ActiveX. A set of Microsoft technologies that enables interactive content for the World Wide Web. Microsoft's answer to Java.

algorithm. A formula or set of steps for solving a particular problem. An algorithm has an unambiguous set of rules and a clear stopping point. Algorithmic formulas are components of mortgage software systems such as pricing engines and AVMs.

ANSI. American National Standards Institute. Standards approved by this organization are often called ANSI standards (e.g., ANSI C is the version of the C language approved by ANSI).

app. Short for application. In technology, a killer app is an application that surpasses (i.e., kills) its competitors. In mortgage lending, also short for loan application.

application. In technology, a program or group of programs designed for end users. Software can be divided into two general classes: systems software and applications software.

API. Application program interface. A set of routines, protocols, and tools for building software applications. A good API makes it easier to develop a program by providing the building blocks. Most operating environments, such as MS-Windows, provide an API so that programmers can write applications consistent with the operating environment.

applet. A program that can be downloaded over a network and launched on the user's computer. See Java.

architecture. A design; refers to hardware or software, or to a combination of hardware and software. The architecture of a system always defines its broad outlines, and may define precise mechanisms as well. An open architecture allows the system to be connected easily to devices and programs made by other manufacturers.

ARPANET. Precursor to the Internet, a large wide-area network created by the United States Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (ARPA) in 1969. See Internet.

ASP. 1) Application service provider. An Internet-based technology vendor or service bureau that typically offers remote hosting of technology applications. 2) A specification for a dynamically created Web page with a .ASP extension that utilizes ActiveX scripting. When a browser requests an ASP page, the Web server generates a page with HTML code and sends it back to the browser. See CGI.

asynchronous communication. Communications in which data can be transmitted intermittently rather than in a steady stream. Most communications between computers and devices are asynchronous, including Internet delivery of messages in reassembled packets.

ATM. 1) In banking, automated teller machine. 2) In technology, asynchronous transfer mode, a network technology based on transferring data in cells or packets of a fixed size. ATM creates a fixed channel, or route, between two points whenever data transfer begins. This differs from TCP/IP, in which messages are divided into packets and each packet can take a different route from source to destination. Some regard ATM as the answer to Internet bandwidth problems.

audit trail. A term taken from accountancy to describe a record of computer operations. Audit trails are used widely to track what has been done to a computer, by whom, and to monitor security.

AUS. Automated underwriting system, also called AU. Software systems such as Fannie Mae's Desktop Underwriter and Desktop Originator, Freddie Mac's Loan Prospector, Countrywide's CLUES and pmiAURA that contain underwriting logic and mortgage loan purchase or insurance rules used to approve a loan and express approval conditions.

authoritative copy. In eSignature law, the authoritative copy is the specific version of the eNote controlled by the owner of that eNote.

auto-populate. Fill in automatically. In mortgage lending, an operation in which a Java applet or other means is used to take information from a database and transfer it to predetermined fields in an online mortgage loan application or other form, saving costly repetitive steps and preventing errors.

auto-responder. An e-mail address that always responds by sending a document to whoever sends it an e-mail. Auto-responders are an effective and simple way of distributing information or making initial acknowledgement of a visitor inquiry to a website, such as an initial inquiry about applying for a mortgage loan.

AVM. Automated valuation model. Software tool that employs computer analytics, real estate sales data, and other elements to arrive at an estimate of value independent of onsite human appraisal.

backbone. 1) Network used to interconnect several networks. 2) Another term for bus, the main wire that connects nodes in a computer. The term backbone is often used to describe the main network connections composing the Internet.

bandwidth. The capacity of the transmission medium stated in bits per second or as a frequency. The bandwidth of optical fiber is in the gigabit (billion-bits-per-second) range, while Ethernet coaxial cable is in the megabit (million-bits-per-second) range. Bandwidth is an issue for Internet commerce in general and for the growth of online mortgage originations in particular.

benchmarking. In computing, measurement of the performance of a piece of equipment or software to determine whether it is powerful enough to perform a particular test. Benchmarking usually is done with a standard program or suite of programs. Benchmarking and stress tests, particularly if supplied by the vendor, should not be used as a substitute for testing a system in a production setting.

best-of-breed approach. A term often used by Web-services advocates to contrast their approach with fat-client LOS systems providing end-to-end solutions. "Best of breed" refers to the most powerful software solution available at a particular time. As Internet technology and other developments increase the interoperability of systems, some predict that mortgage lenders increasingly will demand access to best-of-breed solutions for every step of loan production.

binary. Pertaining to a number system that has just two unique digits. Computers are based on the binary numbering system, which consists of just two unique numbers, 0 and 1.

binary code. The level of code one down from source code. Code licensed for use or modification by others is typically binary.

biometrics. The study of measurable biological characteristics. In computer security, biometrics refers to authentication techniques relying on measurable physical characteristics that can be automatically checked, such as voice recognition and computer analysis of fingerprints or speech. Biometrics is expected to be a key tool for electronic commerce.

bit. A unit of measurement that represents one figure or character of data. A bit is the smallest unit of storage in a computer. Since computers actually read 0s and 1s, each is measured as a bit. The letter A consists of 8 bits, which amounts to one byte. Bits are often used to measure the capability of a microprocessor to process data, such as 16-bit or 32-bit.

Boolean logic. Named after the nineteenth-century mathematician George Boole, Boolean logic is a form of algebra in which all values are reduced to either True or False. Boolean logic is especially important for computer science because it fits nicely with the binary numbering system, in which each bit has a value of either 1 or 0. Another way of looking at it is that each bit has a value of either True or False.

bot. Short for robot, a computer program that runs automatically, usually to retrieve data on the Internet.

broadband. High-speed access to the Internet: speeds greater than 56k bps.

browser. Short for Web browser, a software application used to locate and display Web pages.

business rules. The codified policies and decision-making practices of an organization. Historically, business rules have been coded directly into the program logic of a computer application. Particularly as relates to n-tier client-server architecture, the terms business rules and knowledge management are used to describe the isolation of business policies and decisions from application logic.

byte. One character of information, usually eight bits wide.

C#. A language for Windows applications and .net, intended as an alternative to the previous languages C++ and VB (Visual Basic). See .net.

cache. An area of RAM reserved for data recently read from disk, which allows the processor to quickly retrieve it if it's needed again.

CBSD. Component-based system development. Building systems by integrating previously existing software components. Advocates of this approach say it lowers costs and speeds up the implementation process.

CGI. Common gateway interface. A method of running an executable script or program from a Web server. When a client requests a URL pointing to a CGI, the program is run and the results are returned to the client (machine making the request). This enables dynamic Web pages and the ability to do database queries and other complex operations across the Web.

chat. Real-time communication between two users via computer. Once a chat has been initiated, either user can enter text by typing on the keyboard and the entered text will appear on the other user's monitor.

