What is the Internet?

In the mid 1960’s, during the Cold War, it became clear that there was a need for a bombproof national communications system. A concept was developed to link computers throughout the country. This would allow messages to still be passed even if a large part of our country was hit with a nuclear bomb.

At first only government "think tanks" and a few universities were linked. In time more and more universities came "on line" and soon it was a tool used by scientists to share information more than military strategists. Soon businesses began using the Internet. At this time no one party "operates" the Internet, there are several entities that "oversee" the system and the protocols that are involved.

The speed of the Internet has changed the way people receive information. It combines immediacy with depth as no other media has ever been able to do, making it perfect for news, weather, and dynamic information.

So what began as a military communications system became what we know as the Internet. It is estimated that in 1996 19 million people were on-line and that by the year 2000 one hundred and forty two million people will be logging in.

There are several different mechanisms for using the Internet. Software for accessing the Internet includes:

• E-mail (electronic mail)- a message service
• File Transfer Protocol transfers files from one computer to another
• Browsers World Wide Web surfing allows you to graphically see information stored on other computers
• Telnet from his own computer a user can remotely "use" another computer on the Internet

What is the World Wide Web?

The World Wide Web is NETWORK of computers. Big ones, little ones, personal, and business ones that are all transferring information using standard formats so that the information is available from any kind of computer. Simply put, it is a tool that lets you share information with millions of people all over the world. Think of it as a research paper that lets each footnote take you right to the original source.

The first web browser to capture the public's eye was Mosaic, which was written by Marc Andreessen and other undergraduate students at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) in the United States. Most of that group went on to form the core of Netscape Communications Corporation.

Do I have to be a smartie to use it?

The WWW began as a research tool for scientists. It used to be serious, unattractive, and confusing to use. But, it changed the face of research by allowing scientists from across the world collaborate in "real time." Now, with so many people having personal computers, it has become fun, full of audio and visuals, and its easy to use.

In fact, its as easy as riding a bike. You may want to begin riding with training wheels on. Companies like AOL, MSN, Compuserve, and WebTV have packaged everything you need to use the internet in one software package (that you’are likely received in the mail on a disk or CD-Rom).

Once you feel comfortable with the Web, you may want to take off your training wheels. You can sign up directly with an Internet Service Provider (ISP). You will probably find that the service is just as good and perhaps less expensive.

Exactly what is a Web browser?

Web browsers are software packages that let you "see" the Internet, specifically they let you visit web pages that people have written. The most common browsers are Netscape Communicator and Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. The new versions of web browsers include many other Internet capabilities like E-mail, File Transfer, etc. You don’t need much else anymore.

As you surf, you should keep in mind that each browser views the Internet a little differently. Some pages will look different on Netscape than they do on Internet Explorer. Some may even crash your browser (don’t worry, just start it up again). If you get pages that consistently look "ugly" it probably isn’t you. The pages were probably written with another browser in mind. Most of the browsers are standardized so there are surprisingly few problems considering the bulk of information on the web.

Also, your modem speed and the type of connection that you have also has an effect on the way you view the WWW.

What is a Web page?

Web pages can include text information, pictures, sounds, video, and much more. You can create living documents that are updated weekly, daily, or even hourly to give web surfers a different experience every time they visit your pages.

All about URLs.

The URL, or Uniform Resource Locator, is the web address that you are visiting. If someone gives you the address to their web it will look like www.virtualorchard.net. Sometimes you will see http:// at the beginning of the address. This stands for hyper-text transfer protocol and basically that how you tell your browser that you are requesting a web page

Finding information on Web.

The Web is so huge there has to be a way to organize the information. This is done through the use of Search Engines. Think of these as giant interactive directories like phone book yellow pages. Or think of them as organized "gateways" to information.

Experiment with different search engines. They are all similar but have some important differences. A search engine that is quick, but returns 40,000 pages may not be as useful as one that may be slower but returns only 30 pages.

Some search engines do simple word searches and literally look through the Internet for that word or combination of words. Others only look through lists of keywords from each Web site. Find the search engine that is best suited for your needs.

Major Web Search Engines

AltaVista Web and Usenet News searcher, indexing over 100 million pages. Categories are: simple, people, business, subject, and advanced searches.

WWW Virtual Library The VL is the oldest catalog of the web, started by Tim Berners-Lee, the creator of the web itself. Unlike commercial catalogs, it is run by a loose confederation of volunteers.

Galaxy Search using any or all keywords, title, or link text searches within chosen categories. User-defined result display.

HotBot Wired magazine's search engine, powered by Inktomi, allows you to search within particular geographic or cyber areas.

Infoseek Search the Web, email addresses, newsgroups or a company directory by keyword, name or full questions. Or browse the reviews.

Internet Sleuth Find what you're after by choosing from over 3,000 searchable databases. Narrow the search down by selecting from over 20 subject listings.

LookSmart Organizes the Web for you like no other directory. It is three powerful Internet tools in one: LooksmartExplore, LookSmart Search, and LookSmart Favorites.

Lycos Customizable search engine allows you to enter a search string or browse the Web by subject. With a newcomers' section.

One Key OneKey provides the largest database of kid safe sites. With a resource library that has the best that the Net has to offer in over 500 categories,

Open Text Index Choose the simple search or (to pick which part of the web document to search, and the structure of the search) a power search.

WebCrawler Natural language searching using plain English words. Designed for novice users, but includes some advanced features.

Excite Use this well-known service to search by keywords or text strings, or browse the categories of reviewed sites.

Yahoo! Original search engine and directory of the Web. Search the entire database at once, or comb through the categories.

Using Excite or Yahoo as "Portals"

Both Excite and and Yahoo let you make customized home pages for your browsers and choose the content you want to view including, stock quotes, news, weather. Both sites will let you customize each category to your interests and also allow you to post your stock portfolio. Since the page will update itself at regular interviews you will always have the latest information when logging in to your customized home page on Excite or Yahoo.

Finding subject specific gateways or "portals."

As your Internet savvy increases, you will probably develop trust in a few special Web sites that have already done your work for you. You can greatly reduce searching time by locating sites like the

Virtual Orchard where someone else is actively maintaining a directory of relevant information.

These may be categorized on subject matter, geographic region, or interest level.

Some Examples

Apples: The Mid-Atlantic Regional Fruit Loop, Virtual Orchard Tree Fruit WWW Sites

Pesticides: Where to Find Pesticide Information on the Web

IPM National Integrated Pest Management Network

 

Creating your own "gateway."

You can use your browser to create your own "gateway" by building a bookmark list of favorite sites. All of your favorite URLs (web addresses) will be saved for your easy access. You may find these favorites through searches, through newsletters, advertisements, or friends.

Photographs courtesy of the USDA Agricultural Research Service Information Staff from http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/graphics/photos/index.html.

Copyright© Winfred P. Cowgill, Jr. and Betsy Saul 1998 All Rights Reserved
Last modified 1998/10/31:17:28:57