Learn To Surf The Internet!

Before we go any futher, let's get a brief understanding as to what the internet actually is.

What is the Internet?

The Internet is a group of networked (linked) computers which exchange information over the telephone lines. There is a set of protocols which must be used in order for different types of computers around the world to be able to communicate to each other. TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is the standard protocol for data exchange on the internet. The section of the internet that you are using right now to view this web site is the World Wide Web. The protocol the World Wide Web uses is HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). Hence the http:// at the beginning of all web addresses. Other protocols are used for access to e-mail, newsgroups, bulletin boards, etc..

The section of the Internet which is most commonly visited is the World Wide Web

So what is the World Wide Web?

The World Wide Web is a grouping of millions of internet sites which are easily accessed using web browsers, such as Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer.

What else can You do on the Internet? Click here and find out!

Click here to view a list of protocols used on the internet.

Next You Need To Learn How To Use A Web Browser

Before you surf the Internet you must be able to use a web browser. Click on the blue underlined text to go learn how.

Now Let's Learn To Surf The Internet

So where do you want to go? With so much information at your fingertips how do you sift through it all to find what you want? This is one of the major questions/problems/advantages of the World Wide Web.

Why is this a major question?

• Programers are constantly try to figure out better ways to get the information you want to you without all of the "extra" information that you are not neccessarily looking for.

Why is this a major problem?

• Just go to one of the major search engines and enter the word "business". Press Search. When it is done retrieving your search results, try figuring out which one of the 3.5 Million hits is the one you are looking for. Click here to see how to search more efficiently and which search engines will better suit your needs.

Why is this a major advantage?

• For the same reason it is can be a problem it can also be an advantage. Just think! What if you where limited to a select few of these sites, but none of them met your needs. The World Wide Web would be useless to you at this point. But with all of these choices you are bound to find one that contains the information you require. One key point to be made here is that just because the information is on the World Wide Web doesn't mean that it is correct. Anyone can publish a web site, even if they are not professionals in that particular field. You must analyze as to the best of your ability as to whether or not the information you are viewing is trustworthy. Sometimes this information only comes after doing further surfing on the topic.

Search Engines/Directories are a good start for the first time looking up a topic. They allow you an all encompassing entrance point into an area. One of the keys to using a search engine/directory is to be very narrow and defined as to the subject of interest. The broader you are the more results you will recieve.