Ethiopian TVET System

Training, Teaching and Learning Materials Development

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Ethiopian TVET-System

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
SUPPORT SERVICE
Level I

Learning Guide #4
Unit of Competence: Connect Hardware Peripherals
Module Title: Connecting Hardware Peripherals
LG Code: ICT ITS1 M01 LO4
TTLM Code: ICT ITS1 TTLM1 0415

LO4: Connect workstation to the Internet

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Ethiopian TVET System
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LO4- Connect workstation to the

Instruction
Internet

This learning guide is developed to provide you the necessary information regarding the
following content coverage and topics –

 How to get connected to the Internet

 File, Printer and Connection Share

This guide will also assist you to attain the learning outcome stated in the cover page.
Specifically, upon completion of this Learning Guide, you will be able to –

 Connecting the workstations to the internet through the existing internet connection
and confirming the functionality.

 Launching Internet browser to enable access to the Internet and confirming the
functionality.

Learning Activities

1. Read the specific objectives of this Learning Guide.

2. Read the information written in the “Information Sheet 1”.
3. Accomplish the “Self-check 1” in page 7.
4. Submit your accomplished Self-check 1. This will form part of your training portfolio.
5. Read and Perform the “Operation Sheet 1” in page 8.
5. Read the information written in the “Information Sheet 2”.
6. Accomplish the “Self-check 2” in page 14.
7. Read and Perform the “Operation Sheet 2” in page 15.
8. Submit your accomplished Self-check 2. This will form part of your training portfolio
9. If you earned a satisfactory evaluation proceed to LAP Test.
However, if your rating is unsatisfactory, see your teacher for further instructions.
10. Do the “LAP test” in page 21 (if you are ready) and show your output to your teacher.

*Your teacher will evaluate your output either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If

Unsatisfactory, your teacher shall advice you on additional work. But if satisfactory
You can proceed to the next topic.
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Information Sheet – 1 How to get connected to the Internet

HARDWARE

To operate most of the current Web browsers and on-line services, you should have an IBM PC/PC
equivalent, UNIX workstation, or Apple Macintosh computer with at least 8 megabytes (MB) of
random access memory (RAM) and 10 MB of free disk space. If you are unsure of how much
RAM and disk space your computer has, consult your user's manual.

NOTE: Although the capacities of both are measured in megabytes, RAM and disk space are
NOT the same thing! RAM refers to the electronic microchips in your computer that store data
for relatively brief periods, and that give your computer the active capacity to run programs and
access data. Disk space refers to space on the magnetic hard disk inside (or connected to) your
computer that stores data over the long term.

For best results, use a PC with a 486 or Pentium microprocessor; or a Macintosh with an 030,
040 or PowerPC microprocessor.

It is possible to connect to the Internet using a computer other than an IBM PC, Macintosh or
UNIX workstation, though the access software available for such machines is limited.

If you are accessing the Internet outside of a LAN environment, you will need a modem that
will connect you with other computers and interpret the data being sent back and forth. Most
any modem that is compatible with your computer will do, though the higher the kilobits per
second (kbps) rate of your modem, the faster it will transmit data. Modem speed is an
important consideration when accessing sites on the Web that contain lots of digitized data. In
general, your modem should transmit data at 14.4 kbps or faster to give you optimum
performance on the Web. If you are looking to purchase a modem, buy the fastest model you
can afford.

You must also have access to a live telephone line. Most modems accept the same jacks as
do ordinary household telephones, allowing you to connect your modem to a wall jack using
standard phone cord. Some cable TV providers have begun offering Internet connections via
cable. Such connections provide much faster transmission speeds than standard phone lines,
though you will need a special modem that allows you to link your computer with the cable. If
you are interested in a cable Internet connection, contact your local cable operator to see if the
service is available in your area.

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You can also connect to the Internet through a LAN with Internet access. If you are unsure as
to the capacities of your LAN to do this, contact your site's systems administrator.

SOFTWARE

For best results, make sure that your computer is running the most up-to-date operating
system that it can handle. If you have an IBM PC/PC compatible computer, it should be
running Microsoft Windows version 3.1, Windows NT, Windows 95 or OS/2. If you have a
Macintosh, it should be running System 7 or higher.

