hacker --
An expert programmer who likes to spend a lot of time figuring out the finer details of computer systems or networks, as opposed to those who learn only the minimum necessary. See also cracker.
handle --
A nickname used in online communications.
hang --
1. An unexpected halt of a computer, usually while running an application program. A hung machine is characterized by a total lack of response from the mouse and keyboard. The user can almost never effect a recovery except by turning the computer off and restarting it.
2. In the construction "hang off", to attach a peripheral device to a computer via a cable. "I'm going to hang another hard drive off my home box."
hardwired --
A function or capability that is hardcoded into a system. Generally, anything that can not be modified or customized.
Hello World! --
The classic first demonstration program used when teaching a new language. The goal of a "Hello World!" program is simply to print the words "Hello World!" to the screen. See also BASIC, C, Java, and Perl.
hit --
A single user accessing a single file from a web server. A unit of measure often used erroneously to evaluate the popularity of a web site.
holy wars --
Ubiquitous online disputes that never end. Common holy wars are fought over Macintosh vs. Windows, UNIX vs. Windows NT, and everyone vs. Microsoft, as well as over societal issues such as abortion, gun control, and pornography. See also flame war.
home page --
A web page that is topically the main source of information about a particular person, group, or concept. Many people on the web create home pages about themselves for fun; these are also known as vanity pages.
hosed --
To be totally destroyed or otherwise unusable, as in "my hard drive is hosed" or "the network is totally hosed."
host --
1. A computer that allows users to communicate with other host computers on a network.
2. A chat term for someone who is managing a chat. Hosts often act as referees and have the power to turn participants into spectators and vice versa.
HotBot --
An Internet search engine at http://www.hotbot.com
HTML --
See Hypertext Markup Language.
HTTP --
See Hypertext Transfer Protocol.
hype --
Marketing messages that overstate the truth (as in "Don't believe the hype!").
hyperlink --
A highlighted word or picture within a hypertext document that when clicked takes you to another place within the document or to another document altogether.
hypertext --
Text that includes links or shortcuts to other documents, allowing the reader to easily jump from one text to related texts, and consequentially from one idea to another, in a non-linear fashion. Coined by Ted Nelson in 1965.
Hypertext Markup Language --
(abbreviation: HTML)
The tag-based ASCII language used to create pages on the World Wide Web. See also hypertext.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol --
(abbreviation: HTTP)
The protocol used by the World Wide Web to transfer HTML files.