Introduction

As you begin your journey into the Internet, you may have several questions. How does the World Wide Web relate to the Internet? How does Netscape Navigator relate to the World Wide Web?

The term "World Wide Web" (often referred to as just "the Web') is derived from the fact that Web documents are accessed by selecting specially marked text and graphics called hyperlinks. When a user indicates to the computer that he or she wants to see the information indicated by the hyperlink, he or she may retrieve information, possibly stored at a completely different location on the Internet. (Contrary to the impression which many people have, the World Wide Web is not a separate computer network from the Internet.) Web documents, more formally called hypertext documents but more commonly called home pages, Web pages, or Web sites, can integrate text, graphics, sounds, and movies. A provider of Web-based information, such as Student Computing Services, distributes information to the Internet community by placing it on a Web server. Anyone with a connection to the Internet can then view these documents using a piece of software called a Web browser.

There are two broad categories of Web browsers: graphical and text-based. With graphical Web browsers, such as Netscape Navigator and the Microsoft Internet Explorer, you can experience the text and graphics available in most Web documents, whereas with text-based Web browsers, such as Linux, you can only view the textual content of Web pages.

Hyperlinks

Hyperlinks can take the form of either text or graphics. Textual hyperlinks are designated by underlined words or phrases. Graphical hyperlinks are sometimes surrounded by a thick line, although this is not necessarily the case. Graphical hyperlinks not surrounded by a thick line are called "image maps." Image maps contain "hot spots," wherein different positions within the image map represent different hyperlinks.

Whenever text or graphics represent hyperlinks, the selector, which follows the movement of the mouse on the computer's screen, will turn into an icon which resembles a pointed finger. When you are ready to follow a hyperlink (that is, view the desired information) within Netscape Navigator, simply position the pointed finger on top of the hyperlinked text or graphic image and click the mouse button once. Netscape Navigator will display the information momentarily.

Getting Started with Netscape Navigator

Click "Start," "Programs," "Internet Software," "Netscape Navigator." When Netscape Navigator is started, it will load LabLink, Student Computing Services' Web page. Using hyperlinks, you can then view other information resources on the Internet.

The Tool Bar

The "Stop" icon halts the transmission of the incoming Web page.

Select a Topic CAIT Cait Cd-roms CD Recorder Clip Art Electronic Books Eudora Local Area Networks Logging into SAC Macintosh Tips Microsoft Excel Microsoft Word Netscape RCA Camcorder Scanning Images Scanning Text School Listserv Student Computing Accounts Subscribing to a Listserv vi editor

---

Last Updated: Wednesday, February 02, 2000 08:50:17