E-commerce Glossary - P

P2P (Peer to Peer)

Process whereby computers can trade information between each other directly without the assistance of a third party network.

P3P

Privacy initiative whereby sites would use a set disclosure of how consumer information is handled. Requires voluntary actions of both the supply chain and consumer for effective implementation. Some responsible organizations have made this new "Standard" available for use in site design and construction.

Page Loading

An internet file that is presented in a computer's browser for viewing.

Page Views

A representation of the amount of hits to a HTML page. (Hits on non-HTML documents such as .gifs /graphics are not counted).

Payment Gateway Provider

A company that provides code and/or software for an e-commerce site to enable it to transfer information from its shopping cart to the acquiring bank, and on through the rest of the credit card transaction.

Payment Threshold

The minimum accumulated commission an affiliate must earn to trigger payment from an affiliate program.

Perl

Perl is a general-purpose programming language invented in 1987 by Larry Wall. With over one million users worldwide, it has become the language of choice for Web development, text processing, Internet services, mail filtering, graphical programming, systems administration, and every other task requiring portable and easily-developed solutions.

PGP

Software that encrypts important information so it can be sent over the Internet securely. PGP stands for Pretty Good Privacy - and goes up to military grade ssl encryption.

PICS

Acronym for Platform for Internet Content Selection. A W3C technology that allows censorship of Web content based upon self regulating activities of browser owners setting up permissions and relying on a site's content text to equate with the permissions granted by the censorship authorities, such as parents. Requires parents to take initiative regardless of their ability to understand the process or if their browser has such capability built in.

PIN (Personal Identification Number)

An alphanumeric or numeric code used to verify the identity of an individual attempting to use a credit card, debit card, or other account

Ping

A network management tool that checks to see whether you can communicate with another computer on the Internet. It sends a short message to which the other computer automatically responds. If the other computer does not respond to the ping, you usually cannot establish communications.

Platform

The operating system (i.e. Windows 98, Windows NT, etc.) used by a visitor to the site.

Plug-in

An application that works within another application -- such as a browser -- to extend its functionality, for example, audio or video capabilities or middleware connections.

POP

To link up to a provider's network, a particular telephone number generally needs to be dialled. This number, or any other method and location used to connect to the network, is the provider's so-called 'point of presence' (POP).

POP 3 Account

Storage space for e-mails delivered via the most recent version of the Post Office Protocol (POP). Your POP3 Accounts should end in @yourdomainname.com. You can use a standard e-mail client, such as Eudora, Netscape Mail or Internet Explorer Mail to download the e-mail to your computer.

Port

An interface on a computer where you can install/connect a device. Personal computers have various types of ports. Internally, there are several ports for connecting disk drives, display screens, and keyboards. Externally, personal computers have ports for connecting modems, printers, mice, and other peripheral devices.

Portal

Term used to denote the passageway from the Internet to an area with a special interest and specialized services. Possess substantial role in the Semantic Web.

POS Terminal

An electronic device used for verifying and processing credit card transactions. If the credit card is available, the merchant can swipe the card through the terminal.

PPP

Point-to-Point Protocol, a protocol used for dial-up connections.

Presentment

The process of electronic billing via web or email statements.

Privacy Policy

A Web site's official statement on the type of information collected on a site, how the information will be used, how the person can access this data and the steps for having the data removed. A privacy statement will also usually include information regarding systems that are in place to protect the information of web site visitors.

Privacy Seal Programs

Independent organizations that verify if an online companies' Privacy Statement is verifiable and accurate.

Programming Language

Computer code used to manage computers. Languages are either High Level or Low Level depending up their use. High Level programs are humans to build applications while Low Level is used to manage machines. Visual Basic is an example of a High Level, Assembler is an example of a Low Level language.

Protocol

An established format for transmitting data between two devices. The main protocol for transmitting web pages is HTML, while the main protocol for transmitting e-mail is SMTP.

Proxy Server

Located between Web browser and another server;, the Proxy Server fulfils requests for information from a locally stored cache and ensures security and administrative control.