Citrix. In client/server networking, a software used to enable remote access between a central server and networked PCs and wireless devices. Citrix Metaframe can run on any protocol, whereas Windows Terminal Service just runs on TCP/IP. However, maintaining Citrix is another layer of cost when used simultaneously with Internet-based systems.

clickable image. Any image that has instructions embedded in it so that clicking on it initiates some kind of action or result. On a Web page, a clickable image is any image that has a URL embedded in it.

clickless e-commerce. Term used to describe e-commerce solutions wrapped in an LOS that perform in the background without requiring user activity.

"clicks and bricks." Mortgage lending strategy, made famous by Countrywide, of coordinating Web lending with face-to-face origination in retail branches to offer both high-tech electronic efficiency and high-touch service. Charles Schwab uses this strategy in stock brokerage.

client/server architecture. A client application is one that resides on a user's computer but sends requests to a remote system to execute a designated procedure using arguments/instructions supplied by the user. The computer that initiates the request is the client and the computer responding to the request is the server. Many network services follow a client/server protocol.

collaborative commerce. Commerce conducted cooperatively among separate enterprises to enable transactions that cannot be undertaken independently. The mortgage origination process, which depends on coordinating the efforts of various players, is widely considered a fertile field for collaborative commerce.

collaborative filtering. The use of data about the stated or implied preferences of large groups of people to create predictive algorithms enabling a website to track and match the indicated preferences of a particular visitor with appropriate product and service offerings. The desired result is that "word of mouth" becomes automated. Amazon.com has made collaborative filtering famous.

collocation. Also spelled "co-location" or "colocation". Collocation facilities, often carrier-neutral, typically feature shock-resistant floors, redundant systems, and abundant power supplies to guarantee continuation of service under a variety of stress situations.

COM. Component Object Model. A model for binary code developed by Microsoft. COM enables programmers to develop objects that can be accessed by any COM-compliant application. Both OLE and ActiveX are based on COM.

compiler. A program that turns statements in a particular programming language into machine language or "code" that a computer's processor uses. See parser.

configuration. 1. The components that make up a computer system (which model and what peripherals). 2. The physical arrangement of those components (what's placed and where). 3. The software settings that enable two computer components to talk to each other (as in configuring communications software to work with a modem).

cookies. Retrievable text files sent to a Web browser by a Web server. Cookies enable personalization and Internet-based instruction as well as retrieval of consumer-oriented data. Because cookie files are created and stored on a website visitor's hard drive, many view 'cookies' as an invasion of privacy.

coprocessor. A chip designed specifically to handle a particular task, such as math calculations or displaying graphics on-screen. A coprocessor is faster at its specialized function than the main processor is, and it relieves the processor of some work. A coprocessor can reside on the motherboard of a computer or be part of an expansion card, as with an accelerator.

CORBA. Short for Common Object Request Broker Architecture, an architecture that enables pieces of programs, called objects, to communicate with one another regardless of what programming language they were written in or what operating system they're running on. CORBA was developed by an industry consortium known as the Object Management Group (OMG).

coupling. In software development, the degree to which software components and modules depend on each other. As opposed to older compile-time coupling, loose coupling means that when a component is installed it will not slow down the rest of the system to operate. See SOA.

CRM. Customer relationship management. In technology, any of a variety of systems and tools, such as chat and personalization technology, for furthering customer-centric strategies. CRM has become increasingly important for customer retention strategies employed with mortgage servicing websites.

cyberspace. A term used to refer to the electronic universe of information available through the Internet.

data. Distinct pieces of information. In computer usage, usually data formatted, as in XML. Data can exist as numbers, text, bits, bytes, and other forms. More narrowly, the term "data" is often used to distinguish binary machine-readable information from textual human-readable information. In computer usage, data files (files that contain binary data) are usually distinguished from text files (files that contain ASCII data). In database management systems, data files are the files that store the database information, whereas other files, such as index files and data dictionaries, store administrative information, known as metadata.

database. A file created by a database manager that contains a collection of information organized into records, each of which contains labeled categories (fields).

data mart. Also rendered as a single word: datamart. A database, or collection of databases, used to help managers make strategic decisions. Whereas a data warehouse combines databases across an entire enterprise, data marts are usually smaller and focus on a particular subject or department. Some data marts, called dependent data marts, are subsets of larger data warehouses.

DCE. Distributed Computing Environment. A suite of technology services developed by The Open Group for creating distributed applications that run on different platforms.

decision tree. A systematic problem-solving process that can break down each step into yes/no choices. Decision treeing is useful in helping prospective borrowers sort through their options on a retail mortgage website.

delegated administration. Any one of several features in database and systems management, sometimes automated, that give administrators more control. Delegated administration systems can support highly efficient and customized sub-delegation to multiple tiers, closely mirroring real-world business structures. User self-registrations and account management can allow authorization of users in real time, when and as needed.

DES. Data encryption standard. Using a 56-bit key, DES encryption is a method to encrypt data files prior to sending through the Internet.

desktop. 1) With graphical user interfaces, a desktop is the metaphor used to portray file systems and consists of pictures, called icons, that show cabinets, files, folders, and various types of documents. 2) A common term for a user's computer, particularly a networked client.

dialog box. A window that displays additional options or questions when a command is chosen. Example: to ask a website visitor whether (s)he has considered applying for an ARM after the visitor states intent to remain in a new home for fewer than three years.

dial-up line. A communication connection from a computer to a host computer over standard phone lines. Currently the most popular form of Net connection for the home user.

digital. Data or voltages consisting of discrete steps or levels, as opposed to continuously variable analog data. A digitizer is a machine that converts analog data into digital data on a computer (such as a scanner digitizing pictures or text).

digital certificate. See PKI.

digital signature. An electronic signature that captures a signed document in a formula embedded in an electronic document. Digital signatures can be validated to determine whether they have been tampered with in any way. See electronic signature.

distance learning. Seen by many as the Internet 'killer app' most likely to endure, distant learning allows individuals with Internet-enabled computers to communicate with instructional staff and other students via e-mail, electronic forums, videoconferencing, and other forms of computer-based tutorial communication tools such as Webex. Because of the cost savings involved, distance learning is becoming popular with mortgage companies and vendors that need to regularly retrain employees and users.

DLL. Dynamic link library. A library of executable functions or data that can be used by a Windows application. Typically, a DLL provides one or more particular functions, and a program accesses the functions by creating either a static or a dynamic link to the DLL. A static link remains constant during program execution, while a dynamic link is created by the program as needed. DLLs can also contain just data. DLL files usually end with the extension .dll, .exe, .drv, or .fon.

document imaging. The conversion of paper documents into electronic images, used as an alternative to paper filing systems. In the mortgage industry, documents must be scanned into the system, indexed, and permanently stored in unalterable form for legal purposes. Because mortgage documents need to be stored for up to 37 years, document imaging issues are critical to the industry.

DNS. Domain name system. A general purpose distributed, replicated, data query service. Its principal use is the lookup of host IP addresses based on host names. The host names are also known as domain names. Some important domains are: .com (commercial), .edu (educational), .net (network operations), .gov (U.S. government), and .mil (U.S. military). Most countries also have a domain. For example, .us (United States), .uk (United Kingdom), .au (Australia).

