Information Resources

Information Resources

Internet • The largest and best known network in the world. • A worldwide network of computers linked together via communications software and media for the purpose of sharing information. • Has become commercialized into a worldwide information highway, providing data and commentary on every subject and product on earth.

Browsing the World Wide Web • HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) • The communications standard used to transfer documents on the World Wide Web. • HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) • A set of codes used to create pages for the World Wide Web; codes specify typefaces, images, and links within text. • Browser • A software application that enables a person to access sites on the World Wide Web that may include an e-mail or newsgroup program. • ISP (Internet Service Provider) • An organization that has a permanent connection to the Internet and provides temporary access to individuals and others for free or for a fee.

Web Address • Address • Web pages are loaded into the browser window by entering the “address” into the Address field of the browser. • URL (Uniform Resource Locator) • An Internet address for the site a user wants to visit.

Home Page • The first page usually displayed when a user accesses a Web site. • A home page often contains links to other pages at that site or to other Web sites.

Cache & Refresh • Cache • Web page information is stored on your computer in temporary Internet files called cache. Computer looks here first. • Refresh • If the page has changed recently, you must Refresh the page.

Hyperlink • Links are text or graphics in a web page which connect to other web pages. • When links are clicked, the other web page loads into the browser. • Links are usually underlinedand/or highlighted text or graphics. • Verify link by moving your mouse over the text or graphic and the mouse arrow will change to a pointer finger.

Searching the Internet • Search engines search for the word or words you typed in existing web pages all over the Internet. • If a match is found, it will display a linked title of the web page, a brief description, and the web address.

Search Engines • A software program that enables you to search for, locate, and retrieve specific information on the Internet about any topic. • Most common search engines: • www.google.com • www.yahoo.com • www.bing.com • www.ask.com

Downloading • Save a file from another computer and store it on your own. • Files can be documents, installers for other programs, plug-ins, etc. • A downloadable file usually has a link on the web page indicating that you should “click here to download the file.” • A dialog box usually pops up and asks if you would like to “save the file” or if you want to “open” it. Opening is not always downloading – it is just viewing. • Select “save”. • Remember where the file is saved and what its name is.

URL Endings • Conventions are used to make web sites easier to find. • Endings describe what the site is about. • Examples: • .com – company or commercial institution (Ford, Intel) • .edu - higher education (USU, BYU, WSU) • .k12 – public Education (Kindergarten through High School) • .org – nonprofit or private organization (Red Cross) • .gov – governmental site (IRS, CIA, FBI) • .mil – military site (Navy, Air Force, Army) • .net – administrative site for the Internet or ISPs

URL Endings .. Countries • Web addresses can be identified by country if outside of the United States. • Examples: • .it – Italy • .br – Brazil • .ar – Argentina • .uk – The United Kingdom • .ru– Russia • .es - Spain

Resources Fuller, Floyd. Computers: Navigating Change. EMC Paradigm, 2002. http://cil.usu.edu/comptechIRTutorial/InfoTOC.htm

Information Resources