Into the Internet

Internet Defined

The Internet is a network of networks designed to share information and other resources.  Internet information is transmitted through high speed networks owned by large corporations, but these corporations do not own the Internet.  No one owns the Internet.  It is monitored by  a few organizations to standardize the development.  Follow this link to learn more about Who Owns the Internet?

Internet Uses

The Internet is used by many people in society.  People use it to shop, work, play games, pay bills, bank, find recipes, do homework, take college courses, do research and much more.  Anytime people are sharing information electronically, the internet can play a part.  

History of the Internet

The Internet began back in the early 1960’s when the Government decided to connect computers so they can distribute data and computing power to more than one location. The first network of four computers was referred to as ARPANET and is the backbone of the Internet as we now know it today.  For more information click here to visit the "how stuff works" site

Connecting to the Internet

Libraries, schools, businesses and other large organizations can connect their Local Are Network (LAN) directly to the Internet.  When they so this, all of the computers on that network are connected to the Internet.  

Internet Service Providers (ISP) connect people who don't have a direct connection to the Internet.  A company or person can connect to the ISP and the ISP is connected to the Internet.  The speed of the connection is determined by the bandwidth.  There are several different types of connections which vary in speed and bandwidth.  The connections type are dial-up, DSL, ADSL, Cable, mobile wireless and fixed wireless.