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Lexicon for UTMB Web Pages

Language usage specific to the web

In a field rife with acronyms and enriched with new words on a weekly basis, keeping in step with the language of the web can be a challenge. Consistency is the key, and the following examples illustrate UTMB style for usage of some common terms:

DNS: Acronym, that stands for "domain name server."

email: Lower case, one word, not hyphenated.

FTP: Acronym, that stands for "file transfer protocol."

.gif: Commonly used acronym that stands for "graphics interchange format." As it's a type of file, lowercase and precede it with a period.

.html, .htm or HMTL: Commonly used acronym which stands for "Hypertext Markup Language." When referring to the language, use all caps. When referring to a file written in the language, lowercase and precede it with a period.

HTTP: Acronym that stands for "Hypertext Transfer Protocol."

Internet: There's only one Internet, and it's a proper noun.

intranet: There are many intranets. In referring to a specific one and using its full, proper name, capitalize. The Department of Defense Intranet.

.jpg or .jpeg: Commonly used acronym that stands for "Joint Photographic Experts Group." As it's a type of file, lowercase and precede it with a period.

.pdf: Commonly used acronym that stands for Adobe Acrobat's "portable document format." As it's a type of file, lowercase and precede it with a period.

World Wide Web: Like the Internet of which it is a part, there's only one World Wide Web.

web: Like an intranet, there are many webs.

web page, home page: Lower case, two words, not hyphenated. If you are referring to the proper name of a specific page, capitalize. The UTMB Office of the President Home Page.

web site: Lower case, two words, not hyphenated. If you are referring to the proper name of a specific page, capitalize. The UTMB Office of the President Web Site.

webmaster: Lower case, one word, not hyphenated. If it's used as someone's formal title, the usage is as follows: Webmaster Jane Doe or Jane Doe, webmaster. (This is the same model used for other titles at UTMB.)

webcast: Lower case, one word, not hyphenated.

When referring to a web address in print:
Italicize and lower case, use no underline. It can be used with or without the "http" prefix (most browsers will add the prefix).

http://www.utmb.edu or www.utmb.edu