Native
Software that's written specifically to run on a particular processor. For example, a program optimized for a 68K processor runs in native mode on a Quadra, but it runs in emulation mode (which is slower on a Power PC-based Power Mac). Also, the file format in which an application normally saves it documents. The native format is generally readable only by that application (other programs can sometimes translate it using filters).

Navigation Tools
Allows users to find their way around a website or multimedia presentation. They can be hypertext links, clickable buttons, icons, or image maps.

Netiquette
A form of online etiquette. This term refers to an informal code of conduct that governs what is generally considered to be the acceptable way for users to interact with one another online.

news
A term often used to denote USENET news, a popular forum for discussion on the Internet.

newsgroup
A discussion group, usually found on USENET news. Each group devotes its discussions to a specific topic.

newsreader
A software program that lets you subscribe to newsgroups as well as read and post messages to them.

news server
A machine that contains a number of USENET newsgroups. Also referred to a NNTP server.

Netware
The chief priest of network operating systems.

Network
In general, a group of computers set up to communicate with one another. Your network can be a small system that's physically connected by cables (a LAN), or you can connect separate networks together to form larger networks (called WANs). The Internet, for example, is made up of thousands of individual networks.

NFS
Network File System. A protocol developed by Sun Microsystems which allows a computer system to access files over a network as if they were on its local disks. This protocol has been incorporated in products by more than two hundred companies, and is now a de facto Internet standard.

NIC
Network Information Center. A organization that provides information, assistance and services to network users.

NOC
Network Operations Center. A location from which the operation of a network or internet is monitored. Additionally, this center usually serves as a clearinghouse for connectivity problems and efforts to resolve those problems.

Node
A computer that is attached to a network; sometimes called a host.

Noise
In the scanning context, this refers to random, incorrectly read pixel values, normally due to electrical interference or device instability.

Non-lossy
Image compression without loss of quality.

NSFNET
National Science Foundation Network. The NSFNET is a high speed network of networks which is hierarchical in nature. At the highest level is a backbone network which spans the continental United States. Attached to that are mid-level networks and attached to the mid-levels are campus and local networks. NSFNET also has connections out of the U.S. to Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the Pacific Rim. The NSFNET is part of the Internet.