TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………….1-1
1.2 History of the Internet……………………………………………………………………………………1-1
1.3 HTML………………………………………………………………………………………………………….1-2
1.4 URLs and Domains ……………………………………………………………………………………….1-2
1.5 Getting On-Line ……………………………………………………………………………………………1-3
1.6 Web Browsers……………………………………………………………………………………………….1-3
1.6.1 Toolbars …………………………………………………………………………………………….1-4
1.6.2 Spotting Links…………………………………………………………………………………….1-4
1.7 Download Speed ……………………………………………………………………………………………1-5
1.7.1 Cache…………………………………………………………………………………………………1-6
1.7.2 Cookies………………………………………………………………………………………………1-6
1.8 Search Engines ……………………………………………………………………………………………..1-6
1.9 Portable Document Format (pdf) ……………………………………………………………………1-8
1.1 Introduction
Ten years ago, the World Wide Web did not exist. Five years ago, there were only 130
web sites. By April 1998, there were more than 2.2 million web sites. This incredible explosion
of available information has made the Internet one of the most important resources available to
industry today.
The objective of this chapter is to provide you with some basic background information
about the Internet, web browsers, search engines, and file formats available on the Internet and
used in this manual. Whether you are an experienced “web-surfer” or first-time user, this
chapter should help you to understand and use this new tool more effectively.
1.2 History of the Internet
The foundations for the current Internet were laid in 1969 when the U.S. Department of
Defense’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) established the ARPANET. The
ARPANET was a network connection between the major computers at the University of
California at Los Angeles, the University of California at Santa Barbara, Stanford Research
Institute, and the University of Utah. This network was designed to maintain communications
between computers even if one or more of the site were destroyed (by nuclear attack).
During the early years, use of the ARPANET was limited to scientists and engineers
associated with universities and a few public libraries. However, throughout the 1970s and
1980s new protocols for information transfer were being developed and libraries began to
connect their card catalogs to the network. However, these indices, like Archie and the Wide
Area Information Server, were still cumbersome and hard to use. In 1991, file transfers became
easier with the development of a menu-driven program by the University of Minnesota called
Gopher.
Also in 1991, a European team of developers at the Conseil Européenne pour la
Recherche Nucléaire developed a protocol based on hypertext that allows for the connection of
file content on the web with hyperlinks. This was the beginning of the World Wide Web.
Initially, Internet use was limited to non-commercial users, because the backbone of the network
was provided and funded by the National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, and U.S. Department of Energy. However, as private and commercial networks
began to spread, users could begin to connect to sites without using the government-funded
network. Delphi, the first commercial on-line service provider, offered Internet access to
subscribers by the end of 1992.
Today, almost anyone with a computer, a modem, and a phone line can access the World
Wide Web and use new development tools to create a web site without any knowledge of
computer programming or Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).
1.3 HTML
HTML is the programming language used to build web sites. It contains all the codes,
called tags, that control how a web page appears on your web browser. These tags also contain
all the hyperlink information to make connection on the World Wide Web. However, with
current development tools, users do not need to understand this language to use it to create a web
site.
1.4 URLs and Domains
Uniform Resource Locator (URL) addresses are the key to finding any information on the
information superhighway. For example, the URL address for the Internet version of this manual
is https://guideforworld.com. These addresses are seen everywhere today, from
breakfast cereal boxes to billboards, from bank stationery to television news programs, but what
do they mean?
Any web site can be accessed by entering the URL address for the site in the address box
of your web browser. A URL address has four parts: the protocol, server (or domain), path, and
file name. In some cases, there is not a path or file name, because these are set to default
locations. As an example, let’s look at the URL address for the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds:
http://www.epa.gov/owow/index.html.
· http is the protocol,
· www.epa.gov is the server or domain,
· owow is the path, and
· index.html is the file.
Domains are codes included in the server name that divide the World Wide Web into categories
based on the nature of the owner. Top-level domains include:
· .com for commercial enterprises,
· .org for non-profit organizations,
· .gov for government organizations,
· .edu for educational institutions,
· .net for network organizations,
· .mil for military services, and
· .int for organizations established by international treaty.
