Welcome to
Part One
of
Dr. B's
Carolyn O Burleson

(Cross platform)


You have just received your LAUSDnet account for accessing the Internet.  What do you do next? How do you use it? This class will focus on the basics of the Internet and how to learn your way around in cyberspace.

Part One

Part One  

What is the Internet? 
How do I access it? 
Why is it useful? 
Configuring Your Browser 
Using Search Engines 
Electronic Mail - Netiquette 

 

What is the Internet?
Quite simply, the Internet is an international community of people who share information, interact, and communicate via a network of computers around the globe that store and transfer information from one computer to the next. Since we cannot possibly learn all about the Internet in these two brief sessions, provided here are some good resources for you to explore on your own. First, be sure to read LAUSDnet's "Acceptable Use Policy" http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/lausd/lausdnet/aup.html

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How do I access it?

The Internet is accessed via an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or Local Area Network (LAN). We view the information on the Internet with a browser. The most popular browsers are Netscape and Internet Explorer.

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Why is it useful?

The Internet affords quick and easy access to information stored on other people’s computers all around the globe. One can find information on virtually any topic or issue in any language, as well as up-to-the-minute news and stock market quotes.

It also permits us to communicate with people all over the world via electronic mail (e-mail) bulletin boards (BB’s) chat rooms, Conferencing (audio and video).

It provides a vast array of resources for Educators as well as students. A few samples are listed here:

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For help in configuring and using Internet Explorer or Netscape, simply click on "Help" at the top of your browser window.

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Using Search Engines

Search engines are used when we need to find sites containing information on a specific subject. You type in key words and the search engine locates the addresses of websites that contain the specified key word(s). Here are but a few search engines:

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FYI (for your information)

Electronic Mail - Netiquette

- Unless you are using an encryption device (hardware or software), you should assume that mail on the Internet is not secure. Never put in a mail message anything you would not put on a postcard. - Respect the copyright on material that you reproduce. Almost every country has copyright laws. -

If you are forwarding or re-posting a message you've received, do not change the wording. If the message was a personal message to you and you are re-posting to a group, you should ask permission first. You may shorten the message and quote only relevant parts, but be sure you give proper attribution.

Never send chain letters via electronic mail. Chain letters are forbidden on the Internet. Your network privileges will be revoked. Notify your local system administrator if your ever receive one.

There are never ending hoaxes sent out in e-mail. Usually they offer you money or some great benefit if you pass the message on to several more people. You may also encounter hoax virus warnings. Before forwarding any such messages, check with hoax and it will exposes these messages for what they are. Don't waste your time or your friends' bandwidth by continuing the hoax.

- A good rule of thumb: Be conservative in what you send and liberal in what you receive. You should not send heated messages (we call these "flames") even if you are provoked. On the other hand, you shouldn't be surprised if you get flamed and it's prudent not to respond to flames.

- In general, it's a good idea to at least check all your mail subjects before responding to a message. Sometimes a person who asks you for help (or clarification) will send another message which effectively says "Never Mind". Also make sure that any message you respond to was directed to you. You might be CC:ed rather than the primary recipient.

- Remember that the recipient is a human being whose culture, language, and humor have different points of reference from your own. Remember that date formats, measurements, and idioms may not travel well. Be especially careful with sarcasm. - Use mixed case. UPPER CASE LOOKS AS IF YOU'RE SHOUTING.

- Use symbols for emphasis. That *is* what I meant. Use underscores for underlining. _War and Peace_ is my favorite book.

- Use smileys to indicate tone of voice, but use them sparingly. This is an example of a smiley :-) (Look sideways). Don't assume that the inclusion of a smiley will make the recipient happy with what you say or wipe out an otherwise insulting comment.

- Be brief without being overly terse. When replying to a message, include enough original material to be understood but no more. It is extremely bad form to simply reply to a message by including all the previous message: edit out all the irrelevant material.

- Mail should have a subject heading which reflects the content of the message.

Here are some useful links to help answer all of your internet questions

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to part two to Dr. B's Tutorial - Part two