Web 2.0 Glossary
AddThis
For web publishers, the AddThis button helps you promote your content by making it easier for your visitors to collect, save and distribute your work to social networking websites. Visitors can quickly and easily bookmark your site, subscribe to your feeds, and save and share your items. Aggregation
Aggregation refers to the gathering information from multiple web sites, typically via RSS. Aggregation lets web sites remix the information from multiple web sites, for example by republishing all the news related to a particular keyword. Avatar
An avatar, sometimes referred to as your profile picture, is a small image that appears when you post in online forums or comment on blog posts anywhere. This may or may not be an authentic representation of yourself. If representing your organization, it can be your logo. Badges
Traditionally, a badge is a small image used on websites to promote web standards, products used in the creation of a web page or product, or to indicate a specific content license that is applied to the content or design of a website. Think of badges as bumper stickers on cars or pins on backpacks. One way charities can utilize badges are to create a collection of them for supporters to include on their personal web sites to endorse your organization and cause. If you have the resources to do so, you can also create a simple program that allows supporters to create customized badges.
Blog
A blog is a website where entries are made in journal format and displayed in reverse chronological order with the most recent entry appearing first. They typically combine text, photos and links to other sites. They may also include audio, video and slideshows that are embedded directly into the page. Usually they will focus on a particular topic area. For nonprofits, this would generally mean their organization and the cause that they serve. Blogs are specifically designed to support interaction between the blog author and readers of the blog.
Blogger
Blogger is a free blog publishing tool from Google.
Blogroll
A blogroll is a list of sites displayed in the sidebar of blog, showing who the blogger reads regularly.
Bookmark
A bookmark is a way of storing your favourite sites from the Internet. Browsers like Firefox, Netscape and Internet Explorer let you to categorize your bookmarks into folders.
Comments
Blogs usually allow readers to add comments under items. In addition, videos on YouTube and photos on Flickr can also be commented on. Commenting enables the two-way communication and interaction that is key to Web 2.0. Content Management System (CMS)
Content management systems are software suites used to edit your website. Often this happens by giving the user an interface where they can log in and make text, graphic or structural amends to then publish the new pages on the live website. The complexity and depth of a CMS is dependant on what is required by that particular website and can be written as a custom-made solution or bought off-the-shelf.
For web publishers, the AddThis button helps you promote your content by making it easier for your visitors to collect, save and distribute your work to social networking websites. Visitors can quickly and easily bookmark your site, subscribe to your feeds, and save and share your items. Aggregation
Aggregation refers to the gathering information from multiple web sites, typically via RSS. Aggregation lets web sites remix the information from multiple web sites, for example by republishing all the news related to a particular keyword. Avatar
An avatar, sometimes referred to as your profile picture, is a small image that appears when you post in online forums or comment on blog posts anywhere. This may or may not be an authentic representation of yourself. If representing your organization, it can be your logo. Badges
Traditionally, a badge is a small image used on websites to promote web standards, products used in the creation of a web page or product, or to indicate a specific content license that is applied to the content or design of a website. Think of badges as bumper stickers on cars or pins on backpacks. One way charities can utilize badges are to create a collection of them for supporters to include on their personal web sites to endorse your organization and cause. If you have the resources to do so, you can also create a simple program that allows supporters to create customized badges.
Blog
A blog is a website where entries are made in journal format and displayed in reverse chronological order with the most recent entry appearing first. They typically combine text, photos and links to other sites. They may also include audio, video and slideshows that are embedded directly into the page. Usually they will focus on a particular topic area. For nonprofits, this would generally mean their organization and the cause that they serve. Blogs are specifically designed to support interaction between the blog author and readers of the blog.
Blogger
Blogger is a free blog publishing tool from Google.
Blogroll
A blogroll is a list of sites displayed in the sidebar of blog, showing who the blogger reads regularly.
Bookmark
A bookmark is a way of storing your favourite sites from the Internet. Browsers like Firefox, Netscape and Internet Explorer let you to categorize your bookmarks into folders.
