Principles of
Information Technology
Basic Internet Functions
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What is the Internet?

The Internet is a system of interconnected
computer networks that use standard
communications protocols.
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Before the Internet


The Internet was launched to the public in
1991.
Prior to 1991, people had to physically go the
library to perform research.
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College students spent hours and hours in the
library to find information that we now can find by
clicking a few times on the Internet.
Can you imagine actually going to the library?
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How to get the Internet
ISP
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
Internet Service
Provider
A company who provides
access to the Internet

Examples

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Companies that provide
Wireless services
Phone providers
Cable providers
Hot Spot

A Place/Spot that offers
Internet wirelessly

Examples

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Fast food places
Bookstores
Coffee shops
Some restaurants
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Accessing the Internet
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Web Browsers

Software applications used to locate and display
the Internet
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There are many examples of Internet browsers
Each web browser performs the same duties, but
different people have a preference regarding
which browser to use.
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All about the Internet
ADDRESS BAR
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All about the Internet


Double click on your web browser to access
the Internet.
Your homepage will automatically appear


The page that automatically comes up when you start your web
browser is your homepage.
Once you open the Internet, type your URL
address in the address bar.

URL—Uniformed Resource Locator
 Example: http://www.unt.edu/

Your website should now be accessible.
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Parts of a URL
http://
www.
PROTOCOL
LOCATION
OF THE
SITE
unt.
NAME OF THE
ORGANIZATION
edu/
EXTENSIONS
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Extensions

Suffixes at the end of the URL that tell you
what type of site you are visiting

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.com _____ COMMERCIAL
.edu _____ EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
.gov _____ GOVERNMENT
.mil _____ MILITARY
.net _____ NETWORK
.org _____ ORGANIZATION
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Uses of the Internet
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Perform Research
Play Games
Network
Socialize
Email
Make video calls
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How to Use a Search
Engine

When using a search engine, type in
keywords.

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Keywords are short important words used in
search engines.
They narrow down the search.
The results of a search are called hits.
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Let’s Practice Using
Search Engines


Open a web browser.
Type your favorite search engine in the
address bar.

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The search engine should pop up.
In the search bar, type the following:

Cracking knuckles problem



Notice that we did not type in a question…just the
keywords.
The lists that appear are called hits.
We will now find out if cracking your knuckles is a
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problem.
Things to know about the
Internet

Websites have underlined links and linked
photos called hyperlinks.
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Hyperlinks take you to another page on the
Internet.
Favorites

Has a star icon and allows you to save your
favorite sites
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LET’S BROWSE
THE INTERNET
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