Some people speak of the Internet and the World Wide Web as the same thing. They are not. The Internet is a way to move data. The Web is like a program that allows access the Internet (Rainer & Turban, 2009).
The Internet began in 1969 as a U.S. Department of Defense experiment in worldwide communications. It was intended to test how well people and organizations could communicate and exchange data and files by computer. Now, it is made up of millions of computers all over the world. Users can communicate, store files, and display information. These computers can store and display any kind of digital data or information, including text, graphics, and sound (Rainer & Turban, 2009).
Rainer and Turban (2009) describe several ways to connect to the internet: cell phones or computers, home, a library, school, work, hotels, and cafes are all ways and places to connect to the internet. However and wherever you connect, you need the right hardware and software. The hardware is usually a computer with a modem. You need the modem that works with your connection. Some examples are: a dial-up modem for a dial-up connection, or a cable modem for a cable connection. Wireless connections receive a transmission from the modem. Computers without wireless capabilities must be plugged in to the modem. The software includes an operating system and a browser. The browser makes it possible to surf by pointing-and-clicking.
You also need an Internet Service Provider (ISP). This is a company that provides an Internet account for a fee. You also need a way to access your ISP account. Usually, this means a telephone or cable TV. Your ISP account is in addition to your phone or TV account. Your phone or cable company may also offer ISP services (Rainer & Turban, 2009).
To post information on the Web you need a home page. This is a screen displaying text and graphics. Usually, a home page has links to other pages. All of these related pages make up a web site (Rainer & Turban,...