The Internet  (Page 1 of a 16 page handout)
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The Internet = A worldwide connection of more than 10 million computers and 50,000 networks. This set of interconnected networks uses a common protocol, the Internet Protocol (IP).

ü Protocols are a collection of rules for formatting, ordering, error checking, transmitting and receiving of data across a network.

ü TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) enables different types of computers running all types of operating systems –Windows, Macintosh, UNIX, etc. to communicate easily with one another.

I. YOU CAN USE THE INTERNET TO:

  1. Find and access information (from libraries, educational institutions, private corp., etc.)
  2. Send and receive messages (Electronic Mail)
  3. Retrieve files. (Downloading i.e. software, graphics, music, etc.)
  4. Participate in Group Discussions

ü YOU CAN ACCESS THE INTERNET BY:
bulletA Network connection (through UNIX or Windows NT workstation)
bulletModem Connection (commercial on-line service provider: CompuServe, Am Online, etc).

II. INTERNET SERVICES   

The various services provided on the Internet are defined by protocols that specify how information moves across the Net. The most popular protocols include:

World Wide Web 

Newest part of the Internet. Released in 1991. WWW is a networked hypertext system that allows documents to be shared over the Internet. Original purpose was to let researchers all over the world collaborate on the same documents without needing to travel. Hypertext refers to text that has been linked.

Electronic Mail (E-mail)

Allows users to send and receive messages.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)

=Standard method for transferring files between computers across the Internet. Allows users to download text files, graphics, and programs. FTP can be used as a verb as well as a noun: I.e. if you want someone to send you a file, you can ask them to FTP it to you.

Gopher

Allows users to easily retrieve text files. You navigate through a hierarchy of menus to locate and download texts, pictures, etc. Gopher is a protocol for organizing information hierchically on the Internet. Very popular are AskERIC, NASA Spacelink and SchoolNet with a wealth of educational resources.

Telnet

Internet’s oldest tool. Allows users to connect to remote computers and then use the software on those computers if you were actually at that site. For example use telnet to get to another site such as an online library catalog at a university.

Listserv

= A simple way for groups of people to communicate with one another through e-mail. List server is built on top of the e-mail protocol. Listservs work like electronic mailing lists; sending e-mail messages to people whose names are on the list. You join a listerv by e-mailing a message to it, saying you want to subscribe.

USENET Newsgroups 

A more highly organized way for groups to communicate than Listserv. USENET is an electronic bulletin-board service consisting of newsgroups and newsreaders. "Newsgroups" can contain discussion on any topic

Chat 

Internet Relay chat (IRC) enables people to converse with one another over the Internet. (As you type a message other people can almost immediately see what you type). Conversations are organized according to channels. There are 1000s of channels.

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