1.5 Getting On-Line
Today there are many ways to get on-line, ranging from the more traditional methods
such as using a corporate network link or modem and telephone line to the latest WebTV system.
Typically, as an environmental manager, you will be connecting through either an Internet
Service Provider (ISP) or on-line service provider.
An ISP is an independent organization that provides you with the telephone access and
software to use your computer and modem to connect to the Internet. Most ISPs include e-mail
accounts and will host clients’ web pages. ISPs typically provide some level of technical support
to their clients and other services to companies that do business on the Internet. There are
countless local and national ISPs to choose from.
An on-line service provider is similar to an ISP, in that it also provides the software and
telephone access to the Internet. However, on-line service providers differ in the level of service
provided to subscribers. Typically, on-line service providers, such as America On-line, or
CompuServe provide extensive special features and information not available through the
Internet. Home pages for on-line service providers frequently also include links to useful sites
for subscribers. On-line service providers tend to be nationwide services, which is why they can
provide these extra services to subscribers.
Factors to Consider in Choosing an Internet Service Provider
· Dialing in. Does the ISP or on-line service provider offer service through a telephone number in your
area? Does it offer a local telephone number or toll-free number in areas you expect to travel to?
· Access. How often will you actually get through, rather than get a busy signal, when you dial in? (Don’t
just rely on a customer service representative for this information. Try calling the connection number
several times at different times of the day, and see what results you get.)
· Technical support and customer service. Are there knowledgeable, friendly technical support and
customer service people available whenever you need them? Is the telephone call toll-free? How long will
you have to wait on hold? Can you get technical support and customer service on-line?
· E-mail. Does the service provide an e-mail account, and can you access your account through another ISP
if you’re outside a local ISP’s area?
· Web pages. Can you post a Web site on the ISP’s server? How much space can you get for your page and
at what cost? Will you be charged based on the amount of traffic your page gets? Will the server support
CGI scripting (necessary if your page includes a form)?
· Performance. How quickly does the service deliver your e-mail? (The industry average time is within 5
minutes 95% of the time.) How long does it take for Web pages to download? (The average is just over 40
seconds for popular consumer pages.) How often does the service experience failures and for how long?
· Upgrades. Can you upgrade to a faster modem or to ISDN service?
· Price. Many services offer different monthly subscriptions, including unlimited access for a flat monthly
fee and limited hours for a flat monthly fee with additional hours, as needed, for an extra charge. When
you compare ISP and on-line service provider prices, consider the factors above as well as the special
features and content that the on-line service providers offer.
1.6 Web Browsers
A web browser is the software package that allows you interact with the Internet. The
two most common browsers are Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. A browser
allows you to find, retrieve, view, and send information over the Internet.
1.6.1 Toolbars
All web browsers have a graphical interface that makes use easier. Typically, these
interfaces include a toolbar and menu system across the top of the screen. The buttons on the
toolbar are shortcuts to the most commonly used menu operations and commonly include
Forward, Back, Stop, Refresh or Reload, Home, Search, and Print. Each if these options is
discussed in more detail below.
1.6.2 Spotting Links
Most web browsers are designed to make linking and moving to other web pages or sites
(also called surfing) as easy as possible. In most cases, you can tell if an item on a web page is a
link to another page because the mouse cursor will change appearances when moved across a
link. You can then click the left mouse button on this link to go to that site.
Web Browser Toolbars
· Back. This button lets you return to pages previously viewed, beginning with the most recent.
· Forward. This button allows you to move forward through pages again after using the Back button.
· Stop or Halt. Halts the process of downloading a web page. Click this if you want to stop downloading a
page for any reason. For example, if you’re having trouble downloading it, or if you don’t want to wait for
it to download. Then try downloading it again or browse elsewhere.
· Refresh or Reload. This button updates any web page stored in your disk cache with the latest content.
(When you return to a page you’ve visited, your browser displays the file stored in your disk cache, rather
than the current page on the World Wide Web. This saves download time.)
· Home. This button returns you to your home page, which you can designate to be any web page on the
Internet.
· Search. Displays a choice of popular Internet search engines. Your can search in a variety of ways using
these engines, as discussed in Section 1.8.
