1. Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.16 | 1 Using Computers and the Internet to Obtain Information Information society –A society in which large groups of employees generate or depend on information to perform their jobs The Internet, the Intranet, and Networks –Internet A worldwide network of computers linked through telecommunications; used for e-business, communication, information gathering Internet service providers (ISPs) provide customers with a connection to the Internet through various phone plugs and cables –Intranet A smaller version of the Internet for use only within a firm

2. Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Using Computers and the Internet to Obtain Information (cont’d) Networks –A group of two or more computers linked together to share data and information WAN (Wide-area network) –A network that connects computers over a large geographic area –World’s most popular WAN is the Internet LAN (Local-area network) –A network that connects computers that are in close proximity 16 | 2

3. Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Using Computers and the Internet (cont’d) Accessing the Internet –Standardization guidelines let products, services, materials, and processes achieve their purposes –Website addresses URL—Uniform Resource Locator http—HyperText Transfer Protocol –Web search engines www.altavista.com; www.google.com; www.yahoo.com Software for creating web pages –Developing a website –Hosting a website 16 | 3

4. Copyright © Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. Tips for Website Development Develop a theme Determine how much information to include on your site Plan the layout of your site Add graphics Outline the material for each page Develop plans to update the site Make sure your site is easy to use 16 | 4