Article

A kiosk software glossary

Here's our comprehensive software glossary to help you better understand the software used to create kiosk applications.

March 24, 2002

Here's a list of terms to help you understand what you need to know about kiosk software.

ActiveX - by Microsoft, allows a programmer to add ready made components to programs such as 3-D toolbars and buttons. ActiveX components can be added to Web pages, making Web pages into applications useful for e-commerce or interactivity. ActiveX is used in some kiosk remote management software to add useful features.

Apache - is an open source (see below) Web server for Unix, Windows NT, and other operating systems. It is thought to be the most popular Web server on the Internet. Perhaps its biggest rival is Microsoft's Internet Information Server (IIS).

API (application programming interface) - is the link between programs and the computer's operating system. APIs allow software to get a computer's operating system to do work for it by using the operating system's features. Programmers must understand an operating system's APIs to write applications that work well. For example, if a kiosk application needs to print something in Windows NT, the application will use the API to ask the Windows NT operating system to print the document. Windows NT will then handle the request.

Vendors of software development applications will document APIs that help programmers using their software integrate the applications they build with the development package. That sounds more complicated than it is. Essentially, it works like this. A programmer using Netkey Creator, for example, to create a recipe-printing kiosk can use APIs provided by Netkey to program how the application will print. APIs might help programmers build applications that have to access magnetic strip readers or touchscreen monitors.

Application - is a computer program written for end users. For example, Microsoft Word, Netscape Web Browser and Microsoft Outlook are examples of applications. They differ from system software in that software may run without any input being required from a user, such as the operating system software that automatically oversees a computer's connection to a keyboard.

ASP (Active Server Pages) - are Web pages that use Microsoft's Internet Information Server (IIS), scripts and ActiveX controls to make pages more dynamic and interactive. ASP pages end in the file extension .asp.

BIOS (basic input/output system) - is the most basic software in a computer, usually stored on a read-only memory chip. The BIOS tells the computer where to look for its operating system, which is usually stored on the computer's hard drive. The BIOS also holds certain system settings in a special section of random access memory (RAM) that is maintained by a battery when the computer is turned off.

C and C++ - are programming languages. Based on C, C++ is an extension that makes it possible to use a programming technique called object-oriented programming (OOP). Objects are reusable bits of programming code used to create applications of all kinds.

CGI (Common Gateway Interface) - is a way to run programs and scripts on the Web server. CGI scripts allow Web pages to perform complicated actions, such as processing forms, shopping carts, and financial transactions. CGI allows developers to create e-commerce and other interactive and dynamic Web sites.

Client - refers to a computer that requests some service from another computer (called the server). Client requests can be made by operating systems or applications. For example, when a user logs on to an office network from his or her desktop PC, the PC is acting as a client requesting services from the server. When a kiosk is being managed using a remote management software package, each kiosk is a client, while the computer that manages it is a server.

Cold Fusion - is a commercial scripting language that allows users to query or update a database through a Web browser. Developed and sold by Allaire Corporation, it's used to create dynamic Web pages. The language is based on tags, similar to HTML and XML.

Database - is an organized collection of information often formatted by records. Each record contains the same set of fields (categories). For example, in an address book database each address would be a record, while the record would contain fields such as last name, first name, street address, state, city, and zip code. A database program allows the end user to arrange the data in a way that satisfies the user's query. Databases are vital for loyalty programs, retail applications and online publishing, to name a few examples.

Device driver - is software that tells a computer's operating system how to run hardware components or peripherals. Peripherals are computer hardware devices that attach to a computer, such as a printer, keyboard, mouse and monitor.

DOS - stands for disk operating system, usually associated with IBM personal computers (PCs). DOS is a rudimentary operating system that became more developed before being succeeded by Microsoft's Windows operating systems. Many legacy DOS applications exist. Microsoft's version of DOS is called MS-DOS. Other versions of DOS include DR-DOS, PC-DOS and 4DOS.

EDI (electronic data interchange) - is a standard that allows the exchange of business information between cooperating companies. Two popular variations of EDI are called ANSI X12 in the U.S. and EDIFACT, a UN-sponsored global standard.

Embedded operating system - is a minimal version of an operating system that is usually stored permanently on a read only memory (ROM) memory chip, rather than on a hard drive. The embedded operating system contains just what is needed to run the computer and the application being used. This lowers costs, often lowers power requirements and increases speed. Many operating systems, such as Windows NT and Linux, have embedded versions.

