HomeDigital Literacy Glossary

Digital Literacy Glossary

This glossary is an assignment for HIST 390 at George Mason University in Summer 2024

72-year-rule: A U.S. law known as the "72-Year Rule" limits access to U.S. Census records for 72 years following the collection of them, guaranteeing that confidential data is kept secret for a considerable amount of time before being utilized for public study. This regulation ensures that the data remains private and secure for a longer period.

Kratz, J. (2022b, January 24). Census Records: The 72-Year Rule. Pieces of History. https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2022/01/20/census-records-the-72-year-rule/

AI: is a tool that can generate code, organize dance parties, and clean oceans. It involves training machines to learn from data, recognize patterns, solve problems, and consider ethical implications. AI is the process of creating computer systems that can carry out tasks that normally call for human intelligence.

Code.org. (2020, December 1). What is Machine Learning? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHbwOetbmbs

Big Data- Big data is the vast amount of digitally generated information from various sources, including search engines, healthcare, and real-time data. It involves the use of innovative technologies to store, process, and extract meaningful data from these massive datasets. Big data is complex and rapidly growing, requiring new data management tools. Volume, velocity, and variety are three of big data's key characteristics. Organizations can predict trends, enhance operations, and make better decisions with the use of technologies like Hadoop and machine learning.

The data explosion | Big Data: A Very Short Introduction | Oxford Academic. (n.d.). https://academic.oup.com/book/406/chapter-abstract/135209544?redirectedFrom=fulltext

Bit rot: also known as data degradation, is the process by which digital data eventually loses its usability because of things like software eroding, file format obsolescence, or physical deterioration of storage media. Data preservation may be difficult because of significant data loss or corruption. In hardware, it refers to gradual wear and tear that affects data readability from storage devices, while in software, it can cause applications to slow down or fail due to accumulated updates and changes over time.

bit rot. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bit%20rot

Catalog: is a collection of metadata that signifies a database's structure and organization, including things such as tables, views, indexes, and users. It efficiently manages and organizes data by functioning as a directory for the database. Cloud computing platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and others provide their own data catalogs that are specific to their own ecosystems.

What is a Data Catalog? (n.d.). https://www.oracle.com/big-data/data-catalog/what-is-a-data-catalog/

Database: is a structured collection of information stored electronically in a computer system, managed by a Database Management System (DBMS). Large volumes of data are easily accessed, managed, and updated thanks to its flexible structure, types, and applications, which span from scientific research to business operations.

What Is a Database? (2020, November 24). Oracle. https://www.oracle.com/database/what-is-database/

Data exhaust: refers to digital traces generated by people while browsing the web, including log files, cookies, and temporary files. When it comes to targeting specific customers, this data is valuable financially to businesses and advertisers. On the other hand, users can manage and profit from their own data exhaust, converting it into a kind of money.

Bruder, J. (2012, October 3). What if Web Users Could Sell Their Own Data? You’re The Boss Blog. https://archive.nytimes.com/boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/02/what-if-web-users-could-sell-their-own-data/

Data harvesting: is a way of businesses gathering a lot of personal data from people without their knowledge or consent. The use of this data for third-party sales or targeted advertising raises questions about ethical and privacy practices. More control over personal information is the goal of laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act.

Klosowski, T. (2020, May 28). Big Companies Harvest Our Data. This Is Who They Think Am. Wirecutter: Reviews for the Real World. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/data-harvesting-by-companies/

Data visualization: Data visualization is the process of transforming abstract data into visual formats like charts, graphs, and maps, making it easier to understand and interpret complex information. It allows communication and decision-making by converting complicated data sets into easily readable formats. Data visualization tools make complex data easier to access and comprehend by utilizing visual components like graphs, charts, and maps.

Staff, C. (2023, November 29). Data Visualization: Definition, Benefits, and Examples. Coursera. https://www.coursera.org/articles/data-visualization

Descriptive metadata: refers to the information that helps to identify, discover, and understand resources. Elements like title, creator, subject, description, and publisher are usually included. To help a user locate and assess a resource, this kind of metadata is used to give background and details about the resource's quality, condition, and other relevant aspects.