Comments
Blogs usually allow readers to add comments under items. In addition, videos on YouTube and photos on Flickr can also be commented on. Commenting enables the two-way communication and interaction that is key to Web 2.0. Content Management System (CMS)
Content management systems are software suites used to edit your website. Often this happens by giving the user an interface where they can log in and make text, graphic or structural amends to then publish the new pages on the live website. The complexity and depth of a CMS is dependant on what is required by that particular website and can be written as a custom-made solution or bought off-the-shelf.
Creative Commons
Creative Commons is a non-profit organization devoted to expanding the range of creative works available for others to build upon legally and to share. The organization has released several copyright licenses known as Creative Commons licenses. These licenses allow creators to communicate which rights they reserve, and which rights they waive for the benefit of recipients or other creators. Here’s a slideshow that explains Creative Commons very well.
Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing refers to the act of delegating a task to a large diffuse group, usually without monetary compensation. The basic idea has to do with harvesting and harnessing creativity, knowledge, labor, resources and money from the masses in a collaborative effort. It is about using the crowd to do things better, faster and cheaper. Internet companies such as eBay, MySpace and Wikipedia are just a few that have crowdsourcing business models. Del.icio.us
Del.icio.us is a free social bookmarking tool, which allows you to store and share your favourite web sites online, rather than confined in the web browser on your own computer.
Discussion board (or online forum)
Discussion boards were the early vehicles for online collaboration. A discussion board consists of “threads" and "messages." A thread is a series of messages on a particular topic, and each message is an individual contribution to a conversation. A person can either reply to existing messages or post new messages.
Crowdsourcing refers to the act of delegating a task to a large diffuse group, usually without monetary compensation. The basic idea has to do with harvesting and harnessing creativity, knowledge, labor, resources and money from the masses in a collaborative effort. It is about using the crowd to do things better, faster and cheaper. Internet companies such as eBay, MySpace and Wikipedia are just a few that have crowdsourcing business models. Del.icio.us
Del.icio.us is a free social bookmarking tool, which allows you to store and share your favourite web sites online, rather than confined in the web browser on your own computer.
Discussion board (or online forum)
Discussion boards were the early vehicles for online collaboration. A discussion board consists of “threads" and "messages." A thread is a series of messages on a particular topic, and each message is an individual contribution to a conversation. A person can either reply to existing messages or post new messages.
e-Advocacy
This refers to the use of communication technologies such as e-mail, web sites, and podcasts for various forms of activism to enable faster communications by citizen movements and deliver a message to a large audience. These Internet technologies are used for cause-related fundraising, lobbying, volunteering, and community building/organizing. eCommerce
eCommerce refers to the buying and selling of products over the internet. Emoticon
Emoticons (also known as smilies) are keyboard characters used in combination to produce whimsical symbols representing a range of emotions. Examples are happy :-) and sad :-(. Emoticons are used in electronic communication to show humour and express emotions that are difficult to communicate in a text-based environment. Facebook
Facebook is a social networking website. Users can join networks, groups, causes, post photos, write notes, micro blog, share links and videos, and add and make friends.
Flickr
Flickr is an image and video hosting website and online community platform. In addition to being a popular site for users to share photographs, Flickr is also a place to manage photos. Its popularity has been fueled by its photo organization tools. Check out our page on Flickr. GivingPages
GivingPages are a personal fundraising product developed by CanadaHelps. Users can create micro-giving sites to raise funds for the charity or charities they care about. Hyperlink
Hyperlinks are text, images, graphics that, when clicked with a mouse (or activated by keystrokes) will connect the user to a new Web site. The link is usually obvious, such as underlined text or a "button" of some type, but not always. Instant messaging (IM)
Instant Messaging is a text-based computer conference over the Internet between two or more people who must be online at the same time. When you send an IM the receiver is instantly notified that she/he has a message. JPEG
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is the most commonly used image file format for displaying photographic images.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site. It is usually used for professional networking. When you join, you create a profile that summarizes your professional accomplishments. Your profile helps you find and be found by former colleagues, clients, and partners.