· Favorites or Bookmarks. This button displays a list of the sites that you have saved. Click on any item in
the list to jump to it. As you build the list of sites, browsing becomes easier and faster.
· Print. This button prints the page you are currently viewing. This is one way to save information from the
Internet so that you don’t have to reconnect to view it again. You can even print the URL associated with
each hyperlink, making it easy to navigate to the site later.
Source: Internet Guide by Microsoft Personal Computing
(http://www.microsoft.com/magazine/guides/internet/browse.htm)
1.7 Download Speed
There are many factors that influence the speed at which a web site downloads. Some of
the more common reasons for slow download speed include:
· The speed of your modem;
· The amount of activity on the Internet (more people using the Internet results in
slower speeds for everyone);
· File size, a large file will take longer to download (larger files typically include
graphics, sound, and video files);
· The server hosting the site, connecting lines, or your ISP transmits data slowly.
Some methods of combating slow downloads include browsing during off-peak hours,
and turning off image and sound options on your browser (text only files transfer faster). If you
choose to use the latter technique, you can still view the graphics by clicking on the icon for it on
the web page after it has downloaded. This will download the graphic separately. If you think
that a download has become “hung up,” try stopping the download and trying to reload or refresh
the page. This may work immediately, or may work within a few minutes.
1.7.1 Cache
While you are surfing the Internet, your computer stores pages that you have visited on
your hard disk to reload these pages faster next time you visit that site. These temporary files are
stored in your disk cache to save you time and money, because these pages can be viewed
without being connected to the Internet.
You can change the size of your cache to increase the speed of your browsing, but this
also reduces the total amount of hard disk space available for other applications and files.
Consider carefully the balance between surfing speed and available disk space when resetting
your cache size.
1.7.2 Cookies
A cookie is a small file that is stored on your computer to by a web site. This allows your
web browser to send information to the web site the nest time you visit it. Usually this
information reminds the web site about how you interacted with the site last time you visited. It
can include information like the font that you prefer, or the color of the background, or your
password for the site.
Cookies are typically harmless and make browsing faster and easier. Cookies cannot take
or send information about you or your computer that you have not already provided to the web
site on a previous visit. However, cookies can be used by some services to create a profile for
you. This profile then potentially allows advertisers on participating sites to customize
advertisements for you. On most browsers, you can select an option to be notified when a web
site wants to save a cookie on your computer and decide if you want this file to be saved.
1.8 Search Engines
Now that you are on-line, how do you find what you are looking for? The answer to that
question is with a search engine. A search engine is a service that indexes organizes and
sometimes ranks the information available on the Internet. There are a variety of search engines
available. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages. Most of these advantages and
disadvantages result from the method each search engine uses to organize and index information.
Some search engines use indexes that have been manually created while others use software to
search for key words on other web sites. Some use both of these methods.
The real key to using search engines is not to rely on any single one. Since each search
engine has a different index of information and a different method of searching, the results of the
same search with different engines will return different results. If you do not find what you are
looking for with the first search engine, try another one. A brief introduction to some of the
more popular search engines is provided below.
Introduction to Some Major Search Engines
· AltaVista. At AltaVista, you can search for key words or type your query in the form of a question.
Other features include Babelfish, which translates sites in several languages; Photo Finder, which
searches for images; and Family Filter, which helps you limit the types of results produced by search.
· Excite. A hybrid search engine, Excite fulfills the traditional search engine definition (it is always
visiting web sites and cataloging them using a software program) but also has a directory, a
subsection of its cataloged sites, which have been reviewed by people.
· Infoseek. Infoseek’s search engine boasts an extensive catalog of sites. Infoseek has a directory, too,
that categorizes sites by topic using software. Some sites have been reviewed and are recommended.
· Lycos. Like Excite and Infoseek, Lycos is a search engine with a directory, organized by subject. You
can also search the Lycos service “Top 5%,” sites considered by its reviewers to be among the top 5%
of sites on the Internet.
· Metacrawler. Rather than keeping its own database of web sites, Metacrawler conducts your search
simultaneously on several search engines, including Excite, Infoseek, Lycos, and Yahoo! This takes a
little longer than using just one search engine, but it is likely to yield a more comprehensive set of
results.
