- What is the Internet?
- There are a lot of mistaken impressions about what the Internet is,
and who is a part of it. For background on the Internet, click on the headline above.
- What is the World Wide Web?
- You're on it, right now. Still curious? Then click on the headline .
. . .
- How valuable is the Internet to
company-based users?
- For a brief (I promise) outline of what the Internet means, or could
mean, to us, just click on the headline.
What, then, is this Intranet thing?
Even in large companies, there exists a diversity of both computer
hardware and software and the individuals who use them. The challenge for IS planners and
departments is in developing platforms which will reach the "lowest common
denominator", but still get the job done. All too often, though, whether as a result
of budgetary problems, poor planning, or a lack of understanding of users' needs, systems
are developed for budgetary, supply, information and other needs which are woefully
lacking. Yet both "power users" of the World Wide Web and relative newbies,
given similar browsers and helper applications, and meaningful home pages to direct them,
can achieve similar results.
What Intranetting (versus Internetting) means is the ability to
reach a large number of internal users through a portable, useful platform. Regardless of
the type of use envisioned -- from ordering pencils to performing searches of company
records to assisting legal reporting requirements to enhancing worker morale -- a
well-designed Intranet system can mesh the best of the Web with the best a company has to
offer.
The Internet is not a company, or a service, or a branch of any
government. Rather, it is the name given to the interconnection of computers worldwide. It
was created in 1969 for the defense establishment as a means by which vital computer
operations could continue in the event of a nuclear attack and the destruction of computer
infrastructure. The network was designed to be seamless and "self-healing",
where any computer on the network could function fully and communicate with other
surviving systems.
Since its birth, the Internet has grown -- today's estimates of
individual users run as high as 35 million -- with a current growth rate of 10%. Now a
worldwide network, there are over 150 countries with Internet connections, with users from
universities and research institutions, government, companies, private organizations, and
individuals. As many as 50,000 postings are placed on the Internet's electronic bulletin
boards or "newsgroups" each day.
Topics on the Internet range from the profound to the profane and
little if any regulation of the Internet -- by anyone -- takes place. By its very nature,
the Internet survives (and, apparently, thrives) in an atmosphere of relative anarchy. As
more state and federal governmental entities come online and commerce on the Internet
grows, it will be interesting to see how issues of content (from copyright to pornography)
are addressed.
The World Wide Web ("WWW" or simply, "the Web",
for short) was created largely by a physicist at a lab in Switzerland. The Web, uses
graphics and highlighted text which, when a user points to it with a mouse cursor and
clicks a button on the mouse, transports the user to the location -- in the same document
or at a site on the Internet in another part of the world. Because of its eye appeal and
ease of use, the Web is rapidly becoming the interface of choice for those wishing to
project themselves onto the Internet. The Web is being embraced by government, educational
institutions, businesses, and individuals alike.
The Internet can be a valuable source of information or merely a
vast sea of electronic signposts pointing to each other. The keys to working comfortably
on the Internet include: (1) Not to expect too much too soon, or you may be disappointed;
(2) Focus on content, rather than mere directions to other resources; (3) When you find a
good resource -- save the address -- using the "bookmark" feature on your
browser or writing down an address you hear about or see in the newspaper; (4) Follow
leads given by veteran netsurfers; (5) Surf, using the search tools available by pressing
the "net search" button on your browser.
Remember, if you are looking for information from a particular
source, go straight to that source. Many federal government agencies, major media outlets,
large research institutions, professional organizations, etc., maintain sites on the Web.
Try searching for that source directly. The information you get may be valuable and
timely. And above all, don't forget that patience is definitely the order of the day.
The fact is, for the researcher-netsurfer, there's quite a bit of
information on the Net, and it's growing geometrically. Whether you're looking for DOJ,
DOE, EPA or other agency pronouncements or court decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court on
down, you can find much of this information with just a little bit of investigation.
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Frequently-Asked Questions about the Internet/intranets:
