A

Stand-alone environment

Copying

files onto floppy disks and

giving them to others to copy onto
their computers was sometimes
referred to as the "sneakernet."
This early form of computer
networking is one that many of us

The sneakernet

This system works well in certain situations and

has its advantagesit allows us to stop for a cup
of coffee or socialize with a friend while we
exchange and merge databut it is far too slow
and inefficient to meet the needs and expectations
of today's computer users. The amount of data
available to be shared and the distances we want
the data to travel far exceed the capabilities of the
sneakernet. But what if a standalone computer
were to be connected to other computers? Then, it
could share data with the other computers and
send documents to the other printers. This
connecting together of computers and other
devices is called a network, and the concept of
connected computers sharing resources is called
networking.

A SIMPLE COMPUTER NETWORK

COMPUTER PRINTER RATIO

Benefits of Using Network

Networks increase efficiency and
reduce costs.
Computer networks achieve
these goals in three primary
ways:
Sharing information (or data)
Sharing hardware and software
Centralizing administration and
support

Fig. information sharing b/n two computers

- More specifically, computers that are
part of a network can share:
Documents (memos, spreadsheets,
invoices, and so on).
Internet Access and E-mail messages,
Illustrations, photographs, videos, and
audio files.
Live audio and video broadcasts.
Printers, Fax machines.
Modems, CD-ROM drives and other
removable drives.
Hard drives, and so on.

PRINTER SHARING

Summary

Computer Network enables:

Timely, relevant and comprehensive
information access
Fast data exchange and information
communication
Efficient resource and information
exchange.

 PART

TWO

Internet Resource

What is Internet?
The Internet, sometimes called simply "the
Net," is a worldwide system of computer
networks - a network of networks in which
users at any one computer can, if they
have permission, get information from any
other computer (and sometimes talk
directly to users at other computers).

Today, the Internet is a public, cooperative, and selfsustaining facility accessible to hundreds of millions of
people worldwide. Physically, the Internet uses a portion of
the total resources of the currently existing public
telecommunication networks. Technically, what
distinguishes the Internet is its use of a set of protocols
called TCP/IP (for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol). Two recent adaptations of Internet technology,
the intranet and the extranet, also make use of the TCP/IP
protocol.
For many Internet users, electronic mail (e-mail) has
practically replaced the Postal Service for short written
transactions. Electronic mail is the most widely used
application on the internet as mentioned above. You can
also carry on live "conversations" with other computer
users, using Internet Relay Chat (IRC). More recently,
Internet telephony hardware and software allows real-time
voice conversations.

The most widely used part of the Internet is the

World Wide Web (often abbreviated "WWW" or called "the
Web"). Its outstanding feature is hypertext, a method of instant
cross-referencing. In most Web sites, certain words or phrases
appear in text of a different color than the rest; often this text is
also underlined. When you select one of these words or
phrases, you will be transferred to the site or page that is
relevant to this word or phrase. Sometimes there are buttons,
images, or portions of images that are "clickable." If you move
the pointer over a spot on a Web site and the pointer changes
into a hand, this indicates that you can click and be transferred
to another site.
Using the Web, you have access to millions of pages of
information. Web browsing is done with a Web browser, the
most popular of which are Microsoft Internet Explorer and
Netscape Navigator. The appearance of a particular Web site
may vary slightly depending on the browser you use. Also, later
versions of a particular browser are able to render more "bells
and whistles" such as animation, virtual reality, sound, and
music files, than earlier versions.

How Does the Internet Work?

The Internet is a worldwide collection of computer

networks, cooperating with each other to exchange
data using a common software standard. Through
telephone wires and satellite links, Internet users can
share information in a variety of forms. The size, scope
and design of the Internet allow users to:
connect easily through ordinary personal computers
and local phone numbers;
exchange electronic mail (E-mail) with friends and
colleagues with accounts on the Internet;
post information for others to access, and update it
frequently;
access multimedia information that includes sound,
photographic images and even video; and
access diverse perspectives from around the world.

An additional attribute of the Internet is that it lacks a

central authorityin other words; there is no "Internet,
Inc." that controls the Internet. Beyond the various
governing boards that work to establish policies and
standards, the Internet is bound by few rules and answers
to no single organizationthis is what the bureau of
information expects in the future.

Internet Basics:

What Is the Internet and why we should become a part of

it?
The Internet is revolutionizing and enhancing the way we
as humans communicate, both locally and around the
globe. Simply put, the Internet is a network of linked
computers allowing participants to share information on
those computers. You should want to be a part of it
because the Internet literally puts a world of information
and a potential worldwide audience at your fingertips

Internet Equipment:

Types of Internet connection

There are two types of Internet connection

These are: broadband and dial- up

connections

What is the difference between Broadband Internet connection

and Dial-up Internet connection? How is Broadband quicker and
better? What is DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)?