To make your connection complete, you will need connection software that allows your
computer to dial into an Internet access provider, establish an account, and work with the data
in a straightforward manner. Many access providers will give you software that will allow you to
access their systems using an all-in-one custom interface. Others may give you a collection of
separate software packages that can be used together. But whatever software they provide, be
sure that it is compatible with your computer and operating system before attempting to use it.

Some Internet access providers may allow you to establish a serial line interface protocol
(SLIP) or point-to-point protocol (PPP) connection, either of which essentially makes your
computer a part of the Internet. Unlike many standard dial-up software packages, a SLIP/PPP
connection allows you to run independent software packages such as Web browsers, either
one at a time or simultaneously.

BROWSER

As you surf the Web, you will come across sites that state, "This site is best viewed with…"
and then name a particular browser. Many will even provide a link to a site where you can
download the specified browser.

Sites make these recommendations because some browsers use special protocols, allowing
site creators to offer extra features beyond the standard capabilities of hypertext markup
language (HTML). Chief among these browsers are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet
Explorer.

Your Internet service provider will most likely give you a choice of browsers (if you have a
SLIP/PPP account, you may use any browser you wish), so try out a couple, and use the
browser that best suits your needs.

EXTRAS

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Ethiopian TVET System
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The Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer browsers allow for the use of plug-ins,
or extra software applications that run as if they were an integral part of the browser. To see
which plug-ins are currently available for Netscape, go
to: http://home.netscape.com/comprod/mirror/index.html To see the plug-ins for Internet
Explorer, go to: http://www.microsoft.com/ie/download/

Browsers also use helper applications that, while not as integral as plug-ins, enhance the
browser's capabilities by launching when needed. Helper applications allow your browser to
play sound and video files, display animation and other graphic formats, or access special
Internet features such as TELNET. Most Web sites that require the use of helper applications
will provide links to sites where you can download the necessary software.

Connection Options

Until recently, the two primary methods of accessing the Internet were through a network
connection, allowing users of local area networks (LANs) to go online through their school or
workplace systems, and dial-up connections through a modem and phone line. However, new
connection options allow for greater speeds and flexibility, while keeping costs to a minimum.

The following are some of the newer connection options that you might want to investigate:

 Cable Internet—These systems allow your computer to connect to the Internet through
the same cable that carries your TV signal. Monthly service charges are usually not
much more than standard modem connection costs, but you have to rent or purchase a
"cable modem." Additionally, your computer will need an Ethernet card (a special circuit
board that allows for network connections). Not all cable service operators offer this
service; call your local operator for more information.
 Satellite connections—DirecPC (http://www.direcpc.com/) allows you to download
Internet files via a satellite connection. This is an efficient method for receiving large
Web graphics and other items, but you still need a modem connection for other
features. You must purchase the connection hardware as well as subscribe to the
service.
 Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)—An ISDN line is a type of digital phone line
that can transmit data many times faster than a conventional modem and phone line. To
learn more about ISDN, go tohttp://www.isdn.ocn.com/index.shtml
 Wireless connections—Pagers, cellular phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs)
now allow varying levels of Internet access, from notification of E-mail to limited Web
connections. Many of these services remain in the experimental stage.
 WebTV—Introduced in late 1996, WebTV (http://www.webtv.net/) provides Web and E-
mail access through ordinary television sets. The connection is made through a custom
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high-speed modem. You must purchase a special set-top unit for your TV, plus
subscribe to the connection service. Recently, similar systems by other manufacturers
have appeared on the market to compete with WebTV.

