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Category: Computers & Technology : Internet and Websites
If you want to set up your own web site, it's best you skim through this little intro, just so you know how things basically work.
This will make life a WHOLE lot easier when you want to make a Web Site for yourself. Otherwise, you have NO idea where your web site physically is. This will help you visualize the internet.
I. What is a Web Browser? (stay with me for a moment... ;)
A Web Browser is a Computer Program that is used to view Web Pages. The two most popular Web Browsers are "Netscape" and "Internet Explorer". You are probably using one of these two Browsers. These Browsers are just computer programs... just like your Word Processor or your Email program.
It doesn't matter which one you use (Netscape or Internet Explorer). They both do the same thing: They view Web Pages.
II. What is a Web Page? (It gets better, really)
A Web Page is a text/written document - like your Term Paper or your Email to your Dad. Your Term Paper could be a web page. It's just a bunch of typed words saved to a file.
If you wanted to, you could open your Term Paper in your Web Browser and you'd be looking at your very own Web Page!
Now, that wasn't very interesting. What you've learned is that a Web Browser can view a Web Page on your computer. What makes this all far more interesting is the Internet.
III. The Internet
Here's the excitement: Web Browsers can view Web Pages on OTHER computers ANYWHERE in the world.
The Internet is a massive network of computers that are all connected to each other.
Let's say you are sitting at Computer "A". And you are running your Web Browser. You want to see "weeno.com". You type "weeno.com" into your Web Browser. The Web Browser will go to Computer "1", then to Computer "2", then to the "Weeno.com" computer. It will tell that computer "Hey, I want to see your Web Page". The "Weeno.com" computer says "Alright, here it is." and then sends the Web Page to Computer "A" (that's you).
So, you're still sitting in front of your computer and the Web Page suddenly appears in front of you. Viola! Like Magic.
Now, where is the "Weeno.com" computer? With the internet it doesn't really matter... but it could be next door, or it could be half-way around the world.
WHO CARES?
Ok... ok. If you are a casual Web user, it really doesn't matter. If you want to set up your own web site, or do some of the more "advanced" internet things - it REALLY helps to be able to visualize this stuff. Otherwise, setting up your web site is taking a shot in the dark.
ISSUES
Now, what happens if you want to set up your own Web Page?
Can you set it up on your Home Computer? (Computer "A")
Yes, theoretically, you can - but you probably won't. There are a few issues here... but here is the biggest issue:
1) Your computer doesn't stay connected to the Internet 24hrs/day 7 days/week. Your computer and modem probably connect to the Internet through your phone line. You connect when you want to. You disconnect when you want to use the phone. So - if you had put your Web Page on your Computer (Computer "A") and you're not on the Internet currently - What happens when Computer "B" tries to find your Web Page? It won't be able to. Ooops.
So, where do I set up my Web Page?
Ok, this will be a whole seperate article... but here are your options:
1) Usually, you are paying for your Internet access. In the diagram above, you are probably paying Computer "1" to connect to the internet. Computer "1" is usually America Online, Erols, Mindspring, Sprynet, Compuserve or whoever you pay your $$/month to be able to connect to the internet.
These people will often (not always) allow you to place your Web Page on their computer (Computer "1") which stays connected to the internet ALL The time. (This is called "hosting" your web site.) This way, your Web Page will be available to everyone who wants to see it. And - they SOMETIMES don't charge you any extra money for it. It depends on the company.
2) Pay another company whose job is to "host" web sites. There are many companies who own computers that stay connected to the internet for the sole purpose of selling space on their computers to customers who want web pages. Weeno is run like this. In the above diagram, the "weeno.com" computer is owned by someone else, in some other part of the country. (How do we get our Web Pages there? That's a whole other article.)
3) Find a company that will "host" your web site for FREE. Now, this sounds like the best option though - right? For many, it is. What's the catch? Well - the catch is that these companies sell ADVERTISING to other companies. You may have run across a site like this. Usually a seperate Window pops up with some advertisment. If this is acceptable to you, you can do this. In the above diagram, they would be any of the other computers connected to the internet.
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I hope this was easy to understand, and I hope you learned something from it. This will go a long way in helping you if you want to set up your own web page.
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