THE NOTES FOR THE FIRST MEETING - THE INTERNET IN GENERAL

WHAT IS THE INTERNET?

The Internet is an interconnected network of computers worldwide. The computers exchange information and data with each other. It is often simply called "The Net".

Could you explain a bit further?

The Internet has evolved from a project called ArpaNet, as long ago as 1973, designed to share information between computers in the US Defence Department. In 1986, the US National Science Foundation instigated NFSNet as a backbone communication service for the Internet. When the technology to access this network started becoming affordable by the ordinary home enthusiast in the early 1990s, commercial providers started springing up to make such access possible and thus transformed the Internet into the network of today.

There are hundreds of thousands of powerful computers (servers) permanently connected to the Internet by means of a fixed line. There are able to send and receive many thousands of e-mails or web pages per second. Many of these do not have public access, and are outside our remit. But others belong to Internet Service Providers. At one end, they are connected to the Internet. At the other they have the means to be connected to many users by means of dial-up connections, using modems. They act as the interface between the user's computer and the Internet. An Internet Service Provider will need to make their money one way or another, either through telephone charges or a monthly or annual fee.

HOW CAN I ACCESS THE INTERNET?

We'll stick to the three most likely to be relevant to you.

1. The commonest way is to use your own computer and telephone line to connect into the computer system of an ISP, an Internet Service Provider.

What do we mean by this?

You will have a personal home computer, which will have suitable hardware and software. The only special piece of hardware you will need is the MODEM. This is a device which connects into the telephone system and enables your computer to exchange information with another by means of an ordinary telephone call. Almost any home computer you buy nowadays will come with a modem. Even if you don't have one, they are not expensive and are available to suit almost any computer. You do NOT need the latest, most powerful computer to access the Internet. A modest or even second-hand one will do just as well.

For the enthusiast, there are other, more expensive ways of using the telephone system, such as RDSI and ADSL, but these are not necessary for the occasional user.

The software you need will almost certainly be included in that supplied when you buy the computer. Any special software required will be supplied by the ISP you choose. The software will include an e-mail reader and composer, and the same for newsgroups, as well as a "browser", the software used to access the World Wide Web (WWW), and the technical programs needed to use the modem.

The hardest part is configuring your own software to connect to your ISP and connect (log on) with your own unique user identity and password. Many ISPs will supply a CD-ROM which will make this as easy as possible, needing you only to supply personal details and doing the rest.

Because buying a computer (although they have many other uses) is a considerable investment both financially and in terms of commitment, before you take the plunge you may well wish to test the water first.

2. Another way, particularly suitable for a novice or occasional user, is to use the services of an "Internet Cafe".

An Internet Cafe is somewhere, not necessarily a bar or cafe, where there are computers connected to the Internet and available for hire, usually by the half-hour.

You pay your fee and you are then free to use the computer to "browse the web". You will normally be able to take a hard (printed) copy of anything that you wish to bring away with you. You will not normally be allowed to download files by FTP, but you may be able to access, read and reply to e-mail if your ISP provides a web based mail reading facility (many do), and to read but not necessarily post to newsgroups.

You may well find that the cafe staff will be more than willing to help you to get started, especially if you visit at a quieter time.

You can expect to pay around 500 pesetas for a half hour session.

3. Use a Web Phone or other dedicated Internet Access Technology.

A recent development is the emergence of devices designed purely for accessing the Internet. These are essentially single purpose computers complete with the necessary hardware to get on line. Devices centred on using the television as your monitor and your satellite box as your hardware may be safely ignored. A more feasible option is a Web Phone, such as the Alcatel model being offered by Telefonica.

This will give you basic e-mail and web browsing facilities, without the need to buy a computer, and for a lesser price.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Let's look at the three methods of access we've just discussed

The commonest way is to use your own computer and telephone line to connect into the computer system of an ISP, an Internet Service Provider.

The computer can (almost) cost you as much or as little as you want. You do not need the latest or most powerful machine if all you wish to do is to access the net. Indeed, a secondhand model will be perfectly adequate, and you could pick a suitable machine up for less than 50.000 pesetas. An average new computer would cost 150.000 to 200.000, including printer.

Your machine will need a modem. All modern machines have these as standard, but even if not, a modem won't cost more than 8.000 pesetas.

You will need a telephone line. You computer can plug into the same socket as your ordinary telephone – you may need a 2 to 1 adapter for a couple of hundred pesetas.