What to Look for in an Access Provider

Access providers vary widely in the services and capabilities they offer. The providers listed at
the beginning of this chapter offer local access throughout most of the United States; however,
you might find that a smaller, local provider is more suited to your needs.Before committing to
a service of any kind, be aware of the following variables:

 Fee plan—Providers may offer a flat monthly fee for unlimited access, a metered hourly
fee, or both. The fee that will be most reasonable for you depends on how much time
you plan to spend online. If you are online for more than five hours per month, a flat
monthly fee will be the most economical choice. Otherwise, you'll be paying for service
you don't need.
 Start-up fees—Providers may also charge "hidden" fees and premium rates for access
at certain times. Ask for a breakdown of all fees charged before you sign on.
 Local access numbers—Unless you can dial in from your local area, you'll be paying
long distance charges for each Internet session. Make sure a provider offers access
numbers for your area, as well as for any area to which you routinely travel.
 Contracts—You may be offered a yearly or multi-year contract for service in exchange
for a discount rate. However, if you cancel your account before the contract is up, the
provider might charge you a penalty. Also, make sure that your service provider is
stable and reliable before committing to a long-term agreement, particularly if you are
required to pay up front.
 Dependable access—The ability to establish a connection during peak hours has
become an important issue as more people go online. A good service provider,
obviously, should have few busy signals and minimal downtime.
 Good customer support—If you call with a question concerning your account at an odd
hour, will your call be taken? Will your E-mail queries be answered? The major
providers usually have excellent customer support, but smaller outfits may offer little or
no support services. Also be alert to premiums charged for support calls.
 Proprietary services—America Online, Prodigy and CompuServe all have their own
databases, conference centers and chat rooms not available on the Internet or any

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other service. Other service providers offer nothing more than a straight connection to
the Internet.
 Restricted access—Providers can often determine what Internet services they will
provide. For example, some will carry only selected newsgroups. Providers that lack
such restrictions often advertise their "uncensored" and "unrestricted" access.

Self Check 1 Written Test

Name:____________________ Date:_________________

Instruction: Answer all the questions listed below, if you have some clarifications- feel free to ask your
teacher.

 List down at least 3 connection option and discuss:

 List down at least 4 variables you consider in an access provider:

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Note: Satisfactory rating – 18 points above / Unsatisfactory - below 18 points. You can ask you
teacher for the copy of the correct answers

Operation Sheet – 1 Browsing the Internet

Getting Online

Once you have established your Internet account, you are now ready to "surf" the World Wide
Web from your computer. To do so, perform the following steps (specific instructions will vary
depending on your access provider and software):

1. Start up your computer, and make sure that your modem is on and connected to a
telephone line.
2. Open your access software.
3. Initiate the connection. Many access software packages will display the status of the
connection process, which generally takes between 15 and 30 seconds.
4. Once you have successfully connected, access and launch your Web browser.

If you have successfully accessed the Web, you will see in your browser window the home
page, or the first page that your browser is set to access. Often the home page is a site
belonging to the manufacturer of the Web browser you're using. On most browsers, you can
change the home page to a site that you'd like to access each time you begin a Web session.

Depending on the speed of your modem and the size or complexity of the page you're
accessing, the time necessary to completely load a page can range from a few seconds to
several minutes.

Finding Your Way Around

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Now that you've gotten on the Web, you're probably wondering how to get to all those great
resources that you've been hearing about. Fortunately, there are several strategies for moving
about the Web:

 Type the URL address of a site into the entry field of your browser.

This is the most basic method of accessing a Web site. However, you have to know exactly where
you want to go, and then type in the address precisely in order to get there. The newer browsers can
compensate for some typing (for instance, allowing you to omit the "http://" at the beginning of a
URL), but some URLs are too complicated for a browser to second-guess.

If you simply want to explore and get to know the Web, any one of the following strategies are
preferable:

 Click on hyperlinks to move among resources; your home page probably has some links to
interesting sites.
 Access a jump site, which is a page consisting mainly of categorized hotlinks to other sites.
Again, your home page may function as a jump site.
 Access a Web index, which lets you access sites by typing in keywords.

Jump sites contain collections of special-interest sites that the author has included for certain
reasons. Web indexes, however, usually contain much more eclectic assemblies of Web resources. If
you're on the Web and are not sure where to go, head to the nearest Web index.

Using a Web Index

To access and use a Web index, perform the following steps:

1. While logged on to the Web, type http://www.yahoo.com/ in your browser's URL entry
field.
2. Press ENTER or RETURN on your keyboard.