Speed Comparison
Dial-Up = 28 to 56 Kbps
Broadband = 1500 Kbps
Thus, broadband is over 26 times faster than dial-up, and
sometimes broadband is over 50 times faster. The difference is
very noticeable when using the Internet. Besides being much
faster, broadband is more reliable than dial-up due to broad
bands digital nature and "always on" connectivity. With
broadband, when you turn on your computer, you're already
connected to the Internet and ready to surf at high speeds.

Setting up Dial-Up Networking

Windows comes with all the software necessary to

connect your computer to the internet, in the form
of Dial-Up Networking. There are several steps
involved to get Dial-Up Networking to connect to
an internet account. For some reason, simply
installing the Dial-Up Networking component of
Windows isn't enough - the correct drivers aren't
installed, and the settings aren't correct. This
section outlines the steps needed install Dial-Up
Networking correctly on your system, and
configure it for optimum performance. Note that
these are general instructions, and while they
should work most of the time, might not work in all
circumstances.

What You Need

Here a list of information you need to get from your ISP (Internet
Service Provider) before you can use Dial-Up Networking. If you
don't yet have an ISP, see the Special Considerations section for
some tips in selecting one.
A local phone number (make sure it is a local number and
supports the highest speed of your modem).
Your username and password.
The domain name of your ISP (usually company_name.com).
The IP addresses (each with four numbers separated by periods;
i.e. 123.456.789.12) of two domain name servers (sometimes
called primary and secondary DNS).
Whether your ISP supports PPP or SLIP (if you get both, PPP is
better):
Any special connection instructions, if your ISP doesn't support
standard PPP.
Any Windows-compatible modem of at least 14,400 baud,
installed and functioning. Make sure it's configured correctly by
double-clicking on the Modems icon in Control Panel.

Configuration
Once you've obtained the necessary information,
and have installed the correct drivers, you can
configure Dial-Up Networking to work with your ISP.
Double-click on the Dial-Up Networking icon in
My Computer.
Double-click on Make New Connection, if you
don't already have one.
Enter a name for this connection (it doesn't really
matter), and select the correct modem from the list.
Click Configure, to make sure your modem is
configured correctly. Set the maximum speed to
57,600 for 14.4 modems and 115,200 for 28.8 or
faster modems. You might want to turn up the
volume until you're sure the connection works.
Make sure Only connect at this speed is not

Click Next, and then type in the phone number

obtained from your ISP.
Click Next, and then Finish.
Then, right-click on your new connection, and select
Properties.
Choose the Server Types tab, and turn off all of
the options below except for Enabled software
compression and TCP/IP.
Click TCP/IP Settings..., select Specify name
server addresses, and enter the two DNS IP
addresses obtained from your ISP.
Click Ok and Ok again.
Double-click on the connection to connect!
The dialup wizard
Here is the dial-up wizard to connect the pc to
telephone line

Click Next.
1.Select Connect to the Internet.

Click Next.
1.Select Set up my connection manually.

Click Next.

SELECT CONNECT USING A DIAL-UP MODEM

CLICK NEXT.

CLICK NEXT.
ENTER 239-7252 (OR YOUR CHOSEN MODEM NUMBER ) IN THE PHONE NUMBER FIELD.

Click Next.
1.Enter your Network ID in the User Name field.
Although you can enter your Network ID password in the Password field, CITES recommends that you leave
this field blank and enter the password when you dial. (Entering the password when you dial is more secure.)
CITES recommends turning off the first two check boxes beneath the password field.

CLICK NEXT. (IF YOU ARE GIVEN A PROMPT

ASKING IF YOU'RE CERTAIN YOU WANT TO LEAVE
THE PASSWORD FIELD BLANK, SELECT YES.)
YOU'RE NOW FINISHED WITH THE DIALUP
WIZARD. CLICK FINISH.

 Dialing

in

To connect to the network, make sure

your modem's phone cable is
connected at both ends, and then
double-click on the UIUCnet Premier
(or UIUCnet Dialup) icon in the
Network and Dial-up Connections wi
ndow
. A connection window will appear.

Enter your Network ID password and click

Connect.
When you're finished using your dialup
connection, right-click on the network icon (two
computer screens) in the task bar and select
Disconnect.

More information
If you have any difficulty
connecting to the network
using this quick-start process,
use the
more detailed installation proce
ss
(including specifying DNS and
WINS server addresses to
enable Microsoft networking

PART THREE
WHAT IS EMAIL?

Electronic mail, more often called 'email', is a way of

sending messages from one person user to another using
a computer. The bureau expects that all u staff and
customers are provided with an email address and access
to various email services.
Or it can define as in its simplest form, e-mail is an
electronic message sent from one device to another.
While most messages go from computer to computer,
with e-mail, you can send and receive personal and
business-related messages with attachments, such as
photos or formatted documents. You can also send music,
video clips and software programs.
E-mail is the way to go. It's no wonder e-mail has
become the Internet's most popular service.

