A Brief Introduction to the Internet The Internet

A Brief Introduction to the Internet

The Internet � The Internet is a massive, world wide connection of independent networks that choose to be connected together. � It connects many millions of users in many countries on any given day. No one group "owns" the Internet.

The World Wide Web � The World Wide Web (WWW) is a body of information of various types available in a hypertext format through the Internet � Hypertext is text that links documents together � Users point and click on text to move to the new document � Access is enhanced by search tools to help find hypertext documents.

History of the Web � Invented by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN ◦ http: //www. w 3. org/People/Berners-Lee/ � His work eventually let to the founding of the World Wide Web Consortium ◦ http: //www. w 3. org/ �A Little History of the World Wide Web at W 3 C outlines World Wide Web efforts ◦ http: //www. w 3. org/History. html

How does Hypertext work? � Web documents are built using hypertext � Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is the language for hypertext � Language allows text in documents to be linked to the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of another document ◦ URL is the address of a Web Document � Text that links to another document is highlighted (often in a color and with an underline) � User points and clicks on the text and the new document is retrieved

Reading Hypertext Documents � Printed material has a sequential order ◦ Author assumes you read from beginning to end � Hypertext connects documents in ways which allow reading the text in various ways ◦ May result in for selective reading on the part of the user � A hypertext document may offer more freedom to the reader in choosing the order of reading ◦ Order links are followed is the user's choice, allowing tailored access to the information

Reading Hypertext (Continued) � � � Hypertext is probably not the first choice for preparing documents intended to be read completely ◦ Primarily due to disadvantages of reading from a computer screen compared to reading from paper ◦ Readings a screen is slower than traditional text ◦ Screens cause more eye strain ◦ Screen size often does not match document style and size Search tools often promote selective reading by placing the searcher in the middle of a document Readers should be careful to read Web material in a way to get full meaning and proper context

Uniform Resource Locators � Documents on the Internet are identified by a Uniform Resource Locator. � There are four parts to this "address". ◦ Method of transfer, usually http (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). ◦ Domain - the network location identifier ◦ Path to reach the document on the server where it resides (set of folders) ◦ Name of the document

What is Available on the Internet and the Web? � Users communicate using electronic mail and interactive conferences. � Information of many types is posted on the WWW in easy to access formats, including online databases � Users can access news on various topics � Users download files for a variety of purposes � Web information can be found on virtually any topic

The Browser � Browser ◦ ◦ is a typical Windows application Uses typical Windows menus and buttons Built to be run at the same time as other applications Links to other window resources, such as printers Provides built in and online help � Browser supports hypertext - text that links to another document on the Internet � Hypertext allows users to access information without knowing specific location addresses � User is allowed to focus on the information without shifting to the mechanics of following trails of information ◦ Result is content focus and "surfing“

More on the Browser � Browser Buttons ◦ If at any point the user wants to start over, the HOME button is available ◦ BACK moves to the previous page viewed ◦ Forward goes to a following page that was previously viewed ◦ History buttons allow the user to find previously viewed content ◦ Favorites and Bookmarks save web addresses � The location bar ◦ URLs appear in this box, even though the user can function without knowing them � Print Options ◦ Allow the user to print pages and document the source location

More on the Browser � Conventions for Hypertext ◦ Text is highlighted and underlined to indicate a link to another document ◦ When the mouse rolls over a hyperlink, the URL may be displayed on the status bar ◦ Previously visited links may appear in a different color ◦ Complete conventions are user selectable in the browser ◦ The user can save any location URL as a bookmark (favorite) �Creates a personal menu of sites to visit ◦ CACHE - The browser keeps records of where the user has been so only documents that have changed are brought across the Internet, saving time

Bookmarks and Favorites…. Saving Your Place � Bookmarks (called favorites in the Internet Explorer) are an important part of using any browser � Bookmarks allow the user to save important locations for future reference � Bring the location to the screen and accessing ADD BOOKMARK (or favorite) from the menu � The site can then be easily accessed by choosing that item from the bookmark menu

Determining the Quality of WWW Resources � Just because you find a document on the World Wide Web is no reason to use it as a source � What makes a site authoritative? ◦ ◦ ◦ Official work of a reputable organization Based on competent authority Work of a properly qualified expert (an individual or organization) A page that links to pages that all have the previous qualities Even one improper item disqualifies the page Special consideration should be given to the work of those individuals and organizations who discover and implement ideas when choosing among authoritative works � The following site may be useful: ◦ http: //www. pdcfaculty. org/rtureman/Web-Quality. htm