network which allows you to access information, files, software,
and services (even gateways to completely different Internet services).
Every piece of information in a hypermedia document (web page) can
be linked to other related pieces of information in documents across
the room or across the world, creating a world-wide web of knowledge
and resources.
Table of Contents
To access the world wide web, you need a WWW client
(usually called a web browser). There are several web browsers which
you can run on your computer.
Here's a couple of handy links.
There are some general settings common to all web
browsers. Other settings vary from browser to browser, so specifics
are left up to the documentation for whichever browser you choose
to use.
Home Page, Starting Location
http://www.geeksnet.com
Naturally, you can use any page you want for your
starting location. Most browsers have a reasonable default (usually
the home page of whichever company authored the software). A search
engine home page, geeksnet.com's home page, or a personal home page
are also commonly used.
Email Settings
See Email section
Many web browsers support sending and/or receiving
email, so you may need to fill out some email settings as well.
Usenet News Settings
See Usenet News section
Many web browsers support reading and/or posting
Usenet news, so you may need to fill out some news settings as well.
Many web browsers use memory and disk caches to
improve performance, since loading a file from the memory or hard
drive of your own computer is much faster than downloading it over
your modem. When you access a web page or file, your web browser
displays it then saves it away in a small area of memory. When this
memory is full, it begins writing the oldest files out to the hard
drive. When the hard drive space is full, it finally removes the
file from your computer completely. If you access the file again
before it's removed, the web browser loads it from cache instead
of over the Internet.
If you're running Netscape Navigator version 2.0
or later, you can display files in your memory cache by opening
the URL, about:memory-cache , and display files in your disk cache
by opening the URL about:cache>. Note that if your browser is configured
to use a large memory or disk cache, this may take a while.
Search engines allow you to locate specific information
on the web. The value of these tools is rapidly increasing, as the
world wide web explodes and the ability to find information simply
by browsing diminishes. Below find links to the most popular and
effective search engines.
Access control is a sensitive issue. Parents want
to control what their children will be exposed to on the Internet.
Employers want to keep their employees from spending all day surfing
instead of working. The government wants to implement the will of
the voters (or at least the most vocal groups). ISPs and content
providers want to avoid censorship.
An variety of access blocking and filtering software
are available. A list of blocking
and filtering software is available at Yahoo.
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