INTERNET
INTERNET
Internet Handout
1
Introduction to the Internet
T
he Internet is a collection of computers networked together to share resources.
The Internet is a wide area network that spans the globe. Through various
communication channels like telephone lines, fiber optic cabling, microwave, and
satellite transmission, computer users can communicate with each other all over
the world. Various activities that can be done via the Internet include electronic mail (email), newsgroups, netchat, ftp, telnet and WWW (world wide web) browsing. The
following is a list of terminology and definitions found associated with the Internet.
Account - In order to gain access to the
Internet you’ll need to obtain an account.
The account consists of a username and
password. Your account, often termed
an e-mail address, consists of an
accountname@domain name. For
example, my account is:
ngrant@ccac.edu. This information will
be given to you by a network
administrator.
America Online - America Online is an
online service provider (1-800-7276364). For a small monthly fee you can
connect to this service. America Online
provides services such as today’s news,
personal finance, club & interest groups,
travel information, chat lines (quite
popular), education and research, and
sports. Users that subscribe to America
Online usually have an account like
ngrant@aol.com. Notice that the
domain name changes to reflect the
name of the company as well as the type
of company it represents. For example
com tagged onto the end of a userid
indicates a commercial organization.
Other domains include edu for
educational institutions, gov for
government, int for international
organization, mil for the military, net for
networking organizations, and org for
non-profit organizations. With the
America Online communication
software (free from the company), a
computer, phone line, and modem, you
could connect to this service in a matter
of minutes.
Anonymous FTP - Anonymous file
transfer protocol means the Internet host
computer will allow you to connect to it
without an account. Usually you connect
to a given host computer in order to
download files residing on it. Some host
sites are ftp://ftp.microsoft.com
(Microsoft Corporation)
ftp://ftp.ncsa.uiuc.edu (Supercomputing
Center in Illinois)
ftp://ftp.netscape.com/pub/ (Netscape).
Archie - Archie is a service that
provides ftp locations of files you need.
After Archie finds the location, you can
ftp to the site and obtain the file. To use
the Archie service, you can send an
Archie server an e-mail message or you
can telnet to an archie server. If you
choose to send an e-mail message to an
Archie server and include the command
find followed by the filename content in
the body of the letter. Upon receipt and
execution of the request, the archie
server will respond with an e-mail
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message indicating the files and their ftp
locations. The other approach is to
telnet to an archie server site and enter
the find filename command. In either
case, once the file you want to download
has been located, you ftp to that site and
issue the cd command to change to the
directory of file location and proceed
with a get command to obtain the file.
Further, files may be compressed and
may need to be uncompressed before
they can be used. Some Archie server
locations include: archie.sura.net
(Maryland) archie.rutgers.edu
(NewJersey) archie.unl.edu (Nebraska)
archie.ans.net (New York). When you
send an e-mail message to any of the
Archie servers, use the e-mail address
such as: archie@archie.rutgers.edu
Article - An article is a publication that
an author posts to a newsgroup.
Bandwidth - Bandwidth refers to the
speed at which information travels from
one location to another. Examples of
bandwidths include voiceband, medium
band, and broadband. Bandwidth is
usually measured in bits per second
(bps), kilobits per second (kbps) - one
thousand bits, megabits per second
(mbps) - one million bits.
Baud Rate - The baud rate refers to the
rate of data transmission per second.
This relates to the bandwidth of the data
communication channel.
BBS - stands for a bulletin board system.
This is an electronic bulletin board
system.
Bit- stands for binary digit. A bit is
either on (1) or off (0). A combination
2
of bits (usually eight) represent a
character or byte. Binary coding
schemes that computers use include
ASCII, EBCDIC and UNICODE.
Bitmap - A bitmap file contains a
combination of dots which collectively
represent a graph. Each dot represents a
bit. These bitmapped files are usually
downloaded from a given ftp location.
BITNET - BITNET is a network
predominately used with mini and
mainframe computer systems within
educational institutions.
Bridge - A communication device that
connects multiple networks.
Client - A client refers to software that
runs on your personal computer.
Examples of client software include ftp,
telnet, Internet Explorer, and Netscape.
The client software works with server
software on the host computer in order to
exchange information.
Connection - There are a number of
ways to connect to the Internet. These
include an access provider, public
libraries, the college or university you
are attending, your company, or an
online service like Prodigy, America
Online, Compuserve, Delphi Internet
Services Corp, MCI Mail, Sprintlink,
and Microsoft Network. Windows 95
has the Microsoft Network client
software as part of its environment.
Cyberspace - Cyberspace refers to the
collective information on computers
located on the Internet.
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Datagram - A datagram is a packet of
information that is sent or passed over
the Internet.