News Reader
A news reader is a website or desktop tool that acts as an aggregator, gathering content from blogs and similar sites using RSS feeds so you can read the content in one place, instead of having to visit different sites. They can be either Web-based (Google Reader, Bloglines) or desktop-based (Feed Reader, NetNewsWire, Thunderbird).
Open-Source software
Open source software is software for which the underlying code has been made available for users.
PCI Compliant
Payment card industry (PCI) compliance is adherence to a set of specific security standards that were developed to protect card information during and after a financial transaction. PCI compliance is required by all card brands.
Peer-to-peer (P2P)
Peer-to-peer refers to direct interaction between two people in a network. In that network, each peer will be connected to other peers, opening the opportunity for further sharing and learning. Podcast
A podcast is an audio blog, typically updated weekly or daily. Despite the similarity in name, you don't have to have an iPod (an Apple product) to listen to a podcast. You can download podcasts to your computer and listen to them there or on most mp3 players. Check out our Podcast InfoPage. Post
A post is an item on a blog or forum.
Profiles
Profiles are the information that you provide about yourself when signing up for a social networking site. Your profile can include your picture, basic information, your interests, a “blurb” about yourself, and tags to help people search for like-minded people.
RSS
RSS is short for Really Simple Syndication. RSS is an information delivery method that gives added convenience to both senders and receivers of the information. Using XML, items such as news articles, and blog posts can be automatically downloaded into a newsreader. There are two ways of using RSS: to share your news with others or to harvest others' news for your site. Check out our RSS InfoPage for more information.
Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
Search engine marketing is a form of Internet marketing that seeks to promote websites by increasing their visibility in search engine result pages. SEM methods include: search engine optimization (or SEO), paid placement, contextual advertising, and paid inclusion.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
The practice of designing web pages so that they rank as high as possible in search results from search engines. Among other things, this involves making sure the website contains truly useful information, including accurate information in meta tags, and arranging for other web sites to make links to the site. Check out this presentation about SEO and SEM from the MyCharityConnects Conference. Second Life
Second Life is a three-dimensional virtual community. Members assume an identity and take up residence in the virtual world, creating a customized avatar or personage to represent themselves. The avatar moves about in the virtual world using mouse control and intuitive keyboard buttons. Members buy property, start businesses, play and talk to other members, join clubs, attend classes, or just hang out.
Skype
Skype is one of the leading VOIP providers.
This refers to the use of communication technologies such as e-mail, web sites, and podcasts for various forms of activism to enable faster communications by citizen movements and deliver a message to a large audience. These Internet technologies are used for cause-related fundraising, lobbying, volunteering, and community building/organizing. eCommerce
eCommerce refers to the buying and selling of products over the internet. Emoticon
Emoticons (also known as smilies) are keyboard characters used in combination to produce whimsical symbols representing a range of emotions. Examples are happy :-) and sad :-(. Emoticons are used in electronic communication to show humour and express emotions that are difficult to communicate in a text-based environment. Facebook
Facebook is a social networking website. Users can join networks, groups, causes, post photos, write notes, micro blog, share links and videos, and add and make friends.
Flickr
Flickr is an image and video hosting website and online community platform. In addition to being a popular site for users to share photographs, Flickr is also a place to manage photos. Its popularity has been fueled by its photo organization tools. Check out our page on Flickr. GivingPages
GivingPages are a personal fundraising product developed by CanadaHelps. Users can create micro-giving sites to raise funds for the charity or charities they care about. Hyperlink
Hyperlinks are text, images, graphics that, when clicked with a mouse (or activated by keystrokes) will connect the user to a new Web site. The link is usually obvious, such as underlined text or a "button" of some type, but not always. Instant messaging (IM)
Instant Messaging is a text-based computer conference over the Internet between two or more people who must be online at the same time. When you send an IM the receiver is instantly notified that she/he has a message. JPEG
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is the most commonly used image file format for displaying photographic images.