DOS. Disk operating system. Most often used as a shorthand for MS-DOS (Microsoft disk operating system) originally developed by Microsoft for IBM. For many years MS-DOS has been the standard operating system for IBM-compatible personal computers. Precursor to Microsoft Windows NT and OS/2 Warp.

DoS attack. Denial of service attack. A hacker attack on a network designed to bring the network to its knees by flooding it with useless traffic. Many DoS attacks, such as the Ping of Death and Teardrop attacks, exploit limitations in the TCP/IP protocols. System administrators install measures to limit the damage caused by known attacks. See smurfing.

dot net. See .net.

download. To copy data (usually an entire file) from a main source, such as a website, to a peripheral device or to one's own computer. Downloading can also refer to copying a file from a network file server to a computer on the network. See upload.

DSL. Digital subscriber line. DSL technologies use sophisticated modulation schemes to pack data onto copper wires. They are sometimes referred to as last-mile technologies because they are used only for connections from a telephone switching station to a home or office, not between switching stations.

EAI. Enterprise application integration. A business computing term for the plans, methods, and tools aimed at modernizing, consolidating, and coordinating the computer applications in an enterprise, typically involving middleware that connects the disparate data sources and business logic that provides a unified view of the data. EAI encompasses methodologies such as object-oriented programming; distributed, cross-platform program communication using message brokers with Common Object Request Broker Architecture and COM+; the modification of enterprise resource planning (ERP) to fit new objectives; enterprise-wide content and data distribution using common databases and data standards implemented with the Extensible Markup Language (XML); middleware; message queueing; and other approaches.

EbXML. Electronic business Extensible Markup Language. A modular suite of specifications for standardizing XML to facilitate trade between organizations regardless of size. The specification gives businesses a standard method to exchange XML-based business messages, conduct trading relationships, communicate data in common terms, and define and register business processes.

eCREF. An MBA-sponsored online community for commercial real estate finance.

EDI. Electronic data interchange systems developed before the coming of the Internet. See value-added network.

EFSC. Electronic Financial Services Council. A national trade organization, formed to promote legislation and regulation designed to ensure that electronic commerce continues to revolutionize the availability and delivery of financial services. EFSC advocates positions on public policies affecting the offering of financial products and services -- including mortgage loans, insurance products, investment products, consumer loans, and online banking -- in e-commerce.

EIP. Enterprise information portal. Refers to a website serving as a single gateway to a company's information and knowledgebase for employees and outside users. An EIP can help large complex organizations present a single point of access to products and services. See CRM.

electronic signature. An electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record. See digital signature.

e-mortgage. In typical usage, any mortgage for which the loan application commences in cyberspace. More narrowly, all-electronic (paperless) mortgages, which have been completed successfully several times on a pilot basis in recent years. See E-SIGN, UETA.

emulation. In computer software, techniques and tools enabling a program or device to imitate another program or device. An emulator is a hardware device or a program that pretends to be another particular device or program to enable interaction. Terminal emulation drivers allow PCs to interoperate with older mainframe computers. Emulation enables Macintosh computers to use software programs written for PCs.

encryption. A way of coding information in a file or e-mail message so that if it is intercepted by a third party it cannot be read.

eNote. Also known as a transferable record, an eNote is an electronic record that would be a promissory note if it were issued in paper, and that the borrower has agreed to issue as a transferable record.

ERP. Enterprise resource planning. An industry term for the broad set of activities supported by multi-module application software that helps a manufacturer or other business manage the important parts of its business, including product planning, parts purchasing, maintaining inventories, interacting with suppliers, providing customer service, and tracking orders. ERP can also include application modules for the finance and human resources aspects of a business. Typically, an ERP system uses or is integrated with a relational database system. The deployment of an ERP system can involve considerable business process analysis, employee retraining, and new work procedures.

E-SIGN. The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, S. 761, which authorizes the use of electronic signatures in online contracts. See UETA.

ethernet. A standard data link layer that can operate over several different media including fiber optic, coaxial cable, and twisted-pair cable. This 10 million-bit-per-second networking scheme is widely used because it can network a wide variety of computers, it is not proprietary, and components are widely available from many commercial sources.

Excel. Popular Microsoft spreadsheet software. The earliest commercial computer spreadsheet was Visicalc, followed by Lotus 1-2-3.

extranet. An intranet that is partially accessible to authorized outsiders. Whereas an intranet resides behind a firewall and is accessible only to people who are members of the same company or organization, an extranet provides various levels of accessibility to outsiders possessing a valid username and password that determine which parts of the extranet the visitor can view. Extranets are often used by business partners to exchange information.

FAQ. Frequently asked questions. A document that covers a topic of general concern to many users. Well-designed mortgage website FAQ pages reduce phone inquiries from prospective borrowers and other customers.

fat client. In client/server architecture, a client that performs the bulk of the data processing operations. The data itself is stored on the server. See "thin client" for contrast. Although the term "fat client" usually refers to software, it can also apply to a network computer that has relatively strong processing abilities. Also called "thick client."

FFA. Free for all. A term in low-level Web marketing and online multilevel marketing for a website where visitors can go to post a link, usually a one-line headline, to create a hot link to their main website.

fiber optics. A technology that uses glass (or plastic) threads (fibers) to transmit data. A fiber optic cable consists of a bundle of glass threads, each of which is capable of transmitting messages modulated onto light waves.

FICO. Fair Isaac and Co. The FICO score is a commonly used indicator of a borrower's creditworthiness. See mortgage scoring.

file. A collection of information on a disk, usually a document or a program, lumped together and called by one name.

file permissions. Various levels of permission assigned on a UNIX system, specifying who can access them, and what type of access they can have.

file server. A computer that shares its resources, such as printers and files, with other computers on the network. Example: a Novell NetWare Server that shares its disk space with a workstation that does not have a disk drive of its own.

finger. A program that displays information about someone on the Internet.

firewall. A mechanism that isolates a network from the rest of the Internet, permitting only specific traffic to pass in and out.

five nines. 99.999%. A computer term used to describe a very high level of reliability.

flaming/flame war. Reacting to someone's newsgroup posting or e-mail in a hostile manner by publicly chastising the person or bombarding the person with nasty e-mail, also called flame mail.

flat-file database. A relatively simple database system in which each database is contained in a single table. In contrast, relational database systems can use multiple tables to store information, and each table can have a different record format. Relational systems are more suitable for large applications, but flat databases are adequate for many small applications. Older loan origination systems use flat-file databases that impeded participation in electronic transactions.

frame relay. A packet-switching protocol for connecting devices on a wide-area network (WAN). Frame Relay networks in the U.S. support data transfer rates at T-1 (1.544 mbps) and T-3 (45 mbps) speeds. Telephone companies now provide frame relay service for customers who want connections at 56 kbps to T-1 speeds. Frame relay service is being replaced in some areas by faster technologies, such as ATM.

frames. An HTML technique for combining two or more separate HTML documents within a single Web browser screen. Compound interacting documents can be created to make a more effective Web page presented in multiple windows or sub-windows. Search engines will often index only the part of a framed site within the section.