Baca, M. (n.d.). Introduction to Metadata. https://www.getty.edu/publications/intrometadata/metadata-and-the-web/

Dublin Core: is a set of 15 vocabulary terms used to describe web, physical, and artwork resources. Title, creator, subject, description, publisher, contributor, date, type, format, identifier, source, language, relation, coverage, and rights are among the elements that make up this content. This standard facilitates interoperability of digital assets and is recognized globally for its utility in resource description and discovery.

Baca, M. (n.d.). Introduction to Metadata. https://www.getty.edu/publications/intrometadata/metadata-and-the-web/

Facial recognition: is a computer technology that identifies human faces in digital photographs, ignoring other elements like environment or objects. It is utilized in social media tagging, smartphone authentication, and security systems. Face detection, feature extraction, faceprint creation, and database comparison are all steps in the process. Advanced algorithms and deep learning techniques process facial data. Nevertheless, facial recognition is not perfect and can be affected by angles, lighting, and facial expressions. Applications such as security systems and smartphone unlocking use it.

Nashville Film Institute - NFI. (2024, February 17). NFI. https://www.nfi.edu/

Fair use - Fair use is a legal doctrine that permits unlicensed use of copyrighted works for purposes like commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching, and scholarship. The purpose and character of the work, the nature of the work, the quantity and quality of the portion used, and the impact of the use on the original work's market value are the four factors that determine it.

U.S. Copyright Office. (2019, October 30). Fair Use [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFhF_tHrj4s

Federal Records Act: A US law known as the Federal Records Act of 1950 regulates the handling of federal records, guaranteeing accountability, openness, and historical preservation. It provides appropriate management to support accountability, transparency, and the preservation of historical records by regulating the creation, maintaining, and loss of records by federal agencies.

Kratz, J. (2022b, January 24). Census Records: The 72-Year Rule. Pieces of History. https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2022/01/20/census-records-the-72-year-rule/

Fiber optic cable: is a connection that uses light to transmit information, allowing for high-speed data transmission. It consists of strands of glass fibers in an insulated casing, allowing for faster data transmission than traditional metal conductors. Fiber optic cables are commonly used in telecommunications, internet connections, and network cabling due to their ability to transmit data over long distances with minimal loss.

The Infographics Show. (2019, January 16). Who Really Owns The Internet? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOkogpQXSuc

GIS - Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are essential tools in the digital humanities, designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present spatial or geographic data. These tools let researchers see connections, patterns, and trends in data by allowing them to visualize and analyze it using globes, maps, reports, and charts. Users can visualize and analyze data using GIS technology in ways that highlight trends and patterns.

Presner, T., Shepard, D., Wood, D., Schreibman, S., Parks, 2005, Losh, 2012, & Kurgan, L. (2016). Mapping the Geospatial Turn. In A New Companion to Digital Humanities. John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated. http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/gmu/detail.action?docID=4093339

Google's index: is a vast catalog of webpages, containing information about all known content. It is processed and understood by web crawlers, who store this information in the vast Google index, which contains hundreds of billions of webpages and is over 100,000,000 gigabytes in size. Like an index in a book, which lists every word seen on every page the crawlers have visited, the index is used to provide rapid search results.

Google. (2019, October 24). How Google Search Works (in 5 minutes) [Video]. YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eKVizvYSUQ

Google search: is a process where users enter keywords or phrases into the search engine to find information on the internet. It uses complex algorithms to analyze and rank websites based on their relevance to the search query. Google is the most widely used search engine in the world, processing billions of queries every day. Finding results from a particular website by using the site: operator is an example of a Google search. Google search operators are unique commands that enhance standard text searches on Google, enabling users to focus search results and locate specific content.

Google. (2019, October 24). How Google Search Works (in 5 minutes) [Video]. YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eKVizvYSU

GPS - The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system that has transformed mapping, geo-temporal visualization, and locative storytelling. It shows a user's exact location on Earth by using signals from a constellation of satellites. GPS is an essential tool in digital humanities because GPS receivers process these signals and use them to determine the user's exact position.

