CrisCross Beginning Internet

What is the Internet?

"A network of networks" is one of those circular definitions that really tells us nothing. The Internet is a worldwide network of computers including those of governmental agencies, businesses, educational institutions, organizations, and individuals. The Internet first began during the Cold War when the military wanted to link their computers with those of the universities, etc. Then others started linking to the network until it has grown into what it is today. The Internet has many components: the World Wide Web (WWW), E-mail, gophers, telnet, usenet groups, and ftp.Think of the Internet as a town without a planning commission. There are no grids laid out for paths or streets. Anyone can build a Web site anywhere about anything at anytime. Nevertheless, this "network of networks" has everything: shopping, games, information -- some good, some not-so-good -- you name it -- the Internet's got it!

What is the World Wide Web (WWW)?

Tim Berners-Lee, Switzerland, realized the Internet could be so much more and in the 1980's came up with the concept of the World Wide Web. By 1994, everyone started getting in on the WWW. The WWW is everything the Internet has plus pictures and sound and video and ... well, you get the picture. The really cool thing about the WWW is the hypertext links.

What is an URL?

URL is a Uniform Resource Locator (Can you tell the military was involved in beginning the Internet?). An URL is really an address for a Web site. Just like mail can't get to your home if it doesn't have the right address, and just like missing just one number of a phone number means you won't be talking to the right person -- the correct URL is very important. Check your spelling, punctuation, and remember it's case sensitive.

Parts of an URL (or follow these paths to get there from here.)

http:// -- Internet protocol (stands for hypertext transfer protocol)
www. -- World Wide Web
Address/name (e.g. <tulsalibrary>)
Domains--

.edu -- education (usually universities and colleges)
.gov -- government
.com -- commercial (business)
.mil -- military
.net -- network
.org -- organization

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Do you want more information about the World Wide Web and URL's?

Check out Yahoo's Internet 101, again

Exercises

Some questions to see if you were paying attention. ;-)
http://scrtec.org/track/tracks/f01435.html

All About Me (You) A Scavanger Hunt <http://206.252.190.23/tips/allaboutme.html>

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Sites for Beginners:

Yahoo's Internet 101 A great site for learning the background to the Internet and World Wide Web.
Learn the Net This site even guides you through getting set up at home on the WWW and also includes a fun list of 10 Things You Can Do This Week on the Web.
Beginner's Central This site includes a little history then leads you through the Web until you might even consider doing your own Web page.
The Help Web: A Guide To Getting Started on the Internet Another beginner's guide to the Internet.
Finding Information on the Internet: A Tutorial This University of California, Berkley, site guides you through finding information on the Internet.
BCK2SKOL Lessons: A Class on the Net for Librarians with Little or No Net Experience Even though this beginner's site is for school librarians, other beginners could follow these step-by-step instructions.
Internet Learner's Page This site begins with the basics and has a whole lot more like links to other sites, etc.
Windweaver's Search Guide: Using the Best Directories and Search Engines A great guide to searching the Internet with plenty of tips on searching techniques for the various search tools.
"Gee Whiz" Intro to the Internet's Capabilities This site begins at the beginning and takes you right on up to Web page building.

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Searching the 'Net

Ask Jeeves <www.askjeeves.com> This site is just for fun. See what others are asking "Jeeves" and try a question or two yourself.
Google.com <www.google.com> The cleanest and most elegant interface on the WWW. A brand new search engine with lots of power and a unique way of finding information on the Web.
Yahoo.com <www.yahoo.com> The oldest and best human-indexed subject guide on the Internet.
CrisCross Reference Links <http://students.ou.edu/R/Christine.C.Richardson-1/criscrosslinks> This site includes a list of my favorite search tools and lots of other interesting links, too!
Cris' Guide to Searching the 'Net for Kids
<http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listsearchincr.html>
I created this site for a workshop for students grades 4-6 as a guide to searching the Internet effectively. Teachers and parents might find it helpful when helping their children access information on the Internet.