· MSN Web Search. Using this search page, you can conduct a basic web search or an advanced
search, specifying one or more of the following: the type of information, the language, the origin, the
domain, the date created, and the types of files contained in the web page.
· Snap. Snap is a directory of web sites that the Snap Directory Team has chosen, divided into topic
areas, and summarized. Within each topic area, sites are divided into more specific subjects to help
you locate the type of information you want. Snap’s top picks are marked with a “Best” icon.
· Yahoo! This is actually a directory rather than a search engine, meaning humans compile and
categorize the sites it searches. So you may get fewer results. But Yahoo! makes it easy to search for
sites by category and to continue your search using a search engine, if you desire.
Source: Internet Guide by Microsoft Personal Computing
(http://www.microsoft.com/magazine/guides/internet/search.htm)
Most search engines also have a link to a web page that provides additional information
about how searches are performed and tips on how to improve search results. Take the time to
read these files. Reading these can save you time later.
Search results are usually improved if you can be specific about what you are searching
for. For example, a search for “North Carolina Environmental Regulations” would return fewer
results than “Environmental Regulations.” However, if you are having trouble finding what you
want with a specific topic or phrase, you may want to use more general terms. The effectiveness
of this technique varies from search engine to search engine, but it is important to try to be
flexible in your search to find what you want.
Finally, all major search engines allow you to use Boolean operators to perform more
advanced searches. These operators let you select whether to search for exact phrases, all words
in your phrases, or each word individually. Boolean operators and their use are described below.
Boolean Operators
· AND To search for two (or more) terms on the same page: Type the word AND (in all capital
letters) between the terms. (Example: sea AND kayak.) Or put a plus sign right before the second term.
(Example: sea +kayak.)
· OR To search for either of two (or more) terms on the same page: Type the word OR (in all capital letters)
between the terms. (Example: kayak OR canoe.)
· AND NOT To search for pages that include the first term and not the second: Type the words AND NOT
(in all capital letters) between the terms. (Example: kayak AND NOT whitewater.) Or put a minus sign right
before the second term. (Example: kayak -whitewater.)
· “” To search for an exact phrase, enclose the phrase in quotation marks. (Example: “sea kayak rental”)
· () To group parts of your search, enclose them in parentheses [Example: kayak AND (gear OR
equipment). This returns pages with both the words kayak and gear or with both the words kayak and
equipment.]
· To search for various forms of a word, add an asterisk to the end of the word. (Example: kayak*. This
returns pages with the words kayak, kayaks, kayaked, kayaking, and so on.)
Source: Internet Guide by Microsoft Personal Computing
(http://www.microsoft.com/magazine/guides/internet/search.htm)
Portable document format (pdf) is one type of file that is commonly being distributed on
the Internet. These files are easily recognized by the *.pdf file names associated with these files.
These files can contain text and graphics of almost any type. PDF files can also be set up with
word search capabilities and links to other files, including graphics, sound files, web sites, or any
other type of file. One of the advantages of the PDF file format is that these files can be easily
transferred across computer platforms, from PCs to Macs to Unix systems. These files are also
easily read either after being downloaded or through a web browser with the freely distributed
Adobe Acrobat Reader program. This program can be freely distributed or downloaded from the
Internet and is included on the CD ROM version of this manual. PDF files are also optimized
during the creation process to minimize file size. This means that PDF files are significantly
smaller and faster to download when compared to comparable word processor files.
Welcome to the Industries link toward environmental compliance…
The American Furniture Manufacturing Association is pleased to introduce this comprehensive website containing the Environmental Guide for U.S. furniture and cabinet manufacturing industries.
The Environmental Guide contains detailed information on environmental regulations and legislation of particular interest to the furniture and cabinet manufacturing industries. The site, which is continuously updated, will also provide news and links to many useful Internet sites for furniture and cabinet industry environmental professionals.
To view the material and make this site a quick and easy-to-use tool, Adobe Acrobat software must be downloaded. It can be downloaded free of charge through the site, which was developed with the assistance of Radian International and Tobin, Erdmann & Jacobsen and is sponsored by:
- American Furniture Manufacturers Association (AFMA)
- Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA)
- Akzo Nobel Coatings Inc.
- 3M