network which allows you to access information, files, software, and
services (even gateways to completely different Internet services). Every
piece of information in a hypermedia document (web page) can be linked to
other related pieces of information in documents across the room or across
the world, creating a world-wide web of knowledge and resources.
Table of Contents
To access the world wide web, you need a WWW client
(usually called a web browser). There are several web browsers which you can
run on your computer.
Here's a couple of handy links.
There are some general settings common to all web
browsers. Other settings vary from browser to browser, so specifics are left
up to the documentation for whichever browser you choose to use.
Home Page, Starting Location
http://www.niagarainternet.com
Naturally, you can use any
page you want for your starting location.
Most browsers have a reasonable default
(usually the home page of whichever company
authored the software). A search engine
home page, niagarainternet.com's home page,
or a personal home page are also commonly
used.
Email Settings
See Email
section
Many web browsers support sending and/or receiving email,
so you may need to fill out some email settings as well.
Usenet News Settings
See Usenet
News section
Many web browsers support reading and/or posting Usenet
news, so you may need to fill out some news settings as well.
Browser Specific Information
Many web browsers use memory and disk caches to improve
performance, since loading a file from the memory or hard drive of your own
computer is much faster than downloading it over your modem. When you access
a web page or file, your web browser displays it then saves it away in a
small area of memory. When this memory is full, it begins writing the oldest
files out to the hard drive. When the hard drive space is full, it finally
removes the file from your computer completely. If you access the file again
before it's removed, the web browser loads it from cache instead of over the
Internet.
If you're running Netscape Navigator version 2.0 or later,
you can display files in your memory cache by opening the URL, about:memory-cache
, and display files in your disk cache by opening the URL about:cache>. Note
that if your browser is configured to use a large memory or disk cache, this
may take a while.
Search engines allow you to locate specific information on
the web. The value of these tools is rapidly increasing, as the world wide
web explodes and the ability to find information simply by browsing
diminishes. Below find links to the most popular and effective search
engines.
Access control is a sensitive issue. Parents want to
control what their children will be exposed to on the Internet. Employers
want to keep their employees from spending all day surfing instead of
working. The government wants to implement the will of the voters (or at
least the most vocal groups). ISPs and content providers want to avoid
censorship.
An variety of access blocking and filtering software are
available. A list of
blocking and filtering software is available at Yahoo.
