World Wide Web and Internet Basics

Introduction to the World Wide Web and Internet

  • The World Wide Web (WWW) and the Internet are often confused; however, they are not the same.

    • Internet: A network of networks that enables communication and data exchange.

    • WWW: A service on the internet accessed through web browsers, focusing on site access for reading and interaction.

Web Pages and Websites

  • The WWW is a vast collection of documents, called web pages.

  • A group of related web pages stored at the same web address forms a website.

  • Websites can be created by anyone but generally involve costs and are often owned by businesses, governments, or organizations.

Home Page

  • The home page is the first page of a website, which includes:

    • Information about the website's purpose.

    • Links to other pages and resources within the site.

Characteristics of Web Pages

  • A web page can include:

    • Text

    • Graphics

    • Audio and video content

    • Hyperlinks (usually indicated by underlined, blue text or blue outlines for graphics, allowing users to navigate to other resources)

Web Server and Website Maintenance

  • A web server is required to host a website. It must be connected to the internet.

  • Maintenance of a website is often the responsibility of a webmaster, who updates and supports the site's content.

  • Websites can be developed using various programming languages including HTML, PHP, and Python.

Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

  • Each web page has a unique web address known as a Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

  • Examples of URLs:

    • http://www.studyopportunities.co.za

    • http://www.facebook.com

  • IP Address: A unique numerical address for devices on the internet (e.g. 216.58.194.163 for Google).

    • Similar to a phone number, a URL is easier for users to remember compared to numerical IP addresses.

Domain Names and Types

  • Domain names include components such as:

    • WWW: A prefix indicating a website.

    • Site name: The specific name of the website (e.g., studyopportunities).

    • TLDs (Top-Level Domains): Indicate type or geographical location (e.g., .com, .gov, .edu, .co.za).

Examples of Domain Types:

  • .com: Originally for commercial entities but now used broadly.

  • .gov: Government organizations.

  • .edu: Educational institutions.

  • .org: Non-profit organizations.

Types of Websites

  • Websites can be classified into various types:

    • Web Portals: Starting points for searching the web, offering curated links and resources.

    • Informational Websites: Provide general information about subjects, often associated with government departments or educational institutions.

    • News Websites: Focused on delivering current happenings and events.

    • E-commerce Websites: Allow online shopping (e.g., Amazon, Takealot).

    • Blogs: Personal pages sharing thoughts and experiences, often supporting interaction.

    • Wikis: Collaborative sites allowing users to edit content collectively (e.g., Wikipedia).

Browsing and Searching the Web

  • Browsing: Exploring the web via hyperlinks without a specific query; can result in wasted time.

  • Searching: Involves entering queries in a search engine to find specific information.

Web Browsers and Features

  • A web browser is software allowing users to access and navigate the web (e.g., Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, Microsoft Edge).

    • Key features include:

    • Address bar: Where URLs or search terms are entered.

    • Back and Forward buttons: Navigate through previously viewed pages.

    • Refresh: Update the current page.

    • Home button: Return to the default homepage.

    • Bookmarks: Save favorite pages for easy future access.

Search Engines

  • Search engines are tools for finding web content based on user-entered keywords (e.g., Google, Bing).

    • They utilize algorithms to provide relevant search results (i.e., "hits"). Results are generated based on keyword relevance.

Effective Searching Techniques

  1. Define Your Search Topic: Start with a clear idea of what you want to find.

  2. Use Specific Keywords: Including relevant terms improves results.

  3. Avoid Common Words: Exclude non-essential terms; focus on keywords that best represent your topic.

  4. Utilize Advanced Search Options: Use filters for more accurate results, such as date and content type.

Copyright and Plagiarism

  • Citing Sources: Always give credit for the information you use. Include:

    • Author (if known)

    • Date of publication/update

    • Title of the website

    • URL

    • Date of access

  • Plagiarism occurs when ideas or words of others are used without proper acknowledgment.

Conclusion

  • Understanding the different types of websites and how to effectively search and navigate the WWW enhances online activities and ensures responsible use of the internet.