This will take you to Yahoo!, one of the most popular Web indexes. Underneath the Yahoo!
logo, you will see a blank search entry form, as well as hotlinks of site categories.

3. Click on one of the category topics and follow the categories until you reach a site that
matches your interests.

...OR...

4. Click your mouse in the entry form. This will place a blinking cursor in the form.
5. Type one or more words pertaining to information you'd like to locate on the Web.
6. Click on the SEARCH button to the right of the entry form, or press RETURN or ENTER
on your keypad.
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After a few seconds, Yahoo! will return with a list of hotlinks that match your search
criteria. The more specific your criteria, the fewer and more specific hotlinks you will
see.
7. Scroll down the page and select the hotlink to a page that you'd like to explore
[NOTE: Extensive search results will take up multiple pages].

If you would like to try searching with a Web index other than Yahoo!, select one of the index
hotlinks listed at the bottom of each page of search results. When you select any one of these
indexes, the keywords you entered for Yahoo! will remain in force, though the search results
will be different simply because of the way that each Web index processes information.

Where Are the Web Indexes?

In your searches, you will probably want to use various Web indexes, as they vary in both their
content and the way in which they process search queries.

The following are the addresses for a few of the more popular Web indexes:

 Yahoo! (http://www.yahoo.com/)
 Lycos (http://www.lycos.com/)
 WebCrawler (http://www.webcrawler.com/)
 InfoSeek (http://www.infoseek.com/)
 Alta Vista (http://www.altavista.digital.com/)
 Excite (http://www.excite.com/)
 HotBot (http://www.hotbot.com/)
 DejaNews [for searching USENET newsgroup posts] (http://www.dejanews.com/)

Using Your Browser Tools to Navigate the Web

Yet another method of navigating the Web involves using your browser's own controls. Most
browsers "memorize" or cache the pages that you've accessed during a Web session, and
have BACK and FORWARD buttons that let you go back and forth among these pages.
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Browsers may also have a GO menu that lets you hop back and forth between memorized
pages out of sequence.

Information Sheet – 2 Troubleshooting Internet Connection

Troubleshooting

From time to time, you are bound to run into some "potholes" on the information highway. The
following are some common problems that you might encounter when using the Internet...
along with some possible solutions:

Problem: Can't Connect to the Internet Service Provider

Solutions:

 Make sure your modem is switched on and connected to a live phone line. If necessary,
refer to your modem's user manual.
 Make sure your connection software is configured properly. If necessary, refer to the
original setup instructions, or call your provider's customer service number.
 You might be having trouble with your phone line. Before attempting a connection,
make sure that all phones on the line are hung up, and check for a dial tone. You may
experience problems if your modem is "connected" to your phone line by way of a radio-
based phone extension. While adequate for voice communications, these extenders
usually do not provide a connection that is clean enough (noise-free) for digital
transmissions.

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 The problem might not be on your end, but might lie with the service provider. Often, if
too many users are logged on to a provider's system, the provider will not permit
additional connections. Also, the provider might be performing system maintenance
(though most providers try to do such work during "off" hours to minimize disruption). If
you believe this to be the case, try connecting again until you establish a connection, or
try another "point of presence" phone number for your provider.

Problem: Accessing the Web and Other Resources Takes a Long Time

Solutions:

 During particularly busy times, your Internet access provider—along with other servers
and gateways on the Net—might slow down substantially. Some providers report that
the hours 12 noon - 3 PM and 9 - 11 PM Eastern time are "prime time" because many
users are online for fun as well as business. If you experience consistently slow
performance within a specific time frame, try logging on at a different time (the early
morning hours are typically the least busy).
 If your modem speed is slower than 14.4 kbps accessing the more elaborate graphics
and other resources on the Web will be difficult, if not impossible. To enhance the speed
at which your computer accesses information on the Net, replace your modem with a
model that transmits data at 28.8 kbps or faster.
 Some Internet access providers require that you dial into a special number in order to
take advantage of higher speeds (namely 28.8 kbps). Double-check your connection
settings to make sure you are dialing in to the number that will offer you the best
performance.
 Most Web browsers allow you to turn off the automatic downloading of graphics when
accessing a Web site, thereby speeding access time. Although Web sites will not look
as attractive when you choose this option, you will access the text and hotlinks (the
"guts" of most sites!) much more quickly. And, you can always load the picture later on
by clicking on your browser's RELOAD or REFRESH button, or by clicking on the blank
placeholder of the page graphic (usually designated by a "?" or other icon).
 Sites that rely on plug-in or helper applications, or that contain special features such as
Java applets, usually take longer to load than less complex sites.

