AEM glossary of terms
A
accessibility
The ability of all website visitors to access all content on a website.
asset manager
The storage area or repository in AEM used to house all images, documents and other files that are referenced on a webpage.
activated
The state (green) of a webpage or asset made available for public access and viewing.
anchor link
A hyperlink that refers to a part of a webpage.
asset
An asset is any image, document or file that can be uploaded to the digital asset manager (DAM).
author
One who creates, edits, and maintains webpage/website content.
authoring environment
The application environment where authors are able to create, edit and maintain their website structure and content. For AEM, this refers to the Sites manager, Assets manager and Page editor windows.
B
backlinks
Links from other websites to your website.
browser (browser window)
A browser is an application used for retreiving information from the World Wide Web. Examples: Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari and Explorer. (AEM currently only supports Firefox)
bulk editor
The bulk editor is the repository or storage area in AEM where content from forms is stored.
C
cache
A place where recently used information is stored for later access.
carousel
The component on the homepage that alternately displays up to five images and links to selected target pages.
clipboard
Temporary storage area for the copy/paste functionality for data that an author wants to copy from one place to another.
closed user group
Also known as a CUG. It is a functionality in AEM used to protect pages from public view and require a login in order to view or download content.
component
Building blocks that have been developed in the content managment system to accomplish repetitive tasks for creating website content or to draw information from external databases and display the information in a certain format on websites.
computer screen
Visual surface, usually made of glass, which displays visual information from the web or computer applications.
configuration window
A dialog window for a component in AEM used by the author to set the functionality of a component.
content area
The area of a webpage in the page editor window where authors can add text, images and other information.
content finder
The left window pane of the page editor window that displays assets in the digiat asset manager (DAM). In Touch UI, this is now known as the side panel.
content management system (CMS)
A backend application used to manage a website's content (ETH Zurich uses AEM as the official CMS).
context area
This term is no longer relevant in our system and refers to the column that existed for universal content pages and legacy homepages which have now been deprecated in the system.
Cascading Style Sheet (CSS)
A type of text file that uses the file extension .css which a browser refers to in order to render the style, formatting and layout of a website.
D
deactivated
The state (red) of a webpage or asset that is intentionally removed and made unavailable for public access and viewing.
dialog window
Also known as a popup or configuration window, these are windows that appear when clicking on a menu button that invites the user to add some input or requires special configuration.
digital asset manager
The storage area or repository in AEM used to house all images, documents and other files that are referenced on a webpage.
digital asset management window
The AEM application window used to manage one's digital assets or files. From the digital asset management window, one can upload, download, move, delete, and replace files, as well as set up protected folders such that certain assets require a login to access them.
H
header
The top part of the website that contains the institution logo, the sitename, and in the case of ETH websites, contains the service navigation and search bar.
homepage
The startpage or landing page of a website.
http
HyperText Transfer Protocol. A method used to transfer information on the internet which precedes the 'description' of the resource being accessed. For example, our webpages are typically identified by their domain name (www.myname.ethz.ch).
https
A method, similar to http, which stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol over SSL (Secure Socket Layer) or HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, and is done over a secure, encrypted connection.
Hyperlink
A reference to a webpage, a part of a webpage, document, or some other data that a user can follow by clicking.
I
icon
An image or symbol that represents an object or function.
image gallery
In AEM, a component used to display a group of related pictures.
imprint
The page on a website, required by law, that contains information about the publisher and an editor of a website.
inherited
Property whereby data is carried on to subsequent child pages.
instance (published)
In AEM, it is a copy of AEM running on a server that serves the published content to the public.
instance (authoring)
In AEM, it is a copy of AEM running on a server that is used to create, edit, upload content and manage a website. When content is activated, it is replicated to the published instance.
L
language copy
The functionality in the system whereby a page is copied in its entirety to another language website.
lightbox
The image functionality to make the image larger or view it in its original source state.
link
A reference to a webpage, a part of a webpage, document, or some other data that a user can follow by clicking.
link picker
The AEM functionality for adding links to internal documents. It is depicted as a magnifying glass icon to the right of the URL field of components.
livecopy
A webpage that draws its content from another webpage and is updated automatically when the source is updated.
login
The requirement of a user to input a username and password in order to access an application, web content or documents that are protected.
M
Matterhorn repository
The storage area for videos formatted and delivered by ETH Multimedia Services. They are visible from the Matterhorn videos tab of the content finder window in the page editor of AEM.
menu
A set of options presented to an author in order to execute certain functions in an application.
monitor
Visual surface, usually made of glass, which displays visual information from the web or computer applications.
mouse
A computer device used for input.
P
page editor
The AEM environment where authors add content to webpages.
Portable Document Format (PDF) is a document format used to display text and images that is not dependent on the type of application, hardware or operating system.
PNG
Portable Network Graphics (PNG) is a lossless raster graphics file format.
pop-up window
Also known as a dialog or configuration window, these are windows that appear when clicking on a menu button that invites the user to add some input or requires special configuration.
published
The state of a webpage or asset made available for public access and viewing.
R
redirect (URL)
A URL that points to another website, webpage or asset. This is usually implemented for a shorter, more relevant URL, for example, for publication purposes, or if a website URL changes, it is used to direct users to the new website.
reference
When an asset or webpage is cited by another webpage in the system.
responsive web
Refers to when a website is developed to provide an optimal viewing experience regardless of the device used - mobile devices, desktops and even larger screens.
S
screen
Visual surface, usually made of glass, which displays visual information from the web or computer applications.
ScriptNote
Component which serves as a conduit to an external database in order to display specific information on a webpage.
search engine
A program that searches for items based on keyboard entries of a user.
search picker
The AEM functionality for adding links to internal documents and webpages in the system. It is depicted as a magnifying glass icon to the right of the URL field of components.
service navigation
The top section of the header with the organisational breadcrumb, language dropdown and the department dropdown menu (main site only).
sidekick
An overlay window in the classic UI of the page editor in AEM which contains all the components and other menu functions needed to edit a webpage.
side panel
The Touch UI page editor's left panel housing assets, components and other functionalities. This panel replaces the classic content finder in the old system user interface.
sitemap
An index to all content of a website.
sites manager
The AEM application window used to manage one's website. From the website management window, one can, among other things, create, move, delete and activate webpages, as well as set up protected webpages such that certain webpages require a login to access them.
SVG
Scalable vector graphics (SVGs) are a type of graphic which defines vector-based graphics in XML format.
U
unpublished
The state (grey) of a webpage or asset that has neither been activated, nor deactivated and is unavailable for public access and viewing.
URL
Also known as the Uniform Resource Locator, it is the internet address and path to a file or resource on a server.
URL redirect
A URL that points to another website, webpage or asset. This is usually implemented for a shorter, more relevant URL, for example, for publication purposes, or if a website URL changes, it is used to direct users to the new website.
usability
The ease of use of a website or parts of a website.
W
web management window
The AEM application window used to manage one's website. From the website management window, one can, among other things, create, move, delete and activate webpages, as well as set up protected webpages such that certain webpages require a login to access them. Also known as the Sites manager in the Touch user interface.
webpage
A single page in a website.
website
A connected group of pages used to deliver information to the public about a specific topic, organisation, etc. which consists of a single homepage and subsequent subpages.
www
World Wide Web - another name for the internet.