LinkedIn is a business-oriented social networking site. It is usually used for professional networking. When you join, you create a profile that summarizes your professional accomplishments. Your profile helps you find and be found by former colleagues, clients, and partners.
News Reader
A news reader is a website or desktop tool that acts as an aggregator, gathering content from blogs and similar sites using RSS feeds so you can read the content in one place, instead of having to visit different sites. They can be either Web-based (Google Reader, Bloglines) or desktop-based (Feed Reader, NetNewsWire, Thunderbird).
Open-Source software
Open source software is software for which the underlying code has been made available for users.
PCI Compliant
Payment card industry (PCI) compliance is adherence to a set of specific security standards that were developed to protect card information during and after a financial transaction. PCI compliance is required by all card brands.
Peer-to-peer (P2P)
Peer-to-peer refers to direct interaction between two people in a network. In that network, each peer will be connected to other peers, opening the opportunity for further sharing and learning. Podcast
A podcast is an audio blog, typically updated weekly or daily. Despite the similarity in name, you don't have to have an iPod (an Apple product) to listen to a podcast. You can download podcasts to your computer and listen to them there or on most mp3 players. Check out our Podcast InfoPage. Post
A post is an item on a blog or forum.
Profiles
Profiles are the information that you provide about yourself when signing up for a social networking site. Your profile can include your picture, basic information, your interests, a “blurb” about yourself, and tags to help people search for like-minded people.
RSS
RSS is short for Really Simple Syndication. RSS is an information delivery method that gives added convenience to both senders and receivers of the information. Using XML, items such as news articles, and blog posts can be automatically downloaded into a newsreader. There are two ways of using RSS: to share your news with others or to harvest others' news for your site. Check out our RSS InfoPage for more information.
Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
Search engine marketing is a form of Internet marketing that seeks to promote websites by increasing their visibility in search engine result pages. SEM methods include: search engine optimization (or SEO), paid placement, contextual advertising, and paid inclusion.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
The practice of designing web pages so that they rank as high as possible in search results from search engines. Among other things, this involves making sure the website contains truly useful information, including accurate information in meta tags, and arranging for other web sites to make links to the site. Check out this presentation about SEO and SEM from the MyCharityConnects Conference. Second Life
Second Life is a three-dimensional virtual community. Members assume an identity and take up residence in the virtual world, creating a customized avatar or personage to represent themselves. The avatar moves about in the virtual world using mouse control and intuitive keyboard buttons. Members buy property, start businesses, play and talk to other members, join clubs, attend classes, or just hang out.
Skype
Skype is one of the leading VOIP providers.
Slideshare
Slideshare is the largest platform for sharing presentations. Simply upload your PowerPoint presentations, documents, PDFs, etc. and share them with anyone! They are taggable, searchable, and extremely easy to view. Have a look at the MyCharityConnects Slideshare account.
SMS (Short Message Service)
SMS is also often referred to as texting, sending text messages or text messaging. The service allows for short text messages to be sent from one cell phone to another cell phone or from the Web to another cell phone.
Social bookmarking
The collaborative equivalent of storing favourites or bookmarks within a web browser, social bookmarking services (like del.icio.us or Furl) let people store their favourite web sites online. Social bookmarking services also let people share their favourite web sites with other people, making them a great way to discover new sites or colleagues who share your interests.
Social media
Social media is the term commonly used for the tools and platforms people use to publish, converse and share content online. The tools include blogs, wikis, podcasts, and sites to share photos and bookmarks.
Social networking
Social networking is the practice of expanding one’s network by making connections through individuals. While social networking has gone on almost as long as societies themselves have existed, the unparalleled potential of the Internet to promote such connections is only now being fully recognized and exploited, through Web-based groups established for that purpose. Social networking establishes interconnected Internet communities that help people make contacts that would be good for them to know, but that they would be unlikely to have met otherwise. Subscribing
Subscribing is the process of adding an RSS feed to your aggregator or newsreader. It's the online equivalent of signing up for a magazine, but usually free. Tag cloud
A tag cloud is a list of all the tags used within a single blog or page. Many tag clouds make tags larger the more entries they have. Click here for some examples. Tags
Tags are keywords that describe the content of a web site, bookmark, photo or blog post. You can assign multiple tags to the same online resource and different people can assign different tags to the same resource. Tag-enabled web services include social bookmarking sites (like del.icio.us), photo sharing sites (like Flickr) and blog tracking sites (like Technorati). Tags provide a useful way of organizing, retrieving and discovering information.
