Internet: A Beginner's Guide: Text-only Version

Internet: A Beginner's Guide


Unit 1. What Is the Internet?



Before you start using the Internet, it may help to get a general idea of what it is, and how it came to be. The way the Internet has developed explains a lot about how things work on it today.
Read this unit to satisfy your general curiosity about what the Internet is as well as a short history of how it developed.

After completing this unit, you should be able to:


*Simply the Internet
The Internet is a loose organization of millions of computers all over the world that can communicate with one another to exchange messages and share information. The Internet offers roughly millions of people, from nearly every country and every walk of life, a way to correspond with one another, do research, learn stuff, and fool around.

*The Internet World
The computers that constitute the Internet come in just about every size, shape, and type in use. They're spread all over the world — in every continent. Many of the computers on the Internet support hundreds, or even thousands of users, governments and their agencies, universities, research organizations, corporations, and libraries.

Topic 1.1: Using A Network

*It's a Network
The computers on the Internet can talk to one another because they are networked. Different connection types let computers communicate with other computers on the Internet:


*Networks and Internetworks
A network is two or more computers connected together. An internetwork is two or more networks connected together. The Internet is the world's largest internetwork, connecting thousands of networks and internetworks together.

*Internet Connection
There are thousands of networks within the Internet today, so each computer is not necessarily directly connected to every other computer.
In other words, any computer on the Internet can talk to any other, but the message may have to travel through several other computers on its way there.

Topic 1.2: Getting Information and Services

*Plunging In
The best way to find out what the Internet offers is to just plunge in. Get online and consult some of the resource directories available there. Your local library may be able to help you hunt down resources online.

*More Resources
Also, companies that sell Internet connections may be willing to track down some resources for you in order to entice you to sign up.
Some of these companies also offer free trial periods. You can also contact your professional organizations and associations for Internet resources used by others in your field.





Topic 1.3: A Loose Organization

*It's a Loose Organization
Although most people talk about the Internet as if it were some giant company or club, it really isn't.
No single entity or organization controls it. The computers on it are controlled by their owners.

*Controlling Computers
The Internet as a whole is unlikely to be brought under any single point of control — if such a thing were even possible, considering the number and variety of different people and organizations who use it. Because of the lack of central control, different resources on the Internet require different steps and skills — which is what makes using the Internet difficult.

*Blessings and Curses
Looseness is the Internet's blessing, but also its curse. It has evolved on its own into a giant resource that probably never could have come about if one group was holding the reins.
Unfortunately, because nobody's in charge, the Internet is inconsistent and sometimes difficult to use. As people use it to access different computers and services, they find that not everything operates the same way on the Internet.

*Patchwork of Links
It's really more a patchwork of links between lots of separate networks and organizations that — despite their participation in the Internet — still have their own way of doing things and don't feel particularly pressured to conform to what anybody else on the Internet is doing.

Topic 1.4: Internet Features

*Internet Services
There are several basic services, or subsets of the Internet, that you'll learn about throughout this course. Let's quickly look at some of the things you can do on the Internet.

*Electronic Mail
The most often used feature on the Internet, e-mail, allows you to send messages to anyone online, as long as you have their e-mail address. You can also send text, sound, video, and HTML files via e-mail.

*Mailing Lists and Newsgroups
These resources are typically organized by subject and help you find messages related to your interests. You can also post messages where they will be read by people who share your interests.

*Chat Sessions
Chat sessions allow you to communicate with other users live. They are usually centered around a specific discussion topic.

*Browsing the World Wide Web
The World Wide Web uses the Internet to link you to information all over the world. You can use it to look up information, find people, or just "surf".

*Research Tool
Next to e-mail, this may be the most often used and most valuable resource on the Internet. It allows researchers (or the merely curious) to acquire the latest and most detailed information about every topic imaginable. The Internet offers people access to information that's unavailable to them in any other way.

*Downloading Files
There are literally millions of files of information out on the Internet that you can locate and then copy — right over the Internet — to your own computer, where you can read the information on your computer screen or print it out.





Topic 1.5: A Short History

*The Network Experiment
The Internet that exists today began in 1969 as an experiment of an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. The agency hooked various Defense Department computers, defense contractors, and universities doing defense research into a classified network.
*Sharing Resources
It enabled users to share expensive computing resources and it gave the Defense Department a network upon which to test various methods for keeping military networks operational in times of war.

*NSFnet
In 1986, the National Science Foundation established its network, NSFnet, to allow researchers across the country to share access to a few expensive supercomputers (the fastest and most powerful type of computer for scientific applications).
*Going Global
In 1990, the original Defense Department network was retired, its work having been taken over by NSFnet. Eventually, it was connected to the various networks abroad, and the global Internet we know today had congealed from a lot of separate parts.



Topic 1.6: Unit 1 Summary

The Internet is a network; a vast collection of different types of computers all over the world that can share messages and information with one another.
The Internet as a whole is under the direct authority of no one — which makes the Internet open and free, but also complex and inconsistent. People are able to perform a range of activities for work, pleasure, or even simple curiosity.

Unit 2. What Do I Need?



Now that you have decided to get hooked up to the Internet, what are you going to need? This unit deals with the general equipment required to hook your computer up.
We will also talk about some basic computer skills that will help you use the Internet.

After completing this unit, you should be able to:


Topic 2.1: Having a Properly Equipped Computer

*Get Hooked Up
First thing to think about is how you're going to get hooked up.
Those whose companies or schools supply them with Internet access don't have to think about this one — they use whatever is offered.
Typically, they have a PC or computer terminal connected through a small network to a main computer called a host.