Encryption - is a way of securing data by converting it into a secret code that can't be easily decoded without the encryption code (called a key) originally used. DES (Data Encryption Standard) is one encryption standard. Another one, using both a private and public key, is called RSA. Without encryption, secure financial transactions over the Web would not be possible.

Firewall - is used to prevent unauthorized users to enter a private network through a variety of authentication schemes. While a firewall is often special hardware situated between a private network and some form of public access, either via the Internet or dial-up connections, software firewalls are becoming popular.

Flash - Developed by Macromedia, Flash is a file format that allows interactive animation on Web pages. It compresses files so that animation loads quickly on the user's browser.

GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) - was developed by CompuServe users during the mid 1980s so that compressed images could be transferred between different computer platforms. GIF has become the standard graphic format for line art on the Internet.

GUI (graphical user interface, pronounced "goo-ey") - lets users interact with programs graphically, by using icons, buttons, scroll bars and dialog boxes. The Macintosh and Windows operating systems (and applications that run in them) are examples of GUIs. An example of a user interface that is not graphical is the command line interface, in which users type text commands at a prompt, such as with DOS or UNIX.

Hack - is a much-debated term, the definition depending on who is using it. Some hackers define hacking as merely an exploration of a system or program in order to better comprehend it. To hack also has a negative connotation that means to break into a system or program with mischievous intent. Honest hackers call mischievous exploration "cracking."

HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) - is a document format that uses tags that are interpreted by Web browsers. The language was designed for easily displaying and laying out text, images, links and forms on Web pages.

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) - is the set of rules (protocol) that allows an HTML document to be sent and received over the World Wide Web between Web servers and client machines running Web browsers.

IDE (integrated development environment) - is an application that supports the programming of software. IDEs may include a syntax editor, graphical entry tools, version tracking and support for compiling and running the program with error reporting capabilities.

IIS (Internet Information Server) - is Microsoft's brand of Web server. It includes a suite of publishing, customizing and management tools. It is part of Windows 2000 server. IIS version 6 will be part of Windows 2002 server.

Internet Explorer (IE) -  is Microsoft's Web browser application. Many kiosk applications modify Internet Explorer to make it more secure and to customize it for kiosk applications. A popular kiosk browser, SiteKiosk, is based on IE.

Java - is a programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. It is (sort of) platform-independent, which means a program written in Java will run on any computer processor and operating system. Because all major operating systems have Java engines, Java has become popular on the Internet to add interactive and dynamic functions to Web sites.

JavaScript - No relation to Java except a similar name, JavaScript is a scripting language developed by Netscape to work on servers, within HTML pages and in browsers. It is used for adding interactivity to Web sites, for mundane but important tasks such as verifying the accuracy of Web-based forms, and for other uses on the Web. Microsoft's version of JavaScript is called JScript.

JPG/JPEG - The Joint Photographic Experts Group developed the standard image compression method intended for photos. It is widely utilized on Web sites.

Kerberos - is an authentication security system developed by MIT's Project Athena. Based on symmetric key cryptography, Kerberos issues a time-sensitive key or ticket allowing access to the protected server. (Kerberos was the three-headed hound that guarded the gates of Hades.)

Kiosk Operating System - refers to any operating system specifically designed or modified for kiosk implementations. These operating systems generally are optimized for remote administration and allow machines to detect problems, notify system administrators, self-diagnose, and restart both operating systems and applications. Actually, kiosk operating systems run on top of the computer's installed operating system, making the term descriptive, but not exact. Three kiosk operating systems are Kudos by Degasoft, Totem.Link by Cybertotems and EyePoint by TouchVision.

Linux - is a version of the UNIX operating system developed by Linus Torvalds as a way of implementing the UNIX operating system on personal computers. It is an open-source operating system. It is often used in kiosks as a low cost alternative to Microsoft's operating systems.

Macro - is a series of keyboard key strokes or commands combined into a single or combination keystroke. A macro can also mean a script written to perform a repetitive task in the interest of saving time. Macros can be complex enough to be full-fledged applications running within other applications, such as a special financial calculator created by an end-user running within Microoft Excel.

Middleware - is software that acts as an intermediary, or interface, between different programs across diverse computing platforms and networks. For example, a kiosk business application that processes product orders can be middleware between a Web browser and a retailer's database program stored on the retailer's network.