Teleconferencing
Teleconferencing refers to voice-only connection with multiple participants. May be using regular telephone lines or Voice Over IP (VOIP) on computers. This may be paired with other tools to create a shared display such as chat, opening the same set of slides, etc.
Trackback
Trackback refers to alerts that a web publisher or blog author receives when somebody has linked to one of their items. This allows writers to keep track of who is linking to their blog postings or web content.
SMS is also often referred to as texting, sending text messages or text messaging. The service allows for short text messages to be sent from one cell phone to another cell phone or from the Web to another cell phone.
Social bookmarking
The collaborative equivalent of storing favourites or bookmarks within a web browser, social bookmarking services (like del.icio.us or Furl) let people store their favourite web sites online. Social bookmarking services also let people share their favourite web sites with other people, making them a great way to discover new sites or colleagues who share your interests.
Social media
Social media is the term commonly used for the tools and platforms people use to publish, converse and share content online. The tools include blogs, wikis, podcasts, and sites to share photos and bookmarks.
Social networking
Social networking is the practice of expanding one’s network by making connections through individuals. While social networking has gone on almost as long as societies themselves have existed, the unparalleled potential of the Internet to promote such connections is only now being fully recognized and exploited, through Web-based groups established for that purpose. Social networking establishes interconnected Internet communities that help people make contacts that would be good for them to know, but that they would be unlikely to have met otherwise. Subscribing
Subscribing is the process of adding an RSS feed to your aggregator or newsreader. It's the online equivalent of signing up for a magazine, but usually free. Tag cloud
A tag cloud is a list of all the tags used within a single blog or page. Many tag clouds make tags larger the more entries they have. Click here for some examples. Tags
Tags are keywords that describe the content of a web site, bookmark, photo or blog post. You can assign multiple tags to the same online resource and different people can assign different tags to the same resource. Tag-enabled web services include social bookmarking sites (like del.icio.us), photo sharing sites (like Flickr) and blog tracking sites (like Technorati). Tags provide a useful way of organizing, retrieving and discovering information.
Teleconferencing
Teleconferencing refers to voice-only connection with multiple participants. May be using regular telephone lines or Voice Over IP (VOIP) on computers. This may be paired with other tools to create a shared display such as chat, opening the same set of slides, etc.
Trackback
Trackback refers to alerts that a web publisher or blog author receives when somebody has linked to one of their items. This allows writers to keep track of who is linking to their blog postings or web content.
Tweetup
A tweetup is an event where Twitter users get together to meet in-person. A tweetup is a great opportunity to really connect with the people in your online social network and share just a little more than 140 characters at a time.
Twitter
Twitter is a free micro-blogging tool that lets you share short updates about what you are doing with people who are in your network or friends group. Check out our Twitter InfoPage.
Upload
To upload is to transfer a file or other content from your computer to an Internet site.
URL
URL stands for Unique Resource Locator. It is the technical term for a web address like www.canadahelps.org. Usability
Usability refers to the efficiency with which a user can perform required tasks with a product, for example, a web site. Usability can be measured objectively via performance errors and productivity, and subjectively via user preferences and interface characteristics. Web design features that affect usability include navigation design and content layout. Check out our Website Basics InfoPage.
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)
VOIP enables you to use a computer or other Internet device for phone calls without additional charge, including conference calls. By using headphones and a microphone you can also free your hands to use instant messaging to keep a shared note of conversations, or use other virtual presence tools. You can use Voice over IP to do interviews for Podcasts. The best-known VOIP tool is Skype. Web 2.0
Coined by O’Reilly Media in 2004, Web 2.0 is a term to describe blogs, wikis, social networking sites and other Internet-based services that emphasize collaboration and sharing, rather than less interactive publishing (referred to as Web 1.0). Web 2.0 encapsulates a rethinking and reinvention of how the web is used, and might be used.