*The Host
The host is what is actually connected to the Internet. What the user can do on the Internet is limited to what the host is set up to do.
For these users, the best resource about the Internet is their own organization's system administrator, who can fill them in on the specifics of the organization's Internet connection and its capabilities.

*Connecting to the Internet
Those thinking of setting up their own Internet connection need to know which kind of computer to use and what else they'll need to get connected.
All that's really required is any personal computer equipped with a modem.
A modem is a device that allows a computer to communicate with another computer over telephone lines or cable TV lines.
Both computers must be equipped with modems in order to communicate.

*Modems
A modem can be built into the computer (an internal modem), or it can be a small box that is plugged into the computer through a cable (an external modem).
In either case, the telephone line or cable TV line from the wall plugs into the modem, just as it would otherwise be plugged into a telephone or TV. (There are also wireless modems that use the same cellular networks used by car phones.)

*Modem Speed
Modems come in different speeds.
Slower modems will take longer to send commands and messages to the Internet. It also takes more time to copy computer files from the Internet.
When two communicating computers have modems of different speeds, they converse at the speed of the slower modem.
You can use a 28.8 Kbps modem, but it is recommended that you have at least a 56 Kbps modem for surfing.







Topic 2.2: Connections

*Internet Connection Types
To access the Internet, you need one of the two basic types of Internet connections:


*Permanent Connections
A permanent connection links the computer to the Internet through a communications line leased from a telephone company or other communications carrier.
This allows the computer to communicate with the Internet at all times. Large businesses, universities, and other heavy Internet users have permanent connections.
Small businesses and personal users also can have a permanent connection through a cable TV line or a DSL (digital subscriber line). These services are often more expensive than dial-in connections.

*Dial-In Connections
With dial-in connections, the computer uses a modem to communicate with another computer that has a permanent Internet connection.
These connections can be made through a telephone line or a cellular device.
Dial-in connections are used by people who need to use the Internet occasionally, not all the time.

Topic 2.2.1: Service Providers

*Communication Hookups
Those who have access to the Internet from a company or college needn't think about an Internet connection — the organization has taken care of that for them. An individual uses an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The service provider is your gateway to the Internet.

*Internet Service Providers
You must set up an account with the ISP to access various Internet services. The ISP generally provides an individual with a dial-in connection. The fee charged by the ISP may be based on the amount of time you spend connected, it may be a flat fee with unlimited usage, or some combination.

*Online Information Services
Online information services such as America Online, EarthLink, and Prodigy offer a variety of special-interest bulletin boards and news services as well as access to some Internet resources.
*Comparison Shop
Carefully examine the cost and completeness of each service's Internet offerings to determine whether an online service represents a better value than a dial-in connection from an ISP.

*FreeNet Users
Around the country there are also FreeNets, Internet connections supplied free (or for a very modest fee) as a community service by local governments, libraries, or other institutions. Usually, a FreeNet's capabilities are fairly limited. Most work like dial-in terminal connections and may not support the full range of Internet resources.





Topic 2.2.2: Software Tools for Navigating the Internet

*Software Tools
To take full advantage of the resources on the Internet, you need access to software to run on your computer. (Some ISPs provide software for their users.)
There are separate tools for different functions, so your software tools depend on your needs. These may include:


*Signing On
You need to know how to log on or sign on to the Internet.
This is a procedure that varies by computer and Internet connection, but usually requires typing a unique username and secret password. Now you're online.

Online describes the condition of something while on a network. While you are in the act of using the Internet (or any computer network), you are online. When not using the network, you are offline.

Topic 2.3: Basic Skills

*Basic Internet Skills
Although Internet tools are improving to make using the Internet easier, there's no getting around the fact that users need basic competence with their own computers to use the Internet effectively.
Users must be capable of copying files, starting and exiting programs, using menus and icons, printing, typing, editing text, and more. Most of these skills are basic computer skills.
Let's look at two of the basic skills required for the Internet.

*Menus and Icons
To navigate through some parts of the Internet, especially the World Wide Web, you will need some rudimentary knowledge of using menus and icons to move around.

*Decompressing Files
You may need to know how to perform decompression (also called unzipping and unpacking) of files that are sent over the Internet in a compressed state for quicker transmission.





Topic 2.4: Unit 2 Summary

You can get hooked up to the Internet either through a permanent connection, which connects your PC through a host, or a dial-in connection, using a modem to connect you through telephone lines. The individual user can use an Internet Service Provider.
You don't need to be a computer expert, but there are certain skills that will help you use the Internet more effectively, including copying files, starting and exiting programs, using menus and icons, and decompressing files.
In the next unit, we'll begin to look closer at some of the uses the Internet offers by discussing one of the most commonly used features, electronic mail.

Unit 3. E-Mail Basics



Now that you're hooked up, how does the Internet let you communicate? Without question, the most-used Internet facility is electronic mail, also known as e-mail.
This unit covers the basics, so you will be able to send and receive e-mail as easily as you mail a letter.

After completing this unit, you should be able to:


Topic 3.1: E-Mail Advantages

*Electronic Mail
E-mail is the practice of writing messages on a computer, then transmitting them to another computer so that the addressee can read them on a computer screen.

*Manipulating the Message
The great thing about e-mail is the way in which it enables you to work with the messages. You can instantly send a reply to a message you've received or forward the message to someone else. You can even print the message. There are a number of benefits to using e-mail. Let's look at a few.

*Cost
It costs nothing beyond what the user is paying for Internet access, if anything.
Users save not only postage, but it's also typically cheaper than faxing — saving the cost of fax paper and long-distance telephone charges.
Long messages cost the same as short ones, and sending a message to Switzerland costs the same as sending one across town.

