Internet for Beginners
Internet Trivia
The first email was sent in 1971. Raymond Tomlinson is widely known for inventing network electronic mail and choosing the “@” sign in emails to connect the username with the destination address.
Online Tutorial: Navigate a Website
- DigitalLearn.org: Navigate a WebsiteLearn how to navigate a website. The Public Library Association's new site, DigitalLearn.org, is an Institute of Museum and Library Services grant-funded project to create an online hub for digital literacy support and training.
Website vs Web Page
Website, or web site, is not the same thing as a web page. A website is a collection of web pages.
For example, www.bpl.org is the Boston Public Library website, and there are hundreds of web pages that make up the BPL website.
Parts of a Website
All websites look different. Reading a website will be easier once you learn to identify the six main parts:
- Title
- Featured Content
- Search boxes
- Tabs and drop down menus
- Sign-in or Log-in
- Ads
Try identifying the main parts of the Boston Public Library website:
Tip: Ctrl + F = Search
Having trouble finding what you're looking for? Try Control-F. Control-F locates specific text.
- Press Control-F (or Command-F for Mac users) on your keyboard
- Type the word you are looking for in the text box
- The browser automatically locates and highlights the word(s) you are searching
Websites to Visit
Click on the links below to visit different websites.
- Boston Public LibraryBoston Public Library's website
- Boston Public Computing CentersThe Boston Public Computing Centers (BPCC) are the result of a partnership between the Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF), the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) and the Boston Public Library (BPL), funded in part by the NITA grant. These community-oriented training centers will provide a variety of free workshops and classes in basic computing and new technologies. The centers are located at nearly 50 BCYF, BHA and BPL facilities throughout Boston.
- City of BostonCity of Boston website
Video: What are Cookies?
Cookies is the the term used to describe a type of message that is given to a web browser by a web server. The main purpose of a cookie is to identify users and possibly prepare customized web pages or to save site login information. Watch the video below to learn more about cookies.