FTP. File transfer protocol. The Internet standard high-level protocol for transferring files from one computer to another across the network.

FTP site. A computer that stores files that can be retrieved using FTP. FTP sites that allow anyone to retrieve files (without having an account on that computer) are known as anonymous FTP sites.

gap analysis. In the software system purchase process, gap analysis is used to identify disparities between what a present or proposed software system offers and the functionality the purchaser desires. Gap analysis can help identify areas where it will be necessary to customize a software system.

gateway. 1) In computer networking, a combination of hardware and software that links two different types of networks, as between different e-mail systems, for example. 2) In Web parlance, a directory or portal.

GUI. Graphical user interface. The graphical visual representation of the working environment that presents the elements of a computer as objects on a desktop.

hand-held. A palm top, personal digital assistant (PDA), or other hand-held computer, typically an Internet-capable wireless device. Hand-held devices are expected to grow in use by mortgage originators and real estate agents.

hedonic modeling. A property value method which uses property value differentials to estimate the economic value that buyers implicitly place on attributes including house features such as number of bathrooms and neighborhood features such as quiet, air quality, water quality, views, and proximity to natural resources. These differentials between otherwise identical properties give a measure of consumers' willingness to pay for such features as view or water quality. The technique uses actual house sales transactions data and multiple regression to disentangle various features from the total price of the house.

heuristic programming. A branch of artificial intelligence that uses heuristics -- common-sense rules drawn from experience -- to solve problems. This is in contrast to algorithmic programming, which is based on mathematically provable procedures. Heuristic programming is characterized by programs that are self-learning: they get better with experience.

homepage. The document that is displayed when you first open a Web client program. Also commonly used to refer to the first document you come to in a collection of documents on a website.

host. The main computer system to which users are connected.

hostname. Name which officially identifies each computer attached to the Internet.

HP-12C. Legendary Hewlett-Packard financial and business calculator used by veteran mortgage originators. A major boast of BizCalc business and financial software is that it "fully emulates the famous HP-12C calculator."

HTML. Hypertext Markup Language. A system for tagging various parts of a Web document that tells the Web client programs how to display the document's text, links, graphics, and attached media.

HTTP. Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The underlying protocol used by the World Wide Web. HTTP defines how messages are formatted and transmitted, and what actions Web servers and browsers should take in response to various commands. Entering a URL into a browser sends an HTTP command to the Web server directing it to find and transmit the requested Web page.

hypertext. A text-linking strategy that allows jumping between related information in a document by clicking on a button or highlighted word. Online help systems often use hypertext links, as do some programs designed for the electronic distribution of documents.

ICANN. Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. Not-for-profit Internet stakeholder formed in 1998 to administer policy for the Internet name and address system. ICANN offers to oversee the transition of domain-name registration from government hands to private hands and to coordinate its decentralization and integration into a global community.

ICE. Information content and exchange. An XML protocol for automatic content distribution among websites that are either content originators (syndicators and publishers) or content consumers (subscribers). The ICE consortium, begun in 1998, was a highly visible industry effort driven by Vignette, a leading vendor of Web content management systems. The ICE protocol allows for standardized site-to-site information transfer without requiring custom programming or detailed knowledge of the content syndicator's site structure. See RSS (rich site survey).

icon. A graphic symbol, usually representing a file, folder, disk, or tool.

IFC. Internet foundation classes. A set of Java classes developed by Netscape that enables programmers to easily add GUI elements, such as windows, menus, and buttons. A common distinction between IFC and older client-server technology is that application logic is kept separate from data logic, enabling new services to be added easily. IFC is similar to Microsoft's Application Foundation Classes (AFC).

IM. Instant messaging. A type of communications service, now commonly deployed on mortgage websites, that enables a user to create a private chat room with another individual, such as a loan counselor in a call center. With systems such as AOL's AIM, the instant messaging system alerts you whenever somebody on your private list is online.

image map. A graphic divided into regions or "hotspots." When a particular region is clicked, it calls up a Web page that has been associated with that particular region.

intelligent agents. Software programs used extensively on the Web that perform tasks such as retrieving and delivering information and automating repetitive tasks. Agents currently are used as Web browsers, news retrieval mechanisms, and shopping assistants or bots. By specifying certain parameters, agents will "search" the Internet and return the results, such as customized mortgage loan products, directly back to a PC.

interface. The way a computer interacts with a user or a peripheral. Intuit and Microsoft are widely credited with bringing a higher level of sophistication to the consumer interface for retail mortgage websites.

Internet. Originally ARPANET, developed in the late 60s to connect military and defense contractors and to provide, through asynchronous transmission, a "fail-safe" communications system in the event of nuclear attack. In 1995 the World Wide Web, the portion of the Internet accessed by browser, received U.S. government approval for commercial use.

Internet protocols. Protocols such as Transmission Control Protocol-Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Domain Name Services (DNS), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Extensible Markup Language (XML), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Secured Hyper-Text Transport Protocol (HTTPS), and Secured Socket Layer (SSL).

intranet. A network based on TCP/IP protocols, belonging to an organization, usually a corporation, accessible only by the organization's members, employees, or others with authorization. An intranet's websites look and act just like any others, but the firewall surrounding an intranet fends off unauthorized access.

IP address. An identifier for a computer or device on a TCP/IP network. Networks using the TCP/IP protocol route messages based on the IP address of the destination. The format of an IP address is a 32-bit numeric address written as four numbers separated by periods.

IP spoofing. A technique used to gain unauthorized access to computers, whereby the intruder sends messages to a computer with an IP address indicating that the message is coming from a trusted port. IP spoofing requires that a hacker first use a variety of techniques to find an IP address of a trusted port and then modify the packet headers so that it appears that the packets are coming from that port. State-of-the-art routers and firewalls provide protections against IP spoofing.

IPv6. The formal name of the Next Generation Internet Protocol (IPng). IPng was recommended by the IPng Area Directors of the Internet Engineering Task Force at the Toronto IETF meeting on July 25, 1994, and documented in RFC 1752, "The Recommendation for the IP Next Generation Protocol." IPng is designed to be an evolutionary step from the current protocol, IPv4. It can be installed as a normal software upgrade in Internet devices and is interoperable with the current IPv4. It is designed to run well on high-performance networks while remaining efficient for low-bandwidth networks such as wireless. IPng provides a platform for new Internet functionality that will be required in the near future.

ISP. Internet service provider. A company that provides access to the Internet. A service provider can offer simple dial-up access, SLIP/PPP access, or a dedicated line.

IT. Information technology. Concerned with the furtherance of computer science and technology, design, development, installation, and implementation of information systems and applications.

J2EE. Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition. A business process management platform that offers scalable, reliable cross-enterprise solutions to reduce costs and increase efficiency by integrating internal systems with those of suppliers and partners.

J2ME. Java 2 Micro Edition. A highly optimized Java runtime environment targeting a wide range of consumer products, including pagers, cellular phones, digital set-top boxes, and car navigation systems.

