BACKGROUND
and BASICS
An Internet Orientation
The Internet is a concept or idea whereby resources can be shared on a Worldwide basis. This is accomplished by using computers in conjunction with the existing system of interconnected Telecommunication Networks (Telephone Lines).
The Internet is Worldwide Shared Resources
The Internet Extends Your Computer into the World
The World Wide Web is the addressing system used to locate these shared resources.
First let
us look at a computer...
... It is merely a Recorder / Player.
It contains Stored Instructions called Software.
These Instructions are for
the Processor & the User.
The computer is a tool used to do 2 things...
(1) Manage Information and (2) Process Information.
Information of ALL types... Written, Graphical, Sound, and even Video.
-Information of all types-
How does the Internet Extend Your Computer Into the World ?
By using ALL existing Telephone Networks.
By putting Software on your computer.
Providing you with Interactive Menus.
Setting Protocols and Making the Connection.
Using a Commercial Interface called a Provider or Host to . . .
Provide you the Client with the Service.
|
What you need . . . |
||
| A.
A Commercial Service Provider. . . This is where you pay the toll. |
||
| B. Navigational
Software. . . This is your Browser or Vehicle. |
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| C. Know
How. . . Comes with Practice - Try things. |
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Internet Service Providers
Internet Service Provider Companies (ISPs) offer direct access to the World Wide Web via the Internet; provide e-mail accounts; and allow customers to publish and store their own Web pages on the company servers. They charge either a flat fee or according to the amount of time spent online.
Large verses Small ISPs.
Large corporations today are operating
in several nations around the world. They become very independent and
usually hard to deal with. Most offer their own initiatives and lack a
standardized approach.
Small local ISPs tend to be easier to communicate with when you have
questions or problems, they are personal and treat you as a customer. The
downside to the smaller companies is an occasional service interruption.
Hardware Connections
Today's technology provides a wide variety of connection types with wide ranges of speed and reliability. The majority of home users still rely on the telephone companies, but there is a rapid increase in cable usage. Wireless systems are coming into usage but are presently rather expensive. There are a lot of technical terms we should know about. Some of the more common ones are...
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a technology that enables use of unused bandwidth that already exists on a regular phone line to deliver fast digital data transmission without affecting the analog telephone service. DSL uses ordinary copper telephone wiring to deliver a high-speed transfer from the Internet to your computer and a lower-speed upstream from your computer to the Internet while simultaneously providing POTS (Plain Old Telephone Services).
Cable Companies that provide TV,
Telephone and Music also provide high speed Internet service over the cable.
Local examples include COMCAST and KNOLOGY. They offer "Bundles" of Digital
Services at a lower cost when combined. This type service offers up to 256 k
baud download speed to your computer.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
is a completely digital telephone/telecommunications network which carries
voice, data, and video over existing telephone network infrastructure. It is
designed to provide a single interface for hooking up a phone, fax machine, PC,
etc.
( Note: Competition is good for customers. )
The World Wide Web's Navigational Addressing System and your computer's software known as your Browser can lead you to many great learning sites. Three examples which you can use are provided below. Click on the "Hot" Links.
TRY THESE GREAT LEARNING LINKS...
AARP "Learning Index" This is very good.
EARTHLINK - Very Basic (A provider's site)
Learn The Net - A commercial Site (Click on Start Learning Now)
The Growth of the Internet (A Timeline)
Navigation Bar
Dean Christensen; February, 2000; This information has been gleaned from many sources on the Internet. It has been compiled and edited by the author for the free use of his students. It is available to all. Remember the Internet is "Shared" resources. Revised January 18, 2001.