How-To Guide: Internet Terms

Q.   I am confused by the terms “ISP”, “ browser” and “search engine”. What are they and what do they do?

A. Variations of this question are asked frequently. They are Internet terms but each has a different meaning and role on the information superhighway.

“ISPs” or Internet Service Providers are the organizations that provide Internet access, usually on a monthly or yearly subscription basis.

“Browsers” are the software programs used to view and interact with the various types of Internet resources available on the World Wide Web. Netscape and Internet Explorer are two common examples.

“Search Engines” such as Google, AltaVista, Hotbot, Ask (formerly AskJeeves), etc. are applications which helps users find web pages on a specific subject.

[Posted on May 30, 2006]