Linkrot
"Linkrot" sounds like a good name for a punk band. "Ladies and gentleman, we are 'Linkrot!'" It also sounds like a good word to define all those links on Web pages that lead nowhere. I like the second definition, since that is what "linkrot" means, after all. We've all been there... surveying our favorite page, clicking on links, and suddenly... 404. "File Not Found," "Error," "This Page Hasn't Been Up Since 1998, You Fool." Ah, the Internet is a fickle mistress. The more links a page has, the better its chances of adding to the phenomenon known as "linkrot." That's why it's always good to check your links every once in awhile and make sure they're still... linking. If you find a dead link, let the linker know. I'm sure they'll appreciate it. I know I do. Of course, updating Lockergnome issues from 1997 ain't gonna happen anytime soon.
Linux
Good old Linux. Remember how Snoopy would always try to steal his blanket? I'll never forget how he told that Christmas story. Good grief, what a great kid he was. No, wait... I'm thinking of something else. Actually, you may have heard me mention Linux before, but you might not have known what the heck it was. Linux is an operating system (just as Microsoft Windows is an operating system)... except it isn't like Microsoft Windows at all. It's actually based on UNIX, so folks who are comfortable with being told what to do and how to do it -- I wouldn't suggest venturing into the penguin world. "I'm just starting to figure Windows out, and now you want me to change my operating system?" You don't have to do anything if you don't want to, per se. Linux has endeared itself to a lot of power users. Some distributions are incredibly cheap (free) and easy to use -- if you're at familiar with the command prompt and computer security. Bottom line: it's an alternative environment that many have found to be just as good (if not better) than Windows. Of course, Microsoft's platforms aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Linux has certainly held its own (and continues to do so). Powerful, robust, and configurable, but definitely still for the savvy user.
List Server
Do you know of someone who has a handful of newsletters they want to send via e-mail? I mean, besides me of course. I'm already taken care of, thank you very much. If you plan on venturing into the world of e-mail publishing, you'll need to get yourself a list server. That'd be a program (in conjunction with a connected machine) that handles message distribution and subscription issues. The great thing about a list server is that it's not just for geeky subject matter; perhaps you're selling quilts online and want to keep folks up-to-date on your new designs. Follow the pattern? You can purchase your own list server, rent one on a per-message basis, develop your own, or... continue to live without one altogether. Now, if I'm not mistaken, someone actually wrote a book on how to do e-mail newsletters. His name escapes me for the moment, but if you know who it is -- please e-mail me ASAP.
Load Balancing
Do you know how to make your washing machine dance? Just stuff a bunch of clothes in there and watch it shake and shimmy. Try tossing in a blanket or two to really see it get down. Anytime you don't balance your load, it can wreak havoc on your Westinghouse. A heavy load within your PC won't cause it to dance (I've never seen it happen) -- but it can slow things down considerably. Enter: load balancing. That's when the work is distributed among more than one computer so things get done faster and more efficiently. Web sites with heavy traffic often employ load balancing; with every added server, the weight is further dispersed. Why would they care about making things run smoothly? When was the last time you couldn't get into a site because it was Gnomed. Exactly. We're the reason load balancing was invented. Mmmm... Oogie Boogie smells Springtime fresh.
Loader
You put the disk into the drive, wait a few seconds, and the next thing you know your computer is reading the disk. Wow. Neat. So? Haven't you ever wondered how the heck all that information gets from a disk to your PC? Why, sure you haven't! But I'm going to tell you anyway. Ya see, your operating system has a component called a "loader" that locates a program on a disk and loads it. And you thought there were little elves inside your computer hauling programs back and forth. Actually, the elves worked for Commodore. I should also point out that a loader will load programs that are already installed on your computer. Even the elves know that, but they're making cookies now.
Local Area Network
So you want to know what the heck this is, eh? You really want to know? You really, really... okay, a "local area network" is a network that is used locally... in an area. There, that's about it. Today's GnomeWORD was brought to you by network cable. Please help yourself to the buffet and don't forget to tip your waiter. What? You want a better explanation? Geez, you people are so demanding. The LAN (!) is comprised of computers that share a single communication line and are found in the same location. For example, you may work in an office building with a LAN. Its server(s) could have as few as three and as many as three thousand individuals accessing it at any given time. Designed to fit the needs of the people it serves, the LAN often has centralized data storage. Users can save their files on the network rather than on their own computers. When sharing common documents, this technique can save headaches (sometimes). Remember what intranet means? Yeah, this is kinda like the same thing. Although, intranets can be global, whereas LANs are pretty much just... local.
Lossy - Lossless
Images, songs, and videos can take up a lot of space on your ol' PC, pal. That's why the divine creator invented something called "compression." That's when a file is shrunk so that it sucks up less space. Compression also cuts down on transmission time if you happen to be sending something to someone. Ideally, compressing a file doesn't alter the data at all. This is known as "lossless compression." GIFs are graphics which rely on lossless compression; they have to be saved at 256 colors or less, but once this is done, no visual artifacts remain. Compression can also result in lost data, though sometimes it's not noticeable. Audio and video data typically employ "lossy compression," as do JPGs. Why doesn't the world use one type of format or codec? I'm at a lossy for words, so get lossless.
Lurking
Newsgroups are nice, but they can be somewhat foreboding. Jumping into a new newsgroup is like trying to infiltrate a whole new social circle. You don't really know anybody and they probably don't know you. I've said that it's a good idea to just hang out and read the threads before making a post of your own. That's what we call "lurking," my friends. It sounds bad, doesn't it? Like you're some sinister prowler hiding in the shadows. Even if you ARE a sinister prowler, you could still benefit from lurking a bit before making your first public entry. You might even decide this particular newsgroup isn't what you're looking for. No sweat; there's only about thirty million others waiting for you. Ya know, all some people ever do is lurk... but where's the fun in that? Electronic forums will make lurkers of us all.
Lynx
LYNX <> Unix systems (such as Linux) can run on a command line interface. Essentially, everything is done through the keyboard. Get thee behind me, mouse! But what about Web browsers? Is there a text-based browser for those Unix-usin' geeks out there? Or what about for those of us who long for the days of DOS? Sure there is -- it's called "Lynx." This particular browser is text only, which means it's not a graphical Web browser (like Netscape, Internet Explorer, or Opera). It may not be as pretty as those other clients, but real power users shouldn't concern themselves with aesthetics. Pages sure load quickly when there's no GUI around.