*Speed
E-mail remains the overwhelming odds-on favorite in a race against carried paper mail. Most e-mail messages are delivered within a few minutes or even seconds.
You could correspond back and forth with another several times in the course of one day.

*Convenience
People who have access to computers do most of their writing on the computer anyway.
With e-mail, they write on the computer and then send the message on its way with a few keystrokes — no paper, no postage, no problems.

*Working E-Mail
For these reasons e-mail has become an important tool in day-to-day business communications. In order to keep up with a changing world, it is almost essential that businesses use it, for employees to communicate with other businesses, as well as with each other.

*What You Need
E-mail requires a software tool for composing, addressing, sending, receiving, and reading mail.

*Web-Based E-Mail
There are also a number of companies offering free or low cost Web-based e-mail. Web-based e-mail remains on the company's server, and you access it through the company's Web site with a password. This option allows you to check your e-mail from any computer with Internet access and a Web browser.





Topic 3.2: Addressing E-Mail

*Addressing the Internet
To send a message to an Internet user anywhere in the world, all you have to know is the address of the recipient.
An Internet address includes an individual's (or organization's) name and location information.
The whole address, taken together, must be the only one of its kind so that any e-mail sent to that address from anywhere on the Internet can go only to one place.

This type of Internet address, made up of words, is used for the convenience of people, believe it or not. Internet addresses are actually formed from numbers. When someone types an address in words, the Internet looks up those words in a table that tells it the actual number address.
This happens behind the scenes, however, so Internet users needn't think about it — the word addresses do the job.

Topic 3.2.1: Addressing E-Mail

*Making Up a Name
The first part of the address is your name on the Internet. For an example, we'll use ljgeneral.
You don't have to be the only ljgeneral on the Internet; but you do have to be the only ljgeneral at the place described by the rest of your address.

*Location Name
The @ symbol means "at," and the rest of the address describes the computer or network that is used.
These words indicate the location or network of the computer. In this example, dpec.com is the location name.

*Dial-In Internet Addresses
For the address of someone who uses a dial-in Internet connection, the computer and location name describes the computer network run by the commercial Internet service provider. The incoming e-mail is also stored on that computer until it is read, at which time it can be copied to an individual's PC.

*Address Variations
Because the Internet includes so many different types of networks, there are some variations on the basic address format.
Some addresses can be shorter or longer. For instance, the address ljgeneral@mars.dpec.com indicates the computer name (mars), then the location name (dpec.com). In large organizations, this part of the address may be further divided to show the site or department names.

*Type of Internet User
Some parts of an Internet address you can decipher on sight. At or near the end of an address, you may see any of several standard three-letter abbreviations that indicate the location or type of organization.
Examine the following table
Abbreviation Description
.edu A university or other educational institution
.com A commercial Internet user
.gov A government user
.mil A military user
.org An organization, often a non-profit type
.net A network
.sf.ca.us Some addresses also describe the geographical location of the computer. For example, the letters at the end of this abbreviation tell you that the user is in San Francisco, California, in the United States.






Topic 3.3: Exchanging E-Mail

*Sending E-Mail
Let's look at the steps for sending an e-mail message. Keep in mind that each e-mail system is different. The steps shown here may differ from those of your particular Internet service provider or browser, but it will give you a good idea of the kind of thing to look for.

*Step 1
You must first indicate that you are writing a new message. In the system shown, selecting the New Msg button from the toolbar creates the new message.

*Step 2
In the message window, type the address in the To: field. You can type multiple addresses and send the same message to several people at once.

*Step 3
Type the address of anyone you want to receive a copy of the message in the Cc: field. You could also choose the Bcc: (or Blind Copy) field, which would mean that none of the other recipients would know you were sending the copy.

*Address Book
You can also select the addresses from your personal address book. In the system shown, you would click the To:, Cc:, or Bcc: buttons to display your address book. This is convenient for addresses you use frequently.

*Step 4
Type the subject of your message in the Subject field. This allows readers to see what the message is about before they choose to read it.

*Step 5
Type your message in the large message area. Use your particular e-mail program to write, edit, and proofread the message. You can also paste in text from a word processing program. Some e-mail software will permit you to use HTML in the message text area as well.

*Step 6
Now you are ready to send the message. You can choose Send from the File menu or its equivalent, or select the Send button on your e-mail program's toolbar.

*Where It Goes
Using the recipient's e-mail address as a guide, the e-mail software copies the file containing the message across the network to the recipient's computer, where the message is stored.
Actually, the journey from one computer to another is the most complicated part of the process, possibly involving the participation of several other computers and network components.





Topic 3.3.1: Other E-Mail Functions

*You Have New Mail
Your e-mail program will have some way of checking for new mail. In this particular e-mail program, use the Get Msg button to check for new messages.

*Reading Mail
The mail appears in your e-mail program's Inbox. New messages are indicated in bold or some other visual marker. Opening the message is as easy as double-clicking the unread message.

Abbreviations are often used in e-mails to save time and space. To see a full list of commonly accepted abbreviations, go to http://www.netlingo.com. Here are some of the most common ones, to help you translate:
Examine the following table
Abbreviation What It Stands For
BTW By the Way
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
IMHO In My Humble Opinion
LOL Laughing Out Loud
ROTFL Rolling On the Floor, Laughing


*Replying to Messages
If you choose the Reply feature, you can type a reply message immediately, and the e-mail software automatically delivers the reply to the sender of the original message. Using this method, you do not need to know his or her e-mail address. If you select the Reply to All feature, the reply goes to the sender, as well as to anyone else who received the original message.

