How to get started on the Internet?

How to get started on the Internet?
What first comes to your mind when you hear the word “Internet”? For most people "Internet" means websites and email. Yes, you can use the Internet to surf websites, read and write emails, but there is so much more the Internet can offer you. Here we will tell you about all the great services the Internet provides to you. We will also tell you what you will need to access the Internet from your own computer.
What is Internet?
Internet (the Net) is a worldwide network that connects millions of computer networks to each-other. These computer networks send and receive information using an Internet Protocol (IP), a “language”, that lets computers understand one another. Many people confuse the Internet with the World Wide Web.
World Wide Web – the network of networks
The World Wide Web (www or web) is a network of computer "servers" linked together by a common protocol. The Web consists of different kinds of websites that are linked to each other through hyperlinks (or "links") and URLs (Universal Resource Locators). A URL (e.g. http://www.internet.gov.sa/) is an address of a certain document, and a "hyperlink" is a shortcut on a web page which if selected will lead to another URL.
A website consists from one or more different kind of files. These files are usually documents called pages that can contain text, images, sound, animation and video. The pages are written in a language called "Hypertext Markup Language" (HTML) and can be read by a web browser software like Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator or Firefox. .
Websites can be used for many activities including obtaining information, selling products, online banking, communicating with other people, public discussions, weblogging (blogging), downloading and uploading files, searching for other websites and reading email.
Getting in touch via Internet
In addition to www Internet is mainly used for contacting other people. There are several different ways to communicate with your friends, family, business partners and co-workers as well as total strangers using the Internet.
Electronic mail (email) is a messaging system that allows you to send and receive email-messages over the Internet. In order to send and receive email you will need an email address, an email account and email software or access to a web-mail service via a web browser. Email address take the following general form: “name@company.net.sa”. To send an email you’ll also have to know the email address of the person to whom you want to send the email. You can send other documents (like like pictures or files) by attaching them to the email-messages.
Newsgroups are bulletin-board type discussion groups that are usually within Usenet, a distributed Internet message system. Newsgroup users read and post email-like messages (called articles) by using a newsreader software or access the newsgroups via websites like Google Groups.
Discussion forums or groups are nowadays even more popular than Newsgroups, since they are relatively easy to setup and manage. There are several free forum software packages available (for instance phpBB). What makes forums different from Newsgroups is that you do not need any special software to use them: you can read and write to forums using your regular web browser. Some of the forums are members-only forums that require a membership to post messages to the forums and sometimes even to read the messages posted by others therein.
Instant Messaging (IM), Internet relay chat (IRC) and chats are instant communication methods used over the Internet. To use them you need an instant messaging, chat or irc software and a username and password to the IM or chat service. Microsoft Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, AOL messenger and iChat are popular chat services. Some of them provide the ability to make “Internet phone calls” using microphone and speakers or headset or to have videoconferences using web cameras.
Voice over IP (VoIP) services enable making a “phone call” over the Internet from one computer to another, or from a computer to a standard landline phone or mobile phone. Calls from computer to another are usually free and calling to a landline or mobile phone often costs less than regular phone calls.
Sending and receiving files on the Internet
In addition to accessing information via www and sending files with the email there are some other methods of transferring data in the Internet.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) lets you "upload" (transfer) files to an FTP server or "download" them from a public "server" to your computer. An FTP server is a computer that is connected to the Internet and allows people to download files to and from it by using FTP. You can upload files to the server to be viewed as web pages or to be downloaded by other Internet users. In order to use FTP you usually need an FTP-software package, but some servers allow you to download documents via a web browser. Usually you need a user name and a password to access an FTP server.
Telnet or Remote access allows the Internet user to access another computer connected to Internet (e.g. his home computer or his company’s server), optionally using a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection.
Streaming media makes it possible to watch video and listen to audio files and live broadcasts via the Internet. To receive such streams you will need a web browser with applicable "plug-ins" or software designed to receive streamed audio or video.
Peer to Peer (P2P) networks are networks that rely primarily on the computing power and bandwidth of the participants. They are typically used for sharing audio, video, software and other digital files.
How to access the Internet
If you don’t have a computer at work or home, you can access the Internet in public Internet cafés.
In order to access the Internet from your home or work you need a computer that can connect to the Internet by connecting to a computer called a dialup or DSL server. Such servers are usually owned by your company, your school or your Internet Service Provider (ISP). You can connect to your ISP’s server either by a phone line (dial-up), broadband DSL via your landline or wirelessly by Wi-Fi, satellite and cell phones.
See the guide “How to choose the right Internet Service Provider?” for more information on the cost of Internet connection and different Internet Service Providers.
Your Internet Service Provider will give you more detailed information on how to connect to the Internet using their services. To connect to the Internet you’ll need:
A computer that can connect to the Internet. Basically you need a computer that runs at least Windows 3.1 or better, MacOS 7.1. or better, or almost any version of Linux . If you’re in doubt, contact your Internet Service Provider or the store that sold you the computer.
An Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISP is a company or organization that allows your computer to connect to the Internet via their server. See “How to choose an Internet Service Provider?” for more information on ISPs.
A connection method to connect to your ISP. Depending upon your ISP and your chosen method you can connect to your ISP by using a:
>Phone landline and modem for dial-up connection.
>A DSL connection that uses your phone landline and DSL modem or router.
>A leased digital line.
>Wireless (Wi-Fi) Internet connection and a computer with a Wi-Fi support.
>A mobile phone with GPRS and a computer that can use your mobile phone as a modem or through your Pocket PC.
>Satellite access with a portable satellite terminal.For the list of licensed ISP, please visit this page Licensed ISPs, Communications and Information Technology Commission
You’ll also need software to access information on the Internet. A typical Internet user needs at least a web browser and email software. It is also advisable to purchase a firewall and anti-virus software before connecting to the Internet. See “How to protect your computer against viruses?” for more information on anti-virus and firewall software.
Depending on your chosen Internet connection method you might need a user name and a password to connect to your ISP.
Conclusion
As you can see, the Internet is more than just web pages and email. Once you get connected on the Internet don’t be afraid to take full advantage of all the great services the Internet can offer you.