Understanding and Building Basic Networks Chapter 3 The Other Internet

In this chapter, you will answer these questions: How does work? How do I create an account? How do I send and receive ? What else can I do with ? What is Instant Messaging? How do I send and receive IMs? Can I play games with others online? What is file sharing and how does it work? How do I know if it's legal to share files?

How does work? works in much the same way our regular mail system works. There is a post office, mailboxes, addresses, and messages. is delivered in a matter of moments.

How do I create an account? To send and receive messages, you need an account. Your school, company, or Internet Service Provider (ISP) will set up an e- mail account for you. There are also sites online that let you create an account and send and receive without charge.

How do I send and receive e- mail? messages are all in the same basic format, so if you understand the components, you won't have trouble sending and receiving from any application.

Components of an Each message includes the same basic components: –Recipient's Name and Address –Sender's Name and Address –Subject –Time and Date –Main Body –Attachments –Carbon Copy –Blind carbon copy (bcc)

What else can I do with ? In addition to sending to individuals or small groups, you can also use electronic mail to join a discussion list. A discussion list is a group of people who communicate via electronic mail.

Guidelines Discuss netiquette with students and have them watch the Net-iquette video online at Kidz Online. It is a 6.5 minute video.

What is Instant Messaging? An instant message is a message you type into a window in a special software application. The person you are chatting with, who is also using that same software, instantly receives the message.

How do I send and receive IMs? Once you have created your account, you select the name of the person you want to contact, then type a message into the software window on your computer. Instantly, the person with that username receives the message and can respond to you.

Can I play games with others online? In late 2002, Microsoft introduced Xbox Live, a gaming console that connects gamers via the Internet. With this new technology, you do not need an Internet browser or even a computer to play games over the Internet.

What is file sharing and how does it work? File sharing is exactly that: sharing files with other users over the Internet. To use file sharing, you need a file sharing application on your computer. Once that software is installed on your system, it then connects your computer to a main server. The server contains a list of peers on the network and an index of the files on those other systems.

How do I know if it's legal to share files? File sharing is not legal if you copy or download copyrighted material, such as music, and make it available to others over the Internet.

What You've Learned About the Other Internet In this lesson, you learned about electronic mail and the various ways to send and receive . You also looked at instant messaging that lets you communicate with someone else online instantly, as long as they have the same IM software. You examined ways to participate in multiplayer games using the Internet and finally explored the concept of file sharing and why sharing some files is illegal.