01. Introduction

The Internet is a global network of computers. It is the biggest network in the world. Computers all over the world are linked together through the Internet.

The Internet gives you access to all kinds of resources, stored on remote computers. You can also connect with other people. You can chat, send email, play games and take part in discussion groups. An increasing number of people also make Internet phone calls to other people who are connected to the Internet.

All you need is a computer with a modem, a few computer programs and an Internet connection. Then you can join in this global community and share in its resources and incredible possibilities.

02. What is a web browser?

A web browser is a program such as Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer. These programs are designed to give you access to web pages. The files that they open are called HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) files. They provide the underlying code on which the whole of the Internet operates.

Web browsers allow you to view HTML files. To create, or change, an HTML file you can use any of a number of other programs, including simple text editing tools like Windows Notepad, word processing applications like Microsoft Word, or more sophisticated programs like FrontPage or Dreamweaver.

Web browsers can also give you access to news sites and email.

Your computer does not always need to be connected to the Internet in order to use a web browser as the web browser will open HTML files on or offline. If you have HTML files saved on your hard drive or on an external disk, then you will be able to open them without going online.

03. Web pages

A web page is a single page saved as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) whereas a website is a collection of web pages linked together. Websites are usually uploaded onto a web server (a computer at another location that is permanently linked to the Internet).

There are many programs designed specifically for web page production. Some of them provide templates to display the information. They all allow you to add sound and moving images.

04. Websites

A website is a collection of web pages linked together. Websites are usually uploaded onto a web server (a computer at another location that is permanently linked to the Internet).

There are many programs designed specifically for producing web pages and maintaining websites. Some of them provide graphical displays that tell you whether all the pages in the site are linked together correctly.

05. Searching the Internet

Try this sample search first, and then you will be ready to experiment with your own searches. Make sure you are connected to the Internet before you start.
  1. Type the following into the ‘Address’ or ‘Location’ box near the top of your web browser: www.yahoo.com
  2. In the search box type: Shakespeare
  3. Click ‘Search’.
  4. Scroll down the page to see the first few links.
  5. Click on one of the links.

When choosing a topic it helps to be as specific as possible. For example, if you wanted to find out about war poetry, searching for war, or poetry, would lead to a huge number of websites. If you look up war + poetry you will find more helpful information.

06. Search tips 1

  1. When choosing a topic to search for, it helps to be as specific as possible. For example, if you wanted to find out about biographies of Australian politicians, searching for biographies, or Australian or politicians would lead to a huge number of websites. If you look up biographies + Australian + politicians you will find more helpful information.
  2. Save the web page and read it offline later.
  3. You can highlight the text of a page and copy and paste it into a word processor.
  4. By clicking on a web page image using the right mouse button and selecting ‘Save Picture As...’ from the pop-up menu you can save the picture for use in your own documents. However, you must not use the picture in anything that will be sold, published or distributed, without prior permission from the copyright holder.

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07. Search tips 2

  5. Store your favourite web addresses by clicking on either ‘Add Favourite’ or ‘Add Bookmark’ depending on what web browser you are using.

  6. Copyright
It is a good idea to get into the habit of obeying the copyright rules. Unless you have permission, you cannot use material (from the Internet or elsewhere) which has been written, or photographs which have been taken, by someone else, unless the original author has been dead for over 70 years, or (when something has been published after the author’s death) it is at least 70 years since it was published. Neither can you use music or video that has been produced by someone else without permission.

08. Saving web pages

Saving web pages from the Internet
  1. Make sure you can access the Internet through your computer.
  2. Launch your web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator).
  3. Go to the web page that you want to save.
  4. Select ‘File’ from the menu bar.
  5. Select ‘Save As...’ from the drop-down menu.
  6. Save the file in your folder on the hard drive, or to a floppy disk.

The page will now be saved as an HTML file and you can read it while offline (not connected to the Internet).

09. Opening web pages

  1. Open your web browser – this is a program such as Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer. (Note: your computer does not need to be connected to the Internet to read a web page that is saved on your computer or an external disk, such as a floppy disk.)
  2. Select ‘File’ from the menu bar.
  3. Select ‘Open’ from the drop-down menu.
  4. Navigate to wherever the web page is saved. (Note: web page file names usually have .htm or .html at the end.)
  5. Double-click on the required file.

10. Chat rooms

Many websites, such as Yahoo.com and msn.com, include chat rooms, where people can communicate instantly via the Internet. You will usually need to download a small piece of software before you will be able to use a chat room (if you are using a computer at school, then you may not be allowed/able to download software – check with your teacher).

There are usually chat rooms for different age groups and also chat rooms for different interests.

In a chat room a conversation is displayed (with the usernames of the people talking displayed before what they say – a bit like a script for a play). You will also have a box where you can type what you want to say and then send it to the room.

Some chat rooms offer other facilities, such as whispering (talking to one other person in the room without anyone else being able to see what you are saying) or inserting icons (little pictures, such as smiley faces, gifts, roses, etc.). Most chat rooms have a link to a help page where you can find out more about how to chat.

11. Instant messages

There a number of instant message programs available. These enable you to 'talk' using text to a friend if you are both online (connected to the Internet). You would both need to have the same instant message software to do this and usually you also need to have your friend’s details (username or number) in some kind of address book.

Instant messaging is similar to whispering in chat rooms.

Some instant message software even allows you to talk, using a microphone, to your friends. This can be quite useful if you have friends or relatives abroad, as you only pay the cost of your Internet connection, rather than the large cost of an overseas call. However, depending on the type of Internet connection you have, this can sometimes be very slow and create rather strange conversations.