This document provides an overview of how the internet works. It explains that an internet service provider (ISP) connects devices to the global network and assigns each an IP address. When a user enters a website URL, the request is sent to the ISP's domain name server to translate the URL to an IP address. The server hosting the requested website then sends back the page's content as packets that are reassembled by the user's browser to display the webpage.

1. ISP – who provides your internet
IP – an address all devices have
What is the internet?
A network is where several devices are connected together.
That means that the internet is a global network of computers and servers which are all connected
via the World Wide Web.
The process
You type the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a website in to a web browser (Internet
Explorer)
Your computer sends a ‘request’ for that web page to your ISP (Internet Protocol Address)
Your ISP checks its DNS (Domain Name Server) to find the IP address of the server that has
your requested website on it. For example if you type the URL www.google.com your ISP’s
DNS will find that googles IP address is 72.14.205.100 now your ISP can send your request
for that web page to the right server.
Your ISP sends your request to the IP address of the website you want to look at this is sent
through cables and satellites until your request reaches the right server (this is what the
internet is)
The server that hosts the website you want to view gets your request and sends all the data
you need to view that page (all the text, layout, pictures, videos etc.) as a packet.
That packet through will a contain a lot if information. Too much to send whole. A TCP
(Transfer Control Protocol) breaks that information up in to smaller packets.
These packets are sent to IP address that was attached to the original request. However
these packets will travel all over the world being routed different ways to get back to your IP
address.
Your internet browser re-builds those packets to display the webpage you requested.

2. Web authoring: Protocols
Assignment 1
Explain what key web authoring terms mean with reference to examples.
Discuss web authoring with specific reference to these three sub-topics:
 Protocols
 Software
 Design
Protocols
 A protocol is another world for rules. When discussing Web Authoring Protocols we
are talking about the rules which govern the exchange of data and information over
the internet.
 There are several protocols we need to be familiar with and understand..
Web Authoring: Protocols
 URL: The web address of a website. Example: www.google.com This protocol will
direct you to the website.
 Domain Name: the name of a website. These tend to be memorable so people can
easily type them into an address bar or search engine. Facebook is the domain name
of www.facebook.co.uk
 Top Level Domain Name: The last section of a URL. They indicate the type of website
or its location.
Country Codes:
 .uk = united kingdom
 .jp = japan
 .ie = Ireland
Organisation Codes:
 .ac
 .gov
 Domain Name Registration: This is how users buy a domain name.
 Internet Service Providers: This is the company that provides you with access to the
internet.

3.  BT
 Virgin
 PlusNet
 Talk-Talk
 Hosting: Companies will let you host your website on their servers. They store your
website flies on their serves which are accessible to others via the internet. There is
often a monthly or yearly fee for this.
 Web Page Naming Conventions: Websites are made of lots of pages all using the
same URL. It is important that each web page has a suitable home that reflects the
content on that page.
 Home Page = www.example.com/index.htm
 Contact Us = www.example.com/contact.htm
 About Us = www.example.com/about.htm
Web Authoring: Conventions
Assignment 1
Design Conventions
The rule of thirds is one of the most important design principles. It is a rule that is applied to
the layout and composition of images and websites.
 Websites and images can be divided into thirds: three vertical lines and three
horizontal lines: where those lines cross are ‘Points of focus’. The eye is naturally
drawn to that position. A website that uses the rule if thirds is universally seen as
visually appealing and keeps the design of the page neat.

4.  There are three main colour schemes that a website can be designed with. Picking
the right colour scheme for your website is very important in setting the tone and
feel of the website. Colour schemes nearly always reflect the nature of the website.
Monochromatic means ‘One Colour’
This mean s that if a website is monochromatic it uses only one colour, but it can use all the tints,
tones and shades of that colour.
An analogus colour scheme is one which uses similar colours. Analogus colours are located
next to each other on the colour wheel.

5. Complimentary colours are ones which are opposite, but visually work very well together.
They are always found opposite each other on the colour wheel.
Finding the right font for a website is important visually and for usability. Fonts are divided
into two categories: Serif and Sans Serif.
Sans Serif means the letters are clear and have no serifs (the flicks at the end of the letters)
Font size and colours are also important in designing a webpage. Titles and sub-headings
should be larger then the text below them to show importance and to break the page and
content up. Fonts should also be clearly coloured so they can be easily read. For example
using a white font (sans serif font) on a black background, this is because it is easier to read.
Text on websites can sometimes be grouped together poorly, making it harder for the user
to read. Paragraphs are used in websites, same as they are in writing, to break up long bits
of text.
Each paragraph should have its own focus. For example
 A paragraph welcoming you to the website
 A paragraph introducing the website and then another explaining what it is about
Backgrounds on websites are generally single colours, patterns or images.
 Single colours should follow your colour scheme for consistency, and should make it
easier to read writing on your website.
 Patterns can also be used, but should not ‘distract’ from the foreground and content
of your website.
 Images are sometimes used, but finding the right image can be difficult and large
Images can make websites slower to load.