| Faq
- What is the internet?
The Internet is like a universe. It's a network
of permanently linked computers joined together into
a community. These computers communicate with each other
and are responsible for storing data and web pages.
Each of these computers
has a unique identity called an Internet Protocol (ip),
which is a series of numbers separated by dots. Ip's
serve as a campus of mapping networked computers, which
includes your very own computer you are using to read
these words.?
Now that you know the main skeleton that breathes the
Internet, let's examine what it's all about! The word
Internet is derived from these two words, 'International
Network'.From the moment the Internet entered the commercial
scene, it has continued to grow inheriting many components
such as email and the web.
Email is simply a messaging system that allows you to
instantly send and receive electronic mail. It functions
in a similar format as traditional postal mail…you
will need an address to despatch any mail as well as
have one to receive any.
The other main component, commonly mistaken as the Internet
its self is the, 'World Wide World', also known as 'the
web' or 'the net'.
The net is like a non-contact sport such as volleyball.
Players may never be on the same side or even shake
hands but they are all vying for the same source - the
ball in our case ,information. Our allegory serves to
demonstrate that physical location is not necessary.
Anyone can join the game of the Internet with the same
ability to utilise it as anybody else.
The popular term, "I've found something on the
Internet!" is rather wrong - you can't find anything
around by zipping connections of hooked computers, which
is what the Internet is! Instead they would have found
it on stored pages, which are part of the World Wide
Web.
The World Wide Web is like a magazine with pictures,
text, sounds among its content. Email actually falls
under the web. Since you are reading this page - its
most likely you already know the methodology of getting
on the net. But for those who don't - the behind of
scene access require a computer with a modem, browser
and a phone line. It's also possible to access the net
with special televisions and mobile phones.
The all important
tool ,the browser is a program such as Internet Explorer
and Netscape Navigator that allows the viewing of web
pages. To view pages you will need to know where they
are located. Web pages are just like houses - they need
an address in order to be identified. This identifying
of pages is known as URL, standing for Uniform Resource
Locator.
Every page has a unique address. The URL of this page
is http://beegee.co.uk/internet/ before an URL there
is always a command, 'http://' which tells browsers
the type of document required for viewing. Please note
- it's not always necessary to enter http:// (browsers
usually assume that if you enter just your URL - (http://
should be there!)
Just like in a magazine or book - the web also has an
index of contents or special appendix! This comes in
the form of search wizards, commonly expressed as search
engines. They help find web data, addresses. You only
need to use key words for the information you require.
For example - if you just type 'beegeeinternet' using
the search engine on http://www.yahoo.com or http://www.google.com
- you are likely to find our web site (www.beegee.co.uk)
listed.
Other common indexing systems on the web are directories,
which are compiled by humans with particular sites categorised.
Tips from Beegee Internet if you are using dial
up connection for your internet.
~Use the Internet when it's cheap and fast. This however
varies depending, where your point of presence is. But
the huge number of surfers in United States basically
governs it. Surfing is better when the US is asleep!
~Go quickly around pages of interest so that they cache.
Its then advisable to read them off-line
~Program your address in the favourites so that you
won't have to type in long URL's.
~lf you have Pop3 mail -compose your letters off-line.
lf its web mail you are better off creating your letter
using a word processor so that you will only copy and
paste when you are on line.
~Most of all -plan ahead and have a clear idea of what
you what from a session. This will prevent you getting
lost in cyberspace, which can result in a long telephone
bill. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the huge volume
of material on the web.
Good luck! Remember not to be afraid - with the Internet
you can travel miles although going nowhere. You can
spend hours cruising destinations of no national boundary.
It's a playground with no curfew! Get ready to surf!
Start here by clicking the word 'home' below!
|