MySQL - is a free, powerful, efficient open-source relational database that uses the SQL database query language.

Netscape - is the breakthrough graphical Web browser that Internet Explorer eventually surpassed in popularity.

Open source - refers to software that, while not always free, is free of restrictions on its distribution. It is meant to encourage development among volunteer programmers through free distribution of the source code.

Open standards - are standards that are not based on any proprietary model, meaning that they are not owned and licensed by one vendor. TCP/IP is an open standard networking protocol.

Opera -  is possibly the third most popular Web browser behind Internet Explorer and Netscape. Opera is smaller and quicker than its two major competitors.

Operating System (OS) - is a program that controls the basic interaction between computer hardware, applications and the end-user. Most contemporary operating systems use a graphical user interface, presenting the user with a predictable and common way to interact with the computer. Applications are often OS dependent. For example, different versions of an application need to be developed to run on Windows 2000 or UNIX or OS X.

OPOS - object linking and embedding (OLE) for retail point of sale (POS) is a way of integrating POS peripheral devices with systems running on Microsoft 95/98 or Microsoft Windows NT/2000 operating systems.

OS X - is the Apple Macintosh Operating System 10 (although you can drive hard-core Apple fanatics crazy by calling it "X"). Apple's implementation of a UNIX-based operating system features true multitasking, protected memory and multiprocessor support.

OS/2 - is IBM and Microsoft's successor to the MS-DOS operating system. When the relationship between the companies broke down IBM continued to develop OS/2 while Microsoft developed Windows. While IBM won't say exactly when, its support for OS/2 is expected to end soon, prompting many ATM manufacturers to upgrade their machines to Windows NT or 2000.

Palm OS - is the operating system for the Palm, Handspring, and other personal digital assistants (PDAs). The Palm OS can also be found in other devices such as cell phones.

Perl (Practical Extraction Report Language) - is an open-source programming language developed originally for the UNIX platform. It is now available for several computing platforms and is popular for writing CGI scripts that make Web applications more interactive. Perl runs on the server, in contrast to JavaScript, which most often runs on the client Web browser.

PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) - is an encryption application based on a method called RSA. It has become particularly popular for use with e-mail programs. It allows messages to be encrypted and decrypted using a two-key system. One key is public, while the other is private.

PHP - is an open source scripting language that can be embedded in Web pages. PHP is used to create dynamic, interactive Web pages. PHP commands run on the Web server.

Program - is software created to make a computer function in a specific way. Programs are written in a programming language (source code) and compiled into executable files (files the computer recognizes as programs, converted to machine language). Programs can run without users, or they can be designed for end-users to work with, such as word processors and e-mail programs. Programs that are designed for users to interact with are called applications.

Protocol - refers to any set of rules used in computing for data communication. For instance, TCP/IP (used to send data over the Internet) is a combination of two protocols - Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol (IP). Hyptertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) defines how Web pages are sent, while 802.11b is the designation of the protocol used for many wireless devices.

Relational database - is a database that allows the user to combine different database tables so that data from one table can be related to data in another table. Relational databases are more powerful and more easily programmed and customized than fixed databases. Some examples of relational database applications are Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, and Oracle. The language used to work with relational databases is called SQL, or Structured Query Language.

Remote management software - is software that allows a user in one location to monitor and manage a computer in another location. Examples of remote management software for personal computers are PCAnywhere and Microsoft's Terminal Services. For kiosks, remote management software includes Kudos, by Degasoft, Netkey Manager, and TRACKOS by NetNearU.

These applications allow companies to manage kiosk projects that may be scattered over a wide geographic area. Among the features of good remote management software are the ability to monitor kiosks to alert management to problems such as printer or bill acceptor jams, to reset machines remotely, to install software, to control what advertisements are viewed and when and to set which Web sites can be viewed. Reporting features allow the company to view statistics for the kiosks, helping judge the success of kiosk applications.

Script - is similar to a program in that it is a series of commands run on a computer. However, programs are compiled, while scripts are interpreted. In other words, scripts run "as-is" without needing source code to be changed into machine code first. Examples of scripting languages are VBScript (Visual Basic script), Perl and JavaScript. Scripts are important for Web and kiosk application development.

