Internet Basics
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is the 'Internet'
How do I get connected?
What's a modem, and how much does connection cost?
How do I choose where to get connected?
Where can I go for help?
Where can I try it out?
What is the Web, and where does e-mail come in?
What's so great about email?
What are news groups, forums, mailing lists?
What are bulletin board systems
What is WWW?
What is the big attraction of the Web?
What kind of computer and software do I need to use
the Internet?
How easy is it to put Web pages on the Internet?
Will I have to buy lots more software?
How can I publisize my web site?
If I have access to e-mail, do I also have access to
the Web?
How do I send more than email?
What is the advantage of BBS or Internet?
Is it easy to set up a BBS?
Does anyone combine Internet and BBS systems?
How do you find information on the Internet?
What exactly is the 'Internet'
The Internet is an electronic network of computers all over the world permanently
connected to each others through high speed links. It is not owned or managed
by any one organisation and is really a network of networks - not one system
but many segments linked together
To get on the Internet you link your computer to one of those permanently
connected.
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How do I get connected?
The easiest way is by using a modem to connect your computer to a phone
line and through that to a commercial ISP - an Internet Service Provider
- or a commercial Online Service like Compuserve. You can use an existing
ordinary phone line - although you can't use the phone and the computer
at the same time.
Alternatively, networks of computers can be linked to a dedicated line -
one solely for Internet traffic. Your place of work may have a connection
already.
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What's a modem, and how much does connection
cost?
A modem is a small box or card plugged into your computer at one end and
wired to the telephone socket at the other, They cost about #150 for the
fastest models (which are worth getting).
Most ISPs - the connection providers - will charge you #10-#15 a month,
or maybe #100 for a year. Alternatively you can connect through Compuserve,
America Online or one of the other Online Services. These charge about #6
a month plus connect time after a few hours. The difference is that they
offer a range of information service beyond those normally found on the
Internet.
This may seem like a large investment, but most organisation will make great
savings, just through the use of email. Many busniesses use it for that
reason.
#= pounds sterling
John Navas maintains an excellent 28800 Modem FAQ that might be of help.
http://web.aimnet.com/~jnavas/modem/faq.html
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How do I choose where to get connected?
The first choice is between ISP and Online Service, and then within each
category (though there may be advantages in both if you can afford it for
reasons I'll explain below). Generally ISPs like Demon or BT for general
users, GreenNet or Poptel (marketing particularly to non-profits), are cheapest
for heavy use. Online Services offer additional information not available
to non-subscribers, and easier methods for transferring data between subscribers
( see below 'How do I send more than email').
For more information on connecting, look in the back of Internet magazines,
which often give cost comparisons and guidance. Many ISPs and Online Services
offer free trials - though you do have to buy the modem.
Make sure you choose one with a local phone number (point of presence),
a good help desk (especially when you're starting out), and one which doesn't
have high initial costs - you'll lose this money if you decide to change
service later.
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Where can I go for help?
If possible, find a friendly and experienced Internet user to show you the
basics. Internet Service Providers and commercial Online Services have help
desks, once you sign up with them. Buy some Internet magazines - they're
pretty informative, even if they seem nerdy.
You may well find that there's a group local to you who can help, and there's
probably a Public Access Point (or PAP) in your local town. This might be
a library, or a "Cyber-cafe" who'll give some very basic training
or guidance with your first session. A government helpline has been set
up to help you find your nearest point of assistance. Phone: ?????????
After that, you might want to get some training, although this can be very
expensive (and probably over-priced) so look out for cheaper schemes run
by local groups and education establishments, such as LETS (Local Exchange
Trading System) and peer-to-peer education schemes
Not surprisingly, the one of the best places to get help usiong the Internet
is on the net itself. Examples of best practice, FAQ on particular topics
and help from software companies can all be found quite easily.
Green net http://www.gn.apc.org/gn/webtools/howtohtml.html
But in the end, the only way to learn is to start - you have to get into
the water to learn to swim.
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Where can I try it out?
It's difficult to describe the tools the Internet offers here, you really
need to see it yourself.
More and more libraries are offering public access to the Internet as part
of their service. See
http://www.earl.org.uk/ for a list.
In many towns there are also "Cyber-Cafes", which offer a cafe
atmosphere along with Internet access. Try the list at http://www.easynet.co.uk/pages/cafe/ccafe.htm
for places to "sip and surf".
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What is the Web, and where does e-mail come
in?
The basic idea to hang on to is that the Internet simply allows one computer
to transfer files to another computer, or many other computers at the same
time. Theoretically, anything you can put on a floppy disk and give to someone
else, you can transfer via the Internet, although as we will discover there
can be quite a gap between theory and practice.
In my humble opinion (or IMHO as they say on the Net) the most useful transfer
is email (we'll come back to Web later). It is a bit like fax without the
paper and retyping. Old style: computer word processor to printer to fax
to fax to recipient to reply on computer to printer to fax etc. New style:
computer to computer - with the ability to rework any of the other person's
content on your computer - cutting, adding and sending back just as you
might if they gave you a word processed file on disk.
