The following Glossary is to help viewers familiarize themselves with commonly used computer/webcasting terms

Archive or VOD (Video on Demand)
• Archiving or VOD is a service that allows users to select and watch video content whenever they choose, rather than following a broadcast schedule
• In webcasting, this provides a convenient way for audiences to access content after the live event has ended

Bandwidth
• Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted over an internet connection in a given time
• It ensures that both the broadcaster and the audience have sufficient bandwidth to prevent buffering or lagging during the stream

Bitrate
• Bitrate measures the amount of data transmitted per second in a video or audio stream

Browser or Web Browser
• A web browser is a software application that allows users to access and display content on the World Wide Web, including web pages, images, videos, and other data, by retrieving them from servers and rendering them on the user's device

Buffering
• Buffering is the process of pre-loading data (like video or audio) into a temporary storage area (the buffer) to ensure smooth and uninterrupted playback, even if the internet connection is unstable or slow
• If the buffer cannot keep up with the playback rate, users may experience pauses and interruptions, leading to frustration

CDN (Content Delivery Network)
• A Content Delivery Network (CDN) is a network of servers distributed across various locations to deliver content more efficiently.
• For webcasting, CDNs help reduce latency and buffering by distributing the video stream to servers closer to the audience, ensuring a smoother and faster delivery.

Cellular or Mobile Network
• A cellular network or mobile network, is a wireless communication system that divides a geographic area into smaller regions called "cells," each served by a base station (cell tower), enabling mobile devices to connect and communicate
• Common networks include: LTE, 3G, 4G, %G, etc.
NOTE: Freezing and buffering may occur due to reduced internet speeds caused by large numbers of users sharing the bandwidth

Credit Card or Processing Fees
• These fees cover the costs of processing credit card transactions, including costs incurred by the issuing bank, the card network (like Visa or Mastercard), and the payment processor

Encoding
• The process of compressing and converting video and audio files into a format suitable for streaming over the internet

Ethernet
• Ethernet is a widely used family of wired computer networking technologies, primarily used in local area networks (LANs), that defines how data is transmitted and formatted between devices
• It is characterized by its reliability and security, often preferred over wireless connections for critical applications

Firewalls
• A Firewall is a network security device that monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic based on an organization's previously established security policies
• Basically, a firewall is essentially the barrier that sits between a private internal network and the public Internet
NOTE: Firewalls may create freezing and buffering by reducing internet speeds due to the encryption and routing process

IP (Internet Protocol)
• An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique numerical identifier assigned to every device connected to the internet or a local network, acting like an online address for communication
NOTE: An IP address can indicate the general location of a device (e.g., country, city), it doesn't provide precise location information

ISP (Internet Service Provider)
• An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a company that provides internet access to individuals and businesses, offering services like web browsing, email, and potentially web hosting and domain registration

Junk, Spam or Bulk Folder
• A junk, spam or bulk folder is a designated location in your mailbox that holds messages believed to be unwanted or unsolicited
• Email service providers move these messages to the junk folder to keep them out of your inbox
• It's a good practice to occasionally check your junk folder to ensure that no legitimate emails have been mistakenly filtered there

Latency
• Latency is the delay between the moment content is captured and when it is viewed by the audience
• Low latency is crucial in live webcasting, especially in scenarios where real-time interaction or timely delivery of information is necessary

Media Player
• A media player is a software that “plays” audio, video or animation files in the computer

Multicast
• Multicast is a method of transmitting a single stream of content to multiple users simultaneously
• Unlike unicast, which sends a separate stream to each user, multicast reduces the load on the server and network, making it more efficient for large audiences

OS (Operating System)
• An operating system (OS) is foundational software that manages a computer's hardware and software resources, acting as an intermediary between the user and the hardware, enabling smooth interaction and program execution.

Ping
• Ping is a network utility that tests the reachability of a host on an IP network by sending small data packets (ICMP Echo Request) and measuring the round-trip time (latency) for a response

Platform
• The service or tool used to host and deliver the live webcast (ex: Rivur Live)

Resolution
• Screen resolution is the number of pixels in x and y dimensions for monitors, television screens, mobile devices or any other type of display device
• The screen resolution is generally measured as width x height in pixels (ex: resolution 1920 x 1080 means the screen is 1,920 pixels in width and 1,080 pixels in height)

Service Fees
• Can help businesses cover the costs of providing additional services or conveniences and may also help offset costs associated with payment processing or other operational expenses

Speed Test
• A speed test like FAST can measure the performance of your internet connection by assessing how quickly data can be downloaded and uploaded, along with measuring latency (ping)

Stream or Live Stream
• Streaming refers to the real-time transmission of audio and video over the internet and allows users to view or listen to content without downloading the entire file
• In webcasting, streaming ensures that the audience can access the broadcast immediately, regardless of when they start watching

Virtual Private Network (VPN)
• A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a secure, encrypted connection that allows users to access the internet privately and securely, masking their IP address and encrypting their data, making it harder for third parties to track their online activity
NOTE: VPN's may create freezing and buffering by reducing internet speeds due to the encryption and routing process

Webcast
• A webcast is a live or on-demand media presentation distributed over the internet using streaming media technology

Wi-Fi
• Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) is a wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to connect devices to the internet and each other, enabling wireless internet access without the need for physical cables