Java. An object-oriented programming language to create executable content (i.e. self-running applications) that can be easily distributed through networks such as the Web.

Java beans. A specification developed by Sun Microsystems that defines how Java objects interact. An object that conforms to this specification is called a JavaBean, and is similar to an ActiveX control. It can be used by any application that understands the JavaBeans format. The principal difference between ActiveX controls and JavaBeans are that ActiveX controls can be developed in any programming language but executed only on a Windows platform, whereas JavaBeans can be developed only in Java, but can run on any platform.

JavaScript. A scripting language developed by Netscape to enable Web authors to design interactive sites. Although it shares many of the features and structures of the full Java language, it was developed independently. JavaScript can interact with HTML source code, enabling Web authors to spice up their sites with dynamic content.

JDBC. Java database connectivity. JDBC technology is an API that lets you access virtually any tabular data source from the Java programming language. It provides cross-DBMS connectivity to a wide range of SQL databases. See API.

killer app. A computer software application touted as offering exponential enhancements to business processes or transactional results. See app.

knowledge-base. A database that is stocked with information that has been reviewed by technical staff, with notes added, to make the information within it true "knowledge." Knowledge-bases are often accessible by customers via the Web, and may contain such items as frequently asked questions (FAQs), known bugs, answers to previously asked questions, white papers, and the like.

knowledge management. In business, the coordination of information technology, workflow systems, and business rules.

LAN. Local area network. A network of directly connected machines (located in close proximity, as in a single mortgage broker office), providing high-speed communication over physical media such as fiber optics, coaxial cable, or twisted pair wiring.

latency. In computing, delayed response, the period of time that one component in a system has to wait for another component. Latency, therefore, is wasted time. In networking, latency is the amount of time it takes a packet to travel from source to destination. See zero latency.

LDAP. Lightweight directory access protocol. Supporting TCP/IP and based on standards contained within the X.500 standard, LDAP is a simple set of protocols for accessing information directories. Once widely implemented, LDAP is expected to make it possible for almost any application running on virtually any computer platform to obtain directory information, such as e-mail addresses and public keys.

Linux. A free Unix-type operating system originally created by Linus Torvalds with the assistance of developers around the world. Linux is considered a standard bearer of open-source technology.

listserv. A distribution list management package whose primary function is to operate mailing lists. It allows groups of computer users with a common interest to communicate among themselves.

loan status page. Password-protected page on a retail mortgage website that enables authorized parties to track the progress of a loan transaction online.

logic bomb. A programming code, also called slag code, added to the software of an application or operating system that lies dormant until executed ("exploded") at a predetermined time or event such as a program command. Viruses set to be released at a certain time are considered logic bombs. Some logic bombs can be detected and eliminated before they execute.

LOS. Loan origination software. A software system used by mortgage lenders and brokers to manage the origination and processing of mortgage loans.

Lotus Notes. A groupware application developed by Lotus, now part of IBM. Notes was one of the first applications to support a distributed database of documents that could be accessed by users across a LAN or WAN. Before the coming of the World Wide Web, Lotus Notes was the only full-featured groupware solution.

MAPI. Messaging application programming interface. A system built into Microsoft Windows that enables different e-mail applications to work together to distribute mail. As long as both applications are MAPI-enabled, they can share mail messages with each other.

mask. In database management, a filter that selectively includes or excludes certain values. For example, when defining a database field, a mask can be created to indicate what sort of value the field should hold. Values that do not conform to the mask cannot be entered.

mass customization. A delivery process through which mass-market goods and services are individualized to satisfy a very specific customer need, at an affordable price. A combination of "custom-made" and "mass production," the term describes the public's growing desire for product personalization, such as Internet-based ordering of custom-designed computers or music CDs.

MERS. Mortgage Electronic Registration System. Using technology developed by EDS, MERS (http://www. mersinc.org) acts as a national clearinghouse for mortgage information by tracking mortgage ownership and servicing rights electronically.

meta search engine. A server that passes queries on to many search engines or directories and then summarizes all the results. Ask Jeeves, Dogpile, Infind, Metacrawler, Metafind, and Metasearch are examples of meta search engines.

Microsoft Solution Provider. Company certified to provide solutions to business problems using Microsoft technology.

middleware. Software that connects two otherwise separate applications. For example, there are a number of middleware products that link a database system to a Web server. This allows users to request data from the database using forms displayed on a Web browser, and it enables the Web server to return dynamic Web pages based on the user's requests and profile.

MIME. Multipurpose Internet mail extensions. A specification for formatting non-ASCII messages so that they can be sent over the Internet. E-mail clients supporting MIME can send and receive graphics, audio, and video files via the Internet mail system.

mirror sites. Multiple copies of websites or Web pages, often on different servers. An FTP site that is created after the contents of an original FTP archive server are copied to it. Usually, mirror sites use larger and faster systems than the original, so it's easier to obtain material from the mirror. Mirror sites are usually updated daily, so everything on the original is also at the mirrors.

MISMO. Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization. Founded in 1999 by the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, MISMO is developing standards, principally XML-based, to enable mortgage industry e-commerce.

module. 1) In software, a module is a part of a program. Programs are composed of one or more independently developed modules that are not combined until the program is linked. A single module can contain one or several routines. 2) In hardware, a module is a self-contained component.

mortgage kiosk. A stand-alone unit in a lobby or office used to take a mortgage loan application. A kiosk consists of a touch monitor, a computer, and perhaps a printer and credit card reader -- all enclosed in a secure cabinet.

mortgage scoring. Various systems that employ credit scoring, economic modeling, demographics, and other data to predict loan performance, forecast delinquency, default, and bankruptcy rates, and otherwise manage risk.

mortgage trading venues. Business-to-business sites such as IMX, Loan Trader, Pedestal, and Ultraprise that provide a platform to facilitate wholesale or secondary market transactions.

multidimensional DBMS. A database management system (DBMS) organized around groups of records that share a common field value. Multidimensional databases are often generated from relational databases. Whereas relational databases make it easy to work with individual records, multidimensional databases are designed for analyzing large groups of records. The term OLAP (online analytical processing) has become almost synonymous with multidimensional databases, whereas OLTP (online transaction processing) generally refers to relational DBMSs. See OLAP.

multi-tier architecture. Client-server architecture above the two-tier (fat client) level. Multi-tier (n-tier) architecture includes an application server.

narrowband. Low-speed access to the Internet using dial-up modems running at 56 kbps or less.

natural language search. A type of search against a knowledgebase or database that allows the user to ask questions in a natural way; i.e., as if they were asking a real live person the question, as opposed to restricting their input to some less intuitive method such as keyword searches with Boolean (and/or) options.

.net. In Web services, .net is the Microsoft platform that incorporates applications, developer tools, and services depending on four Internet standards: HTTP, XML, SOAP, and UDDI. .Net eliminates boundaries between applications and the Internet. Software is rented as a hosted service, using the Internet to house all of a user's applications and data. See Web services.

newsgroup. A discussion group, usually found on USENET news. Each group devotes its discussions to a specific topic.

node. 1) In networks, a processing location. A node can be a computer or some other device, such as a printer. Every node has a unique network address, sometimes called a Data Link Control (DLC) address or Media Access Control (MAC) address. 2) In tree structures, a point where two or more lines meet.

object. In object-oriented programming, an object is a self-contained entity that consists of both data and procedures to manipulate the data. See Java.

object-oriented. Generally used to describe an illustration or font file as being created by mathematical equations.

