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Connecting with the World
The Internet and Other Fascinating Places
Types of Internet Sites
Each network that belongs to the Internet is a "site" on the Inter-
net. There are different types of Internet sites:
Mail servers store and forward electronic mail (e-mail). In
many ways, e-mail is like regular mail, but it can be much
faster and more convenient.
FTP sites store computer files. You can download files from
an FTP site or upload your files to it. For example, many com-
puter companies distribute minor upgrades to their programs
through FTP sites.
When you download a file you transfer the file from another
computer (or an FTP site) to your computer. Uploading is
sending one or more files from your computer to another.
Usenet sites maintain newsgroups, lists of messages dedicated
to a particular topic. Subscribers to a newsgroup can read and
respond to messages posted by others, and post messages of
their own.
LISTSERV sites administer mailing lists, which are lists of
people who are interested in the same topics. Individuals send
their message to the centralized LISTSERV site. The LIST-
SERV server "broadcasts" the message to all the members of
the mailing list. This way one person can correspond with lots
of people all at once. Mailing lists are different from news-
groups in that you receive all messages automatically.
Chat sites allow people to "talk" in real time. Whereas you
send your written message to a newsgroup to be read later, in a
chat session you type your message and other people in the vir-
tual chat session can respond immediately.
Gopher sites provide lists of what is available elsewhere on the
Internet. Searching a gopher site is a good way to look for spe-
cific information.
Part I: Getting To Know Your Computer
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