| Java | Java is an important computer programming language, particular in relation to the Internet. An Application written in Java is the programming equivalent of a PDF document: in theory a self-contained Java Application will work on any computer that has a Java "reader" known as a "Java Runtime Environment" (JRE). These JREs are available as Plug-Ins for all modern Browsers, which means that Java programs can be placed on Web Pages and used by anyone. Sounds great in principle, but the problem with Java is that it can be misused, which means that allowing Java to run in your browser is risky. A more appropriate use of Java is for large-scale projects that involve several disparate computer systems that need to work together, and indeed this is probably Java's main use. Confusingly, Java is no relation of JavaScript. See also Applet. |
| JavaScript | JavaScript (also known as ECMAScript) is a simple programming language for the control of Web Pages within a Browser. JavaScript is often thought to be a cut-down version of Java, but in fact it has little in common apart from the name and a superficially similar syntax. Unlike with Java, it is relatively "safe" to allow JavaScript to run, because it does not have any control over your computer beyond what the browser can already do. Most browsers allow JavaScript to be switched off, but many Web sites will not work properly if this is done. This site will work without JavaScript. |
| JPEG | Joint Photographic Experts Group - A picture format created by the aforementioned. JPEG (pronounced jay-peg), also abbreviated to JPG, is the de facto Internet (and digital camera) standard for photographic pictures. JPEG uses "lossy" compression, meaning that some detail is thrown away to reduce the file size efficiently. The quality/size trade-off can be altered quite dramatically. See also BMP, GIF, PNG. |
| JPG | Contraction of JPEG. Windows computers usually use JPG rather than JPEG to indicate that files are in JPEG format. |
| JScript | Basically it is Microsoft's own flavour of JavaScript, to which it is very similar, but just different enough to avoid legal problems. Most Browsers that can understand JavaScript can also process JScript. |
| Junk Mail | Also known as Spam. Unsolicited and unwanted E-mails, exactly the same as with paper mail that is stuffed through your letterbox. However, it is far, far cheaper (virtually free) to send a million junk e-mails than to print and deliver a million pieces of paper, therefore you should protect your e-mail address even more carefully than your postal address. Some Web Sites (not rs-infotech.com of course) require users to "register" with an e-mail address just to be able to see the site. This address is then used to generate income for the site by selling it on to junk-mailers. A common tactic used by Internet cognoscenti is to have separate "throw-away" e-mail addresses to use just for registering with Web sites. An easy way to do this is to do what many school children do - set up one or more HotMail accounts. They cost nothing, don't require an E-mail Client and can be abandoned whenever, all at Microsoft's expense. |