ODBC. Open database connectivity. Often used by a client to send SQL requests to the server to process, ODBC provides a standard SQL interface.

OLAP. Online analytical processing. An expanding field of online analysis and data mining. In contrast to OLTP (online transaction processing), OLAP includes technologies designed for live ad hoc data access and analysis. While transaction processing generally relies solely on relational databases, OLAP is supported by multidimensional database technology.

OLE. Object Linking and Embedding. A Microsoft compound document standard that enables creating objects with one application and then linking or embedding them in a second application. Embedded objects retain their original format and links to the application that created them. Support for OLE is built into the Windows and Macintosh operating systems. OpenDoc is the competing compound document standard developed jointly by IBM, Apple Computer, and other computer firms.

OLTP. Online transaction processing. That portion of the software that enables daily business operations such as order entry.

online GFE. Online good faith estimate. A feature offered on high-end retail mortgage websites such as Mortgagebot.com and QuickenLoans, an online GFE of settlement costs allows prospective borrowers to explore their borrowing options and itemized costs at a level most sites don't offer, enhancing prospects for closing loans online.

open source. As opposed to proprietary technology, open-source technology such as Linux is openly published to enable it to be developed without requiring licensing.

open system. As opposed to proprietary systems, a system with open specifications that allows software to be used in a variety of computing environments and with various other software programs.

opt-in marketing. A type of marketing where users give a company their permission, either directly or indirectly, to market to them.

Oracle. Oracle Corp. is the largest software company whose primary business is database products. Historically, Oracle has targeted high-end workstations and minicomputers as the server platforms to run its database systems. Its relational database was the first to support the SQL language, which has since become the industry standard. Along with Sun Microsystems, Oracle has been a leading champion of network computers.

P2P. Peer-to-peer. Internet-based communication between remote computers in which the initiative may be taken by any of the peer systems, either pulling the information from a peer, or pushing it to a peer. Napster is an example of a peer-to-peer application.

packet. The unit of data sent across a packet-switching network. While some Internet literature uses the term to refer specifically to data sent across a physical network, other literature views the Internet as a packet-switching network and describes IP datagrams as packets. Packet sniffer. See sniffer.

parse. To parse is to divide into component parts for analysis or interpretation, as in formal grammar, where sentences are diagrammed to break them into subject, predicate, and other subordinate parts. In computer technology, to parse is to divide a computer language statement into parts that can be made useful for the computer, particularly for developing further actions or for creating an executable program.

parser. In computer technology, a parser is a program, usually part of a compiler, that receives input in the form of sequential source program instructions, interactive online commands, markup tags, or some other defined interface and breaks them up into parts that can then be managed by other programming. XML parsers have become important tools for enabling e-commerce. See compiler.

PDF. Portable document format. A PDF file is an electronic facsimile of a printed document.

PERL. Practical extraction and report language. An interpreted language for CGI scripts, widely used in Web authoring.

personalization technology. Interactive Web tools, such as cookies and "smart" mortgage loan applications, that provide the visitor with a customized experience and enable a company to compete on service and convenience rather than on price.

PKI. Public key infrastructure. A system of digital certificates, certificate authorities, and other registration authorities that verify and authenticate the validity of each party involved in an Internet transaction. There is as yet no single PKI or common standard for setting up a PKI. Most agree that reliable PKIs are necessary before electronic commerce can become widespread. See SSL.

plug-in. A hardware or software module that adds a specific feature or service to a larger system.

portal site. A generic term for any site such as Yahoo! that provides an entry point or gateway to the Internet for a significant number of users. To encourage use, portals employ personalization, customization, and one-stop-shopping convenience to create "My Yahoos" that build user loyalty.

portfolio analytics. Use of credit scoring, geographic data, LTV, and other tools to predict prepayment risk, default risk, and other likely behavior of loans in a mortgage loan portfolio.

prequal software. Software designed specifically to pre-qualify borrowers for mortgage loans.

product and pricing engine. System provided by companies such as GHR, HomeAdvisor Technologies and Sollen that manages lender guidelines, mortgage products, and pricing at point of sale. Sophisticated SQL-based product and pricing engines integrate with any lender's LOS system and handle unlimited regional and customer-specific scenarios.

protocols. A formal description of message formats and the rules two computers must follow to exchange messages. Protocols can describe low-level details of machine-to-machine interfaces.

push technology. In client/server applications, to send data to a client without the client requesting it. The World Wide Web is based on a pull technology where the client browser must request a Web page before it is sent.

RAD. Rapid application development. A programming system that enables programmers to quickly build working programs. Two of the most popular RAD systems for Windows are Visual Basic and Delphi. Historically, the limitation of RAD systems has been that by emphasizing the reduction of development time, they have sometimes sacrificed the generation of efficient executable code.

RAM. Random-access memory. RAM is the most common type of computer memory.

RDBMS. Relational Database Management System. The typical, standard database, with data models, data definitions, and data storage capabilities. Examples include Oracle's 9i database, Microsoft's SQLServer 2000, and IBM's DB2 and Informix.

RDF. Resource Description Framework. A W3C standard for talking about Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) in XML. RDF defines an abstract way to make statements about resources. See the W3C's RDF Web page for more information.

real time. Occurring immediately. The term is used to describe a number of different computer features. For example, real-time operating systems are systems that respond to input immediately. They are used for such tasks as navigation, in which the computer must react to a steady flow of new information without interruption.

reverse engineering. Disassembling an object or program to see how it works in order to duplicate or enhance it. Software reverse engineering involves reversing a program's machine code (the string of 0s and 1s that are sent to the logic processor) back into the source code that it was written in, using program language statements. Using reverse engineering, most features of retail mortgage websites (such as loan calculators and prequalification wizards) are quickly adopted by competing sites. When used to develop competitive products, reverse engineering is often considered unfair, although the courts have not yet ruled definitively on "fair use" vs. copyright infringement. Some developers have moved reverse-engineering projects offshore to avoid more stringent U.S. rules. See emulation.

relevancy algorithm. The method a search engine or directory uses to match the keywords in a query with the content of each Web page, so that the Web pages found can be ordered suitably in the query results. Each search engine or directory is likely to use a different algorithm.

RFP. Request for proposal.

RSS. Rich site summary. A lightweight XML format designed for sharing headlines and other Web content. RSS has evolved into a popular means of sharing content between sites.

risk-based pricing engine. In mortgage lending, a software system using data and analytics on credit, LTV, and other risk factors to model and predict performance of a loan and provide a risk-adjusted price.

robot. Any browser program that follows hypertext links and accesses Web pages but is not directly under human control. Examples are the search engine spiders, the "harvesting" programs that extract e-mail addresses and other data from Web pages, and various intelligent Web searching programs.

robots.txt. A text file stored in the top-level directory of a website to deny access by robots to certain pages or subdirectories of the site.

