Exploring the Global Online Community Rob Ziessler Plymouth Public Library Navigating the Internet and the World Wide Web
Our goal is to answer these questions: What is the Internet? What is the Internet? Where did it come from? Where did it come from? How can you get on the Internet? How can you get on the Internet? What will you find there? What will you find there?
What in the world is the Internet? The Internet is the largest group of computers ever linked together. (network of networks)
Network of Networks - Serving out Information
That we can connect to.
A Connected Community Cities and Towns = Networks and Servers Cities and Towns = Networks and Servers Connected by Roads and Highways = Cables and Wires Connected by Roads and Highways = Cables and Wires
A Connected Community Self Governing Self Governing Self Organizing Self Organizing
How long has the Internet been around?
Internet History 101 Government and scientific community alliance in the ‘60s and ‘70s Government and scientific community alliance in the ‘60s and ‘70s ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) Passed down to the universities Passed down to the universities GUIs bring it to the public GUIs bring it to the public
Addressing on the Net n Web Addresses or URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) – – – – – n
How do people get on the Internet? Through a Network Through a Network –Schools –Libraries –Work At Home At Home –With a computer, modem, and an ISP account
Internet Service Providers n Companies sell a connection to the Internet. n Some began as national online services like AOL. n Many are local businesses.
Choosing an ISP Orientation - Business/Personal Orientation - Business/Personal Performance and Speed Performance and Speed Types of Connection - Modem, Cable, DSL, Satellite Types of Connection - Modem, Cable, DSL, Satellite
Choosing an ISP Tech Support - Hours? Expertise? Tech Support - Hours? Expertise? Web Hosting/Domain Names - great for business sites/personal pages Web Hosting/Domain Names - great for business sites/personal pages Equipment & Costs Equipment & Costs
Functions of the Internet – – Social Networking – Search Engines – Web Pages – Chat
What is the World Wide Web? n Collection of text, graphics and sounds n Linked pages for easy movement n Popular new publishing medium WWW
Home Pages on the Web
Why is the Web so popular? n Computers are more affordable and accessible. n Internet connections are faster and widely available. n WWW invites surfing.
Web Browsers n Browsers are simply programs that show us the information on websites. n They might be Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome or another browser. n You can use any browser to access the information on the Web.
What you’ll find on the Web Government Information Government Information Consumer Info and Shopping/Auctions Consumer Info and Shopping/Auctions Entertainment/Popular Culture Entertainment/Popular Culture Current Research Current Research News and Current Events News and Current Events FAQs FAQs
WWW Caveat! The Web is NOT: Comprehensive in coverage Comprehensive in coverage A substitute for in-depth research A substitute for in-depth research Always reliable Always reliable Censored Censored
Useful Web Sites n Computers and Internet Dictionary – n Collaborative Web-based Encyclopedia – n Myths and Hoaxes on the Web –
Our Summary n The Internet is a global community of people and computers n that we can access via a network or from home with an ISP n to browse the wealth of information available!