ISPs have various charge schemes depending on how heavy a user you are, but the simplest and most suitable for newcomers is a "free" account. The ISP won't charge you, but you will access your ISP through a special, local rate number. All the time you are on line, Telefonica will be charging you for a local rate call. Some of this money will be passed on to your ISP – that's how they get their cut! Local rate is much more expensive between 0800 and 1800, so most people with these accounts try to avoid trying to go on-line at these times, which is why things can get pretty congested in the evenings.

Another way, particularly suitable for a novice or occasional user, is to use the services of an "Internet Cafe".

You can expect to pay around 500 pesetas for a half hour session, plus extra for any printouts (hard copy) you may want, plus, of course, the cost of any food and drink consumed!

     Use a Web Phone or other dedicated Internet Access Technology.

I'm not sure of the price of the Alcatel phone, but I expect it to be in the order of 60.000 to 75.000 pesetas. There may be an extra installation charge.

The internet connection is on the same "free" basis as that offered by ISPs, so you pay for a local call all the time you are on line.

What Can I Do On The Internet.

Let's look at some of the FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about the four main uses of the Internet.

1. E-Mail.

(a) One of your e-mail address is billnot@billnot.com. Why, and what do the various bits mean?

My ISP is named Newsguy. They own the Internet name, or domain, newsguy.com. Like all Internet domains, this is registered centrally. My user name with them is billnot. When somebody sends me an e-mail, it is routed to newsguy.com, a known, listed destination. When it gets there, the local (Newsguy) system places it in the mailbox named billnot. When I call in to collect my mail, I must give my user name and password before I am allowed access. Once I have collected my mail, it is removed from my mailbox so that there is room to receive some more.

(b) How can I be sure nobody else can read the e-mail I sent you.

In absolute terms, you can't. Just as you have to take it on trust that mail sent through the ordinary post ("snailmail") won't be tampered with, so it is with the Internet. With the many millions of e-mails sent each day, the administrators have better things to do than to examine your e-mail arranging a meeting next Friday!!

(c ) What can I send by e-mail?

As well as text messages, you can send pictures, program files or proprietary format files (PFF) such as Microsoft Word Documents. These are called "attachments".

(d) Can I send the same message to several people?

Yes. All e-mail software has the facility to send a "carbon copy" to as many people as you wish, simply by specifying their e-mail address. If you don't want them to know they aren't the only recipient, you can even send "blind carbon copies". The unjustified sending of multiple copies of a message to unsolicited recipients is called "spamming", but a legitimate use of a "mail shot" would be to advise all your friends of your new e-mail address!

(e) How do I remember all these e-mail addresses.

You don't have to. If you reply to an email you receive, the software will automatically address it to the original sender. You can also tell the software to add the sender's details to your "address book" to make it easier next time.

(f) How can I avoid receiving "spam"

Once again, in absolute terms, you can't, anymore than you can avoid receiving junk mail in your normal post. Most spam is best simply ignored. However, if it becomes persistent or offensive, there are ways of complaining to the sender's ISP.

(g) How can I avoid receiving viruses?

We'll talk about this whole issue later.

(2)Newsgroups.

(a) I've never heard of these.

That's not surprising. They're one of the oldest uses of the Internet around. They even have their own network name – Usenet. Because they are, in the main, simple text forums, they don't have the glitz and "street cred" of the more glamorous uses of the Net. But they are invaluable in enabling those interested in a particular topic, wherever they may be in the world, to ask questions, discuss and enjoy their hobby or whatever. I find the support group for my particular medical disorder invaluable in keeping me in touch with latest products and ideas.

(b) How many Newsgroups are there?

Over 60.000 and growing daily. Something for everybody.

(c ) How can I access Newsgroups?

Your ISP will have a News Server, which you can access with the news reading software built into your e-mail system, or a dedicated (free) news reading program.

1. FTP.

(File Transfer Protocol. A way of moving files from one computer to another)

(a) Why would I need FTP?

To download a piece of software, or some other file. Most browsers have FTP facilities built-in, but if you find yourself downloading a lot, you will probably make use of a specialist FTP program. This will be particularly true if you need to upload anything to the Internet, for example your own web page!!

1. HTTP. "The World Wide Web".

(a) I keep hearing about this. What is it?

The World Wide Web is an ever expanding, interconnected set of information and other displays, or "pages", written in a computer language known as HTML (HyperText Markup Language), and located by means of a URL, (Universal Resource Locator), using HTTP, (HyperText Transfer Protocol). You have absolutely no need to know how any of this works in order to view the pages ("surf the web"). It is very seldom you will even have to type in a web address in order to find the page you want. When you first start a browser, it will automatically be set up to load your starting, or "home" page. This is usually the address of a web database site, or "search engine". You will type in the sort of information you wish to know, and the search engine will display a list of what it thinks are the most likely sites to be of interest to you. You simply point with the mouse to the site you want to look at and click. The software automatically loads that page. If it's the starting page of a large site, it will have links of its own to its subpages, which you can select with the mouse.

