UDP (User Datagram Protocol) - One of the protocols for data transfer that is part of the TCP/IP suite of protocols. UDP is a “stateless” protocol in that UDP makes no provision for acknowledgement of packets received.

UNC (Uniform Naming Convention or Universal Naming Convention) - A convention for specifying directories, servers, and other resources on a network, using two slashes // or backslashes \\ to indicate the name of the server, and one slash to indicate the path or shared directory within the computer, in this format: \\server\share or //server/share.

Unix - A powerful operating system used on the backbone machines of the Internet. World Wide Web servers frequently run on UNIX.

Unload - 1.To remove a disk or tape from a drive. 2.To remove a loaded program from memory. 3.To remove data from a disk or other storage device.

Unpacker - A program to uncompress a file from a Packer like PKUNZIP, UNARC...etc.

UnZip - To return a zip (file named with the .ZIP filename extension) file (a file or group of files which has been compressed with PKZIP or Winzip programs) to its original size (with PKUNZIP or WinZip programs).

UpDate or UpGrade - 1.A newer, presumably better, version of hardware or software. 2.To make a new version of a product. 3.To install a new version of hardware or software. Most software Updates are rarely charged for, but version UpGrades are usually charged for if they include more new significant features.

Upload - To transfer a file from your computer 'up' to another computer, using your terminal program (for example Qmodem) and a transfer protocol (for example Zmodem or FTP)

UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) - A backup power supply that works when electrical power to the computer is interrupted.A small UPS can supply battery power for a few minutes so files can be saved and the computer can be shut down properly; a larger UPS can supply power for much longer.

URL (Universal Resource Locator) - The standard way to give the Web address of any resource on the Internet that is part of the World Wide Web (WWW). A URL looks like this: http://www.websitecompass.com. The most common way to use a URL is to enter into a WWW browser program, such a Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer

Usenet Newsgroups - Public Internet discussion groups; may be considered free floating bulletin boards because once a message is 'tacked up' anyone can go and see it. These may be accessed using a NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol) client.

User - An individual who uses a computer, program, network, or related service for work or entertainment; usually there is a distinction between a user and a programmer or other person who works with the computer on an expert or technical level.

User Interface or UI - The means by which a user interacts with a computer.The interface includes input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, stylus, or microphone; the computer screen and what appears on it; the way commands are given, etc.With a command-line interface, only text appears on the screen, and the user must type in commands; with a graphical user interface, windows, mice, menus, and icons are used to communicate with the computer.

UUENCODE (Unix to Unix Encoding) - A method for converting files from Binary to ASCII (text) so that they can be sent across the Internet via e-mail.