Dial-Up networking - This is Windows
software that will allow you to establish
a connection to your Internet access
provider.
Domain Names - An Internet address is
made up of a userid along with
domain(s). For example, my Internet
account is ngrant@ccac.edu. ngrant is
the userid and ccac.edu are considered
the domain portions. The domain edu
signifies an educational institution.
Downloading Files - Downloading files
pertains to the process of transferring
one or more files from one system to
another.
Electronic Mail - Termed e-mail, this is
the most popular service of the Internet.
It allows the user to send messages
electronically to other users located on
the Internet. You send a message by the
following: enter the e-mail messaging
program, on the to: area indicate the
Internet address of the person you want
to send mail to; on the from: area
indicate your Internet address; subject:
add a subject; on the cc: area enter the
Internet addresses of the people you
want to send a copy to. In the body of
the e-mail message, include your
electronic message. After you have
composed your message, you usually
issue a command like send to mail the
message. The graphical browser
Netscape has a e-mail facility that you
can use to send messages electronically.
In order to send messages electronically,
you must know the e-mail address of the
person you are going to send mail to. In
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Netscape Navigator, click the options
menu and indicate you name and e-mail
address (if necessary). To compose,
send, and receive e-mail messages, click
the window menu and choose Netscape
Mail. Use the To: Mail to compose
messages; use the Get Mail icon to
retrieve messages sent to you. Messages
sent to you that haven’t been read yet are
held in the Inbox folder. The Outbox
folder holds messages you are drafting.
The trash folder contains e-mail
messages you have deleted. You can
also send messages via your online
provider like Prodigy.
Emoticons - Also referred to as smileys,
these are special characters you can
include in your e-mail document to
express your feelings or body language
to the reader. Some of these include: :)
smile :-D laugh ;) wink :( frown
:-X my lips are sealed %-) I’ve been
working too hard 8-) Smiling with
Glasses. Other items include Internet
acronyms like BRB be right back
BTW by the way IMHO in my humble
opinion ROTFL rolling on the floor
laughing TTFN Ta Ta for now
Encoded Files - Files can be encoded by
using an encoding/decoding utility. This
utility will allow you to submit files in
proper formats. For example, binary-totext utility conversions are referred to as
encoded files. Text-to-binary
conversions are referred to as encoded
files. You can also download shareware
software to handle file conversions.
Encryption - Encryption allows you to
scramble your message before you send
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it over the Internet. The receiver of your
encrypted message must decrypt it
before reading it. This is a security
feature and helps to safeguard your
information.
Ethernet - Ethernet pertains to
standardizations with LANs. It can
obtain speeds of 10 Mbps.
FAQ - stands for frequently asked
questions. This is usually a newsgroup
or mailing list that holds faq’s.
File Extensions - File extensions serve
to identify the type of file. Filenames
that have a three-character extension
after the period pertain to the file
content. For example, Microsoft Word
assigns doc as the file extension when
saving document files; Excel saves
spreadsheets with an xls extension;
Access saves database files with a mdb
extension. Typically files that are to be
downloaded from the Internet may have
file extension as well. For example, a
file extension of GIF (graphics image
format) represents a bitmap file; a file
with an extension of ZIP represents a file
that has been compressed with a utility
like pkzip.
File Names - Windows allows your
filename to be up to 255 character,
including spaces. It can contain any
characters except for \ / : , ; * ? “ < > |
Windows provides a short file name for
files that follow Window 95 files to be
used in older window and DOS-based
applications. Short file names are
created by Windows 95 by using the first
six characters of the filename, a tilde ~,
and a number. File extensions are
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usually assigned by the Window based
product.
Finger - This command will provide you
with more information about a user on
the Internet. For example, you can
finger me at finger ngrant@ccac.edu.
Flame - Individuals who do not follow
proper netiquette (proper behavior) on
the Internet may get “flamed” If proper
netiquette isn’t followed, you will
usually receive nasty letters back, a
basicform of verbal punishment.
Folder - A folder is used by Windows to
organize your files.
Freenet - This refers to a host computer
that allows users to access the Internet
for free. Schools and libraries may offer
free Internet access.
FTP - stands for file transfer protocol.
This will allow you to obtain files from a
given computer system. Many FTP sites
are referred to as repositories or FTP
archives. Such sites provide a
comprehensive list of programs that you
can download. One such site is
ftp://ftp.netscape.com.
This is the ftp site of Netscape
Communications Corporation. Files on
this site are organized into folders.
Entering a folder will usually present
you with files you can download to disk.
Locate the file you want to download
and click the save button to save the file
to disk. Ftp site address: pictures and
sound files: ftp://sunsite.unc.edu
games:
ftp://wustl.edu/pub/windows_uploads/ga
mes
electronic books: ftp://ftp.spies.com.
