Internet Communications

What is the Internet?

• The Internet is a vast network of computers connected to businesses, schools, research foundations and homes in over 100 countries around the world.

• Anyone with a computer, modem, or network connection can communicate via e-mail and access various types of information through the network.

Uses of the Internet

• Communicate world-wide using e-mail

• Use a search engine like google.com to search for information. •Use the World Wide Web (www) to order products, do homework, or read articles and reviews. Download software, games and other items.

World Wide Web (www)

• The www is a collection of computers on the internet. The www uses text, graphics, sound and multimedia.

Hyperlinks

• Click on hyperlinks to go to another Web page or Web site. Hyperlinks appear as another color, are underlined, or both.

Home Page

• All Web sites start with a Home Page.

• A Home Page outlines what the Web site contains and shows links to other Web pages or Web sites (hyperlinks). Clicking on these links takes you to the other Web pages or Web sites.

Networks

• Networks are groupings of computers that are connected. These connected groups share files and resources.

Browsers

• Web browsers are graphic interface programs that allow viewing and searching the www. Common browsers are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer.

E-Mail

• e-mail is electronic mail.

• e-mail is a communications system for exchanging messages and attachments like files and pictures over the Internet.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

• An ISP is a company that provides a connection to the Internet.

• Popular ISPs are AOL, MSN, Verizon, Comcast, Earthlink, and others.

Server

• A server is a computer that provides information and manages it for a network.

• A server interprets data and displays information

• Popular servers are Microsoft Explorer and Netscape Navigator.

Client

• A client is a personal computer connected to a server in a network.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

• File Transfer Protocol is a system that enables one computer to transfer files to another computer. An FTP site is a host computer where subscribers can host their Websites.

• An example of an FTP site is tripod.com/

Parts of the Internet Explorer Screen

• Tile Bar

• Menu Bar

• Standard Tool Bar

• Address Bar

• Links Bar

• Status Bar

• Shortcuts

• Scroll Bars

• Security Bar

Title Bar

• The Title Bar displays the name of the current program.

• It also displays the name of the current Web page. You can minimize, restore or close Explorer using the buttons on the right side of the Title Bar.

Menu Bar

• The Menu Bar contains commands and dialog boxes.

• These commands include File, Edit, View, Go, Favorites and Help.

Standard Toolbar

• The Standard Toolbar displays buttons for frequently performed tasks like loading, moving between, and printing Web pages. If you can not see the Standard Toolbar, select View from the Menu Bar and click Toolbars, then select Standard Buttons

Address Bar (URL)

• The Address Bar displays the electronic address of the Web page or Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

• The Address Bar displays the file path if the current document is located on your hard or external disk drive.

• You can click in the Address Bar, type a new address and press Enter to go to the new address location.

• When you click and turn the Address Bar dark blue, you do not need to delete the old address, just type in the new address.

Links Bar

• The Links Bar, on the right side of the Address Bar, contains links to various Microsoft sites.

Status Bar

• The Status Bar displays the status of the current link or download. When you place the mouse pointer over a hyperlink, the Status Bar displays the URL of the link.

Shortcuts

• Shortcuts are hyperlinks. Click on shortcuts to move to other Web sites or pages. An easy to tell if you’re moving the mouse over a shortcut is when the mouse pointer changes into a hand.

Scroll Bars

• Click scroll arrows or drag scroll bars to move the screen view horizontally or vertically.

Security Zone

• The Security Zone displays the security zone for the current Web site.

• The Internet Zone is the default setting. Internet Explorer applies a different level of security protection to each security zone.