HTML, or Hypertext Markup Language: is the standard markup language for creating web pages. It contains cues for a page's appearance and provides a semantic description of the page's structure. The fundamental units of HTML pages are HTML elements, which enable the embedding of images and interactive forms. Complex websites can be created with the help of technologies like JavaScript and CSS.

Code.org. (2015, September 28). The Internet: HTTP & HTML [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBXQZMmiA4s

HTTP: is a client server protocol used for transmitting hypermedia documents like HTML, forming the foundation of web data exchange. It makes it possible for resources like text, pictures, and videos to be fetched, which makes it possible for interactive and loading web pages. HTTP specifies services and commands for sending data from webpages.

An overview of HTTP - HTTP | MDN. (2024, May 3). MDN Web Docs. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Overview

Internet Service Provider (ISP): is a company or organization that offers services for accessing, using, or participating on the Internet. They enable people, companies, and organizations to connect to the global network by offering the necessary infrastructure, services, and connectivity. This makes it easier for people to communicate online, exchange data, and engage in other Internet-based activities.

Code.org. (2015a, September 10). The Internet: IP Addresses & DNS [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o8CwafCxnU

Length of copyright protection - Copyright protection for individual authors' works typically lasts for the author's lifetime plus 70 years. It lasts for 95 years from the date of publication or 120 years from the date of creation for works created under pseudonyms, for hire, or anonymously. For works produced after January 1, 1978, it is valid for the duration of the writer's life plus an extra seventy years.

USF Libraries Research & Instruction Video Channel. (2018, June 13). Copyright Tidbits: What is Copyright? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klyZueHDDWE

Location tracking: Location tracking is the real-time monitoring and recording of an object's or person's physical location using technologies like GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular networks. Real-time tracking of objects and people is made possible by its widespread use in applications such as location-based services, navigation, and delivery tracking. These technological advancements are essential for following through accurate and efficient information for a range of uses.

What is Location Tracking? Pros and Cons of Location Tracking. (n.d.). https://www.efani.com/blog/location-tracking

Machine Learning: is an artificial intelligence technique that allows computers to recognize patterns and make decisions without explicit programming. It involves learning from data, improving from experiences, and predicting outcomes for tasks not specifically programmed. Students gain a deeper understanding of machine learning principles and practical applications through this interactive approach. Many technologies, including recommendation systems and search engines, rely heavily on machine learning.

Code.org. (2020, December 1). What is Machine Learning? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHbwOetbmbs

MP3 - The MP3 format, introduced in 1991, is a digital audio encoding format that compresses audio into smaller file sizes while maintaining sound quality. Because of its efficiency and balance of quality, it is popular for podcasts and music and makes storing and transmitting audio files over the internet easier.

MP3. (2024, July 23). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MP3

Optical Character Recognition (OCR): is a technology that converts documents like scanned paper, PDF files, or digital images into editable and searchable data. It enables effective editing, searching, and storing by digitizing printed texts. OCR recognizes text in a variety of fonts and formats with excellent accuracy, assisting in the transition between the physical and digital worlds.

IBM Technology. (2022, August 22). Optical Character Recognition (OCR) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or8AcS6y1xg

Packet switching: is a method of grouping data into packets transmitted over a digital network, consisting of a header and payload. It is essential to data communications in computer networks, such as the Internet, and by using a channel exclusively for transmission, it enables effective and adaptable use of network resources.

Code.org. (2015a, September 9). The Internet: Packets, Routing & Reliability [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYdF7b3nMto

PageRank: is an algorithm used by Google to rank web pages in search engine results. It derives its name from the phrase "web page" and its co-founder, Larry Page, and measures a website's significance by tallying the quantity and the ability of links pointing to it. It establishes the relative importance of each element in a hyperlinked set by giving it a numerical weighting.

Google. (2019, October 24). How Google Search Works (in 5 minutes) [Video]. YouTube.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eKVizvYSUQ

Pattern recognition: is a process that uses image processing and machine learning to identify patterns in data. It is used in areas such as image recognition, handwriting recognition, and computer-aided analysis. It is utilized in the medical field to analyze medical images for the purpose of detecting and diagnosing diseases through Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD). Pattern recognition algorithms can identify abnormal patterns, enhancing diagnosis accuracy and efficiency, thereby improving patient care.

