Online

Online (noun);

The term 'online' refers to the telecommunications industry and computer technology. Generally, 'online' is referring to the state or status of connectivity, the opposite state of 'online' being 'offline.' For the most part, when people refer to something being 'online,' they are referring to the World Wide Web (www) or the Internet.

In the telecommunication industry and in computer technology, 'online' is defined by the Federal Standard 1037C as the state or condition of equipment, a device or a functional unit. One or more of the following must apply to a device to be considered online:

• The device being controlled by another device
• The device being controlled by the system that it is associated with
• The device is available for access and use immediately upon demand without human assistance
• Connection to a system and is fully operational
• Ready for service and completely functional

If a device does not meet this online criteria, whether it is turned off or disconnected, it is considered to be offline.