What are Internet and the Web?

The Internet  was launched in 1969 when the United States funded a project that developed  a
national computer network called Advanced Research  project Agency Network (ARPANET).

The Internet is a Large network that connects together smaller networks all over the globe. The
Web was introduced in 1991 at the Center for European Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland. Prior to the web, the Internet was all text –no graphics, animations, sound, or
video. The Web made it possible to include these elements. It provided a multimedia interface
to resources available on the Internet. From these early research beginnings, the Internet and
the web have evolved into one of the most powerful tools of the 21st century.

It is easy to get the Internet and the web confused, but they are not the same thing. The
Internet is the actual network. It is made up of wires, cables, satellites, and rules for
exchanging information between computers connected to the network. Being connected
to this network is often described as being online. The Internet connects millions of computers
and resources throughout the world. The Web is a multimedia interface to the resources available
on the Internet. Every day over a billion users from nearly every country in the world use the Internet and the Web. What are they doing? The most common uses are the following:

• Communicating is by far the most popular Internet activity. You can exchange e-mail with your family and friends almost anywhere in the world. You can join and listen to discussions and debates on a wide variety of special-interest topics.

• Shopping is one of the fastest-growing Internet applications. You can window shop,
  look for the latest fashions, search for bargains, and make purchases.

• Searching   of information has never been more convenient. You can access some
  of the world’s largest libraries directly from your home computer. You can find the
  latest local, national, and international news.

• Entertainment options are nearly endless. You can find music, movies, magazines,
  and computer games. You will find live concerts, movie previews, book clubs, and
  interactive live games.

• Education or e-learning is another rapidly emerging Web application. You can take classes on almost any subject. There are courses just for fun and there are courses for high school, college, and graduate school credit. Some  cost nothing to take and others cost a lot.

The first step to using the Internet and Web is to get connected, or to gain access to the Internet.

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