General introduction of web technology: Web pages and websites. Some scientific website examples

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WEB TECHNOLOGY: WEB PAGE AND
WEBSITE, SCIENTIFIC WEBSITES
Introduction
Web technology deals with World Wide Web (www). It is a
single means of access to virtually anything available
through the Internet, i.e., services, resources, tools and
information.
The World Wide Web consists of files called Webpage
which contain information and links to resources
throughout the Internet.
Web page and Website
WEB PAGE
A web page is an electronic document written in a computer
language called HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language).
The various webpage are linked together through a system
of connections called links, hyperlinks or hypertext links,
which enable the user to jump from one webpage to another
by clicking on them. On the web, the user navigates
through these pages of information in accordance of their
requirement.
WEBSITE
A website is a set of related webpage published by an
organisation or individual. Each website is owned and
updated by an individual, organization or company.

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The various elements of a website are:-
1. Home page: Home page or index page is the first screen
or page of a site accessible through web. It provides an
overview of what could be found at a website.
2. The other web pages which are linked to the Home page
and can be accessed by simply clicking on their link
(present on the Home page).
ADDRESS OF A WEB PAGE
Each web page has a unique address called Uniform
Resource Locator (URL) that identifies its location on the
web. For example, http://www.tomakewebsite.com/ opens
the home page of the website.
Types of Websites
Websites can be categorised on various aspects.
A. According to the purpose or function for which the
website is designed:-
1. Business Websites: These are professional websites
that are built purely for business reasons. They
generally belong to an organisation, firm or company.
They provide information about the company, its
products, marketing schemes, etc.
For example, www.intel.com, www.amazon.com
2. Informative Websites: These are built for the purpose
of providing information. These include –
a) News websites: For example, www.air.nic.in
(Website of All India Radio).

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b) Science websites: For example,
www.csirhrdg.res.in (Website for Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research, India).
c) Encyclopaedias: For example,
www.britannica.com
d) Websites giving analysis of some subject : For
example, www.howstuffworks.com
e) Medical information websites: For example,
www.healthcare.gov
f) Educational websites: For example,
www.stanford.edu
g) University/college/school websites: For example,
www.mdsuajmer.ac.in
3. Search engines and directory type websites: Search
engines search through entire web to find websites
and list them on their servers. For example,
www.google.co.in, dir.yahoo.com
4. Social networking and blogging websites: Social
networking sites provide the user a facility to
communicate with people anywhere in the world. For
example, www.facebook.com. Blogging sites provide
user a platform to express his/her views. For example,
www.dearblogger.org
B. According to the building method, i.e., based on the
technology running the website:-
1. Static websites: These deliver static information to
the user, i.e., information does not change over time
and remains in the same form as sent by the web
server.
2. Dynamic websites: These websites deliver dynamic
information to the user, i.e., information that can

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change over time when sent to the user according to
some criteria.
Scientific Websites
Today, the World Wide Web is indispensable for scientific
research. Every scientist’s daily work includes searching
the web for the latest literature as well as conducting
scientific discourse via email. To fulfil such purposes
scientific websites are created.
The important features of a scientific website are:-
1. The design of web page is simple and clear, i.e., it is not
confusing to the visitor. The various sections are clearly
defined.
2. The home page of a scientific website is visually
attractive and sometimes brightly coloured. Usually it
has a picture gallery too (showing images of the
achievements or research).
3. The content in scientific websites is usually supported
with interesting and descriptive images.
4. The data about the organisation or institution and the
various research papers or articles has authentication and
is always up to date.
5. Usually a scientific websites have a well made,
distinctive logo that helps in their easy recognition.
6. Most scientific websites have a menu displaying
important topics. This helps the visitor to navigate the
site easily.

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CATEGORISATION OF SCIENTIFIC
WEBSITES
The scientific websites can be categorised as under:-
1. Websites of various scientific organisations – These
include:
 The websites of various governmental and non –
governmental organisations working in the field of
science and technology.
For example, www.nasa.gov (the website of NASA),
www.isro.org (the website of Indian Space Research
Institute).
 The websites of various scientific societies.
For example, www.indianchemsoc.org (Website of
Indian Chemical Society)
2. Websites of various scientific newsletters and
magazines– Worldwide many science magazines and
newsletters are published. Most of these have their
websites giving information about the contents of
various editions. Some sites also provide the users with
facilities like free account register for updates, signing
up for reading selected content, etc.
For examples, www.sciencemag.org (Website of Science
magazine), www.downtoearth.org.in (Website of Down
To Earth magazine).
3. Educational websites and websites of research
institutions – These include:
 Websites providing various articles, projects,
experiments and models related to science.
For example, www.whfreeman.com

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 Various research institutions globally have websites
providing the enthusiasts updates of ongoing research
in different streams. Such websites also provide
information about the institute, its working
environment and admission procedure.
For example, www.tirf.res.in (Website of Tata
Institute of Fundamental Research).
4. Commercial scientific websites – These are business
websites, which include:
 Websites providing information about various
scientific products and instruments.
For example, www.merck.co.in, www.chinoindia.com
 Websites where the user can look for various subject
related books.
For example, www.springer.com
References:-
1. Introduction to Information Technology, Pearson
Education.
2. Learning to use the Internet; Ernest Ackermann.
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