Lesson 1: What is the Internet?
Introduction
The Internet is an increasingly important part of everyday life for people around the world. But if you've never used the Internet before, all of this new information might feel a bit confusing at first.
Throughout this tutorial, we'll try to answer some basic questions you may have about the Internet and how it's used. When you're done, you'll have a good understanding of how the Internet works, how to connect to the Internet, and how to browse the Web.
What is the Internet?
The Internet is a global network of billions of computers and other electronic devices. With the Internet, it's possible to access almost any information, communicate with anyone else in the world, and do much more.
You can do all of this by connecting a computer to the Internet, which is also called going online. When someone says a computer is online, it's just another way of saying it's connected to the Internet.
What is the Web?
The World Wide Web—usually called the Web for short—is a collection of different websites you can access through the Internet. A website is made up of related text, images, and other resources. Websites can resemble other forms of media—like newspaper articles or television programs—or they can be interactive in a way that's unique to computers.
The purpose of a website can be almost anything: a news platform, an advertisem*nt, an online library, a forum for sharing images, or an educational site like us!
Once you are connected to the Internet, you can access and view websites using a type of application called a web browser. Just keep in mind that the web browser itself is not the Internet; it only displays websites that are stored on the Internet.
How does the Internet work?
At this point you may be wondering, how does the Internet work? The exact answer is pretty complicated and would take a while to explain. Instead, let's look at some of the most important things you should know.
It's important to realize that the Internet is a global network of physical cables, which can include copper telephone wires, TV cables, and fiber optic cables. Even wireless connections like Wi-Fi and 3G/4G rely on these physical cables to access the Internet.
When you visit a website, your computer sends a request over these wires to a server. A server is where websites are stored, and it works a lot like your computer's hard drive. Once the request arrives, the server retrieves the website and sends the correct data back to your computer. What's amazing is that this all happens in just a few seconds!
Watch the video below from Tata Communications to learn more about how the Internet functions.
Other things you can do on the Internet
One of the best features of the Internet is the ability to communicate almost instantly with anyone in the world. Email is one of the oldest and most universal ways to communicate and share information on the Internet, and billions of people use it. Social media allows people to connect in a variety of ways and build communities online.
There are many other things you can do on the Internet. There are thousands of ways to keep up with news or shop for anything online. You can pay your bills, manage your bank accounts, meet new people, watch TV, or learn new skills. You can learn or do almost anything online.
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What is the Internet?
The Internet is a global network of billions of computers and other electronic devices. It allows users to access and share information, communicate with others, and perform various tasks. When a computer is connected to the Internet, it can access almost any information and interact with other devices and users around the world .
What is the Web?
The World Wide Web, commonly known as the Web, is a collection of websites that can be accessed through the Internet. A website is made up of related text, images, and other resources. Websites can serve various purposes, such as providing news, advertising products, hosting online libraries, or facilitating communication. To access and view websites, users use web browsers, which are applications that display the content stored on the Internet .
How does the Internet work?
The Internet functions through a global network of physical cables, including copper telephone wires, TV cables, fiber optic cables, and wireless connections like Wi-Fi and 3G/4G. When a user visits a website, their computer sends a request over these cables to a server where the website is stored. The server retrieves the website and sends the data back to the user's computer, allowing them to view the website. This entire process happens in just a few seconds.
Other things you can do on the Internet
In addition to accessing websites, the Internet offers a wide range of activities and services. Some of the common uses of the Internet include:
- Email: Email is one of the oldest and most universal ways to communicate and share information on the Internet. Billions of people use email for personal and professional communication .
- Social media: Social media platforms allow people to connect, share content, and build communities online. These platforms provide various ways to interact, such as posting updates, sharing photos and videos, and messaging other users.
- News and shopping: The Internet provides numerous ways to keep up with news and shop for products and services online. Users can access news websites, subscribe to newsletters, and shop from online retailers.
- Online banking and bill payment: Many banks offer online banking services, allowing users to manage their accounts, pay bills, and transfer funds electronically.
- Entertainment and learning: The Internet offers a vast array of entertainment options, including streaming TV shows and movies, listening to music, playing games, and accessing educational resources. Users can learn new skills, take online courses, and access educational materials.
These are just a few examples of what you can do on the Internet. The Internet has become an integral part of modern life, providing endless possibilities for communication, information sharing, and productivity.
I hope this information helps you understand the concepts discussed in the article. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!
