What is the Internet?

The Internet is an amalgamation of hundreds of thousands of computers that are linked together via a common set of communications standards. It is a loosely formed 'organization' of computers that 'talk to each other'. Of significant importance is the fact that the 'organization' is not a single entity. That is, there is not a specific Individual, Company, or Government Entity that is the owner of, or in charge of, The Internet*. Amazingly The Internet consists of tens of thousands of smaller computer networks. How they all got together, and continue to deliver vital services to millions of users is a true testament to the power of networking - people networking that is. The Internet is guided, not governed, by the Internet Society, which is itself an association of individuals whose primary focus is the technical standards used to link the Internet network components. Beyond those technical specifications, the Internet's day to day operations are cooperatively managed by the organizations whose computers and networks make up the Internet. The Internet is a living case of democracy, anarchy and technocracy all rolled together for, and maintained by the users for the good of the users. A member network is at all times in the dual role of user and provider - what a concept!

Information Super Highway?

There has been wide speculation about the Information Super Highway that is Vice President Al Gore's pet project. Claims vary from the marvelous benefits that will accrue for everyone needing more resources in this Age of Information, to the taxpayers' burden and years of work involved in attaining this goal.

Those of us involved with the Internet are already benefiting from the masses of information available from computers around the globe, and very few of us have spent more than a reasonable sum relative to our size and use of the 'Net'. You may wonder how this is possible. A brief history of the Internet may help.

A Short History:

The Internet as we know it today has its roots back in the late 60's when it was conceived by the US. Government's Advanced Research Project Agency. The Agency (ARPA) had a need to connect its large high-tech research laboratories with those of some the Nation's Universities. Since, the bulk of the information to be conveyed was being maintained in laboratory computers, a network that linked these directly to each other at high speed was necessary. The ARPANET high speed network (by the standards of the day) was created in 1968. As time passed and more laboratories/Universities got involved, the use of the network changed from strictly research to more general information exchange. Before long, the information being exchanged over the Internet was no longer restricted to lab results and theoretic hypothesis. News groups were formed to focus discussion on topics as diverse as 'Save the Whales', 'Women in Computing', 'Rap Music' and 'Alternative Religions.' Organizations made their research and other databases available to other Internet users. The Internet grew beyond its geographic boundaries and now includes links to all seven continents. Today, you can get mail from a user in Manchuria, edit it and mail it to friends in London, Paris, Nome, Siberia and Antarctica, for example. And you can do all this without leaving your office, or living room if you have a computer at home.

Can I hook up to the 'Net' with my PC from Home?

Yes. If you have a modem and some communications software, you have all the technology you need to exchange electronic mail with millions of Internet users around the world. Because of the volume of information available on the 'Net', a higher speed modem helps, but is not an absolute necessity.

What is involved in getting access to the Internet?

Access to the Internet comes in at least two flavors - Personal (single user, low volume) and Commercial (multiple users with greater volume.)

Personal Access

For those of us desiring connection for personal messaging and research, the most cost effective method is through any of numerous providers of Internet access. Typically you would call a local phone number and attach by modem to the provider's system which is attached the Internet. This is similar to use a regular BBS or CompuServe or other on-line access service. In fact the major dial-in services are quickly adding Internet exchange capabilities to their suite of services. If you already have an account with CompuServe, MCI Mail, Easy Link or America On-Line, you already have the means to exchange mail with anyone on the Internet. Unfortunately, while E-mail is clearly a very visible benefit of using the Internet, it is far from the only one. Therefore, you may look into getting an account with a provider that gives you direct access to all, or a majority of the Internet services. These services are generally available for monthly fees ranging from free to approximately $30/month. (Hint, if you are at all associated with a local University or College, or can get associated with one, it is often the cheapest way to get on the Internet. This is primarily due to the fact the College is already committed to expend the dollars associated with full Internet connection. The additional traffic an individual would add is negligible.) (We are also seeing a growing number of public libraries that have full Internet access, they may or may not be able to provide you with an Internet account. Check your local library.)

Commercial Access

If your intent is to hook your office system up with the Internet so that more than one person can access the full suite of Internet services, you will have to look into getting attached to the 'Net' through a commercial access provider This will require you to get an IP address and appropriate network hardware and software. Your access provider should be able to help you with this. (However, if you run into problems or want another opinion, feel free to call us at Internet Resources - that's what we do.) While connection to the 'Net' should be fairly straight forward, there are a variety of factors that will have to be addressed properly for connection to take effect. Key amongst these is your own ability to manage the companies and pieces that must come together. This is because of the nature of full Internet link. Your system(s) becomes a member of the community of computers that make up the 'Net'. This means that your computers, disks, memory, network interfaces, communications links, and all the software that controls this, must comply with the standards of the Internet. If you have just set up a system with the most recent, state-of-the-art, open systems technology, you're most of the way there. For the rest of us, we may have some additional work to do. Though you shouldn't let this kind of talk dilute your enthusiasm. As we have already discussed, the 'Net' is made of millions of users on thousands of different kinds of computing and communications devices. Unless your system resides in a museum display, there is a way to get you onto the 'Net'. Far less elegant solutions than are available today were in use only a few years ago, and they got the job done.

What is TCP/IP?

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) is a suite of communications standards that all Internet Backbone and Hub computers use to talk to each other. If you are using a dial-in service to access the Internet, you need not concern yourself with this techno-babble. However, if you intend to become an active member of the 'Net', you're going to need to really get into this. There are several excellent books on the subject and chances are there is somebody in your organization that can help you get started.

Where can I Find more Information?

When I first asked this question only a few short years ago, I was told that since the Internet had grown through a wide consensus of opinions, there was a wealth of information about it that was freely available. The kicker was, that to get the information, you had to get on the Internet and request that it be sent to you via E-mail or file transfer. If you have asked around, you may have heard something similar. Leave it to the technical keepers of the 'Net' to come up with a 21st century solution to an 18th century problem. Having said that, and by no means to belittle the elegance and speed of electronic data exchange, we have compiled a short list of highly readable and widely available books and articles that should help you with this. See page ??. As the Internet grows in both size and diversity, it gets harder and harder now, not to see some kind of article in the press that discusses the Internet. If you are truly interested in more than you see on the list, give us a call. Once you get on the 'Net' and learn how to use it, you'll even be able to find the masses of information that is in fact freely available on the Internet.

About Internet Resources

Internet Resources Corporation is a consulting and support company with over 15 years of experience with Unix, TCP/IP and PC networking. It is based in New York City, with offices in Westchester and New Jersey. It primarily provides consulting, training, installation and support services for clients looking to communicate between multiple sites and multiple computing environments.

Internet Resources is positioned to address all the business and technical issues associated with today's wide area networking requirements. The Internet Hub facilities are located in our Westchester and New Jersey locations.