A Brief Explanation of the Jargon
Before we begin, we must make it clear that a Browser is the program that you are using to look at the internet right now - probably a version of Netscape, Internet Explorer or maybe even Mosaic.

Java
Java is a computer programming language that enables more interactivity on a web site, and by that we mean you can play games or calculate output etc. rather than just choose which page to look at next.

Java is a fairly recent development on the Web and some people, because of software, won't be able to take full advantage of it.

If you have a browser that supports Java then you should be able to see something happening immediately below, otherwise your browser will completely ignore the code and you will see just another blank line:

Java programmes are written and compiled (made ready to run on any computer) before being loaded from the internet to your computer, this is what distinguishes Java from;

Java Script
Java Script, as the name would suggest, is very similar to Java but is compiled after loading from the internet, hidden inside the Web page formatting information.

Java Script is generally used to do simple tasks, like display a message at the bottom of your browser:

CGI Scripting
Without wishing to get too technical, the CGI (common gateway interface), is another method of making your pages more interactive, interesting or just plain eye-catching.

CGI scripts are often used to collect and process information collected from a Web site by completing a form.

Shockwave and Director
Director is a commercially available piece of software used to create visually interesting displays (or scenes) for presentations, CD-ROM's, interfaces, etc.

Shockwave is a piece of software used to display these Director scenes on your Web Browser.

Unlike Java and CGI scripts you must first add Shockwave to your Browser. Programs like Shockwave can be obtained from directly from the Internet, any software added to your browser in this fashion is known as a Plug-In.