This document provides an introduction to using the Internet. It covers what the Internet is, how to connect to it, why people use it, and basic functions like email and searching. Key topics include how to evaluate online information for reliability, common tools like search engines and websites, and safety tips. The goal is to educate beginners on essential Internet concepts and skills to get them started using this global network.

1. Internet Basics
A class for people who are just getting
started using the Internet

2. What We’ll Cover Today
• What is the Internet?
• How do I use the Internet?
• What is key word searching using
internet browsing software?
• What is e-mail & www?
• How do I evaluate the information I
find?
• Where can I learn more?
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3. What is the Internet?
• A large computer network linking
smaller computer networks
worldwide
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4. What do I Need to Connect to the
Internet ?
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Computer, Telephone,+ Internet
Mouse & Cable, DSL
Browser Service
Modem or or
Software Provider
network card Wireless…

5. Why Use the Internet?
• To search for Information on
the World Wide Web
• To use e-mail
• The World Wide Web (www) and
e-mail (user-name)@(provider) are two different
Internet services!
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6. What is E-mail?
• Electronically sending messages
from one computer to another.
• Many websites, like Yahoo and Google, offer
free Internet e-mail accounts.
• Want to learn more? Take E-mail Basics
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7. Websites and E-mail
Use Addresses:
E-mail addresses: Website addresses:
jdoe@hclib.org www.hclib.org
“at” sign for e-mail “World Wide Web” for
websites
Address that you
use to send Address that gets you
electronic messages to a website
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8. Avoid Mistakes
in the Address
• Check for typos.
• Include all periods, hyphens,
underscores & back-slashes (/)
• Leave no empty spaces.
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9. Pop-up are advertisements
Find either the X or area to
skip the pop-ups.
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10. Internet Search Engines
What are they?
• A search engine is programmed to search for
websites using keywords and web addresses.
• To do a search, you type in keywords that describe
your topic such as recipes, investments or travel
destinations.
• Google and Yahoo! are two popular search
engines
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11. Internet Search Engines
Descriptions of search engines and
web addresses are easy to find at
www.hclib.org
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12. Hands-On Practice!
Keyword Searching
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13. Security
Time for some good tips…
If you shop online:
• Look for the padlock.
• Look for https.www (website address) this
indicates a secure site.
• Don’t enter personal information if you don’t
know the site is secure.
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14. Important Internet Facts
• Anyone can publish information on the
Internet.
• You are responsible for evaluating the
information you find.
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15. “On the Internet, nobody knows you’re a dog”
Cartoon by Peter Steiner. The New Yorker, July 5, 1993 issue (Vol.69) p. 61.
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16. Tips for Evaluating Websites
Ask yourself these two questions:
3. Who wrote or published the information?
2. Is this author or publisher a reliable source
of information?
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17. Website Authors & Publishers
Websites should tell you:
• Who is the author or publisher
• The author or publisher’s credentials
Look for these kinds of links to find
information about the web page author
“Who we are” “Mission” “Contact us”
“Philosophy” “About us”
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18. Thanks for Attending
• Practice what you’ve learned.
• Have fun learning to use computers!
• We will be happy to assist you.
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