 Here are a few Frequently Asked Questions about the Internet. Email me if you have one that isn't answered here. |
Here are a few Frequently Asked Questions about the Internet. Email me if you have one that isn't answered here. |
What is the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web?
The Internet is a huge collection of computer networks that can communicate with each other.
An ISP is a commercial service that establishes a connection to the Internet and then provides public access to that connection for a fee. Examples of ISP's are America-On-Line, Prodigy, CompuServe, Microsoft Network, and smaller, individual, often local, companies. Visit my ISP: http://www.vvm.com
A home page is the intended starting place on a web site. It is usually the first page of the web site that a visitor sees and is often used as a guide for exploring the rest of the web site. The address for my homepage is http://www.vvm.com/~jhunt/compupedia/home.htm.
Where did the Internet come from?
The Internet was formed by the Department of Defense as a reliable method of disseminating information in the event of a national emergency.
A browser is a software program that allows you to view the WWW. The two most popular browsers are Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. http://www.microsoft.com/ie
An URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. An URL is used by a browser to locate and access information on the Web. Every document, file, and image has its own specific URL (address).
Downloading is copying files to your computer from the computer you are calling. http://www.download.com
What are chat rooms and how do I use one?
Chat rooms are special areas on some web sites that allow you to type conversations with other Web users. You can participate in live conversations by typing on your keyboard. http://www.talkcity.com
Electronic Mail (e-mail) is a letter or document that is composed, mailed, received, and read through computers. Most browsers have some type of e-mail program. jhunt@vvm.com
How do I find information on the Internet?
You can search for the information you want at web sites with a feature called a search engine. An example of a search engine is Yahoo! (http://www.yahoo.com). A search engine usually consists of a small field where you can enter key words that will tell the engine what to search for. After you submit the key words, the engine performs a search of the designated database (you sometimes get to choose if you want to search one site or the entire web). It will then supply you with a list of the results. Search engines vary from site to site, using different methods and giving you more options. Some more search engines include: Infoseek (http://www.infoseek.com), Lycos (http://www.lycos.com), and http://www.Google.com .