| Term | Definition |
| chatting | talking in real-time to other users from all parts of the world |
| blogs | web-based journals often used by individuals or groups to maintain a record of thoughts, pictures, and interests |
| podcasting | method of publishing files to the Internet allowing users to subscribe to a feed and receive new files automatically; used largely for audio files, but also for video |
| discussion boards | online bulletin boards that provide a forum for users to post and respond to messages from other users |
| moderated | an administrator and/or moderator monitors discussion threads for content and netiquette |
| un-moderated | no administrator/moderator is present; can get off topic |
| text messaging | keyed messages relayed via a cell phone or pager; short messages |
| email | electronic exchange of messages and files that are connected to the Internet or some other computer network |