ROI. Return on investment.

rollback capability. The ability of a relational database management system to respond to catastrophic failure by rolling back to a set point in time when the database was known to be stable. See RDBMS.

ROM. Read-only memory. Computer memory on which data have been prerecorded. Once data have been written onto a ROM chip, they cannot be removed and can only be read. Unlike random-access memory (RAM), ROM retains its contents when the computer is turned off.

router. A special-purpose computer that attaches to two or more networks and routes packets from one network to the other. A router uses network layer addresses (such as IP addresses) to determine whether packets should be sent from one network to another. Routers send packets to other routers until they arrive at their final destination.

rules-based logic. Rules in a production system consist of a collection of If Condition-Then Action statements. Each rule has a left-hand side, or IF part, and a right-hand side, or THEN part. The IF part of a rule comprises the conditions or antecedents of the rule. The THEN part is the action part of a rule and is often called the rule's consequent or conclusion.

SAS 70. A Service Auditor's Report that follows the Auditing Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' statement on Auditing Standards No. 70. SAS 70 reports must be performed by external auditors, who test general computer controls, qualified service providers, participant eligibility, and claim system application controls before reviewing findings with management. A SAS 70 report can differentiate a service organization from its competitors by demonstrating the establishment of effectively designed control objectives and control activities.

scalable. A term that refers to how well a hardware or software system can adapt to increased demands. For example, a scalable network system would be one that can start with just a few nodes but can easily expand to thousands of nodes. Scalability is an issue in avoiding degraded website performance with increased volume of user access.

screen scraper. Software that allows a PC to intercept character-based data from a mainframe and present it in an easier-to-understand graphical user interface (GUI). Newer screen scrapers present the information in HTML, so it can be accessed with a browser. Legal issues surround the use of bots acting as screen scrapers to retrieve and aggregate data, such as competing mortgage loan products, on the Web.

screen scraping. (1) Programming that translates between legacy application programs and new user interfaces so that the logic and data associated with the legacy programs can continue to be used. Screen scraping is sometimes called advanced terminal emulation. (2) The use of Internet languages such as HTML and XML to pull information from one website to deposit on another site or database, with or without permission. This form of screen scraping is used for account aggregation to allow all of a customer's financial information to appear in a single online location.

server. A computer that shares its resources, such as printers and files, with other computers on the network. An example of this is a Novell NetWare Server that shares its disk space with a workstation that does not have a disk drive of its own.

service bureau. Provider of services on an outsource basis.

Shockwave. A set of programs that allow Macromedia Director animation files to be played over the Internet with a Web browser.

Six Sigma. A data-driven management philosophy-- used increasingly in the mortgage industry -- for eliminating defects, waste, and quality-control problems in transactional processes and mortgage creation.

S/key. A one-time, challenge-response password-based security system, developed by Bellecore, that is used to authenticate access to data. The purpose of S/key is to eliminate the need for the same password to be conveyed over a network each time a password is needed for access. A series of passwords is created at once, and each password is used only one time to prevent access by unauthorized persons.

SLA. Service level agreement. Generally incorporated into licensing agreements for LOS systems, SLAs stipulate the level of technical support and customer service the vendor agrees to offer.

smurfing. A type of network security breach in which a network connected to the Internet is swamped with replies to ICMP echo (PING) requests. A smurf attacker sends PING requests to an Internet broadcast address. A single attacker sending hundreds or thousands of these PING messages per second can fill the victim's T-1 (or even T-3) line with PING replies and jam an entire Internet service. See DoS (denial of service) attack.

sniffer. A program or device that monitors data traveling over a network. Sniffers can be used both for legitimate network management functions and for stealing information off a network. Unauthorized sniffers can be extremely dangerous to a network's security because they are virtually impossible to detect and can be inserted almost anywhere. This makes them a favorite weapon in the hacker's arsenal. On TCP/IP networks, where they sniff packets, they're often called packet sniffers.

SOA. Service-oriented architecture. In computer network technology, an architecture that provides built-in mechanisms to facilitate loose couplings between services and other components of an application. SOA ensures that the service is decoupled from other components in location, protocol, and time. See coupling.

SOAP. Simple Object Access Protocol. SOAP provides a way for applications to communicate with each other over the Internet, independent of platform. SOAP messages may be bound to different underlying protocols and used in a variety of message exchange patterns. SOAP uses the World Wide Web's Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and its Extensible Markup Language (XML) as the mechanisms for information exchange.

solution. In computer parlance, a formula such as an algorithm that provides a reliable means of addressing a problem or performing an operation. Though not a synonym for system, some publications substitute "system" for "solution" to indicate that software addresses a certain task, but without implying that the software solves the problem by itself or completes the task it addresses.

source code. Program instructions in their original form. The word source differentiates code from various other forms that it can have (for example, object code and executable code).

splash page. Similar to a gateway page but provides an initial display that must be viewed before a visitor reaches the main page. Splash pages are widely considered annoying.

SQL. Structured query language. A syntax used by many database systems to retrieve and modify information.

SQL server. Generically, any database management system that can respond to queries from client machines formatted in the SQL language. When capitalized, the term generally refers to either of two database management products from Sybase and Microsoft. Both companies offer client-server DBMS products called SQL Server.

SSL. Secure socket layer encryption. A protocol developed by Netscape for transmitting private documents via the Internet. SSL works by using a private key to encrypt data that are transferred over the SSL connection. Both Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer support SSL, and many websites use the protocol to obtain confidential user information, such as credit card numbers. By convention, Web pages that require an SSL connection start with https: instead of http:.

Sun Microsystems. The firm best known for developing workstations and operating environments for the UNIX operation system, and more recently, for developing and promoting the Java programming language.

switch. (1) In networks, a device that filters and forwards packets between LAN segments. LANs that use switches to join segments are called switched LANs or, in the case of Ethernet networks, switched Ethernet LANs. (2) In telecommunications, a switch is a network device that selects a path or circuit for sending a unit of data to its next destination. A switch may also include the function of the router, a device or program that can determine the route and specifically what adjacent network point the data should be sent to.

T1. An AT&T term for a digital carrier facility used to transmit a DS-1 formatted digital signal at 1.544 megabits per second.

T3. A term for a digital carrier facility used to transmit TCP/IP.

TCP. Transmission control protocol. One of the main protocols in TCP/IP networks. Whereas the IP protocol deals only with packets, TCP enables two hosts to establish a connection and exchange streams of data. TCP guarantees delivery of data and also guarantees that packets will be delivered in the same order in which they were sent.

TCP/IP. Transmission control protocol/Internet protocol. A set of protocols used by the Internet to support services such as remote login (TELNET), file transfer (FTP), and mail (SMTP).