Server - has two meanings, depending on the context. A server is a program that provides services to client computers on a network. Server programs can provide file sharing, printing and e-mail capabilities to client computers. Often the computer that is running the server software is itself called a server. Because servers often must run all the time and handle numerous requests from client computers, they are sometimes made with heavy-duty parts and sold at higher prices than other computer hardware.

Service pack - is a term used by IBM and Microsoft for software updates to their products. A service pack is usually a collection of bug fixes and improved features.

Sitekiosk - is a kiosk browser based on Microsoft's Internet Explorer. It offers plug-ins to add usage reporting capabilities, Internet browsing restrictions and system fail-over capabilities. Fail-over refers to how a computer can be made to recover from errors. For example, if the operating system or an application crashes, the computer can automatically reset itself, a vitally important feature for commerce applications that must run 24/7.

Software - is the general term for programs used to operate a computer. Programs are often classed as operating systems, applications or middleware.

Source code - is the code in which programs and applications are written using a formal programming language that is compiled into machine code the computer can run.

SQL (pronounced "sequel") - stands for Structured Query Language. SQL is the language used by relational databases for creating, updating and querying databases.

TripleDES - is a private key encryption method that uses the Data Encryption Standard with triple redundancy to ensure privacy.

UI (user interface) - is the point where the computer and the human user interact. Graphical user interfaces are common today, but other UIs are based on text command line and audio interfaces.

UNIX - was the first operating system developed using the C programming language. Once associated with mainframe computers, it is a popular operating system used as a server and for running Web servers.

Utility - is a small program that provides useful features to an operating system or to the management of a computer, such as a find program or a search-and-replace program.

Vaporware - is a term for overzealous marketing of a product far in advance of any actual release of the product, which because of the pace of innovation may never be released. It is used the following way: "So-and-so company's highly touted new application is really just vaporware."

VBScript - is Microsoft's Visual BASIC Script, a scripting language that extends the capabilities of Microsoft products and Web pages.

Visual Basic - is a programming language often used for application development or prototyping applications.

Web browser - is an application that interprets Web pages to produce a properly formatted visual document. The major Web browsers are Internet Explorer, Netscape and Opera.

Web server - is a server that sends Web pages to browsers running on client machines. The Web server can also provide other services to help Web pages interact with those who view the pages, such as support for scripting languages. Apache and Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) are two popular Web servers. Apache is a free, open-source server, while IIS is not.

Windows 2000 - is sold as both a server and a workstation. It is the business-oriented OS based on Windows NT. The workstation version is called Windows 2000 Professional. A variety of Windows 2000 servers include Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2000 Advanced Server and Windows 2000 Datacenter Server. Windows 2000 Professional, like NT Workstation, is a highly-secure, and relatively stable operating system for kiosk applications to run on.

Windows 95 and 98 - are two earlier versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system. While Windows 95 was a great advancement over Windows 3.1 in terms of ease of use and sophisticated GUI, Windows 98 added much needed support for larger disk drives, USB support and other technical advances. Windows 98 also was the OS that got Microsoft in trouble with the Justice Department because of its integration of Microsoft Internet Explorer into the OS.

Windows CE - is Microsoft's competing OS (competing against the Palm OS) for portable computing devices such as PDAs and cell phones.

Windows ME (Millennium Edition) - is the consumer update to Windows 98. It boasts features to increase stability and wizards for home networking, while offering backward compatibility to earlier Windows programs and device drivers.

Windows NT - is Microsoft's business implementation of its OS and contains both Windows NT Server and Windows NT Workstation under its umbrella. It boasts stronger networking, security, speed and stability compared to Windows 95 and 98.

Windows XP - is the upcoming version of Microsoft's OS. There will be both a Windows XP Professional version and a Windows XP consumer version. The new OS promises to feature more multimedia capabilities and better integration with portable devices.

XFS (eXtensions for Financial Services) - is a standard that allows Retail Banking applications to run on many types of machines and using many different vendors' applications. The standard provides support for peripherals used in retail banking. New versions of the standard are Active XFS and J/XFS.

XML (eXtensible Markup Language) - is a tagged markup language similar to HTML. Unlike HTML, XML allows users to define their own tags, making possible more feature-rich, dynamic, and interactive Web pages. Where HTML describes how a Web page looks, XML describes how data will be handled. It is growing in use as a way to bridge different data formats, such as accepting data from older databases so that it can be used with modern databases. It is becoming a very important solution for online commerce applications.