What is the Internet

The Internet isn’t any one product or service; remember, it’s just a network of connections between computers. Specialized software programs can communicate over this digital pipeline in all kinds of interesting ways.

For example, you’ve probably heard of emailthe electronic version of postal mail. The World Wide Web is also deservedly famous (billions upon billions of “pages” displaying text and pictures that serve as ads, brochures, discussion groups, information flyers, and so on). But some of the up-and-coming technologies are even more intriguing. Young people use chat programs dailylike a typed version of CB radioto carry on conversations, send pictures and music back and forth, and so on.

Other specialized programs let you make free “phone calls” across the Internet, computer to computer, using a microphone and speakersand if you have a fast Internet connection, you can make video calls with these programs. Then there are blogs (Web logs, or daily opinion journals) to read. And podcasts (amateur radio and TV shows) to listen to or watch. All of this, by the way, is free.