*Forwarding Messages
The Forward feature in the e-mail program allows you to type a new address, and forward the message to another Internet user.

*Saving Mail
You can save your mail message while the message is open by choosing the Save As menu option. You can also move an unopened message to the location of your choice by dragging the message icon.

*It Can Be Saved in Any Folder
Most e-mail programs have an option in the File menu that allows you to create a folder in which to save your mail. This is helpful in organizing e-mail by subject, date, or separating personal and business messages.



Topic 3.3.2: Attaching Files

*Attaching a File
Traditionally, all you could include in an e-mail message was words, and that's still true today for some Internet e-mailing. Many e-mail systems enable you to attach documents or to include pictures (and sometimes even video clips or sound) in e-mail messages.

*Step 1
To attach a file in your message window, select Attach file from the File menu, or the Attach button on the toolbar.

*Step 2
This program allows you to attach a specific URL address, a file, or a Personal Card. We want to attach a file.

*Step 3
An attachment dialog box opens. You can attach a file from your hard drive by selecting the file and selecting the Open button. Here, the map.jpg file has been selected for you.

*It's Attached
The file now appears as an icon in the message field. In some types of messaging systems, it appears in its own Attachment field. The file will now be sent along with your message.

*Saving an Attachment
When you receive a message with an attached file, it is relatively easy to save the file. Simply select the attachment and choose Save As from the File menu. Then select the folder where you want the file saved.



Topic 3.3.3: Address Search

*Do You Have the Address?
To send an e-mail message, the sender must know the address of the recipient. It would be great if there was one big directory of all the addresses on the Internet — but there isn't. There are, however, tools that help people find one another on the Internet.

*Some Information
When searching for people, you will be asked for information about the person you are searching for: the person's name, their city or state, or their old e-mail address. Different search engines ask for different types of information.

*Search Results
You will then be presented with all the listings that fit the information you provide.
The more information you provide, the more you will narrow down your search.

Topic 3.4: E-Mail Etiquette

*E-Mail Customs
Here's one last important point about e-mail. Through the years, e-mail users have developed their own set of customs or rules about composing and sending messages.
Most of these have been designed to keep e-mail communication efficient and to prevent wasting network resources, computer storage space, and the reader's time.

*E-Mail Etiquette
Here are some basic things to remember about e-mail etiquette:


Irony is often hard to convey through the written word. You could mean something in a playful tone that could be highly offensive if taken in the wrong way. Emoticons, or smileys, help get this across.
Here are some of the basic ones you may want to use. Keep in mind that smileys are considered slang, so it's best not to use them in formal business messages.
Examine the following table
Emoticon What It Stands For
:-) Smiling
;-) Winking
:-D Laughing Out Loud
<g> or <grin> Grinning
<s> or <smile> Smiling






Topic 3.5: Unit 3 Summary

The Internet opens a world of interpersonal communication, and it begins with e-mail. Some of the advantages to using e-mail over regular, carried mail, is its cost, speed and convenience. The great thing about e-mail is the way in which it enables you to work with the messages. You can attach files, reply to messages, and save old messages in specific files.
The only thing you need to send an e-mail message is the address of the recipient. This address indicates the specified user name, and the location of his or her computer.
E-mail isn't the only form of communication available on the Internet. In the next unit, we'll take a look at some of the other methods.

Unit 4. Communicating on the Internet



Several of the most important Internet resources enable users to exchange information in an open, public way.
These resources provide a forum where users can write and post messages for other users and where they can read messages posted by others. In that sense, these resources play the open-air-exchange-site role played by a coffee house or other public meeting place.
This unit is about the other ways people reach out and touch one another on the Internet.

After completing this unit, you should be able to:


*Types of Internet Communication
Practically speaking, computers on the Internet are now used for an enormous amount of immediate response or interactive online communications. Some of the most popular types of communication on the Internet are:


Topic 4.1: Subscribing to Mailing Lists

*Internet Mailing Lists
Internet mailing lists (sometimes called discussion lists) are exactly that: lists of people who have signed up to receive e-mail related to a given topic.

*Special Internet Addresses
A mailing list is a special service that automatically forwards every e-mail message it receives to everybody on the list. People with something to contribute or a question to ask, send an e-mail to the mailing list e-mail address, and within a few hours, everyone on the list receives a copy of that message. Many mailing lists are run completely by computer; these are known as listservs.

*Signing Up for Mailing Lists
Users sign up for mailing lists simply by sending an e-mail message to the list's Internet address, asking to join. Others have you fill out a form like the one shown.

*Step 1
Listservs require joiners to phrase the request in a special word order so that the computer recognizes it as a request to join. Be sure to follow the instructions exactly, or your request may not be processed.

*Step 2
Write the email according to the directions. This mailing list asks for a blank Subject line and nothing in the message area.

*Confirmation
Within the next few days you will receive an e-mail confirming your subscription. This initial e-mail may also give you more information about the mailing list and how to unsubscribe from the list.





Topic 4.2: Using Newsgroups

*Joining Newsgroups
There's a danger in mailing lists: They can get too big and too active, burying users in daily e-mail. That's why some people prefer newsgroups, a different way of obtaining the same kinds of information supplied by mailing lists.

*Searching for Information
Like mailing lists, newsgroups center around a particular topic. They don't, however, send out e-mail to members. Instead, the newsgroup member must go to the newsgroup to read new messages, search for messages on a given topic, or post new messages (although new messages can be posted through e-mail or right at the newsgroup).