Nashville Film Institute - NFI. (2024, February 17). NFI. https://www.nfi.edu/

Public domain - The public domain refers to creative works that are not protected by copyright laws, allowing them to be freely used, adapted, reproduced, and distributed without permission. This cover works that have passed their expiration date, been reclaimed, or been expressly rejected by the author. This indicates that anyone may use these works for any purpose and that they belong to everyone.

USF Libraries Research & Instruction Video Channel. (2018, June 13). Copyright Tidbits: What is Copyright? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klyZueHDDWE

URL (Universal Resource Locator): is a memorable web address used to access specific internet resources, like a webpage or image. It points users to the specific place on the Internet, acting as the digital version of a street address. A URL is made up of different parts that together point the user to the desired resource.

Code.org. (2015, September 28). The Internet: HTTP & HTML [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBXQZMmiA4s

What is a URL? - Learn web development | MDN. (2024, April 11). MDN Web Docs. https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Learn/Common_questions/Web_mechanics/What_is_a_URL

RSS feed - RSS feeds are XML-formatted files that provide information about podcasts or blogs, allowing content creators to syndicate their work across platforms. They facilitate the seamless distribution of podcasts by allowing users to subscribe and receive updates on added content. An RSS reader is used to access RSS feeds, which aggregate content from various sources.

Basic History of Podcasting. (2023, August 7). Blubrry Podcasting. https://blubrry.com/manual/starting-your-show/podcast-history/

Router: is a device that connects multiple networks and directs data packets to their intended IP addresses. Routers on the Internet forward packets according to the information contained in the network address. They maintain data flow throughout the worldwide internet infrastructure and guarantee that messages are delivered to the appropriate computer.

Code.org. (2015a, September 9). The Internet: Packets, Routing & Reliability [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYdF7b3nMto

Structured data: is organized in a predefined manner, making it easily searchable and analyzable by humans and machines. Usually, it is kept in tabular form, with records and attributes represented by rows and columns. Structured data is frequently kept in relational databases and is controlled by Structured Query Language (SQL). It follows an established schema. Spreadsheets, databases, and CSV files are a few examples.

What is Structured Data? - Structured Data Explained - AWS. (n.d.). Amazon Web Services, Inc. https://aws.amazon.com/what-is/structured-data/

Syndication - Syndication in podcasting involves distributing audio content via an RSS feed, allowing users to subscribe and receive new episodes. Podcasts can be found on services like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts because of this procedure, which guarantees that the content is readily available and updated. This procedure guarantees podcasts a larger audience.

Basic History of Podcasting. (2023, August 7). Blubrry Podcasting. https://blubrry.com/manual/starting-your-show/podcast-history/

Tags: are terms or keywords that are added to an item of information (like an image, article, or video clip) to help describe it and make it easier to find later through browsing or searching. Depending on the system, tags are typically selected casually and by the person who created the item or the person who is viewing it.

Baca, M. (n.d.). Introduction to Metadata. https://www.getty.edu/publications/intrometadata/metadata-and-the-web/

Training Data: is a collection of examples used to train machine learning models, enabling them to learn and recognize patterns for making predictions or decisions. Effective learning requires a large quantity and high quality of training data. Examples include websites that use machine learning to verify images of street signs or video streaming services that use user viewing history to make recommendations.

Code.org. (2019, December 2). AI: Training Data & Bias [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2mRoFNm22g

Unstructured data: Unstructured data, including text, photos, videos, and social media posts, is information not organized or given an established structure. It can be in many different formats, including text documents, multimedia files, web pages, and social media content, and it is more difficult to handle and analyze than structured data. Specialized instruments are needed for processing and analysis.

Storing big data | Big Data: A Very Short Introduction | Oxford Academic. (n.d.).https://academic.oup.com/book/406/chapter-abstract/135209669?redirectedFrom=fulltext

Vector Data - Vector data is a type of data used in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to represent specific Earth's surface features. The discrete geometric locations (x, y values) that make up its vertices are what give spatial objects like points, lines, and polygons their shape. The discrete coordinates (x, y values) known as vertices define these shapes.