Historically, people faced many challenges and difficulties to gain access to data and information. But today, access to almost any piece of information is far easier with the advent of the Internet. Not to mention, communicating with folks around the world! The Internet has revolutionized our lives and it has become an integral part of everyday life for most people.
Here are the basics to get you familiar with the Internet.
1. The Internet
The Internet, which is simply known as “the Net,” is a global system of computer networks—a global telecommunications system that provides connectivity for a myriad of other smaller networks and allows computer users to communicate across the digital landscape. The Internet acts as a channel or pipeline to transmit electronic messages from one network to another network. So when you say you’re “online”, it simply means you are connected to the Internet via your desktop, laptop, cell phone or tablet — to have an easy and seamless access to any information you need.
2. The World Wide Web
The World Wide Web, simply called “the Web,” is a compilation of different websites you can access via the Internet. A website is composed of related text, images, and other resources. Websites are similar to other forms of media such as print media, the news, photography, cinema, broadcasting, marketing and advertising. In other words, a website can be used for almost anything, like a platform for education, conversation, discussion, entertainment, shopping, advertisement, etc. Websites can be interactive in a way that’s unique to computers.
3. The Browser
Once you are connected to the Internet or you “go online”, the Browser is a tool or application which allows you to access and view the websites. Don’t be confused that the browser is the Internet itself, but the browser is the application responsible for allowing you to access and view websites that are stored on the Internet. The browser allows you to get around to different websites across the world and help you navigate (access and view) a website from one page to another page.
4. URLs
Web sites have their own addresses which are called Uniform Resource Locatorsor simply known as URLs. Most of the website addresses start with http or the HyperText Transfer Protocol, which is a set of protocols/rules for transmitting files such as text, image, sound, video and other multimedia resources on “the Web”.
5. Internet Service Provider (ISP)
An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is an organization that allows the user access to the Internet through their server. Your computer platforms can be connected to the Internet through cable modems, DSL, Dial up, Wireless, Satellite and Cellular.
The Internet has paved the way for a seamless and easy access to information and communication wherever you are, thus it is extremely important to look for Internet Service Providers that you can really trust and rely on, to enjoy the use of the Internet to the maximum.
