Introduction to basic Internet

1. Intro to Internet for
Library Patrons
Robin Beavers
Multimedia Reference
Librarian
Grande Prairie Public Library
Hazel Crest, IL
2013

2. What is the Internet?
The Internet is a vast
network (group) of
computers and devices
that communicate with
one another via cable or
wireless signals.
The Internet is short for
"interconnection of
computer networks"
The Internet provides the
framework that carries the
World Wide Web as well as
chat, messaging and email
services.

3. Why learn to use the Internet?
Information & Communication!
Becoming an Internet user
allows you to become more
independent and informed!
We are moving towards a
“Greener” society...the push to
use less paper and the rising
cost$ of producing printed
materials means both business
and government are choosing
to move many of their
resources online.

4. How do you get the Internet?
You need an Internet ready device
(computer, Smartphone, tablet,
e-reader, etc.) and an
Internet Service Provider (ISP).
An ISP can connect you to the Internet via,
cable, DSL, or dial up services.
You can also connect using Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi allows your device to access the Internet using signals
not a cable.

5. What is the World Wide Web?
The World Wide Web (www) is
the millions of connected
documents known as web pages
or websites that you can explore
using the Internet.
http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/internet101/f/the_difference_between_int
ernet_and_web.htm
one tech writer put it “the Internet is the
restaurant, and the Web is the most popular dish on
the menu”.

6. The difference between the Internet
and the World Wide Web?
They are often used interchangeably, but they are
technically different. As one tech writer explains;
“the Internet is the restaurant, and the Web is the most
popular dish on the menu”.

7. How do I access the World Wide Web?
A computer program called a browser allows
you retrieve and view websites.
The most popular browsers today are:

8. Search Engines
Using keywords, a search engine allows
you to find websites that are of interest.
The most popular search engines today
are:
Google.com
Ask.com
Yahoo.com
Bing.com
Ask.com
MSN.com

9. Web Addresses
A web address is called a Uniform Resource
Locator or URL.
Reading a web address
www.grandeprairie.org is read
grandeprairie(dot)org
There are no spaces between characters
in a URL and they are not case sensitive.

10. Web addresses continued
Sometimes you will see http:// before the
address, it means hypertext transfer
protocol and it is a way of letting other
computers know that a computer is requesting
a web page.
Many times http:// is implied and not all addresses
will show it in the address bar

11. What does dot com mean?
That little dot and those letters behind it are part of
The Domain Name System (DNS). Generally it lets
users know the type of website being represented.
.com—commercial enterprise
.edu—educational institution
.org—non profit organization
.mil—military site
.net—networks, ISP’s, organizations
Countries have domain names too, to let you know the country of origin.
.il-Israel
.ca Canada
.jp Japan
.uk United Kingdom
.in India

12. Navigating the Web
Users navigate the web using a series of hyperlinks that you
click on to move to another section within a website or to a new
webpage.
Hyperlinks can be a word, phrase, or image.
If it’s a hyperlink your cursor will go from an arrow to a hand
symbol.
to

13. Security
Internet security is a major concern for those who
surf the Web.
Websites that require your personal information add layers of
security called encryption, to protect your personal information
and their reputation.
A good way to tell if a website is secure is to look at the web
address. A secure web address will begin with https:// which
means Hypertext transfer protocol secure.

14. Security…continued
Websites that require you to log in to access your account
(email, banks, stores, social media,etc.) should begin with the
https:// . This lets users know that the website is encrypted
and making every effort to provide secure online access to
protect potentially sensitive information.

15. Resources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet
http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/i/f/What-Is-The-
Internet.htm
http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/I/Internet.html
http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-the-difference-between-http-
and-https.htm#did-you-know
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Wide_Web