Computer and Internet Terminology
Listed below are common computer and Internet terms and their
preferred spelling and capitalization. These rules pertain in general
to text in print. Please note exceptions for web use regarding email
addresses and URLs.
e-mail
Always use "e-mail" with a hyphen. Do not capitalize the word unless
it appears at the beginning of a sentence or list. When including an
e-mail address in text, set the address in lowercase letters and italicize.
When including an e-mail address on the web, do not italicize the address. Instead, hyperlink the address. If an e-mail address is used at the end of the sentence, use a period, but do not hyperlink the period.
| Right: | Send an e-mail message to stylemaster@stolaf.edu. [print use] |
| Right: | Send an e-mail message to webmaster@stolaf.edu. [web use] |
home page
"Home page" is two words and is spelled in lowercase letters except
at the beginning of a sentence.
Internet
Capitalize the word "Internet" in all instances. In subsequent, informal
references, "the net" is acceptable but should not be capitalized.
online
"Online" is one word and used in lowercase letters except when it begins
a sentence.
URLs, web addresses
When including a URL in text in print, set the address in lowercase
letters (unless specific capitalization is needed) and italicize. If
an Internet address falls at the end of a sentence, use a period. If
an address breaks between lines, split it directly after a slash or
a dot that is part of the address, without an inserted hyphen.
When including a URL in text on the web, do not italicize the URL. Instead, hyperlink the address. If an Internet address falls at the end of a sentence, use a period, but do not hyperlink the period.
| Right: | St. Olaf has a new presence on the World Wide Web. To visit us on the web, go to www.stolaf.edu. [print use] |
| Right: | For complete details on the event, see fusion.acc.stolaf.edu/inside/ index.cfm?fuseaction=PastIssues. [print use] |
| Right | You may request a trascript by using the form located at www.stolaf.edu/offices/registrar. [web use] |
World Wide Web, web
In formal uses, spell out and capitalize World Wide Web in the first
reference, then use "the web" on all subsequent references.
Web page
"Web page" is two words, not hyphenated and spelled in lowercase letters
except at the beginning of sentences.
Web site
"Web site" is two words, not hyphenated and spelled in lowercase letters
except at the beginning of sentences.
Webmaster
"Webmaster" is one word and spelled in lowercase letters except at the
beginning of sentences.
