Editing Online and offline (section)

{{Short description|Connected or disconnected state for equipment and services}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{redirect-multi|2|Online|Offline}}
[[File:O2 Wireless Box V.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|An [[O2 wireless box]] with lights showing that the router has power, an [[ethernet]] connection and a [[broadband]] connection, but that its internet connection and [[wi-fi]] are offline]]
In computer technology and [[telecommunications]], '''online''' indicates a state of connectivity, and '''offline''' indicates a disconnected state. In modern terminology, this usually refers to an [[Internet connection]], but (especially when expressed as "on line" or "on the line") could refer to any piece of equipment or functional unit that is connected to a larger system. Being online means that the equipment or subsystem is connected, or that it is ready for use.<ref>[[Federal Standard 1037C]] [https://www.its.bldrdoc.gov/fs-1037/fs-1037c.htm]</ref>

"Online" has come to describe activities and concepts that take place on the [[Internet]],<ref name=ox>{{cite web|title=online|url=http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/online|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711233543/http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/online|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 July 2012|website=Dictionary of British and World English|publisher=Oxford University Press|access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref> such as [[online identity]], [[online predator]] and [[online shop]]. A similar meaning is also given by the prefixes [[cyberspace|cyber]] and e, as in words ''[[cyberspace]]'', ''[[cybercrime]]'', ''[[email]]'', and ''[[e-commerce]]''.<ref name=thesau>{{cite web|title=Synonyms of online in English|url=http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/american_english-thesaurus/online|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420082900/http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/american_english-thesaurus/online|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 April 2014|website=Oxford Dictionary|publisher=Oxford University Press|access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref>  In contrast, "offline" can refer to either computing activities performed while disconnected from the Internet, or alternatives to Internet activities (such as shopping in [[brick-and-mortar]] stores). The term "offline" is sometimes used interchangeably with the acronym "IRL", meaning "in real life".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/go/52766|title=19 things we miss about the early days of the web|website=Den of Geek}}</ref>