Problem: Cannot Access a Particular Web Site

Solutions:

 Web sites are not permanent, and may change URL addresses or even close without
notice. In such cases, hotlinks to affected sites are not always updated or deleted right

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away. If you receive an error message when attempting to access a particular site, try
searching for a more up-to-date URL via a Web index.
 Some access providers maintain their own archives (caches) of Web sites in order to
speed up access. Sometimes, this archiving process will inadvertently disable certain
Web functions, making some pages difficult or impossible to access properly. Also, this
archiving process can prevent you from loading the most current version of a page (a
dilemma most noticeable when accessing news sites or other resources that change
frequently).
 Your access provider may maintain firewalls that prevent you from accessing certain
Internet resources for security reasons. Contact your service provider if you believe this
to be the case.
 A Webmaster may establish bozo filters that block certain users from accessing Web
pages. Some bozo filters are temporary, so wait a few days to see if it is removed.
Otherwise, try contacting the Webmaster to see if there are other ways of accessing the
site.
 Some Web sites require registration before you can access them. Follow the
registration procedure (which may require you to pay a fee before full access is
granted).

 Your access software may contain a monitoring application that blocks access to
Internet resources considered inappropriate for children. Disable this application if
necessary; if you need help, ask your service provider.
 If the server containing the site is overloaded or "down," you will not be able to access
the site. Try again later.

Problem: Site Loads, But Features Don't Function Properly

Solutions:

 The site may contain a Java applet, ActiveX control, JavaScript, or some other
advanced feature that your browser cannot process. Make sure that:
o your browser is capable of using such features, and that
o these capabilities are activated (see your browser's "Preferences" or "Options"
menu).
 Download a newer version of your browser if necessary. Look under "Help" in your
browser's menu bar to determine its version. For Netscape Navigator and Internet
Explorer, download Version 3 or higher if you have not already done so.

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 Your browser might require a plug-in (auxiliary file) to use a feature contained in the
site. Most sites will provide a link for downloading the necessary plug-in; Microsoft
Internet Explorer will attempt to download whatever plug-ins it needs automatically.
 If you are on a slow connection (slower than 28.8 kbps), have a slow CPU, or if you are
online at a particularly busy time, your system may have trouble downloading or
processing the feature. Try again at a different time, or just be patient. If your computer
has consistent problems processing Java or ActiveX, disable those capabilities.
 Some "virtual memory" applications, which allow a computer to operate as though it has
more RAM than it actually does, can interfere with browsers. If you use virtual memory
software and experience frequent problems with your browser, remove the virtual
memory software. If your computer needs more memory, upgrade it with actual RAM.
 The site contains non-standard HTML or unusual scripting that is specific to a particular
browser. Look for special instructions on the site concerning preferred browsers and
plug-ins that enable other browsers to use the features. Many sites offer alternative
(usually text-only) pages for users without certain capabilities.
 The site contains code that is erroneous or corrupt. If you believe this to be the case,
notify the Webmaster.

Self Check 2 Written Test

Name:____________________ Date:_________________

Instruction: Answer all the questions listed below, if you have some clarifications- feel free to ask your
teacher.

 Given the Internet connection problem below, please advise at least 2 solution for each:

a. Cannot Access a Particular Web Site:

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b. Site Loads, But Features Don't Function Properly:

c. Can't Connect to the Internet Service Provider

Note: Satisfactory rating – 18 points above / Unsatisfactory - below 18 points. You can ask you
teacher for the copy of the correct answers

Operation Sheet – 2 Using other Internet Features

E-mail

E-mail is the method through which you can send messages to other Net users. Your online
service should provide you with E-mail capabilities; if you have questions concerning the
operation of your E-mail system, contact your service's customer support, or consult your
user's guide or other documentation.

