Introductory Class on the World Wide Web

1. Explain some general Internet features.
2. Look at the Netscape screen.
3. Visit several Web sites.

1. What is the Internet?
   The Internet is the vast collection of inter-connected computer networks also referred to as the Information Superhighway.
   
   
2. What is the World Wide Web?
   The World Wide Web is the group of computers on the Internet that allow you to access information that has text, graphics and even sound!
   
   
3. What is Netscape?
   Netscape is a software package for browsing the World Wide Web. If you can use a Mac or Windows, you will find Netscape easy! Here is some useful information on Netscape:
   
   
   • Netscape 3.0
     
     
   • Netscape 4.0
     If you are using Netscape 4.0, help is available by clicking the Help menu. Then click Help Contents for a list of printable help topics.
     
     
4. What is a Home page (also called a Web page)?
   A home page is any information that an individual, an educational institution, an nonprofit organization, a government agency, or a company puts on the World Wide Web.
   
   
5. More Definitions
   If you need a definition for any Internet terminology, try the excellent glossary produced by Internet Literacy Consultants.

1. Menu Bar
   By clicking the words, such as file, or edit in the Menu Bar at the top of the Netscape, you can tell Netscape to complete the operations listed under a particular menu choice. Try these out, one by one. Nothing will break. If you prefer, you can print out the Netscape help section on the menu bar.
   
   
   
2. Toolbar Buttons By clicking Toolbar Buttons such as Back, Forward, or Reload you can move from page to page.
   
   
   • Back
     The Back button brings you back one page.
     
     
   • Forward
     The Forward button brings you forward one page.
     
     
   • Home
     The Home button brings you back to the opening web page.
     
     
   • Reload
     The Reload button is like the redial button on your telephone. If you are unable to get a connection to a web page, click the Reload button to try again.
     
     
   • Print
     Click the Print button to print what you are viewing.
     
     
   • Stop
     Clicking the Stop button is like hanging up the telephone. When you click Stop, Netscape Navigator will stop trying to connect to the address that you requested.
     
     
3. Address Line
   The Address Line shows the Internet location for a web site.
   e.g. http://library.umassmed.edu
   
   What does each part of the address mean?
   
   
   • http://
     http:// stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. This is what allows sound and graphics as well as text to be displayed on the World Wide Web.
     
     
   • library.umassmed.
     This is the name of the computer that makes the page available.
     
     
   • .edu
     This 3-letter suffix indicates that an educational institution is making this page available.
     
     Here are other address suffixes you will see:
     .com - stands for company
     .gov - stands for government agency
     .org - stands for nonprofit organization
     
     
4. Cursor and Links
   The Cursor can vary in shape - either an I-beam, an arrow pointer, or a hand.
   
   
   • The cursor is shaped like a Hand when it is pointing to a Link.
     
     
   • A Link is a connection to another Web site. Just click, and you will connect to that site!
   
   
5. Status Bar
   The Status Bar is located at the bottom of the screen. It does two things for you:
   
   
   • It displays the address of any link that you point to.
     
     
   • It displays messages that tell you what is happening after you have click the cursor on a link. Try it!

1. Search HIV Databases and Textbooks
   
   
2. Prevention, Education and Basic Information Research
   
   
3. Clinical Trials and Statistics
   
   
4. Resources in Spanish.