Internet 101
by Andy Rush

The Internet is everywhere. In this information age, it is the place where people go to find out more about a particular subject. People use the Internet without having a complete understanding of how it works and what all of its uses are. This tutorial is intended to be a concise guide to the many facets of the Internet.

Now the World Wide Web is part of the Internet, but the Internet isn't just the World Wide Web. Email is part of the Internet, as are newsgroups, listservs, FTP, Instant Messaging, and Telnet. The key to understanding how the Internet works is to understand the concept of a packet-switching network. Now why would we try to scare you in our introduction with such a complex sounding term? Well, all data on the Internet is moved in the form of packets, and if you understand packets (at least the basic theory), the rest of the information falls into place. A simple Flash animation on packet switching explains it very well. Then look at some information about Transmitting Packets, and How Routers Work, and you'll be able to impress your friends at parties!

Most things dealing with the Internet these days can be accomplished with a web browser, the two most common being Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.

Let's start our tutorial with how the Internet came to be.