You can compose your email messages offline - that is, when not connected
- dial up your ISP or Online Service, send them off, and disconnect. Incoming
messages wait in your mailbox on the ISP's computer (known as a server or
host), and you collect them when you wish. You can keep them all on disk,
and only print them off if you want to.
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What's so great about email?
It is cheap, fast and convenient - much easier than letters and fax or even
telephone in some circumstances (i.e. 'he/she is in a meeting'). No envelopes
and stamps, no waiting for calls back, no fax busy signal.
The style is informal, although there is courtesy or 'Netiquette'. This
including the occasional abbreviation (IMHO = In my humble opinion; ) and
smileys ( ;-) = a winking smiley :-) = smiling smiley :-( = glum smiley
)
.
You don't even have to be in your office to collect or send email - you
can do it on a portable from a hotel room if you are keen. You can send
and receive email from anyone on the Internet, whatever ISP or service they
use. You only ever pay local call charges on the Internet, so international
email is the same as local. And you can send thousands for the same cost
and trouble as one. Which brings us to...
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What are news groups, forums, mailing lists?
These are public email, of two sorts. The first type is variously known
as a newsgroup, discussion forum or conference depending where it resides
on the Internet, Online Service or bulletin board system. Forums are rather
like notice boards where you can post and read email - an electronic post
box where you can rummage through the messages. They can either be open
to anyone - as are newsgroups on the Internet - or limited to subscribers
to a particular service like Compuserve, or still further limited to a smaller
group within those subscribers. They range from the equivalent of Speakers'
Corner to invitation-only smoke-filled rooms.
Mailing lists have a similar function but work differently. You send a message
to an email address at an Internet computer which acts as an electronic
forwarding office. This 'starbursts' your message out to hundreds or thousands
of other people: in fact, to anyone who has signed up - again by an email
message - to the mailing list. The cost: one local phone call.
Forums you have to log in to and look at to see what's there. Mailing lists
drop public messages in with your private email each day. Less trouble,
unless you subscribe to a lot of lists.
BTW (sorry, by the way) an email address is in the form of dwilcox@pavilion.co.uk
- which means me, with my post box at Brighton's ISP Pavilion Internet.
I'm also 100116,240 for anyone on Compuserve, or 100116.240@compuserve.com
for anyone else on the Internet mailing my Compuserve postbox.
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What are bulletin board systems
BBSs, as they are known, got going before most people were on the Internet.
They can be a small PC or Mac in a back bedroom hooked up to the domestic
phone line by a modem so that anyone phoning that number direct - not via
an ISP - gets into the PC.
There users will find the equivalent of a mini-Compuserve: a place for private
email, discussion forums and libraries of files. Sophisticated BBS systems
may have banks of modems so several users can access them at the same time,
or be linked to the Internet. Small systems can be run by enthusiasts at
low cost. Users need a modem, but don't need to sign up with an ISP. See
'What are the pros and cons of BBS and Internet' later. First, let's deal
with the fancy stuff - World Wide Web.
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What is WWW?
World Wide Web is another lot of computer files buzzing around the Internet,
but unlike email they can offer pictures plus sound and video too, if you
have the right software for the sound and video add ons.
While email looks like simple word processed files, World Wide Web files
look more like magazine pages produced with a desk top publishing package.
The considerable added value is that as well as words and pictures they
have links - highlighted places on the pages (either text or picture). If
you click on a link it will take you to another page - and here's what has
got everyone excited - that page doesn't have to be on your computer. It
can be on any computer on the Internet, anywhere in the world.
These links - which are really addresses to files and computers - create
the Web of connections between Internet computers and the content on them.
It means, for example, that you can create the contents list for a Web magazine
and have the articles spread all over the world.
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What is the big attraction of the Web?
First, it is very user friendly. Just clicking on pages brings up attractive
content through the links. Second, it is also very author friendly. You
can put together an impressive list of material simply by linking to other
people's material - and it is all quite legitimate.
For the user, it is like browsing the libraries and magazine racks of the
world without leaving your chair.
For example, members of a network organisation could developing different
areas of content to match their expertise and publish these, with information
about their project, on lots of different local servers - perhaps taking
advantage of free deals offered by ISPs to local projects. However, a set
of opening menus could turn these into a seamless set of material to outside
users anywhere in the world.
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What kind of computer and software do I need
to use the Internet?
It depends what you want to do.
Basic email will run on pretty basic hardware, while to use Web graphics
'browsers' comfortably your computer will have to be able to handle it.
You'll need a 486 SX25 PC with 8MB of RAM (running windows 3.1+), or a Macintosh
68030 series also with 8MB running system 7.0+. It is, however, possible
to read Web in text-only mode on older machines. Sound and video may require
upgrades.
As I explained above, most Internet software is free. You can either use
different programmes for email and Web, or access email through one of the
more sophisticated Web browsers like Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer.
For info on how to use Netscape, check out http://home.netscape.com/eng/mozilla/1.1/handbook/
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How easy is it to put Web pages on the Internet?
