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<center><h1>The Internet</h1></center>
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<h2>Introduction</h2>
<p>As the media has centered on the WWW (World Wide Web) the other components of the internet are often missed, except Email has had almost the same amount of media coverage. There are many other resources that can be very useful, such as; FTP, IRC, Newsgroups (NG). Then there is things like Gopher, Finger, Archie, Veronica and other tools that you can use to explore all the little side streets on the Superhighway.<br>
<p>I will try to give you a outline as to what all the different tools are used for and how to go about finding them on the internet. We will also cover the different 'File Formats' that are used on the internet and how best to view them and to use them yourself.<br>
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<h2>The Beginning</h2>
<p>Before we get into all of that I want to run over quickly how the Internet got started and how it works. The Internet was created by the US Military as a way to guarantee continued communications even after a nuclear war. The way this works is that even with major sections of the country being taken off the net the rest of the net can continue working and communicating with the rest of the country. It was also designed to be independent of the type of computer being used; Mainframes, mini-computers, or micro-computers. This flexible design that is the heart of the Internet is one of the main problems governments and society is having with today's Internet.<br>
<h4>Censure</h4>
When you try to censur or control access to such a flexible and robust network it becomes very difficult, if not impossible. Each section of the net has too many arms and alternate avenues for control to be implemented. Since the Internet has grown into a world wide network it is also becomes a question as how one country can exercise control. As an example, suppose the US wanted to make something illegal to put on the internet, fine I can access another country that it is not illegal and access it there instead. The US's control is useless, I can still access what the US is saying is illegal. Then you might say that the US can try and control access to that country, from the US (this may or may not be able to be done). Again that is not going to stop it, I can then access a country that is still able to be contacted with the US control and then from there access the country that the US has tried to deny access to. The point being is that it is too big and too many alternate ways of getting to the information you want for any one country or even for a number of countries to try and control. The size of the Internet being world wide also leaves a thousand ways for underground connections to be available without being able to be spotted. It is the heart of the Internet to be so robust and flexible, that is what it was designed for.<br>
<h4>How Computers Communicate With Each Other:</h4>
<p>How does the Internet work with all the different types of computers and Operating Systems that are out there today? What goes a long way in this is TCP/IP <i>Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol</i>. Every computer that connects up to the Internet must use a version of TCP/IP for their type of computer, what this does it that it gives all the computers that are connected to the Internet a common communication protocol (or language) to use when communicating with other computers. This allows Apple computers to talk with IBM computers and Windows Operating Systems to talk with OS/2 Operating Systems. I have heard people say "our servers are not compatible. . ." when they are having problems connecting with each other. The whole idea of the Internet is that it does not matter what type of server anyone is using, the problem is not that the servers are not compatible, there has to be another reason you are having problems connecting with each other. <br>
<h4>How You Connect To The Internet:</h4>
<p>The first thing you need to connect your home computer to the Internet is a ISP (Internet Service Provider). You can find local ISPs, larger national ISPs, and then there are providers like Compuserve, AOL, and MSN. There are pros and cons to each of these. The national providers are a must if you travel a lot, you can find a local number to most national providers in many sections of the country. With a nuational provider you can access the internet with a local number while you are travelling. You might spend a little more for a national provider, but if you need the advantage of accessing the net while you are on the road it may be worth the extra. The local providers are the cheapest of the lot and if you do not travel or do not need to access the internet while travelling the local providers are probably your best choice. Providers like Compuserve and AOL are the most expensive, or can be. The reason the cost is higher with these providers is that they offer a lot more services than just access to the internet. Some of these additional services are free and some cost you money every time you access the service. It is these extra services that cost that can increase your monthly bill considerably. Most of the ISP companies will give you a free month or so many hours of access free to try out their services. The best way to find the ISP that you want is to try them out for the free offer first. There are a few things to find out right off the start about the ISP you are looking at:
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<li><b>Is it a flat rate for unlimited access?</b></li>
<li><b>It it is not unlimited access, then how many hours of access is included in the monthly charge, and is these hours limited to prime time, and when is prime time?</b></li>
<li><b>What is the hourly charge if you go over your monthly allotment of hours per month?</b></li>
<li><b>Does the provider support PPP connection?</b></li>
<li><b>Does the provider offer free Web Pages on their server? How much space do they offer on their server for your Web Page?</b></li>
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The answer to these questions should give you some idea of what ISPs you want to try.<br>
<p>The monthly rate should cover unlimited access, if it doesn't it should include a reasonable amount of access time (60 to 90 hours per month). The primary time slot should be around 4 or 5 pm to midnight and the non-primary hours you should have unlimited access. Also find out if weekends are included as primary time.<br>
<p>The hourly rate for time that you have gone over your monthly allotment should not be more the 50 or 60 cents per hour, some charge over $1.00 per hour and it is way over charged.<br>
<p>Most ISPs today offer PPP connection (Point to Point Protocol). PPP connection is much more preferred than the SLIP connection. With PPP your computer is directly connected to the internet. The older SLIP type of connection you are connected through the ISP's server and you are not directly on the internet. PPP you connect through the ISP's server but once connected your home PC is directly on the internet and you are not connected through the ISP's server.<br>
<p>Most ISPs today offer free Web Pages. What you need to know is how much space on their server do they offer for the free Web page, this can vary considerably from 200K to 2MB of space. The other information you may need is to know is if their server supports <i>form scripts</i> or not, and if you can upload your own scripts. <b>If you do not know what I am talking about right now, be patient and go through the HTML pages to learn about writing your own Web pages.</b><br>
<p>If the ISP has been in business for less than 1 year you can expect that their server will be "down" or off line more than others that have been in business longer. This is normal as they are still fine tuning their servers. This is not a bad thing, except you should be aware of this when you sign up. This way if you cannot access the internet from time to time you know that it is probably the server being worked on.
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Changes last made on: <i>Sat Jan 11 16:19:03 1997</i>
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