.

To understand the usefulness of a traditional style sheet in Web publishing.

To consider how to cite online documents and resources.

2. Jargon.

Developing a positive attitude toward jargon (versus slang).

serious terms (jargon)

units of measure

areas of usage: Internet, Microsoft applications, telecommunications, etc.

passing usage in the sub-culture (slang)

Selecting a general online dictionary or glossary (or several).

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing

Technology Glossary

The New Hacker's Dictionary

Selecting a printed resource (or maybe not).

3. Style sheets.

Tips on making your own.

Content categories - examples.

ordinary words.

computer jargon.

company and product names

4. Citations to online materials.

modified MLA recommendations.

e-mail messages and newsgroup postings

Web-pages and other URL-based resources

other issues

availability of material over time?

duplication and integrity - what is authoritative and uncorrupted?

5. References.

On-line.

Jargon and Usage course page links.

http://unhinfo.unh.edu/NIS/Courses/Jargon/index.html

Print.

Cyberspeak: An Online Dictionary,

by Andy Ihnatko.

[1996], paper, Random House, $12.95, ISBN:0-67977095-X.

The New Hacker's Dictionary,

by Eric S. Raymond.

[1996], paper, MIT Press, $17.50, ISBN:0-26268092-0.

Wired Style: Principles of English Usage in the Digital Age,

by Constance Hale (ed.).

[1997], hard spiral, Hardwired, $17.95, ISBN:1-888869-01-1.

jim .cerny@unh.edu mary.peterson@unh.edu

stop us before we click again!

rev. 12-AUG-1997