*Checking for New Messages
Typically, users go to the newsgroup at regular intervals, browse through the new messages and read the messages that interest them, post a new contribution, and maybe reply to a query that appears in a message.

*Advantages
The advantage to this more passive approach is that a user who gets too busy or goes away for a few days doesn't have to deal with hundreds of messages piling up in his or her e-mail box, as might be the case with a mailing list.
The user can ignore the newsgroup when necessary and then get caught up when he or she has the time.

*Newsgroups vs. Mailing Lists
The mailing list, however, provides its own advantage. When something important happens, mailing list users find out quickly.
Newsgroup users stay in the dark until they go looking for news.

Sometimes mailing lists and newsgroups are unmoderated; that is, nobody's running the show and every message is posted or sent out to subscribers. Other mailing lists and newsgroups, however, are moderated by a person who reads messages before they get sent out to the list or posted to the newsgroup. Messages he or she judges irrelevant or in bad taste don't make it through to the subscribers.

Topic 4.2.1: Newsgroup Categories

*The Newsgroup Category System
Newsgroup names use their own little category system to help indicate what they're about. The general category the newsgroup covers is indicated first. It is followed by a period and a word, or more, to make the newsgroup more specific.
For example, sci.physics.research falls under the broad category of science; then under a subcategory of physics; then under research. The categories should have a period separating each other.

*Categories
These are the basic categories found in newsgroups:
Examine the following table
Category Description
sci. Science
comp. Computers
news. Information about Usenet and its newsgroups
soc. Social issues
rec. Sports, hobbies, fandom, and other recreational activities
alt. "Alternative" information and points of view from outside the mainstream.
misc. "Potpourri," as they say on Jeopardy.








Topic 4.2.2: Posting and Reading Newsgroup Messages

*Using Newsgroups
Thousands of individual newsgroups exist; some serious, others practical, and still others just for fun.
Let's look at the specifics for using a newsgroup and posting a message.

*Groups
In this newsreader's setup, messages in the newsgroup are organized by subject in separate folders. Groups are listed in each folder, along with the number of messages currently posted in each group. It also indicates whether you have already read the messages or not. To choose a group, simply click on it.

*Messages
The messages within a particular group appear in the right side of the newsreader. When you select a message title, the message appears in the message area at the bottom of the newsreader. You can also double click the message to open it.

*Messages and Threads
The messages are arranged by thread. The original message, or beginning of a discussion appears first. Messages beneath it and indented indicate replies and comments in the same discussion. This way you can follow the entire discussion.

*Posting a Reply
What if you want to join the discussion yourself? You can post a new message, or reply or comment on the message you are currently reading.
In this newsreader, it works the same as sending an e-mail message, only it will be sent to the newsgroup.

*E-Mail Message    
A new mail message appears with the newsgroup address and subject already filled in for you. Write your reply as you would any e-mail message. When the newsgroup receives your message, it is posted in the correct group, subject, and thread, for all to see.

Any of the communications techniques described in this unit can also serve as research tools. People learn a lot from mailing lists and newsgroups — and when they don't see the answers, they can post their own questions and receive a dozen or more answers within hours.



Topic 4.3: Chatting in Groups

*Internet Relay Chat
Internet Relay Chat (IRC), is another method for Internet communication.
Chat sessions allow many users to join in the same free-form conversation, usually centered (loosely) around a discussion topic.

*Chat Availability
Chat isn't available from every computer on the Internet because computers need special software to join in. Many can, however, and those that can't may be able to go through computers called "public IRC servers" that will give them access to Chat sessions.

*Entering a Chat Session
You can use a series of commands or buttons to find computers currently running Chat sessions. You then get a list of Chat sessions underway; the sessions are called channels (after the CB channels chatted on by truckers and radio buffs) and are labeled by topic.

*Interested?
When you see a topic that interests you, you follow the instructions to join and then choose a nickname.
All of your contributions to the discussion will be labeled with the nickname in the session.
Nicknames allow people in the session to keep track of who's who and to chat with anonymity.
Nicknames can be the same as your user name, or something completely different.

*Pick a Subject
You will be shown a list of the chat sessions currently running. These are most often arranged by subject. Let's go to Petmania Chat.

*And You're In
And you've entered the chat room. Here you can see the conversation that is currently going on and a list of the people currently signed on. You can move to another room, start chatting, or just sit and "listen" to the current conversation.



*More to Find
The Internet is an ever-growing, ever-changing entity. There is much more to be found out there, and new communication technologies are being developed all the time.
Let's look at just a few of the other ways to communicate on the Internet.

Topic 4.4: Other Forms of Internet Communication

*Bulletin Boards — The Other Resource
Many of the rest of the Internet resources that serve the coffee-house role are grouped under the name bulletin boards (also called message boards or discussion groups). Although they all share a category name, each bulletin board works a little differently.

*Information Exchange
You can easily find messages related to your interest and can post one of your own to be read by other people. You can respond to or comment on current messages.

*Instant Messaging
Instant messaging services allow you to set up a private chat room with friends and acquaintances when they are online at the same time as you.
You are alerted whenever someone on your list is online, giving you the opportunity to initiate a chat. Many of these services also offer file transfers.

*No Standard
These services often require you to download additional software, and your friends must have the software as well.
Unfortunately, there is currently no set standard for instant messaging software, so you must use the same instant messaging service as your friends and associates in order to communicate.
Two commonly known instant messaging services are AOL Instant Messenger and ICQ.

*Internet Phone
Internet phone offers all the functions of your regular phone system, without the costs for long-distance calls.
This technology allows conference calling, voice mail, and directory assistance, as well as video capabilities, which let you see the person you are talking to.