TELNET. The Internet standard protocol for remote login (terminal connection) service. TELNET allows a user at one site to interact with a remote timesharing system at another site as if the user's terminal were connected directly to the remote computer.

thin client. In client/server applications, a client designed to be especially small so that the bulk of the data processing occurs on the server. The term "thin client" is a hot button dividing the computer industry into two camps. On one side is a group led by Netscape and Sun Microsystems advocating Java-based thin clients running on network computers. The other side, championed by Microsoft and Intel, is pushing ever-larger applications running locally on desktop computers.

transaction management network. A workflow-enabled electronic transaction system that enables lenders, vendors, investors, and other parties to a mortgage loan transaction to interact with one another in an electronic environment, on or off the Internet.

transparent. Invisible. In computer software, an action is transparent if it takes place without any visible effect. In business use, an application is most easily marketed and used if leveraging its benefit does not require the user to understand the inner workings of the technology; if, in other words, the operation of that technology is transparent.

tunneling. A technology that enables the creation of a network encapsulating data within packets carried by a second network. For example, Microsoft's PPTP technology enables organizations to use the Internet to transmit data across a virtual private network (VPN). It does this by embedding its own network protocol within the TCP/IP packets carried by the Internet.

UETA. Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. Model legislation for state adoption of electronic signatures. See E-SIGN.

UFF. Universal FAQ Format. A template offering codewriters a standard way of posting frequently asked question (FAQ) pages on websites.

UML. Unified Modeling Language. A language for specifying, visualizing, constructing, and documenting the artifacts of software systems, as well as for business modeling and other non-software systems. UML incorporates best engineering practices and is the standard used for visual modeling by development teams to view system performance before a product is built.

unified message queuing. The ability to take inbound requests from multiple channels, funnel them into one logical processing point, and send out requests to user queues for work. It represents the blending of such items as e-mail, phone calls, and faxes into the same queues.

UNIX. A multi-user, multitasking operating system, Unix (pronounced YOO-niks) was developed in the early 1970s. It was designed to be highly portable, enabling it to be installed on any computer with a compiler for the high-level programming language C.

URI. Uniform resource identifier. The most common form of URI is a URL such as http://mortgage-technology.com. Not all URIs are accessible through the Internet.

URL. Uniform resource locator. A string of characters that represents the location or address of a resource on the Internet and how that resource should be accessed. World Wide Web pages are assigned a unique URL.

VAN. Value-added network. Examples include Fannie Mae MorNet, Freddie Mac GoldWorks, and Alltel Interchange. Many observers say VANs are being rendered obsolescent by growing use of the World Wide Web.

VB. Visual Basic. A programming language and environment developed by Microsoft that enables a programmer to add code simply by dragging and dropping controls, such as buttons and dialog boxes, and then defining their appearnace and behavior. VB is not a true object-oriented programming language in the strictest sense, but it has an object-oriented philosophy. It is sometimes called an event-driven language because each object can react to different events such as a mouse-click. Visual Basic is sometimes called a rapid application development (RAD) system because it enables programmers to quickly build prototype applications. See RAD.

virus. A man-made destructive program or piece of code loaded by stealth onto a computer. Most viruses can replicate themselves, and some viruses can transmit themselves across networks and bypass security systems. Antivirus programs can periodically check a computer system for known types of viruses.

VPN. Virtual private network. A network connecting computers that typically uses the Internet as the medium for transporting data. A VPN employs encapsulation and other security mechanisms to bar all but authorized users and prevent interception of data. See tunneling.

VRM. Visitor relationship management. Trademark term for WebTrends' website log and traffic analysis programs to enable visitor-to-customer conversion. These tools include "log file analysis tools" and "dynamic analysis tools." See OLAP.

WAN. Wide-area network. Network spanning multiple geographic distances, usually connected by telephone lines, microwave, or satellite links. See LAN.

WAP/WML. Wireless Application Protocol and Wireless Markup Language. Syntax used to program content for wireless phones using languages that allow the text portions of Web pages to be presented.

WC3. World Wide Web Consortium. An organization that exists to develop interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) to lead the Web to its full potential as a forum for information, commerce, communication, and collective understanding.

Web services. A standardized way of integrating Web-based applications using the XML, SOAP, WSDL, and UDDI open standards over an Internet protocol backbone. XML is used to tag the data, SOAP is used to transfer the data, WSDL is used for describing the services available, and UDDI is used for listing what services are available. Web services allow organizations to communicate data without intimate knowledge of each other's IT systems behind the firewall.

website. A site (location) on the World Wide Web. Each website contains a home page, which is the first document users see. The site might also contain additional documents and files. Increasingly rendered as 'website' (one word, lower case) to indicate that the word has become generic.

white paper. A lengthy, often technical, article on a topic that provides background information on corporate products, industries, or industry trends.

Windows-based architecture. Architecture for systems that operate only in the environment of Microsoft Windows software.

Winsock. Short for Windows socket. An application program interface (API) for developing Windows programs that can communicate with other machines via the TCP/IP protocol. Windows 95 and Windows NT comes with Dynamic Link Library (DLL), called winsock.dll, which implements the API and acts as the glue between Windows programs and TCP/IP connections.

workflow. The defined series of tasks within an organization to produce a final outcome. Typically one individual or group is responsible for a specific task at each stage. In an automated setting, workflow software ensures that individuals responsible for particular tasks such as underwriting or document preparation are notified of and receive the data they need to execute their stage of the process. Mortgage executives have long been interested in workflow technology to automate routing of tasks and reduce fluctuations in staffing levels. Business process management (BPM) is a term used to describe advanced workflow systems.

WSDL. Web Services Description Language. An XML-based language used to describe the services a business offers and to provide a way for individuals and other businesses to access those services electronically. WSDL is derived from Microsoft's Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) and IBM's Network Accessible Service Specification Language (NASSL).

WWW. World Wide Web. A system of Internet servers that support specially formatted documents. The documents are formatted in a language called HTML that supports links to other documents, as well as graphics, audio, and video files. Not all Internet servers are part of the World Wide Web. The Web is a subsystem of the Internet.

Xlink. XML Linking Language, a computer language that allows both unidirectional and bidirectional links to other resources (e.g., files, images, documents, programs, query results) to be embedded in XML documents, similar to the hyperlinks found in HTML Web pages.

XML. Extensible Markup Language. Internet programming language offering more efficient data delivery over the Web. XML must be implemented using "parser" software or XSL.

XML-SOAP. Extensible Markup Language-Simple Object Access Protocol. A "platform-agnostic" XML-based protocol for invoking objects across the Internet. XML-SOAP can be added seamlessly without re-engineering architecture.

XSL. Extensible Scripting Language. An XML-style sheet language supported by the newer Web browsers such as Internet Explorer 5 and Netscape 5.

Zip. A popular data compression format. Files that have been compressed with the Zip format are called Zip files and usually end with a .zip extension. A special kind of zipped file is a self-extracting file, which ends with an .exe extension. You can unzip a self-extracting file by simply executing it.

ZLE. Zero latency enterprise. An enterprise technologically enabled to make information instantly accessible to anyone who needs it (or has need of it) at any time. Zero latency, or zero slowness, of information flow across an enterprise

**Source: http://www.mortgage-technology.com