The Internet is a worldwide group of computers (lots and lots of computers) linked together for information, research, and communication.

You can use the Internet to:

  • shop
  • receive and send E-Mail messages
  • listen to music
  • view artwork
  • access library catalogs and databases
  • read newspapers from different cities
  • research info for classroom assignments
  • virtual tours of colleges and museums
  • and much more - the list is almost endless!

TIP: The Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW) are not the same thing. The Internet is also called Cyberspace or the Information Superhighway.

WHAT IS THE WORLD WIDE WEB?
The World Wide Web (also called the Web or www) is by far the most popular and fastest growing aspect of the Internet because it is the easiest to use. The Web is what makes it possible to look at graphics, listen to audio, view movie clips, and efficiently search the Internet for information by pointing and clicking.

TIP: There is absolutely no one in charge of the Internet--anyone can post anything to the web at anytime.

WHAT IS A WEB BROWSER?
A web browser is a program we can run on our computer so we can view information stored on the World Wide Web. Internet Explorer is the "chosen" browser for NISD. A browser allows us to link to other places in the world. Another popular Web browser is Netscape Navigator.

  IT'S TIME TO ENTER CYBERSPACE...
Cyberspace is a concept, not a thing. Cyberspace is all communication/interaction happening on the Internet.

PRACTICE: Launch Internet Explorer from the icon on your desktop.
You should see a window similar to the one below...


There are two ways to determine if your page has loaded to your computer from the Internet:

  • "Document: Done" appears at the bottom of the screen
  • The Explorer logo in the upper right corner of your screen is no longer rotating

WHAT IS A HOME PAGE?
A home page is the first screen that appears when you link to a site. It is the welcoming message, or table of contents, or opening statement of a site.

WHAT DO I CLICK?
Click on a link to go to another page at the same site OR to visit a completely different site in another part of the Web. A link can be a word or words or graphics. Words will appear in a different color from its related text and is usually underlined. Graphics often have a box around them but not always. When your mouse pointer turns into a hand , you have found a link.

PRACTICE: One of the pictures below is a link. Find the link and explore the new Web page. Click BACK on the toolbar to return to this page.

HOW DO WE GO FORWARD AND BACKWARD BETWEEN LINKED PAGES?
Click the BACK icon on the Explorer Toolbar. Each BACK click moves you backwards one screen at a time. Click the FORWARD icon on the Explorer Toolbar. Each FORWARD click moves you forward one screen at a time.

PRACTICE: Use Back icon and return to the first screen. Click on the Forward icon until it turns a light gray. This light gray color indicates there are no more pages that you have visited.

HOW DO WE GO HOME QUICKLY?
Click the HOME icon on the Explorer toolbar to return to the opening page.