About the World Wide Web

What is the World Wide Web?
What will I find on the Web?
What is Home Central?
How do I view information on the Web?
How do I get connected to the Web?
How will I know when I've connected to the Web?
How do I disconnect from the Web?
Can I believe everything I read on the Web?
Is it safe to make credit card purchases on the Web?
What about downloading software?
 
 
 
 
 
 

What is the World Wide Web?
   The World Wide Web is a vast network of virtual places on the Internet called "Web sites." Each Web site is composed of "pages" of text and images, and provides some kind of information or service. What makes the Web so powerful is the use of "hyperlinks." A hyperlink is a word, phrase or image that you can click on and jump to related information on any other site on the Web. It's like browsing through the world's biggest library, where every page of every book is cross-referenced by subject to all the other books on the shelves.

What will I find on the Web?
   Let's say you're interested in do-it-yourself home projects (just a wild guess), and you're thinking of remodeling your bathroom. One click of your mouse takes you to the Web site of a contractor who's providing instructions for restoring bathrooms in historic homes. From there you're a click away from browsing through an online catalog of antique-style plumbing fixtures. But do they meet the standards of your local plumbing code? Another click, and you have your answer. You return to the parts supplier and place your order. A minute later you're at the Web site of a local plumber arranging for a house call, because you've decided not to do-it-yourself after all.

   And home improvement is just the tip of the iceberg. The Web is as unlimited as the interests and imaginations of the millions of people who work and play there.

What is Home Central?
   Home Central is Home Improvement Encyclopedia's companion Web site. It's a source for how-to information, and the most up-to-date directory of home related information, products and services available on the Web.

How do I view information on the Web?
   The software used for viewing text and images on the Web is called an Internet client, often referred to as a Web browser. You also use a web browser to view Home Improvement Encyclopedia from the CD-ROM.

How do I get connected to the Web?
   If you have a modem or another means of physically linking your computer to the Internet, then all you need is to do is register with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or an online service such as America Online, CompuServe or Prodigy. Internet Service Providers usually offer a basic package of Internet services, including access to the Web, and e-mail. Online services provide these Internet services, and also features of their own, such as news, entertainment, and online "chat rooms."

   When you have an Internet Service Provider, getting to the Web from Home Improvement Encyclopedia is as simple as clicking on links with the globe icon  next to them. You'll find these on the "Springboard to the Web" links pages, and sprinkled throughout the topic pages.

How will I know when I've connected to the Web?
   If you have sound capability, and the volume isn't turned all the way down, you'll usually hear dialing sounds immediately after you click on a link to the Web.

   If you have any doubt that a page you're viewing is on the Web, look at the URL in your web browser's location field.  If the first letter of the URL is anything but the letter designator for your CD-ROM drive, you are in Web cyberspace.

How do I disconnect from the Web?
   Once you have connected to the Web, often the only way to disconnect is to exit your web browser. Even if you use the "Back" button to return to viewing pages on the CD-ROM, your Internet connection will still be active. If you connect to the Internet with a modem and pay your provider by the hour, as is the case for most home users, this means the meter is running.

   You incur no time charges for using a web browser to view the contents of the Home Improvement Encyclopedia CD-ROM.

Can I believe everything I read on the Web?
   Information is only as reliable as its source. If the "facts" you find on a Web site seem dubious, or an offer sounds too good to be true, find out who is responsible for the content of the site. Many Web publishers display their credentials and contact information such as a phone number and/or address on one of their Web pages. At the very least, you should be able to find an e-mail address for the site's Webmaster. If you're not satisfied with the publisher's references, or--serious warning sign--you can't even figure out who owns or administers the site, your best bet is to move on. Reputable Web publishers don't conceal their identities!

Is it safe to make credit card purchases on the Web?
   Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to conduct credit card business on the Web with at least as much security as when you pay for a meal in a restaurant. Just remember to wield your card with discretion. The first precaution is to make sure your card number is encrypted for transmission. If the URL of a page that asks you for your number doesn't have the prefix "https" as opposed to the standard "http," the transmission may not be secure! Secondly, don't give out your credit card number unless you have complete confidence in the integrity of the person or company you're doing business with. Look for the business' address and phone number, and confirm them. A good rule of thumb is, if you wouldn't make a phone- or mail-order credit card purchase from the business, don't buy via the Web!

What about downloading software?
   The opportunity to download powerful, cutting edge (and often free!) software is one of the best things about the Web. But software can contain computer viruses and bugs that will at best be a source of inconvenience, and at worst can destroy the software you have already. The best advice for avoiding viruses is to download software only from reputable companies with which you are familiar. Bugs are more ubiquitous, but seldom as destructive as viruses. Many companies use the Web to destribute test versions--usually called beta versions--of their programs. These programs are almost guaranteed to have at least some minor bugs. Beta version or not, you may want to ask yourself if you really need a particular piece of software before you click the "Download" button.