Jvocab

API (Application Programming Interface

he way computer programs share data and functionality with other computer programs. APIs are an increasingly critical part of the Internet's interconnection. Many say that the future of the Internet lies in APIs because they help distribute and combine content. On the Web, APIs are generally special URLs that give back machine-readable data, in formats like JSON or XML, rather than human-readable data, which is usually HTML. Facebook, Twitter and Google Maps all have APIs that allow other websites or computer programs to use their underlying tools. The New York Times and NPR have also released APIs that allow other programs to draw on archives of movie reviews, restaurant reviews and articles.

AJAX

A bundle of technologies and techniques that allow a web page to do things quietly in the background without reloading the whole page. AJAX is not a programming language, but rather an acronym used to describe that bundle, "Asynchronous Javascript and XML." AJAX provides much of the functionality associated with Web 2.0. One of the first big uses of AJAX was Gmail, which allowed it to be much more responsive than other web e-mail at the time.

montage

A series of brief shots to give a single impression or communicate one idea

algorithm

A set of instructions or procedures used in order to accomplish a task, such as creating search results in Google. In the context of search, algorithms are used to provide the most relevant results first based on those instructions.

remote

A taped or live broadcast from a location outside the studio; also, the unit that originates such a broadcast.

segue

An uninterrupted transition from one sound to another; a sound dissolve.

medium shot

Framing of one person from head to waist or of a small group seated at a table.

panning or pan shot

Moving the camera from left to right or right to left.

outtakes

Scenes that are discarded for the final story

app

Short for application, a program that runs inside another service. Many mobile phones allow apps to be downloaded, leading to a burgeoning economy for modestly priced software. Can also refer to a program or tool that can be used within a website. Apps generally are built using software toolkits provided by the underlying service, whether it is iPhone or Facebook.

zooming

Use of a variable focus lens to take close-ups and wide angle shots from a stationary position

Android

Usually used in the context of Android phone, Android is a free and open source operating system developed by Google that powers a variety of mobile phones from different manufacturers and carriers. It is a rival of the iPhone platform. In contrast to Apple's tightly controlled architecture and App Store, Android allows users to install apps from the Android Market and from other channels, such as directly from a developer's website — which allows for X-rated content, for example. Some well-known Android phones are the Nexus One, the Motorola Droid and HTC Evo. Expect to see competitors to the iPad running a version of Android.