Learn the Internet
If you have not yet jumped on board the Internet revolution, you may feel a bit overwhelmed about the whole thing. Where should you start, after all, if you are completely new? While learning the Internet may seem like a daunting task, it can be done if you take it one step at a time.
Getting Connected
The first thing you need to do is get your computer connected to the web. You can do this through your telephone line using dial up service, but today most people connect using a more efficient option, such as cable or DSL Internet service. If you have cable, contact your cable company about cable Internet options, and they will help you get set up. DLS is high-speed Internet service offered through a phone line, and the phone company will help you get connected.
Start Browsing
Navigating websites is called "browsing" or "surfing the web." To start browsing, open your Web Browser. This is a program on your computer that connects you to the Internet. Internet Explore and FireFox are two of the most popular web browsers. The Web Design page at About.com lists several of the most popular browsers.
In the web browser, you will see an address bar. This is where you can type the web address you wish to visit. Most people start surfing using a search engine, or a website that will search the Internet based on the keywords or phrases you enter. The search engine will bring up several websites that you can visit on your topic. This means you do not have to know the web address of a site on your topic to utilize the Internet.
Basic Terminology
As you are surfing, you will come across several terms you should know. First, you should know what a URL is. URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator, and it is the long form of a web address. It starts with "http://" and typically ends with .html or .htm.
That brings us to the next term, which is link. A link is a portion of text on a website that is underlined and set off in a different color. If you place your cursor over that text, you will notice that it can be clicked on. Clicking on a link redirects the user to another URL.
Finally, understand what a page title is. This is the title of the website, and it is the terminology you will see in the search engine results. Most web designers make the page title as relevant to the information on the page as possible, so it is a good indicator of what you will see if you click on the link.
For more information about beginning life on the Internet, visit:
- The Help Web – A guide for getting started on the Internet
- Finding Information on the Internet – A guide on how to use search engines to find what you need online.
- Beginner's Guide to Basic Email – Learn the basics of sending and receiving electronic mail (email)
- Internet 101 – Popular beginner's guide to the Internet
People who go online for the first time are often amazed at all that they can learn with their computers. The Internet gives you the ability to connect with loved ones, have information in a moment's notice, and even pay your bills, all without leaving your home.
