The Internet made easy for
Active lives
We are about
to demystify the Internet and
getting connected. Make yourself comfortable and get
ready to
discover that getting around on the Internet is easier than a trip to
the corner store, the
library,
Post Office and newsagent. Easier than a spin just to say hello to relatives or
friends on the
next
block or miles away. And it’s an easier,
faster and better way to keep in touch
with love-ones who
are 3,000 and more miles away.
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Access to a personal computer is your first step towards
bringing the
world of information right to your
fingertips. You already have a computer.
Good. But you are one
of those who are convinced that you must be a computer
wizard before venturing on what was once
known as the
Look at it
this way. You’ve always left the manufacture and repair
of cars you drive to the experts.
Well, it’s time you do the same for your
PC
(personal computer). Leave the how and why of its capacity and capability
to the experts and start making it work
for you. It’s a proven fact. You don’t have to be
a master of the trade to be part
of, and benefit from the dramatic changes in the way
the world communicates. Even a
beginner who has never used a typewriter, in less than
no time will agree that getting in
and out of, and around the Internet is as easy as having a cup of tea. It’s true, with
as little as a one finger key by key touch you’ll be
gathering information, keeping up to date with the news, playing games,
writing
and delivering letters, chatting with new found friends of like interest and so
much more, including possibilities for
banking and shopping right from the
comfort of your home.. But let’s
start at the beginning.
What
is this International Network
(internet)?
·
More or less, it’s nothing but a number of
computers (networks) around the world, linked together
for the purpose of exchanging information.
·
These, let’s call them giant computers, are connected to global systems
operated by
telephone and other companies.
·
These networks have addresses similar to a postal address, and the one
your
computer is connected to, functions as a kind
of sorting office.
Some Background on the Internet
To
tell you that the whole concept for the World Wide Web (the Internet) dates back to the early
1960’s, could be begging the question, if
it’s so easy to operate why did it take so long in
coming. To that, there is no certain answer. What we can say with some
degree of certainty is that the Internet,
as we know it is still in its infancy. In fact the computer that came centuries
earlier is still being perfected.
Did you know that the elements of the first all-purpose computer were invented in 1835 and that the first working computer with a memory was developed in 1941? Now, what does that do for the period of the computer? It at least confirms that whether you are ten or over 60 the computer is a your thing.
The first signs of the Internet as we know it emerged in the 1970’s with the establishment of a network linking a number of universities. By the mid 1980’s, the number of computers linked to what became known as the Internet had grown to over 60,000. In 1989, a Swiss institute proposed the first basis of a World Wide Web. Its plan was to develop a system for physicists to share research. But by 1994 commercial organizations had outnumbered educational institutions. Hence the emergence of E-commerce (. (dot)com)
What is WWW?
WWW (World Wide Web or the Web) is used so often in
connection with the INTERNET that the three W’s can be regarded as synonymous
with it.
In fact, there is a difference. You will never have to worry about it but
just so you know, it (WWW) is a
utility employed in the transfer of documents from one of the systems in the global network mentioned under What is the Internet to your computer.
Getting Connected
To begin with, gone are the days when you needed
expert advice to get on the Internet.
Of course there are some basics which you must take care of:
With your computer set-up and your Internet Service
Provider identified, you are ready to get going. Ready to go shopping,
collect the news and sports, visit the library, deliver mail play games and
strike up a conversation without ever stepping outside. Until recently,
another big issue would have been line time charges. But, BT has announced a
flat fee plan which will allow unlimited night and week end access. Other
companies are also offering special deals on lines including a completely free
connection service.
First there was telex. Then came the Fax machine and now the world has
said move over fax, it’s Electronic Mail time. And that’s what Email is. It’s
friendlier than the fax facility which appealed more to the Businessman than
the personal user. It’s better, faster and unlike fax the machine, the computer
has personalized the Email address. When you initiate your Internet package you
also receive a free Email
address. That address is so personal that only folks you give or
send mail too know it. More than that, you are able to keep complete track of
all your messages.
The Email program installed
on your computer comes with a set of permanent files. These are labeled much
like ‘in’ and ‘out’ dips in an office.
Whenever you open your Email you will see very clearly marked, Inbox, Outbox, Sent Items and
Deleted items. These
come together to make up the main stages of the mail process. Opening
the inbox tells your PC you are ready to receive, read
and reply immediately or later to mail.
Another useful Email feature, the reply
to message, allows you to quote the incoming mail as you reply.
You will discover that E-mail is as easy as affixing a stamp to an
envelope and dropping it in the post.
The chief aspects of the Email facility
·
Sending and receive mail
·
Sending and receiving
documents
·
Sending and receiving non
text documents including colour photographs
With Email, your delivery is virtually instant. What’s more you can post
many letters, other data, photographs too, in shortest
possible time. Also, it allows you to post or send your message anytime day or
night.