The Internet is like a
universe. It's a network of permanently linked computers
joined together into a community. These computers communicate
with each other and are responsible for storing data and
web pages.
Each of these computers
has a unique identity called an Internet Protocol (ip),
which is a series of numbers separated by dots. Ip's serve
as a campus of mapping networked computers, which includes
your very own computer you are using to read these words.?
Now that you know the main skeleton that breathes the Internet,
let's examine what it's all about! The word Internet is
derived from these two words, 'International Network'.
From the moment the Internet entered the commercial scene,
it has continued to grow inheriting many components such
as email and the web.
Email is simply a messaging system that allows you to instantly
send and receive electronic mail. It functions in a similar
format as traditional postal mail…you will need an
address to despatch any mail as well as have one to receive
any.
The other main component, commonly mistaken as the Internet
its self is the, 'World Wide World', also known as 'the
web' or 'the net'.
The net is like a non-contact sport such as volleyball.
Players may never be on the same side or even shake hands
but they are all vying for the same source - the ball in
our case ,information. Our allegory serves to demonstrate
that physical location is not necessary. Anyone can join
the game of the Internet with the same ability to utilise
it as anybody else.
The popular term, "I've found something on the Internet!"
is rather wrong - you can't find anything around by zipping
connections of hooked computers, which is what the Internet
is! Instead they would have found it on stored pages, which
are part of the World Wide Web.
The World Wide Web is like a magazine with pictures, text,
sounds among its content. Email actually falls under the
web. Since you are reading this page - its most likely you
already know the methodology of getting on the net. But
for those who don't - the behind of scene access require
a computer with a modem, browser and a phone line. It's
also possible to access the net with special televisions
and mobile phones.
The all important tool
,the browser is a program such as Internet Explorer and
Netscape Navigator that allows the viewing of web pages.
To view pages you will need to know where they are located.
Web pages are just like houses - they need an address in
order to be identified. This identifying of pages is known
as URL, standing for Uniform Resource Locator.
Every page has a unique address. The URL of this page is
http://www.isp.co.zw/support/internet.html before an URL
there is always a command, 'http://' which tells browsers
the type of document required for viewing. Please note -
it's not always necessary to enter http:// (browsers usually
assume that if you enter just your URL - (http:// should
be there!)
Just like in a magazine or book - the web also has an index
of contents or special appendix! This comes in the form
of search wizards, commonly expressed as search engines.
They help find web data, addresses. You only need to use
key words for the information you require.
For example - if you just type 'Zimbabwe Internet Services zimbabweinternet'
using the search engine on http://www.yahoo.com or http://www.google.com
- you are likely to find our web site (www.isp.co.zw) listed.
Other common indexing systems on the web are directories,
which are compiled by humans with particular sites categorised.
Tips from Zimbabwe Internet Services if you are using
dial up connection for your internet.
~Use the Internet when it's cheap and fast. This however
varies depending, where your point of presence is. But the
huge number of surfers in United States basically governs
it. Surfing is better when the US is asleep!
~Go quickly around pages of interest so that they cache.
Its then advisable to read them off-line
~Program your address in the favourites so that you won't
have to type in long URL's.
~lf you have Pop3 mail -compose your letters off-line. lf
its web mail you are better off creating your letter using
a word processor so that you will only copy and paste when
you are on line.
~Most of all -plan ahead and have a clear idea of what you
what from a session. This will prevent you getting lost
in cyberspace, which can result in a long telephone bill.
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the huge volume of material
on the web.
Good luck! Remember not to be afraid - with the Internet
you can travel miles although going nowhere. You can spend
hours cruising destinations of no national boundary. It's
a playground with no curfew! Get ready to surf! Start here
by clicking the word 'home' below!
