Exploring the Exploring the

Global Online CommunityGlobal Online Community

Rob ZiesslerRob ZiesslerPlymouth Public LibraryPlymouth Public Library

NavigatingNavigating the Internet the Internet and the World Wide Weband the World Wide Web

Our goal is to answerOur goal is to answerthese questions:these questions:

What is the Internet?What is the Internet? Where did it come from?Where did it come from? How can you get on the Internet?How can you get on the Internet? What will you find there?What will you find there?

What in the world is the What in the world is the Internet?Internet?

The Internet is the largest group of computers ever linked together.

(network of networks)

Network of Networks - Serving out Information

That we can connect to.

A Connected CommunityA Connected Community

Cities and Towns = Cities and Towns =

Networks and ServersNetworks and Servers

Connected by Roads Connected by Roads

and Highways = and Highways =

Cables and WiresCables and Wires

A Connected CommunityA Connected Community

Self GoverningSelf Governing

Self OrganizingSelf Organizing

How long has theHow long has theInternet been around?Internet been around?

Internet History 101Internet History 101 Government and scientific community Government and scientific community

alliance in the ‘60s and ‘70salliance in the ‘60s and ‘70s

ARPANETARPANET (Advanced Research Projects (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) Agency Network)

Passed down to the universitiesPassed down to the universities

GUIs bring it to the publicGUIs bring it to the public

Addressing on the NetAddressing on the Net Web Addresses or URLs (Uniform Resource Web Addresses or URLs (Uniform Resource

Locators)Locators)– http://www.amazon.comhttp://www.amazon.com– http://www.centerforhistory.orghttp://www.centerforhistory.org– http://www.nd.eduhttp://www.nd.edu– http://www.plymouth.lib.in.us http://www.plymouth.lib.in.us – httpshttps://www.firstbank.com://www.firstbank.com

E-mailE-mail– president@whitehouse.govpresident@whitehouse.gov– robz@plymouth.lib.in.usrobz@plymouth.lib.in.us

How do people get onHow do people get onthe Internet?the Internet?

Through a NetworkThrough a Network– SchoolsSchools– LibrariesLibraries– WorkWork

At HomeAt Home– With a computer, With a computer,

modem, and an ISP modem, and an ISP accountaccount

Internet Service ProvidersInternet Service Providers

Companies sell a connection to the Companies sell a connection to the Internet.Internet.

Some began as national online services Some began as national online services like AOL.like AOL.

Many are local businesses.Many are local businesses.

Choosing an ISPChoosing an ISP

Orientation - Business/PersonalOrientation - Business/Personal

Performance and SpeedPerformance and Speed

Types of Connection - Modem, Cable, DSL, Types of Connection - Modem, Cable, DSL,

SatelliteSatellite

Choosing an ISPChoosing an ISP Tech Support - Hours? Expertise? Tech Support - Hours? Expertise?

Web Hosting/Domain Names - great for Web Hosting/Domain Names - great for

business sites/personal pages business sites/personal pages

Equipment & Costs Equipment & Costs

Functions of the InternetFunctions of the Internet

– E-mailE-mail

–Social NetworkingSocial Networking

–Search EnginesSearch Engines

– Web Pages Web Pages

– ChatChat

What is the World Wide Web?What is the World Wide Web?

Collection of text, graphics and soundsCollection of text, graphics and sounds Linked pages for easy movementLinked pages for easy movement Popular new publishing mediumPopular new publishing medium

WWW

Home Pages on the WebHome Pages on the Web

Why is the Web so popular?Why is the Web so popular? Computers are more affordable and Computers are more affordable and

accessible.accessible. Internet connections are faster and widely Internet connections are faster and widely

available.available. WWW invites surfing.WWW invites surfing.

Web BrowsersWeb Browsers

Browsers are simply programs that Browsers are simply programs that show us the information on websites. show us the information on websites.

They might be Internet Explorer, They might be Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome or another browser. Firefox, Chrome or another browser.

You can use any browser to access the You can use any browser to access the information on the Web.information on the Web.

What you’ll find on the WebWhat you’ll find on the Web

Government Information Government Information Consumer Info and Shopping/AuctionsConsumer Info and Shopping/Auctions Entertainment/Popular CultureEntertainment/Popular Culture Current ResearchCurrent Research News and Current EventsNews and Current Events FAQsFAQs

WWW Caveat!WWW Caveat!The Web is The Web is NOTNOT::

Comprehensive in coverageComprehensive in coverage A substitute for in-depth researchA substitute for in-depth research Always reliableAlways reliable CensoredCensored

Useful Web SitesUseful Web Sites

Computers and Internet DictionaryComputers and Internet Dictionary– www.webopedia.comwww.webopedia.com

Collaborative Web-based EncyclopediaCollaborative Web-based Encyclopedia– www.wikipedia.comwww.wikipedia.com

Myths and Hoaxes on the WebMyths and Hoaxes on the Web– www.snopes.comwww.snopes.com

Our SummaryOur Summary

The Internet is a global community of The Internet is a global community of people and computerspeople and computers

that we can access via a network or that we can access via a network or from home with an ISPfrom home with an ISP

to browse the wealth of information to browse the wealth of information available!available!