Datasheet

11
Chapter 1: Web Publishing Basics
Getting up URL-y
The Internet is the giant computer network that connects other computer
networks around the world. At its base, the Internet is just a giant mechanism
for moving files from one computer to another. It finds files by using a kind
of address called a URL (Uniform Resource Locator — which sounds like
something the Army invented to track down clothes!). The acronym URL is
usually pronounced “you are ell,” although some pronounce it “earl.” Most
people today use the term “Web address” or “Internet address” instead of
“URL,” but as a Web publisher you should know all of the terms.
The address that you type to get to a Web page is a URL. For example, www.
dummies.com is the URL for the For Dummies site. A URL consists of three
parts (see Figure 1-1):
 Protocol: The name of the communications language that the URL
uses: HTTP (used on the Web), HTTPS (for secure Web pages), FTP,
and so on.
 Domain name: The name of the server the file is on, such as
dummies.com.
 Pathname: The location of the desired file on the server.
Getting Webbed
This book talks a lot about the Web, but doesn’t
discuss how to get on the Web as a user.
Even if you’re on the Web already, perhaps
through a connection at work, you may also
want to get on the Web from home. How do you
do that?
There are a wide variety of broadband
offerings — some tied to cable TV or satellite
TV services, others to phone offerings, and
even a few to mobile phones. There are
wireless hotspots that may give you inexpen-
sive (or even free) Internet access. And yes,
there are still some dialup — that is to say,
slow — offerings left.
The most popular online service is still America
Online (AOL). AOL has robust Web-publishing
features, coverage around most of the world,
good spam blocking, kid-safe controls, and
many other good features. However, it tends
to be expensive, and is gradually losing
subscribers.
It’s quite likely that your Internet service
provider, whether it’s a big name (such as AOL
and MSN) or a little guy, offers you space for
your Web site — and perhaps helpful support
services as well. Check your ISP’s offerings
as you decide how to get your first pages up on
the Web.
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