Welcome to Matt's 5 Minute Guide to the Internet

Introduction: As part of my contribution to the WWW, I have composed a Beginner's Guide to the Internet. I designed this page for those of you who are browsing from AOL, Prodigy, CompuServe, and MSN. In less than 5 minutes, (because they may be charging you by the Minute!) I will have you cruising the "Information Super Highway". This Page covers definitions, navigation, and other basic necessities required to be a successful "InterNaut", and law abiding "Netizen".

Definitions
Navigation
Other Necessities
Bottom of Page (Links to other Cool Stuff)

Definitions

Why Do I need to Know Definitions?: As rudimentary as it seems, a basic knowledge of the terms and the "language" will aid in understanding the "Internet". Again I promise to be brief.

Bookmark/Favorites: On your Browser's toolbar, click on bookmark or Favorites, and click "Add". This action allows you to go back to those pages you want to re-visit, at some time in the future. It would be a great honor, if you would bookmark my site. CAUTION: use this feature often. It is easy to get side-tracked, due to all the links (a link is defined below) you will encounter along the way. It will happen to you, and when you attempt to get back to a site, you won't remember the address or even how you got there!!! If I had a dollar every time this happened to me, I would be a rich man! (This page contains interesting links too, so be careful!)

Internet: A "network" of computers connected together. By reading this page, you are part of the Internet. By the way, there is no company called "Internet", think of the Internet as the Universe, and your On-line Service as a Planet ...... which is part of that Universe.

Web Browser: Think of this as your Spaceship, to explore different parts of the "Universe". The Browser will let you "travel" the Internet. I am partial to Netscape Navigator, or Internet Explorer. You will have to be the judge. Both Browsers are free to download.

Search Engines: As an AOL subscriber, I was frustrated at my searches using their way of doing things, I could not seem to find what I was searching for. A search engine takes care of that, it will do the searching' fer ya! I find Yahoo and Excite the best, you be the judge. I will show you how to access them in the 4th minute!

Links: Links are quick routes to other web pages that may be similar or related in some fashion. This is another way for you to navigate the Internet. I find these links most helpful, but also very addicting. You'll will soon find out for yourselves!

Plug-Ins: Plug-Ins are what makes the Internet Exciting. These are "add-ons" to your web browser. That is why I recommend Netscape, they have a ton of 'em, and it is easy to "plug 'em" in! Examples of plug-ins that are a must include: RealAudio--which allows your PC to receive Real-Time Radio and Video broadcasts over the Internet. And VXtreme--which is Real-Time video over the Internet. Shockwave, by Macromedia is pretty awesome too! NOTE: I have Links to these sites on my "Link-List". Click the icon.

Freeware/Shareware

These terms are used synonymously, and technically should not be! There are sites on the internet where you can download software programs. The Plug-ins above are examples, my Link List is devoted to Freeware/Shareware sites.

Freeware is, well Free! Most all Plug-ins are Freeware. Shareware comes in a couple of forms: You will get either a "scaled down" version (one that does not have all the bells and whistles activated). Shareware that is in "Beta Testing", which means it is in a test phase, so it still may have a few bugs in it, however this is usually no big deal. Some programs have an evaluation period, before you are asked to buy it. Finally, some require a registration number that is provided when you pay for it.

I estimate that I have purchased about 95% of the software I use. I am a firm believer, that if you use it, you should pay for it. These guys are in business, and without cash they will not be able to continue to develop better software. Leave all the Pirating up to 3rd world countries that don't have Capitalistic ideals. (ahem, China)

ISP: Internet Service Provider, this is your "planet", I used to inhabit the AOL planet, but like yourselves (I know, because you are here!) I grew tired of the planet rather quickly. And what is up with NEVER being able to Connect? I soon found myself out roaming the "universe" more than I stayed at home. Once you experience this, I would suggest canceling your service with these providers, and go with a local company that offers Direct Access to the Net. Not only will you become more proficient on the Internet, your pocket book will thank you as well! The typical Local ISP will usually charge a Flat Rate with UNLIMITED time! And trust me, you will need it!

IRC: Internet Relay Chat, yes the Internet has its own Chat areas, if you were wondering. So when you switch to a Local ISP, you won't miss all that fun and exciting chatting that you love so much. IRC is by far superior to any so-called "Chat Area", there are essentially no limits to what you can do. I like playing chess with my IRC friends! You can download this application by going to my links page, under Strouds.

Virus

These are programs that tells your computer to do something bad! Here is how to avoid them: You need to go to my Link List and Link to a Shareware site to download a Virus Scanner. You need to look for one that will do the following: one that will Automatically scan when you start your computer, and stay running in the "background", while you have your PC on. The Scanner should have the ability not only to detect, but to delete or fix the damaged file. Most Importantly, the program must have the ability to make a "Disaster Recovery Diskette". -- Bootsector viruses do not allow you to start up your computer! You must protect against that! and Lastly -- BACKUP YOUR HARD DRIVE!! (or at least the files you continually update) -- I know it is a pain -- but you will thank me when your system crashes. And it will happen to you sooner or later!

Navigation

Now that you know a thing or two about the Internet, let's put it to practice. You are probably wondering, how many sites there are on the net? Well since new sites are popping up all the time, and no one can honestly say what all is out there, you are gonna need help. And this help is through the Search Engines, and also Links. Search Engines are Self Explanatory, which is probably what landed you here in the first place!

Links are usually printed in a different color than the rest of the text around it! At the bottom of this page, you can check out the rest of my Home Page, and please do, you are more than welcome! or you can E-Mail me, just by clicking on this line. See what I mean?

I have some awesome Links that you may find enjoyable, back on my Link List go and check 'em out! Below are the Links to those Search Engines I spoke about Earlier, and a few others!

Excite Search

MedSite.com -- A search engine devoted to medical links.

Yahoo Search: ***The Engine I use most***.

Magellan Search: This is a comprehensive listing of all published Phone #'s in North America. Pretty scary, but you should be able to locate that old High School Sweetheart, or that bum you loaned a 100 bucks. You gotta check it out

Lycos

Other Necessities

I think that the biggest "Necessity" that one needs, is TIME! I am not kidding here! My wife claims that she is an Internet Widow. Please send your condolences to her, she appreciates your concern.

Bottom of Page (Links to Cool Stuff)

I hope you found this page helpful, when I first got on to the "Net", I knew absolutely nothing of it or what it was about. One thing for certain, It is here to stay, now and forever. The more you learn about it, (and I encourage you!) the more you will come to respect the technology, its limits and especially its future (and what a future it will be). I support Free Speech On-line. Whether you agree or disagree with the politicians, it is CENSORSHIP! CAN WE, AS AMERICANS, AFFORD TO GIVE UP ANY MORE FREEDOM?