This page connects you to a series of tutorials on various aspects of the Internet. You can use them online or, if you wish, download a powerpoint version to use on your own computer.
| module name | html verson to view in netscape | Powerpoint version for download |
| Some basics to begin with. | What
is a network? This module explains the basic structure of a network. Describes functions of networking hardware and software. Introduces the concept of a protocol, and that different types of computers, i.e. MAC and PC can communicate to each other in a network. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. |
| What
is the Internet? This module defines an internet as a "network of networks" and relates this to the Internet. Introduces TCP/IP, protocols and gateways. Lists some of the resources that are available on the Internet, such as WWW and electronic mail. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| What
is an IP address? This module describes how TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) works to transmit data across networks. Utilizes examples and analogies to explain in detail the functions of TCP and IP and how they work together. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| Telnet:
This module describes telnet, introduces the idea of a protocol and explains terminology such as "remote" and "local". Explains how telnet operates on the client/server principle. Lists some of the resources available via telnet. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| FTP:
This module describes what FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is, introduces the concept of a protocol and explains the client/server principle. Explains anonymous FTP and lists some resources available via FTP. Briefly describes file compression and the importance of virus scanning. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| WWW:
This module explains the relationship between the World Wide Web and hypertext transfer protocol. Also describes the flexible nature of the WWW and how it can incorporate graphics and interact with other protocols such as ftp. Gives examples of links, and describes how the WWW is non-linear. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| history of the internet | Arpanet | Click here to download powerpoint version. |
| NFSnet | Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| history | Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| Technology | protocols:
This module defines what a protocol is and explains how protocols enable computers to communicate with each other. Provides an example of how protocols work by comparing an e-mail message being transmitted across a network to a letter being sent through the postal system. Provides a list and brief explanation of several Internet protocols, including SMTP and NNTP. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. |
| tcpip
This module describes how TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) works to transmit data across networks. Utilizes examples and analogies to explain in detail the functions of TCP and IP and how they work together. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| packets
This module explains that a packet is a unit or "package" of information that contains a portion of an entire piece of data. Further, data such as e-mail messages and web pages are sent across the Internet through the use of packets. The module introduces the terms "header" and "router", explaining that routers use the information contained in the header of a packet to decide which route packets will take to their final destination. In addition, the role of TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) in relation to packets is explained. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| client/server
This module discusses the client/server computing model. Explains the roles of both the client and the server, discussing the request-response relationship and the functions of both client and server software programs. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| slip
This module explains that SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol) and PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) are both ways of connecting to the Internet, and briefly describes the difference between them. Introduces protocol and TCP/IP. Compares different types of Internet connections with a diagram. Describes how a SLIP/PPP connection is accomplished and how it works. Explains that SLIP/PPP simulates a direct connection to the Internet. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| Internet
Service providers: |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| Electronic Mail | email:
This module explains electronic mail and the e-mail addressing system. Describes how e-mail is based on the client/server principle. Introduces SMTP, as well as attachments and MIME. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. |
| mail
lists: This module explains that a mailing list is a way to share information and describes how a mailing list works. Discussions include the origins of mailing lists, mailing list management and the various e-mail addresses involved in a mailing list. Also describes moderated, restricted and open lists. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| Netiquete:
This module provides an overview of Internet etiquette, or netiquette. Commonly accepted guidlelines for using e-mail, mailing lists, Usenet newsgroups, telnet and FTP are provided in a bulleted format. Also briefly defines Acceptable Use Policies, or AUPs. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| World Wide Web | What is the world wide web: This module explains the relationship between the World Wide Web and hypertext transfer protocol. Also describes the flexible nature of the WWW and how it can incorporate graphics and interact with other protocols such as ftp. Gives examples of links, and describes how the WWW is non-linear. | Click here to download powerpoint version. |