Webinar
Short for Web-based seminar, a webinar is a presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar that is transmitted over the Web. A key feature of a Webinar is its interactive elements—the ability to give, receive and discuss information. Contrast with Webcast, in which the data transmission is one way and does not allow interaction between the presenter and the audience. Click here to register for the webinar in our series! Widgets
Widgets are stand-alone applications you can embed in other applications, like a website or a desktop. In other words, widgets are pieces of self-contained code that opens up a doorway to a much larger application. To this end, you can find widgets that provide weather forecast, stock quotes and news, search boxes for Google, eBay and other popular search-based Web sites, clocks, counters, games, feeds and more. Wiki
A wiki is a web page (or set of pages) that can be edited collaboratively. The best known example is Wikipedia, an encyclopedia created by thousands of contributors across the world. Check out our Wikis InfoPage and our Wikipedia InfoPage for more information. Wordpress
Wordpress is a free blog publishing tool. YouTube
YouTube is a video hosting website where users can upload, view, share and comment on video clips. Uploaded videos then can be shared by sharing the unique YouTube.com link, or across the Internet through other websites, mobile devices, blogs, and e-mail. Check out our YouTube InfoPage for more detailed information.
A tweetup is an event where Twitter users get together to meet in-person. A tweetup is a great opportunity to really connect with the people in your online social network and share just a little more than 140 characters at a time.
Twitter is a free micro-blogging tool that lets you share short updates about what you are doing with people who are in your network or friends group. Check out our Twitter InfoPage.
Upload
To upload is to transfer a file or other content from your computer to an Internet site.
URL
URL stands for Unique Resource Locator. It is the technical term for a web address like www.canadahelps.org. Usability
Usability refers to the efficiency with which a user can perform required tasks with a product, for example, a web site. Usability can be measured objectively via performance errors and productivity, and subjectively via user preferences and interface characteristics. Web design features that affect usability include navigation design and content layout. Check out our Website Basics InfoPage.
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)
VOIP enables you to use a computer or other Internet device for phone calls without additional charge, including conference calls. By using headphones and a microphone you can also free your hands to use instant messaging to keep a shared note of conversations, or use other virtual presence tools. You can use Voice over IP to do interviews for Podcasts. The best-known VOIP tool is Skype. Web 2.0
Coined by O’Reilly Media in 2004, Web 2.0 is a term to describe blogs, wikis, social networking sites and other Internet-based services that emphasize collaboration and sharing, rather than less interactive publishing (referred to as Web 1.0). Web 2.0 encapsulates a rethinking and reinvention of how the web is used, and might be used.
Webinar
Short for Web-based seminar, a webinar is a presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar that is transmitted over the Web. A key feature of a Webinar is its interactive elements—the ability to give, receive and discuss information. Contrast with Webcast, in which the data transmission is one way and does not allow interaction between the presenter and the audience. Click here to register for the webinar in our series! Widgets
Widgets are stand-alone applications you can embed in other applications, like a website or a desktop. In other words, widgets are pieces of self-contained code that opens up a doorway to a much larger application. To this end, you can find widgets that provide weather forecast, stock quotes and news, search boxes for Google, eBay and other popular search-based Web sites, clocks, counters, games, feeds and more. Wiki
A wiki is a web page (or set of pages) that can be edited collaboratively. The best known example is Wikipedia, an encyclopedia created by thousands of contributors across the world. Check out our Wikis InfoPage and our Wikipedia InfoPage for more information. Wordpress
Wordpress is a free blog publishing tool. YouTube
YouTube is a video hosting website where users can upload, view, share and comment on video clips. Uploaded videos then can be shared by sharing the unique YouTube.com link, or across the Internet through other websites, mobile devices, blogs, and e-mail. Check out our YouTube InfoPage for more detailed information.
