| RDF |
Resource Description Format - From the W3C: "RDF provides a common framework for expressing information [about Web Sites] so that it can be exchanged between applications without loss of meaning." Which roughly speaking means that it is a language for websites to talk to each other, for example for a news site (such as Reuters) to send information to a subscriber's site (such as an ISP's) according to specified criteria (such as "only tell me about news that mentions Preston"). |
| RealAudio |
An Internet file format that allows audio data (sound) to be sent to your Browser at the same time as you are listening to it; this is called "Streaming". This saves you having to wait ages until the whole album or radio program has Downloaded before you can listen to it. On the other hand, you can't normally save the file for your future listening pleasure unless you buy specialised Software for the purpose. If you are in a Lancashire school that connects to the Internet using LGfL or CLEO, and you want to listen to the recordings from the massive BBC Radio archive (or even Radio 4) then you are out of luck, because the over-zealous Firewall blocks RealAudio, among other things. |
| Real Time |
Computer jargon for a processing activity that has time constraints determined by the external environment. For example an ordinary audio CD player has to process the digital information on a CD in "real time" in order for humans to perceive "music". A bit too slow and the music would break up and sound like static, a bit too fast and it would sound like Pinky and Perky. Fortunately the computer in a domestic CD player does not need to be very powerful to be able to operate in "real time". However, many other "real time" applications of computers do need very powerful computers and high Bandwidth networks. Examples include high quality video transmission, speech processing and photo-realistic video games. |
| Register |
Usually a euphemism for "add to our mailing list so that we can bombard you with junk e-mails". See Spam. |
| Rendering |
In relation to a Browser; the process of converting a Web Page's HTML into the picture you see on the screen. HTML is supposed to be a standard, but browser designers have found enormous scope for alternative interpretations (and especially in Microsoft's case, Bugs), so that the same page of HTML will often look different, i.e. be rendered differently, in different browsers. |
| RFC |
Request For Comment - Very technical documents setting out the technical standards of the Internet, such as all the TCP/IP Protocols. Not good bedtime reading unless you are an insomniac. The Internet is very participative at every level, and each RFC document did start life as a discussion document before consensus was reached and it became a standard. |
| RJ45 |
The type of plug/socket used for "Category 5" cabling, which is the most common form of LAN network cabling. RJ45 plugs are similar to UK and US telephone plugs, but they have 8 connectors. |
| ROFL |
Rolling On the Floor Laughing - Shorthand often used by people who regularly contribute to Internet discussions such as Newsgroups. |
| Router |
A box that allows a local network, such as your school's, to connect to other networks such as the Internet. The Router determines which traffic is destined for local computers and which traffic needs to be sent out into the big wide world. There will usually be several Routers between your computer and the one holding the Web site you want to look at. A Router is a computer in its own right, and can (and probably is) monitored and managed from elsewhere on the network. |
| RTFM |
Read The F'ing Manual - Shorthand often used by people who regularly contribute to Internet discussions such as Newsgroups. Roughly translates as "please don't waste everone's time by asking us simple questions that you could easily answer yourself by reading the instructions first instead of being so stupid and lazy". |
| Rx |
Receive or related to receiving. |