How to Address Other Internet Users

If you use an online service such as America Online, you may be accustomed to addressing E-
mail to fellow member John Doe simply by using his AOL user name, "JDoe." But if you were
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on another service provider and wanted to send E-mail to John Doe, you would have to
address the message properly in order for it to transverse the Internet.

Internet addresses always follow this format:

[email protected]

"Username" is, of course, the user name of the person holding the account. "Domain" refers to
the name of the computer that holds the user's account (usually a close match to the service
name).

"Top-domain" refers to the top-level domain name, indicating the nature of the computer
system containing the account. The following are the common top-level domain names in the
United States:

 com - Business and commercial interests

 edu - Universities and other educational institutions
 gov - State and federal government
 mil - Military systems
 net - Special Internet systems
 org - Nonprofit and other organizations

Following this protocol, John Doe's Internet address on America Online would be
"[email protected]," where "jdoe" is the user name, "aol" is the domain name, and "com" is the
top-domain name.

E-Mail Etiquette

Because of the high potential for misunderstanding the intent of an E-mail message, you
should be aware of the following points of "netiquette" when communicating via E-mail:

 Follow the conventions for standard business writing. The immediacy of E-mail
makes it tempting to treat it as highly informal—leading to uses of sarcasm and
flippancy that can be misinterpreted as sheer mean-spiritedness. Take care in
composing your responses, in terms of both mechanics and tone. And when engaging
in business correspondence, avoid the following "netisms":
o "Smilies," or punctuation that, when viewed sideways, resembles a facial
expression (i.e., :-) is a smile).
o Acronyms such as <G> (grin), <IMHO> (in my honest/humble opinion),
and <ROTFL> (rolling on the floor laughing).
o Pseudo HTML (<wink mode="conspiratorial"> </wink>)
 Don't assume that your E-mail messages are private. Because E-mail travels a
complex path through the Net before reaching its destination, the chance of messages
being intercepted and read by unintended persons does exist. Also, your addressee
may assign another individual to read his or her incoming E-mail. If you want to transmit
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confidential information over the Net, first encode it using encryption software (some of
which can be downloaded from the Net at little or no cost to you; see the "Links" section
of the tutorial), and send the password to the addressee under separate cover,
preferably in a medium other than E-mail.
 Don't assume that your E-mail messages will be read and acted on
immediately. There may be a significant lag between the time you send an E-mail
message and a) the time it arrives at the recipient's service provider, and b) the time the
recipient reads it. Slow and busy gateways can impede the transmission of E-mail
messages, often by several hours; messages sometimes even get lost en route. And
once a message arrives, it might become part of the recipient's large backlog of unread
messages. And occasionally, the recipient might have trouble logging on to the access
provider.

Be patient when expecting a response to an E-mail message, though send a follow-up if

you don't hear any word within a reasonable time. And if you need to send time-critical
information, you may be better served using another medium, such as the phone or
express mail.
 Do not send unsolicited E-mail, particularly commercial mass mailings. Known as
"spamming" (named after a redundant chant used in a Monty Python skit), mass E-
mailing is considered a grave faux pas in the Internet world. There is no law against
spamming (a situation that may soon change), but enough users might complain to your
service provider about the spamming that the provider may feel obligated to suspend or
even cancel your account. By the same token, if you receive unsolicited E-mail that is
offensive or harassing, report it to your service provider.
 When writing, do not type in ALL CAPS. Type that appears in all capital letters is
considered shouting by Internet standards, and is therefore viewed as vulgar. If you
want to emphasize a word or phrase and are not able to use italics or underlining,
highlight it in *asterisks*.

USENET Newsgroups

USENET newsgroups constitute the Internet's system of "bulletin board" posting and response.
Unlike E-mail, in which messages are intended to be read only by the recipient, USENET
newsgroup messages can be read by anyone participating in the newsgroup. Most
newsgroups function as discussion groups, whereby people post and respond to public
messages, though some contain "binaries," or specially encoded files containing downloadable
graphic images or application software.