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mouse over the hypertext link, the mouse
will change to a hand.
Find other ftp sites to share with the
class.
Gopher - Gopher is a menu-driven (treelike) system that will allow you to obtain
text-based information. Originally
developed by the University of
Minnesota, this system is used
extensively by various governmental
agencies for information and form
retrieval systems. All of the information
on the gopher menu collectively makes
up gopherspace. A well-known gopher
site is the University of Minnesota at
location gopher://gopher.micro.umn.edu
Explore Veronica and Jughead search
engines to find other gopher services.
Use these search engines and try to
locate other gopher sites to share with
the class. Many Gopher sites have been
relocated to the WWW.
Graphical Browser - A graphical
browser is a software program that
allows you to view various world wide
web (WWW) documents containing text,
graphics, and multimedia content located
on the Internet. Popular graphical
browsers include Internet Explorer by
Microsoft, Netscape Navigator and
Mosiac.
Home Page - The main screen of a given
www (world wide web) location is
known as the home page. WVU’s home
page is http://www.wvu.edu.
Hypertext links - Links or pointers
contained in a web page that when
accessed allow the user to jump to a
related web page. When you move the
Internet - The Internet is a collection of
computers scattered throughout the
world. Commonly called the net, the
information superhighway and
cyberspace, the Internet is classified as a
WAN (wide area network). The Internet
provides services such as electronic mail
(e-mail), telnet, gopher, ftp, and
newsgroups/mailing lists.
Internet Access Provider - An access
provider is a company that provides you
with Internet access. The cost of the
service varies. There are also public
Internet providers as well.
Internet Explorer - Windows comes
with its own graphical web browser
called Internet Explorer. This web
browser will allow you to gopher to a
given gopher server, use the world wide
web, and ftp to given locations.
Internet Relay Chat - IRC allows
Internet users to participate in realtime
conversations.
Intranet - A private network system
used for internal data and information
sharing.
Moderator - A moderator is the
individual who determines what
information should be transmitted to
users subscribed on given mailing lists
or newsgroups.
Mosaic - NCSA (National Center of
Supercomputing Applications) Mosaic is
a graphical web browser similar to
Netscape Navigator and Internet
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Explorer. To receive a copy of Mosaic,
ftp to ftp://ftp.ncsa.uiuc.edu
Multimedia - Multimedia refers to
various forms of information, including
text, graphics, sound, animation, and
video.
Netscape Navigator - Netscape
Navigator is a WWW graphical browser
product. Upon entering Netscape, you
will see the Netscape GUI (graphical
user interface). Toolbar button include
back: previous page, forward: next
page, home: displays the entry (first)
home page upon entering Netscape,
reload: resend the page, images:
transmits the graphs if not defaulted,
open: used to enter a web page address,
print: print the current web page, find:
search for keywords within the web page
content, stop: stops the information
transmission. Use the netsite area to key
an address.
Network Server - A network server is a
computer that serves software and files
to to connected workstations.
Newsgroup - Newsgroups are special
interest discussion groups. In order to
view a newsgroup in Netscape, choose
the options meu and select show all
newsgroups. The system will show all
of the newsgroups that are subscibed to
by the college. Click a newsgroup folder
you are interested in then choose an
article you would like to read. To post
an aricle to a newsgroup, click the To:
News button and compose your message.
Use the Send button to post the article.
Be sure to follow proper netiquette.
Netiquette - Netiquette refers to the
rules that govern Internet users. Rules
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include: Using proper language,
avoiding advertising on the Internet, and
being polite. Another netiquette rule is
not to send messages in uppercase. This
implies you are shouting!
Online Services - Online services
provide users accesssability to a host
system to perform a multitude of
functions. Most online services now
provide Internet access as well. Online
services usually charge a monthly fee to
use their service.
Packets - Information passed over the
Internet is sent as packets of information.
Passwords - Users who have access to
the Internet will usually be given a
username along with a password. The
password is a secret code that is used to
gain entry to a given system. It is used
to secure a system.
Pine - Pine was developed by the
University of Washington. It is an
electronic mail system.
Pkzip - Pkzip is a disk compression
utility.
Routers - Routers are hardware devices
that are responsible for passing
datagrams accross the Internet.
Snail Mail - Snail mail refers to mail
that is delivered via the postal service.
Search Engine - A search engine is a
program that will allow you to find
various files and documents. The
Internet has a number of search engines
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available. These include Excite, Lycos,
Alta Vista, and Magellan.
TCP/IP - TCP/IP refers to the
communication protocol of the Internet.
