Chapter 1: Welcome to the World Wide Web
The Internet has enhanced our ability to communicate and share information on a scale never previously thought possible. Vast quantities of information can be published and accessed from anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds.
With millions of people using the Internet at any given time, it has become so popular, that today, it is rare to find governments and large corporations without at least some form of Web presence.
Over the next 12 chapters, you'll learn how to start creating your own website using step-by step instructions that are easy to follow, even if you have no prior experience.
This first chapter briefly introduces you to the history behind the Internet and the features that if offers. However, if you wish, you can go straight to Chapter 2 and start learning how to create your first webpage!
What is the Internet?
The Internet is essentially a world wide network of computers that share information resources with each other. Although attempts have been made in some countries to regulate its use through government legislation, the Internet is not owned by anyone - it simply consists of computers sharing information. The Internet consists of several functions including e-mail, newsgroups and the World Wide Web. Email allows messages and documents to be sent to specific people electronically (similar to sending letters traditionally in the post); newsgroups allow information to be shared publicly about various topics; and the World Wide Web, which is often referred to as the multimedia portion of the Internet and allows you to read documents, view videos, listen to music, make purchases, sell products, download files and more.
The World Wide Web
The World Wide Web, also referred to as the Web, is the multimedia portion of the Internet. To access the information on the Web, you need a software program called a Web browser. Information on the Web is usually found in documents called webpages. A group of webpages is called a website. Every webpage (and website) on the Internet has a unique address.
Connecting to the Internet
To access the Internet, you need an account with and a connection to an Internet Service Provider (ISP - a company that provides Internet connections). This is usually achieved using a modem which connects to a telephone line or through some other method such as optical cable or satellite. Most cities have a number of ISPs. If you are not connected to the Internet, but are planning to do so, look at the various ISPs available in your area, and choose the one that provides you with the service that best suits your requirements.
Factors that may influence your choice of ISP may include cost, for how long you are allowed to connect to the Internet every month (if you use the Internet often, you might choose and ISP that offers unlimited connection times), and the speed of the connection. Since you will be publishing a website on the Internet, a major influencing factor in your choice of ISP may also include whether they offer a personal website hosting service.
Intranets
Webpages do not necessarily need to be published on the Internet. If you have a number of computers, say as part of your company, business or at home, and they are connected through a network, you can create an intranet on which all computers on the network will be able to access local webpages (like your own personal version of the Internet). Intranets are becoming increasingly popular since information can easily be shared (for example, among employees in a company).
Now that you know a bit about the Internet...
Now that you have a basic understanding on what the Internet and World Wide Web are all about, you are ready to learn how to create your first webpage in Chapter 2: An Introduction to Web Programming.