If you find a site that interests you, and you may wish to visit again, you can add it to a list, usually called "Favorites" or "Bookmarks", so that you can go straight to it another time . At no time do you have to remember its URL.

Many websites include links to others, so you can find yourself looking at, and discovering many new sites from visiting just one. These new sites will have links of their own, and so it goes on. That's why it's called the Web. Everything is linked to everything else!

From websites, you can usually save the information on your own computer, or print out anything you might like to keep for further study.

Many websites are "interactive". They ask you for information and act on it. A search engine is an obvious example, open to all and with little security risk. An on-line bank account is at the other end of the scale, the bank taking all possible precautions to ensure only the authorised account holder can access their account.

Web browsing can become addictive. "Just a few more sites" is a common cry.

(b) What can I find on the web?

Almost anything. It is, of course, a vast electronic reference library, but it's much more than that. Millions of people have posted their own pages, with their personal details and much else. These will probably only be of interest to their immediate families, but are there if you want them.

All major, and most minor, companies have websites to promote their products and, increasingly, as the centre of their support operations. Support staff are often asked the same questions over and over again. These are put on the site as FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions).

All hobbies and pastimes have devotees with websites dedicated to them.

(c ) What can I do on the web?

Just a few examples:

Read the Daily Telegraph

Bet with Ladbrokes

Find out about the Costa Blanca Expats Internet Group

Run your bank account with Banco Popular

Buy a book from Amazon

Access adult material with Tasha Addams

(d) Glad you mentioned those

(d1) Isn't buying on-line dangerous?

No. It's considerably safer than buying something in a shop. I buy on-line frequently, and the worst that's happened is that the goods I ordered never turned up, nor was I charged.

(d2) So you admit the web is riddled with porn!

Like the top shelf of the newsagent, it's there if you want it, and are prepared to pay for it. If you don't, you can easily ignore it.

I CAN'T USE THE INTERNET BECAUSE:

I'm too old

Many people in their seventies and older have taken to the Internet. They even have a name – the "Grey Surfers". Older people are very likely to have relatives living far away. E-mail is a perfect way to keep in touch.

I can't type

You don't need to be an ace touch typist to be able to use the Internet. Most web browsing is done with the use of a mouse. It takes only a few minutes to work out how to use it. You'll need the keyboard to compose an e-mail, but you can take as long as you like, and any mistakes can be corrected and recorrected so the final version will always be correct.

I'm no good with technology. I can't even program the video.

Using the Internet is much easier than programming the video, and far more rewarding.

I can't afford it.

It needn't be as expensive as you think, and you can always use an Internet cafe. And just think of all those long distance phone calls and letters you will no longer be needing to send.

I'm worried about viruses

Let's debunk a couple of myths about these.

"Virus" is just a term. They have absolutely nothing to do with the world outside your computer. YOU cannot catch a computer virus.

They CANNOT physically destroy your computer. The worst case scenario is that all the information stored on your computer will be lost and you will have to start again from scratch.

A virus is nothing more than a computer file designed to do something unplanned and sometimes nasty to your computer. You can only acquire a virus by inadvertantly copying it onto your computer from the outside world. This includes from a floppy disk or CD-ROM when installing software, or through a network, such as the Internet. The other way, which is what concerns us, is as an attachment to an e-mail. It is, in practical terms, impossible to guarantee against receiving a virus in this way. But a virus can only do you harm if it is activated or "opened". It is very easy to avoid this happening. Firstly, use anti-virus software. Experts argue as to which is the best, but basically they all work. Secondly, and most importantly, do not allow your e-mail reader to open any attachment without your permission. Set your software to read only "plain text". Plain text CANNOT contain a virus. Be very suspicious of any unsolicited e-mails with attachments. If you delete them before opening them, they cannot harm you.

Finally, the fear of viruses causes much more anxiety than the beasts themselves, so don't worry!!!

Thanks, But I Don´t Think I'll Bother

If you've come to that decision after at least giving it a go, probably in an Internet Cafe, then fair enough. Not everybody NEEDS to go on the Internet. It's not compulsory. If you find it's giving you sleepless nights and you can't get to grips with it, then stick with what you know. I won't think any the less of you. I have two left feet. I can't dance. I accept that some people are like that with Information Technology.

Notes for meeting on 12th May 2000

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