Internet Basics: Connecting to the Internet

Study Notes

The Internet serves as a vital component of modern life globally.
New users may find the vast amount of information overwhelming at first.
Understanding how the Internet works and how to connect and browse is essential.

The Internet is a global network comprising billions of computers and electronic devices.
It allows access to vast information, facilitates worldwide communication, and offers numerous other functionalities.
Being "online" means a computer is connected to the Internet.

The World Wide Web, commonly referred to as the Web, consists of various websites accessible via the Internet.
A website includes related text, images, and resources and can function similarly to newspapers or television programs.
Websites can have diverse purposes, such as news, advertising, educational content, or forums for sharing images.

A web browser is an application used to access and view websites.
A web browser displays websites but is not the Internet itself; it acts as a gateway to the information stored online.

The Internet comprises a vast network of physical cables, including copper wires, TV cables, and fiber optics.
Wireless connections, like Wi-Fi and mobile data (3G/4G), also rely on these physical infrastructures.
When visiting a website, a user's computer sends a request through these cables to a server where the website is stored.
The server retrieves the website data and sends it back to the user's computer, completing the transaction in a matter of seconds.

One of the primary advantages of the Internet is instant communication with anyone worldwide.
Email represents one of the oldest and most universal methods of communication and information sharing online.

The Internet is a global network connecting billions of computers and electronic devices.
Accessing the Internet allows users to find information, communicate globally, and perform various online tasks.
Being "online" means a device is connected to the Internet.

The World Wide Web, or Web, is a collection of websites accessible via the Internet.
Each website contains related text, images, and other resources.
Websites serve various purposes including news, advertisement, forums, and education.

Web browsers are applications used to access and view websites.
It's crucial to distinguish between the browser and the Internet; the browser only displays Internet-stored content.

The Internet operates through a complex system of physical cables, including copper, TV cables, and fiber optics.
Wireless connections like Wi-Fi and mobile networks also depend on these physical infrastructures.
When a website is accessed, a request is sent from the user's device to a server, which stores websites.
Servers operate similarly to a computer's hard drive, retrieving data and sending it back to the requesting device, usually in a matter of seconds.

The Internet allows for instant communication worldwide.
Email remains one of the most widely used forms of communication online, utilized by billions of users.