| Web Browsers: This module explains that a browser is an interface between the user and the WWW, and that a browser is a client program. Introduces helper applications. Describes the differences between graphical and text-based browsers, providing examples of each. | Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| Netscape: This module provides a summary of the features of Netscape Navigator browsing software. Topics include graphical browsers in general, as well as Netscape's helper applications, bookmarks, and Preferences. | Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| URLs: This module defines URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and explains how every WWW resource has a unique URL. Describes the hierarchical structure of a URL, giving examples,and breaking down a URL into its various components. | Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| Web Pages: This module discusses web pages, explaining that a web page is a unit of information, often called a document, that is available over the World Wide Web. In addition, the module introduces hypertext markup language (HTML) which is used to create web pages. Finally, a discussion of hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) is included. A screen shot of a web page showing graphics and links to audio and video files is also included. | Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| HTML: This module introduces HTML (hypertext mark-up language), explaining that HTML is a set of standardized codes used to prepare documents for the World Wide Web. The module provides a definition of "web page", introduces SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language)and points out that browsers interpret the HTML codes into a formatted, readable web page. Finally, the module gives examples of basic HTML codes, with an illustration of a source code file and the web page it produces. | Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| HTTP: This module defines HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) and explains hypertext. Introduces the concepts of protocol, HTML and links. Describes how HTTP works on the client/server principle and lists other Internet resources that can be accessed via HTTP. Provides example of hypertext links. | Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| Indexing and searching. | what
is a web index? This module defines a web index and discusses how indexes use hypertext to facilitate browsing the available topics. Explains that some indexes also utilize a search tool, and provides an example. Describes how resources become listed in an index and provides names of several web indexes. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. |
| What
is a web search engine? This module explains what web search engines are and the basics of how they work. Describes search engines as interactive, utilizing queries to obtain results from a database. Provides an example of a filled in search engine form and the results page that it generates. Discusses how resources end up in a search engine's database and introduces the concept that different search engines produce different results. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| What
is a web meta-searcher? This module defines a web meta-searcher and explains how a query is typed in once and then sent to several search engines simultaneously. Lists the differences between a meta-searcher and other search engines and indexes. Provides a list of some meta-searchers and gives an example of a meta-search screen. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| Finding
people: This module provides an overview of various tools that can be used to locate individuals on the Internet. Includes discussions of CWIS, CSO, finger, WHOIS, Netfind, X.500, USENET archives and search engines. Discusses reasons why there is not a centralized directory of Internet users. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| Whois:
This module explains that WHOIS refers to both a searchable directory and a protocol. Describes what WHOIS can be used for and ways it can be accessed. Explains that WHOIS operates on the client/server principle. Provides an example of a web-based WHOIS search. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| WAIS:
This module explains that WAIS (Wide Area Information Service)is an Internet search tool capable of searching multiple databases at one time. Features of WAIS include the user's ability to choose which databases to search, the fact that WAIS searches an index of the database, and that WAIS includes a relevancy ranking in the results it produces. WAIS can be accessed via Gopher, telnet, a client program or a web interface. An illustration of a WAIS screen via the web is included. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| Internet organisations | IANA:
This module discusses the role that the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) plays in the operation of the Internet. The module discusses how the IANA oversees assignment of unique Internet identifiers and delegates registration authority to other organizations. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. |
| IETF:
This module discusses the role that the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) plays in the development of the Internet. The module explains the relationship of the IETF to the Internet Architecture Board (IAB). Also discusses the IETF's working groups and technical areas, and introduces RFCs (Request For Comments). |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| InterNIC:
This module discusses the role that the InterNIC plays in the Internet community. The module explains how the InterNIC was formed, and describes the various components that make up the InterNIC, such as Registration Services and Information and Education Services. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |
| ISOC:
This module discusses the role that the Internet Society (ISOC) plays in the development of the Internet. The module explains the relationship between the ISOC and various other Internet organizations such as the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the Internet Architecture Board (IAB). Also discusses the Internet Society's overall goals. |
Click here to download powerpoint version. | |