A computer network is a number of computers linked together to allow them to share resources. Networked computers can share hardware, software anddata.

Most computer networks have at least one server. A server is a powerful computer that provides one or more services to a network and its users. For example, file storage and email.

The Internet is a worldwide system of interconnected computer networks. When you connect your computer to the Internet via your Internet Service Provider (ISP) you become part of the ISPs network, which is connected to other networks that make up the Internet.

The World Wide Web

The World Wide Web (WWW or Web for short) is the part of the Internet that you can access using a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. It consists of a large number of web servers that host websites. Each website will normally consist of a number of web pages. A web page can contain text, images, video, animation and sound.

The Internet is a worldwide system of interconnected computer networks. When you connect your computer to the Internet via your Internet Service Provider (ISP) you become part of the ISPs network, which is connected to other networks that make up the Internet.

The World Wide Web

The World Wide Web (WWW or Web for short) is the part of the Internet that you can access using a web browser such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. It consists of a large number of web servers that host websites. Each website will normally consist of a number of web pages. A web page can contain text, images, video, animation and sound.

Email and webmail

There are two main types of email, client-based email and webmail. Client-based email is often used by business users and involves the email being downloaded from a server to an application (such as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird) on the user’s computer. Webmail is accessed through a web browser and can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection.

Client-based email

Microsoft Outlook, inbox is selected, email in inbox from Michael Smith starting 'Finally... you've got an email address!'

Client-based email requires software, eg Outlook

To set up this type of email you need:

a computer

an Internet connection

an account with an ISP (Internet Service Provider)

an email application, eg Outlook, Thunderbird or Entourage

Your Internet Service Provider will give you an email account, a password and a mailbox such as [email protected].

Webmail

Webmail, as its name suggests, is web-based email. To use webmail you do not need any email software - just a computer connected to the Internet and a browser. Webmail accounts are usually free.

Email accessed from within a web browser, ie webmail

Users simply sign up to a webmail service such as Googlemail, Hotmail or Yahoo. They are then given a unique user name, password and a personal mailbox. The mailbox is accessed by visiting a specific web address and logging in. Once logged in, users can send and receive messages.