Newsgroups are categorized by topic, and most are accessible to anyone who has an account
with a participating Internet service provider, as well as the proper software (some Web
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browsers such as Netscape double as newsgroup "readers," and most of the commercial
online services allow for newsgroup access as well). The names of individual newsgroups
appear as a series of words or word fragments separated by periods; reading from left to right,
the words indicate a hierarchy from the broad to the specific. A newsgroup name of
"comp.systems.mac.d," for instance, translates into "a discussion group concerning Macintosh
computer systems."

Although the vast majority of newsgroups allow users to post unrestricted, many are
"moderated," meaning that a person or group monitors postings and either blocks or deletes
postings it deems inappropriate or irrelevant to the newsgroup's stated topic. Moderated
newsgroups typically prohibit any type of advertisements, though exceptions may be made for
items of special interest to the group. Some groups even automatically reject posts that are
"cross-posted," or addressed to more than one group, assuming them to be spam. In general,
moderated newsgroups are considered to be of higher quality than unmoderated groups,
because the discussions are kept focused, and participants don't have to sift through dozens of
irrelevant posts. Moderators, though, are sometimes accused of being heavy-handed in their
decisions, and their decisions are often fuel for controversy within groups.

Currently, there are about 20,000 active newsgroups on the Net, with new ones being added
nearly every day. Most of the major access providers offer newsgroup access. However, your
service provider might not carry all available newsgroups, as some opt not to carry
newsgroups containing pornographic or potentially illegal material, or topics of extremely
narrow interest.

Newsgroup Etiquette

As with E-mail, newsgroups follow their own set of unwritten rules for posting and responding
to messages. The following are a few of the general points:

 Think carefully before you post. Remember that anything you post to a newsgroup
might be read by thousands of users from all over the world. Additionally, newsgroup
postings can be archived for years, making it tough to take back something you posted
in the heat of anger or passion.
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 Don't post unless you have something important to contribute to a
discussion. Nothing irks newsgroup participants more than having to wade through
dozens of responses that say little more than "Me too," or "I agree."
 Get to know a newsgroup before posting. Many newsgroups have their own rules of
etiquette, and the only way to learn them is to spend time reading the newsgroups'
messages. What is permissible in one newsgroup might be strictly taboo in another. The
posting of commercial advertisements is a point of contention within the newsgroup
community; most newsgroups either frown on or prohibit outright the posting of ads,
while other newsgroups consist almost entirely of advertisements.
 Keep your messages appropriate to the newsgroup. Some newsgroups have
moderators who work to keep the newsgroups "on topic," but most do not, and rely on
the participants to limit their discussions to the topic at hand.
 Look for the FAQs. In order to avoid excessive repetition of basic questions and
answers, many newsgroups maintain a FAQ (frequently asked questions) file. Typically,
the FAQs are kept available at an FTP or Web site; they may also be posted on the
newsgroups themselves periodically. If you have a "beginner's question," you'll get your
best answer from the FAQ.
 Avoid getting caught up in a "flame war," or an exchange of insults between users.
The lack of accountability on the Internet encourages an unfortunate amount of
irresponsible and ignorant behavior... but you don't have to be a part of it. Flaming is a
waste of everyone's time. Instead, focus on treating fellow users and their ideas with
respect, just as you would like to be treated.

The penalties for violating newsgroup etiquette are similar to those for the more serious E-mail
transgressions. If enough people complain about your conduct to your service provider, your
account could be suspended or even canceled.

Electronic Mailing Lists

Commonly referred to as listservs, electronic mailing lists provide a method for groups of
Internet users with similar interests to correspond with one another and post messages
publicly, not unlike a newsgroup. The distinguishing characteristic of listservs, however, is that
they are totally accessible through ordinary E-mail; therefore, a user with Internet E-mail
access but no other capabilities can participate in a listserv.

You can subscribe to a listserv by sending an E-mail message to the list's administrative
address (usually separate from its submission address, which is used to post messages).
Precise subscription instructions vary, but in most cases, sending a message with nothing in
the body copy but subscribe list John Doe (where "list" is the name of the listserv and "John
Doe" is your name) will suffice. Similarly, you can also remove your name from a mailing list
(you should receive instructions explaining how to do this once your name has been added).

