In a packet-switched network such as the Internet, data is packaged and routed in 'blocks' or packets, each having a header with the network destination address. Packet-switched networks are also described as 'connectionless', because the paths selected by routers can vary from moment to moment as each router is updated with current network information. Generic term for public dial-up telephone networks. See DSL . A series of interlinked computer documents 'marked up' with HTML computer language to display text, graphics, images and sound.
Users browse the documents via a graphical user interface.
Web sites are like multimedia magazines, with interactive features and links to related sites. An individual's customised 'gateway' to the Internet. A portal is a Web page designed to allow different users to tailor and aggregate content according to individual preference. Web portals include global and special instant messaging, email and chat facilities to encourage the development of electronic communities.