These days, not too difficult. A lot of Internet service providers will
give users some free or low cost space, and there are some easy to use programmes
to author Web pages which work like word processors. You need other software
(called FTP, or file transfer protocol software) to get the files from your
computer to the server (that is the one at the ISP), but it isn't too difficult
to use.
Where you do have to spend time and effort is in working out what you want
to achieve by putting material on the Web, who is it aimed at, how to organise
it, and how to keep it refreshed. Users bore easily - after all, with a
click they can be the other side of the world. Simply Web publishing leaflets
which weren't very inspiring first time around in print isn't going to grab
anyone - it is simply electronic vanity publishing.
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Will I have to buy lots more software?
Fortunately most start up software is free. Because the early Internet users
were academic and techies, there is a spirit of sharing and showing what
enthusiasts can do. Basic connection software, email and Web browsing (that
is viewing) is all free unless you want something fancy. The better Web
authoring tools do cost #50-#150, although software companies often allow
you to test their early versions free, or full versions for 30 days. You
don't even have to send off for it - you just get it off the Internet. As
well as content, there is lots of software on the Internet.
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How can I publisize my web site?
Aside from adding your URL (your web address) to your stationary and advertising
through the normal channels, it's a good idea to alert any related organisations
who have a web presence to your pages. These web sites should have the email
address of the designer or maintainer of the site. Let them know who you
are and why you should be linked to their pages, and whether you will be
making a link to them.
You will also need to register your pages with the major search engines
on the web. You can contact them all individually, but there is a site at
http://www.submit-it.com, which
will allow you to contact many of them from one screen.
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If I have access to e-mail, do I also have
access to the Web?
That depends on the system you are using - see below the advantages and
disadvantages of Internet and BBS. If you are connected through a BBS you
almost certainly won't have Web. Through an Internet Service Provider -
certainly - and also through commercial Online Service providers like Compuserve
and America Online, though some people report connections can be slower.
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How do I send more than email?
In theory you simply attach a file - maybe a word processed or spread sheet
document - to an email. In practice difficulties arise because people use
different types of software (e.g. Word or Word Perfect) and also because
the file attachment system encodes the file, and there are several ways
of doing this. Macs and PCs encode differently, for example. The more sophisticated
(not free) email programmes like Eudora Pro offer encoding and decoding
options, so you are OK if you check what the other person uses. Compuserve
and other service providers have systems which make it easier to transfer
files, but only to others who have signed up to the same system.
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What is the advantage of BBS or Internet?
There used to be three fairly distinct camps: on one side, the BBS sysops
(system operators) running BBSs, often as a hobby, without Internet connection.
People would dial in, often without charge, and be able to exchange email
with others on the system, and to send files (upload) to the file libraries
and also retrieve files (download). No Web, and often no way of sending
or receiving email to not users of the system. However, it is easy on a
BBS to set up private as well as public discussion areas and to exchange
files. A strong sense of community would develop among users.
In the other camp were the Internet enthusiasts, with email around the world,
plus the delights of the Web, but with more difficulties in transferring
files and setting up discussion areas. There is a fairly lengthy procedure
to set up discussion areas on the Internet (newsgroups) and they are open
to all.
A third camp were the users of Compuserve and other commercial Online Service
providers - with good content and discussions areas, plus file transfer,
but operating initially as closed systems - rather like a super BBSs.
What's happened recently is that the three camps have moved closer together
- at least technically. Many BBS offer facilities for sending and receiving
Internet email. Commercial service providers offer this plus Web access,
and are converting their BBS-type discussion areas to Web. Web software
is developing so that it is possible to set up discussion areas.
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Is it easy to set up a BBS?
It is not too difficult if you are providing for users on a hobby basis,
but more difficult if you aim to offer a professional service with support
to users. Someone has to be the system operator dealing with technical management,
registering and helping users, organising content. That can be a full time
job, so organisations usually take space on an existing system.
Using an existing system has many advantages, but the operator will charge
a fee. This can be #60 - #175 a year for a professional service.
Unless the BBS has incoming Internet connections anyone outside its immediate
area of operation will be making long distance calls.
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Does anyone combine Internet and BBS systems?
Two organisations which serve non-profit bodies - Poptel and GreenNet -
do provide Internet access and also run linked BBS systems. Anyone not using
these organisations for their Internet access has to pay an additional fee
for use of the BBS systems, and they do take a little getting used to. However,
these two providers have the advantage of understanding the voluntary sector
and community groups and are constantly making improvements to suit these
markets.
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How do you find information on the Internet?
If you are lucky you may find a mailing list or discussion group that suits
your needs, or a Web site where someone has developed content and made links
to other sites. This might be a database or idexed information and as more
organisations get online, their web sites usually offer a good jumping-off
point.
Alternatively you can use a search engine to hunt through enormous indexes
to list Web pages or discussion areas which might be of interest. These
are amazingly powerful - but unless you are careful in specifying your search
criteria you can end up with thousands of 'hits'. It's worth reading the
help pages for each one to narrow your search.
Try our links for community information
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