Introduction
to the Internet
Internet Components
The Internet is not synonymous with the World Wide Web. In fact,
the Internet is a network of computers which permits them to
communicate with each other and includes a
variety of services,
of which e-mail, IRC, Usenet, FTP, Telnet, Gopher and
the Web are the most important ones.
A short glossary of WWW terms.
The Web or WWW is the most visible part of the Internet, since it is the
most rapidly growing sector and it expands exponentially from day to day. And it is
this service of the Internet, along with e-mail, which are revolutionizing
our access to the FL target culture and its speakers. It is composed of pages
which are linked to each other in a non-linear, or web, structure.
Understanding URL's
All Web pages can be located via their URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or address. For example,
the address of this page is http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~kmcmahon/workshop/internet.html
(it can be found in the location bar at the top of this screen). The address appears at
first sight very complicated, but in fact, there is a logic to its organization.
Resource Links
Vocabulaire d'Internet
If you're searching for the terms in French, this site from the
Quebec Office de la langue française has
a very complete, up-to-date glossary with definitions.
Heinle
and Heinle Netskills Tutorial
This is a good starting point for novices. The tutorial gives
an introduction to the Netscape browser including a detailed
presentation of the toolbar buttons and their functions as well as
pratice in scrolling, moving back
and forth, making bookmarks, using URL's.
Harcourt Brace
Internet/Web Training
Another FL publisher's site, the interactive tutorial is still under
construction and not yet available. However, there is an active link
on Safety Issues which will be of interest to teachers at the K - 12 level.
It includes Acceptable Use Policies and a link to the Children's Partnership
site (in conjunction with the PTA and the National Urban League) on Keeping Kids Safe
Online.
Delphi's FAQ
This site maintained and kept current by Delphi covers Frequently
Asked Questions about the Internet. It also has an extensive glossary of
Internet terms and a brief history of the Internet as well as an e-mail form
to submit any questions not answered on the site.
Kathryn K. McMahon
kmcmahon@ccat.sas.upenn.edu
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