Once your name has been included in a listserv, you will receive messages posted to the
listserv in your regular E-mail. When you reply to a message, the reply will be sent to the
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listserv E-mail address, and not to the address of the original author (unless you specify
otherwise, using your E-mail software). Likewise, when posting a new message, make sure
you send it to the correct listserv E-mail address.

In general, the rules of etiquette for general E-mail and newsgroups also apply to listservs;
stick to the topic of the listserv, and avoid redundant posts such as "Me too" and "I agree"
responses (you'll see soon enough how trivial posts can clutter up one's electronic mail box!).
Many listservs are moderated, so that only important and informative posts are forwarded to
subscribers.

Directories of electronic mailing lists on varying topics, complete with subscription instructions,
are available on the Web at the following sites:

 http://www.neosoft.com/internet/paml/
 http://www.lsoft.com/lists/listref.html
 http://www.liszt.com/

Medically-oriented mailing lists may be found in Medical Matrix (http://www.medmatrix.org/)

under the various specialty topics.

Internet Relay Chat (IRC)

Internet Relay Chat was developed in Finland in 1988, and allows multiple Internet users (or
"clients") to enter a "channel," or a virtual meeting place on an IRC server computer, and type
instantaneous messages to one another. Unlike USENET newsgroups or E-mail, IRC chatting
allows users to carry on real-time, two-way or group "conversations."

The major IRC servers carry chat channels (the names of which are prefaced by a "#" symbol)
on a wide variety of topics, but you can often create your own channels if the current selections
don't please you, or if you want to hold a limited chat with invited guests. On an IRC channel,
users can post messages that everyone connected to the channel can read, or they can send
private messages to specific individuals.

To protect their privacy (as well as to add an element of fun to the chat), users can create and
change nicknames for themselves. Nicknames should be unique to prevent confusion among
participants in a chat. Some chat channels and servers require users to register their
nicknames in a nickserv, or a standing list of nicknames; systems that require this will have
information on how to register nicknames.

If you have used the chat rooms on America Online or another online service, you will see the
similarities between those systems and IRC immediately. IRC, however, uses arcane
commands that can be daunting even for experienced users; therefore, a sophisticated IRC
client program with a user-friendly interface takes the difficulty out of IRC and lets you

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concentrate on your chats instead of commands. See the "Links" section for Web addresses
for downloading IRC software.

Be aware that the proprietary chat systems of most online services were developed
independently of IRC and are not part of the IRC network. If you are a member of one of these
services and are not sure if or how you can participate in IRC through your service, contact the
service's customer support.

Virtual Reality

When the World Wide Web made possible the convergence of text and graphics online, the
effect was revolutionary. Now, many programmers and developers are working to take the
Web one step further with technologies that allow users to navigate three-dimensional
environments. An environment that so immerses a user in cyberspace is called virtual reality,
or a virtual world.

A number of languages and protocols are being used to create virtual worlds, but the most
popular is Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML), which allows a virtual environment to
be accessed through a properly configured Web browser. VRML plug-ins are available for
Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer; other browsers designed especially for
VRML are also available.

Virtual reality can be used to help users navigate a complex Web site, or to interact with other
users using avatars , or 3D characters that the user can define and manipulate. So far most
virtual worlds have been limited to games, navigation maps and 3D chat rooms, though the
possibilities for virtual worlds continue to expand with better browsers and virtual reality
development tools.

Lap Test Practical Demonstration

Name: _____________________________ Date: ________________

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Time started: ________________________ Time finished: ________________

Instructions: You are required to perform the following individually with the presence of your
teacher.

 Perform the procedure in accessing and using a Web index::

 Once you have established your Internet account, you are now ready to "surf" the World Wide
Web from your computer. Perform the steps in accessing the web or browsing the Internet.
(specific instructions will vary depending on your access provider and software):

 Your teacher will evaluate your output either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. If

unsatisfactory, your teacher shall advice you on additional work. But if satisfactory, you can
proceed to the next topic.

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