*Internet Radio
Internet radio is a way to listen to broadcasts directly over the Internet. You can listen to music, news, and sports, with the number of broadcasts increasing almost daily.

*MUDs and MOOs
A sort of experiment in virtual reality, MUDs and MOOs are elaborate role-playing games where multiple people simultaneously interact within an environment described through on-screen messages.







Topic 4.5: Unit 4 Summary

Communication can be found in several different forms on the Internet, including mailing lists, newsgroups, and chat sessions.
As new technologies develop, more communication methods become available to the Internet and its users, such as instant messaging, Internet phone and Internet radio.
In the next unit, we will look at yet another subset of the Internet: the World Wide Web.

Unit 5. Browsing the World Wide Web



The World Wide Web is a huge, sprawling subset of the Internet that provides access to information from all over the globe. It includes information on businesses, educational resources, government agencies, and health-care facilities, among others. It also represents the feelings, opinions, and interests of individual users everywhere.
This unit provides information about the World Wide Web, how to navigate around it, and how to search for specific pieces of information.

After completing this chapter, you should be able to:


Topic 5.1: What Is the Web?

*The World Wide Web
In addition to e-mail, newsgroups, mailing lists, and transferring files, another subset of the Internet is called the World Wide Web.
It is also known as the WWW, or the Web.

*Web Sites
You locate information on the Web through Web sites, which are made up of one or more Web pages. Web sites contain information about businesses, educational institutions, research facilities, or the personal interests of an individual user.

*What You Need
The World Wide Web (WWW) requires a tool called a browser to locate resources on the WWW and to take advantage of its special searching and multimedia features. It may be possible to use a browser for all the communication functions of e-mail, newsgroups, and downloading files.





Topic 5.2: URLs

*Finding the Way
On the Internet, Uniform Resource Locators (URL) are a standard naming convention for naming network resources.
Typically, they are a long string that consists of the document access type followed by a colon and two slashes, the host name of the computer that stores the information, and the path to the information.

*Protocol
The first part of the URL, up to the colon, is known as the protocol. Commonly, you see http:// because that tells you that it is a hypertext document, or Web page. There are other document access types as well.

*Server
The second part of the address tells you the name of the server the Web page is on. It comes after the double slash (//) and before the first single slash (/).

*Path
After the single slash, the URL indicates the path on the server that the page is found on (in this case, avhrr-archive). Finally, the name of the specific page is indicated (in this case, archive.html).

Topic 5.3: Navigating the Web

*Browsing the WWW
When a user looks at menus, documents, or other screenfuls of information on the WWW, the user sees various words highlighted in some way so that they stand out from the rest. The highlighted words are called links. Links are doorways to related information.

Topic 5.3.1: Links and Icons

*Highlighting Words
The actual way the links are highlighted varies a little by resource and depends on what type of software is used to access the WWW — a number may appear next to the word or the word may be displayed in bold or in a different color. You choose a link in much the same way that you might choose a menu item.

*Selecting a Link
A new screen appears with related information and perhaps still more links to choose from. These links are the most often used ways to navigate the Web.

*After It's Selected
Links often change color after you have chosen them to indicate where you have been. There is no standard color scheme used for links, so they can vary in color. Here, the previously selected links are in purple.

*Icons
On some Web pages, icons serve the same purpose as links. Simply click the appropriate picture to reach the link.



Topic 5.3.2: Hypermedia

*Hypermedia
Originally called hypertext, the link approach is known as hypermedia because the WWW is evolving into a source of multimedia information — including text, pictures, sound, and even video. To take advantage of hypermedia, your browser deals with the multimedia information. Several are available, including Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

*The Role of a Browser
When a user selects an icon that leads to a multimedia item, the browser determines which type of software is necessary to play that item, then starts up the required program.

*Select the Icon
For example, if the user selects a link that leads to a sound clip, the browser starts another program that is capable of playing sound clips. When the user has finished listening to the clip, the browser exits the sound program and returns the user to the WWW screen.

*Harnessing the Power
The power of hypermedia is enormous. The user opens the file, reads the screen, and uses a hypermedia link (a word or an icon) to jump to related information at will. The link is designated by a hand icon.

Topic 5.3.3: Toolbar Navigation

*Moving On
You can also easily "back out" one step at a time through the screens you've read, to choose a different link and start down a different path. The Back button takes you to the previous page.

*Forward
The Forward button displays the next page in the history list. You can only use it after you use the Back button or a history item to retrieve a page. You then use Forward to return to the page you started from.

*History
You can also use the Go menu to look at the history of your session. You can select any item on the list to retrieve that page.
The checked item is the page you are currently on.



Topic 5.3.4: Bookmarks

*Favorites
If you find a page you really like, you can bookmark it. Bookmarks allow you to retrieve pages you go to frequently to save you the time of looking up the URL each time. Let's look at the steps for bookmarking a page.

*Step 1
You've found a page you want to bookmark. With this browser, you select the Bookmarks button to add a bookmark.

*Step 2
From this menu you can add a new bookmark or edit your current bookmarks list.

*Step 3
Your new bookmark appears on your Bookmarks list. Now you can access this page by selecting its bookmark.

Topic 5.4: Help

*Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Files
Among the most popular files copied on the Internet are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) files, simple text files containing the answers to questions typically asked by new users of the newsgroup, download site, or other resource where the particular FAQ file is located.

*Are You Savvy?
Upon venturing into a place they've never visited before, savvy Internet users like to find, copy, and read the FAQ file, if one exists.
It makes them productive more quickly and also saves Web page administrators from answering the same questions over and over again.