Telnet - (Telephone Network)
Telnetting allows a user to connect to
another computer system. If you do not
have an account to the system, you can
usually log on as a guest with the
password of your userid. Some Telnet
sites include telnet://locis.loc.gov
telnet://spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov
telnet://library.wustl.edu (log on as
services with no password)
URL- URL stands for Uniform Resource
Locator. The URL decribes the Internet
resource. In the Location area at the top
of the screen, enter the service or
protocol. Examples that follow would
be completed by entering a location:
These include file:// ftp:// gopher://
http:// news:// telnet://
Unix - Unix is considered system
software. Some Internet sites use the
Unix operating system.
Uploading Files - Uploading files
pertains to the process of transferring or
sending files from one system to another.
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Username - The username is your
Internet account that is used to gain entry
to resources such as e-mail and netscape.
The username is made up of the
username and domain names. The
domain name identifies the host
computer as well as the type of
organization.
Web Site - A web site is a computer site
that holds web pages.
World Wide Web - The WWW is an
Internet feature that will allow you to
view files containing text, graphics,
sound, and video (multimedia content).
The document also includes hypertext
links. Hypertext links are pointers that
allow the reader to view documents
related to the current document
information. A hypertext link allows to
surf the net.. In order to use the WWW
you need a graphical browser. Internet
Explorer , Mosaic, and Netscape
Navigator are examples of graphical
browsers. WWW documents are written
ina language called HTML (hypertext
markup language). See CCAC’s home
page at http://www.ccac.edu for
information about CCAC. Use an
available search engine to find
interesting www sites.
References used for this summary: include Nelson, S. L. (1995). Field Guide to the Internet with Windows 95, Quick, Easy
Answers. Publisher: Microsoft Press. Caswell, Sharon T. (1997). The Internet using Netscape Navigator Software. Publisher:
Course Technology.
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WWW Sites
WEB SITE LOCATION
CONTENT
http://www.goski.com
This web site provides the latest information on skiing.
http://www.weather.com
This web site provides the lastest weather forecasts.
http://www.visa.com
This web site provides information as to locating the
nearest ATM location.
http://www.vsl.cnet.com/
This web site provides information as to the virtual
software library
http://lycos.cs.cmu.edu/
http://www.whitehouse.gov/
http://www.sony.com/
This web site allows you to use the Lycos search engine.
This web sites allows you to visit the Whitehouse online.
This web site provides information regarding products
made by Sony.
This web site provides shopping opportunities.
http://www.internet.net/
http://www.quote.com/
This web site provides you with the lastest stock market
information.
http://www.si.edu/
This web site allows the user to visit the Smithsonian
Institute.
http://www.loc.gov/
This web site allows the user to access the Library of
Congress.
http://att.net/dir800
This web site allows the user to access the directory of
800 numbers
http://www.ustreas.gov/treasury/bureaus/irs/irs.html
This web site provides information as to the IRS.
http://www.timeinc.com/time/universe.html
This web site provides information about Time magazine.
http://www.iuma.com/Warner/
This web site connects you to Warner Bros. Records.
http://www.audionet.com
This web site connects you to the Internet Broadcast
Source.
http://www.cnet.com
This web site connects you to CNET, a leading edge
company that provides information as to integrating
television programming with network sites on the WWW.
http://www.gw2k.com
This web site connects you to Gateway 2000, a computer
manufacturer.
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Telnet Sites
TELNET SITE
CONTENT
telnet://locis.loc.gov
Library of Congress Telnet Site
telnet://spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov
NASA Telnet Site
telnet://info.umd.edu
University of Maryland info database
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FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL
(FTP) Sites
FTP SITE
CONTENT
ftp://ftp.intel.com
Intel FTP site
ftp://ftp1.microsoft.com
Microsoft FTP site
ftp://ftp.novell.com
ftp://ftp.netscape.com/pub
Novell FTP site
Netscape FTP site
ftp://ftp.arl.mil
U.S. Army Research Laboratory FTP site
ftp://winsite.com or www.winsite.com
Popular shareware site
ftp://ftp.symantec.com
Symantec Corporation FTP site
ftp://ftp.cwru.edu
U.S. Supreme Court FTP site
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Gopher Sites
GOPHER SITE
CONTENT
gopher://gopher.tc.umn.edu
Gopher site of the University of Minnesota
gopher://gopher.microsoft.com
Gopher site of Microsoft
gopher://gopher.senate.gov
gopher://gopher.house.gov
Gopher site of the U.S. Senate
Gopher site of the House of
Representatives
gopher://ericir.syr.edu
Gopher site of Educational Resources
Information Center
gopher://marvel.loc.gov
Gopher site of the Library of Congress
gopher://gopher.undp.org
Gopher site of the United Nations