Introducing the Internet
Some Basic Terminology
There are several basic terms and concepts which are essential to understanding
how all of this works.
Internet: refers to the worldwide network of computers connected through
telephone data lines. No one "runs" the Internet, making it either completely democratic or
completely anarchic, depending upon your point of view. Internet locations are designated by
the ends of their addresses (.com .edu .org and .gov are most often used).
LAN: or Local Area Network, refers to a network of computers operating in a
somewhat-
closed environment such as a classroom, library, or other fixed space.
World Wide Web (WWW): refers to the "universe of network-accessible
information, the
embodiment of human knowledge" (W3C, The World Wide Web
Consortium).
Hypertext: refers to a special type of database system, invented by Ted Nelson in the
1960s, in
which objects (text, pictures, music, programs, and so on) can be creatively
linked to each other. When you select an object, you can see all the other
objects that are linked to it (from
PC Webpedia). In web browsers, hyperlinks are coded in a color (usually blue)
that change to another color (usually red) to indicate that you have already visited
that link.
Web Browsers: the two most popular graphical browsers are Netscape and
Internet Explorer
(from Microsoft). Explorer has always been free, and Netscape may be downloaded free from
Netscape's Home Page. Both programs are currently on version 4
with one or two updates per year. Additionally, there are text-only browsers such as Charlotte,
but you probably won't have to deal with those.
HTTP: stands for "hypertext transfer protocol" and is the "method" used to transfer
files using a
graphical web browser.
FTP: stands for "file transfer protocol," a way of transfering files over the
Internet.
Telnet: a program which allows remote connection to a site. When you go to
the Yale library catalog, you are using
a telnet program. Telnet software is built in to Windows 95 and can be downloaded for MACs.
Eudora, Pegasus: two e-mail programs which may be used through a PPP connection (such as through
AOL, SNET, etc). Download Eudora from Eudora.com.
Usenet or Newsgroups: "a public place where messages are posted for public
consumption
and response. The most available distribution of newsgroups is USENET which
contains over ten thousand unique newsgroups covering practically every human
proclivity. The names of newsgroups are comprised of a string of words
separated by periods, such as "rec.humor.funny" or "misc.jobs.offered". The first
word (i.e. "rec" or "misc") represents the top level category of newsgroups. The
second word (in these examples "humor" and "jobs") represents a subcategory of
the first level, and the third word a subcategory of the second" (from NetDictionary).
PPP Connection: a PPP or Point-to-Point Protocol connection is the way one
accesses
the Internet through a modem. PPP connections are available for both the PC and the
Mac, but you must have a modem with a speed of at least 9600 bps (14.4 or 28.8 recommended).
Virus Software: you need to have something running on your computer;
Norton AntiVirus and McAfee Virus Protection Software are the two most
popular ones and are relatively inexpensive at any local computer software
store.
Citing Electronic Sources
MLA Style
Beyond the MLA Handbook
Models for Citing Electronic
Sources