Topic 5.5: Searching the Web

*Where to Go?
There are no exact numbers for the amount of pages or information on the World Wide Web, but it is mind boggling and continues to grow.
With all that information out there, several companies have created huge databases of information.

Topic 5.5.1: Search Engines

*Search Sites
These huge databases are called search sites and refer to the location of the index. Each search site is operated by a search engine that collects Web page information, indexes it, and allows you to search the site.

*Searching the Site
After gaining access through a search site and using a keyword or phrase, the database returns URLs for Web pages known to contain the keyword or phrase. Some search sites, or indexes, are able to search the Web, download sites, newsgroups, and other HTTP files found on the Internet.

*Search Site Differences
Differences in a search site depend upon the speed of the search engine, the query language, the frequency of updates, and the type of search according to word, subject, phrase, titles or URLs. Although most search sites are free, a commercial service may charge a fee.

*Search Sites
Here are a few search sites you can access.


Topic 5.5.2: Performing a Search

*The Basics
Let's take a look at some of the basics to help you in your search. To begin with, you just need to enter some keywords into the text box of the search engine. In Advanced Search, you can set options that let the search engine know whether you want an exact word match, an exact phrase match, or a match on any entered keyword.

*Symbols
There are some symbols you can use that will help refine your search:


*For Example
The example shown indicates you are looking for sites with cookie recipes. The search specifies that there must be a toll house cookie recipe, but eliminates any with oatmeal in them.

*Results
Different search engines will post their results in different ways. If you have a lot of results, you can do a further search to narrow down the numbers.
Practice looking up things just to sharpen your skills. You can also use the search engine's help page. Here you can see that there is a direct link to each posted result.







Topic 5.6: Browsing the World Wide Web

*Surfing
The best way to find out about everything that's on the Web, is to just surf around on your own.
See where different links take you, and you'll be surprised at the things you'll find.

*Shopping
Most major retail organizations have Web sites now. You can search for the item you want and order it directly from the Web — all from the privacy of your home.

*People Search
As the Internet grows, more people are getting online, and the greater the chances of their names being mentioned somewhere. You can do a search for a personal Web page, or use one of the specialized "white page" search engines to find current phone numbers and addresses.

*Businesses On the Web
A few years ago, the Web was used purely for research, and had no commercial applications. Today, almost every business has a Web page.
Businesses use them to keep in contact with satellite offices, to accept resumes for job applicants, to provide technical support and general information about the company.

*More Browsing
Some of the other things you can do on the Web include:


Topic 5.7: Creating Web Pages

*Creating Your Own Web Page
Once you've seen what's out there, you may feel the urge to join in and create your own Web page. You can create one on any topic you wish: a personal business, a specific topic you have researched, or your personal views on every subject in the world.

*HTML Code
Web pages are formatted in HyperText Markup Language (HTML), which uses tags to indicate the placement and format of your text. There are many word processing programs and specific HTML editors that can help you learn how to create these documents.

*Servers
There are many ISPs that allow you to set up a free Web page as part of your account.
Other services, such as GeoCities or Angelfire, give you free space in return for placing an ad banner at the top of your page.
They also provide HTML tutorials, layout hints, and other types of help to their members.





Topic 5.8: Unit 5 Summary

Internet users rely on a range of tools and techniques for digging up information. Among the research tools and facilities provided by the World Wide Web are hypermedia resources, as well as searching facilities to make finding these resources easier.
All you need to access the Web is your Internet connection and a browser. This makes it possible to view text-based and multimedia information.
In the next unit, we'll look at some of the other ways to get information from the Internet.

Unit 6. Getting Information on the Internet



This unit talks about how people locate, retrieve, and use information that's available on the Internet. There are resources available here that cannot be found anywhere else, and the methods for obtaining them can be incredibly convenient.
We will show some of these resources and how you can access them. We will also discuss which situations each particular resource is best suited for.

After completing this chapter, you should be able to:


*It's a Library
Well, in fact, it's hundreds of libraries all over the world.
Many colleges and universities have their whole computer network tied into the Internet — including the computerized card catalog for the university library.

*The World Wide Library
In the information age, there is, however, another kind of library. The text of reports, papers, and even whole books can be (and usually is) stored in computer files. Here is where the library resources on the Internet shine.

Topic 6.1: Research on the Internet

*Almost Unlimited
There are literally millions of files of information out there that you can locate and then copy from the Internet, where you can read the information on your computer screen or print it on a printer.

*Accessing the Unavailable
Next to e-mail, this may be the most often used and most valuable resource on the Internet. It allows researchers (or the merely curious) to acquire the latest and most detailed information about every topic imaginable.

*A New Resource
In fact, much of the information available this way may not be published in any book — the Internet offers people access to information that's unavailable to them in any other way.

*More Than Words
Most of the computer files on the Internet contain just words, which users can read by opening the files in their word processing programs. However, as more and more computers today acquire greater capabilities, a growing group of files holds pictures, video, and sound.
Some of this information can be found in different file types, such as .mp3 for audio files, .pdf for documents, and streaming video.

*Accessing Reference Works
You can find entire books in computer files on the Internet, in many different places. The best known source is Project Gutenberg, a volunteer project to transfer important reference works and famous works of literature to computer files.





Topic 6.1.1: Publications on the Internet

*Publications on the Internet
There are also actual online versions of newspapers, magazines, and newsletters that users can access. In addition to the electronic versions of print publications, there are special Internet-only periodicals known as e-zines. E-zines are often created by an individual user and focus on a particular subject that interests him or her.

*Subscribing
All you need to do to "subscribe" is to fill out a form like the one shown, or send an e-mail indicating you wish to subscribe. Some e-zines send you an email notifying you when a new issue is online, often with a link to the page. Others send you the new issue via e-mail.

*The Power of the Internet
Finally, there are national and world news services on the Internet where you can acquire more timely, detailed news about your areas of interest than you could ever find in the national broadcast or print media. Perhaps more importantly, you can respond to the news, add to it, or ask questions about it.

Topic 6.2: Locating and Copying Information

*Computer Files on the Internet
Computer files are available all over the Internet, and they contain everything that can be stored in a computer file:


*Saving Web Pages
If you find a Web page that you really want to save, simply choose Save As from the File menu of your browser. You can save the HTM file under any name, in any location that you choose.

*To the Clipboard
To save a particular item of text, select it on the page, and select Copy from the Edit menu of your browser. This copies the selected text to your clipboard, which you can then paste into a word processing document.

*Saving Graphics
To save a graphic, right-click the graphic and select Save Image As.
You can save under any name, in any location.





Topic 6.3: Downloading Files

*Copying Files
There are several different ways to copy files from the Internet. For instance, you can


*Downloading and Uploading
Downloading and uploading both describe the act of copying a file from one computer to another, through a network.
When the recipient of the file initiates and controls the copying process, the activity is called downloading. When the sender is in control, it's uploading.

Tip: You'll see the term download used generically to describe copying files from the Internet or another online service to a user's computer.


Topic 6.3.1: Decompression

*Compressed Files
The bigger a computer file is, the longer it takes to copy over the Internet and the more space it takes up on the computer that stores it.
To alleviate that problem, many large files on the Internet are compressed; that is, they have been processed by a special program that makes them smaller without losing any of the information they contain. You can copy compressed files in a fraction of the time the same file would require uncompressed.

*Decompressing
The file can't be used in its compressed state, however. After copying, you must decompress the file to return it to its original, bigger form. To decompress a file, you need a software program capable of undoing the compression applied. Fortunately, most files are compressed with one of just two or three popular compression methods.

Topic 6.3.2: Viruses

*Viruses
Whenever you are downloading files, it is important to be aware of viruses. Viruses are computer programs that replicate themselves to programs or diskettes and are transferred by attaching themselves to these programs or diskettes.
They may cause a computer to behave erratically or cause data loss. You should only get software from sources you trust and use a virus detection program to prevent these problems.

*Things to Remember...
Here are some things you can do to protect yourself from viruses:








Topic 6.4: Download Sites

*File Sources
Downloadable files can be found at many Web sites. Some sites, such as Tucows, located at www.tucows.com, have files designed specifically for downloading. These files can be programs that help extend the capability of your browser, work with graphics, and even play games.

*Lots of Categories
Be sure to browse through the categories of files to find programs of interest to you. Many of these sites have numerous categories, with each category containing several subcategories.

Here is a listing of the names and locations of some of the best places to find software on the Web.
Examine the following table
Site Name URL Description
Tucows www.tucows.com Links to the most popular shareware on the Web.
Download.com download.cnet.dom Reviews of programs, along with the most popular software titles. Search for the program you want or locate it in a category.
ZDNet www.zdnet.com Offers downloads of popular software titles, along with reviews and software news..
Shareware.com www.shareware.com Search the Internet for over 250,000 Shareware files available for download.


Topic 6.4.1: File Types

*Variety of File Types
Different types of computers use different types of computer files.
Because of the amount of computer types that are on the Internet, not all files available for copying will be useful on your computer.
You may also have a problem downloading the file if your computer can't accept the file type.

*Text Files
As a rule, text files are OK. There are only minor differences among the ways different computers store text files.

*Program Specifications
Other types of files — especially those containing software programs — will be useful only on the computers for which they were created. For example, a software program written for a Macintosh won't run on a PC, so there's not much point in a PC user copying it.

*Software Needs
Also, certain types of files can be used only with certain software. For example, the photographs and video clips available on the Internet require a program capable of displaying those types of files.
Such programs are sometimes called viewers and are part of the Internet user's software tools arsenal.

Topic 6.4.2: Downloading Software

*Simple Process
Downloading software is a simple process. Most of the work goes on behind the scenes, thanks to the advanced capabilities of today's browsers. As an example, we'll look at how to download some software.

*Software on the Internet
When you find software, you can copy it to your computer and use it there, just as if you'd bought it at a software store.
Some software companies make their products available on the Internet to paying customers.

*Freeware and Shareware
There is also freeware, which is absolutely free of charge and available to all, and shareware, which is offered on a "try before you buy" plan.
With shareware, you can copy the software and try it out for free, but then you are asked to send a nominal fee to the programmer if you intend to use the software regularly.
This is the type of software we're going to download.

*Step 1
First, locate the file you wish to download. Then click on the download link to begin the download. You may be asked a few questions by some sites.

*Step 2
A dialog box appears asking you where you want to save the file, and what you wish to call it.

*Step 3
The site begins downloading the program. This dialog box tells you how big the file is, the estimated time it will take to download, and how much of the file transfer has been completed. To cancel this transfer, click the Cancel button at the bottom of the dialog box.







Topic 6.5: Unit 6 Summary

Internet users rely on a range of tools and techniques for digging up information. Among the research tools and facilities making the Internet easier and more powerful are download sites, which allow you to upload or download different types of files.
In addition, there is a wealth of information available for research, including reference sites, electronic publications, and new services, which not only provide up-to-the-minute information, but supply resources that may not be available anywhere else.