 How

It Works?

It can take days to send a letter

across all zones and weeks or
months to use postal method. To
save time and money, more and
more people are relying on
electronic mail. It's fast, easy and
much cheaper than the using the
postal service. this is what the
BOI needs.
Follow the Trail

Just as a letter makes stops at different postal

stations along the way to its final destination, email passes from one computer, known as a mail
server, to another as it travels over the Internet.
Once it arrives at the destination mail server, it's
stored in an electronic mailbox until the recipient
retrieves it. This whole process can take seconds,
allowing you to quickly communicate with people
around the world at any time of the day or night.
To receive e-mail, you need an account on a mail
server. This is similar to having a postal box where
you receive letters. One advantage over regular mail
is that you can retrieve your e-mail from any
location on earth, provide that you have Internet
access. Once you connect to your mail server, you
download your messages to your computer, or read
them online.

To send e-mail, you need a connection to the

Internet and access to a mail server that forwards
your mail. The standard protocol used for sending
Internet e-mail is called SMTP, short for Simple
Mail Transfer Protocol. It works in conjunction
with POP--Post Office Protocol--servers. Almost
all Internet service providers and all major online
services offer at least one e-mail address with every
account.
When you send an e-mail message, your computer
routes it to an SMTP server. The server looks at the
e-mail address (similar to the address on an
envelope), then forwards it to the recipient's mail
server, where it's stored until the addressee
retrieves it. You can send e-mail anywhere in the
world to anyone who has an e-mail address.

At one time, you could only send text

messages without attachments via the
Internet. With the advent of MIME, which
stands for Multipurpose Internet Mail
Extension, and other types of encoding
schemes, you can also send formatted
documents, photos, audio and video files.
Just make sure that the person to whom
you send the attachment has the
software capable of opening it.
Anatomy of an E-Mail Message
E-mail messages are similar to letters,
with two main parts

The header contains the name and e-mail

address of the recipient, the name and email address of anyone who is being copied,
and the subject of the message.
Some e-mail programs also display your
name and e-mail address and the date of
the message.
The body contains the message itself.
Just like when sending a letter, you need the
correct address. But with e-mail, spelling is
critical. If you use the wrong address or
mistype it, your message will bounce back
to you--the old Return to Sender, Address
Unknown routine.

An Electronic Postmark

When you receive an e-mail, the header tells you where it cam
from, how it
was sent, and when. It's an electronic postmark.

Unlike a letter, which is sealed in an envelope,

e-mail is not as private. It's more like a post
card. Messages can be intercepted and read
by people who really shouldn't be looking at it.
Avoid including any confidential information
unless you have a way to encrypt it. For more
we will see on "How Private is Your E-Mail?"
Understanding E-Mail Addresses
Internet e-mail addresses typically have two
main parts: the user name and the domain
name.
Here's an example:
boi@ethionet.et

boi is the user name and refers to the

recipient's mailbox. After the @ sign comes
ethionet, the host name, also called the
domain name. This refers to the mail
server, the computer where the recipient
has an electronic mailbox. It's usually the
name of a company or organization.
Top-Level Domains
The end of the domain name consists of a
dot (".") followed by three or more letters
(such as .et, .com and .gov) that indicate
the top-level domain (TLD). This part of

the domain name indicates the type of

organization or the country where the host server
is located.
These top-level domains are currently in use:
.et- For country ethiopia
.aero--For the air-transport industry
.biz--Reserved for businesses
.com--For businesses, commercial enterprises, or
online services. Most companies use this
extension.
.coop--Reserved for cooperatives
.edu--For educational institutions and universities
.gov--Reserved for United States government
agencies

.info--For all uses

.int--For organizations established by
international treaties
.mil--For the United States military
.museum--For use by museums
.name--For use by individuals
.net--For networks; usually reserved
for organizations such as Internet
service providers
.org--For non-commercial
organizations

E-Mail Address vs. Web Address

Look the difference between an e-mail address and the address

of a website, also known as a URL. Notice that a Web address
never contains an @ sign.
www.amharainfo.gov.et website address of bureau of
information
amhainfo@ethionet.et - email address of bureau of information.

Using Internet and E-mail

To use E-mail first open a Web browser Soft ware like Internet
Explorer, Mozilla Firefox
In this example we use Internet Explorer

1.
2.
3.

1. To open Internet Explorer use the following steps

Click Start Button
Point to All programs
Select Internet Explorer, at this step we can get the following
page (figure 1)

On the Address Bar write the web

site address you want to use
1. Case one :- in case one we create a
yahoo Account
Write the following web site address
on the address bar
http://www.yahoo.com
Here we can get the Yahoo home
page (figure 2)
Sign up
Sign in

Sign in

Sign up

Figure 2
Sign in: - used to check your E-Mail.
By entering the already created
address
Sign up:- used to create a new E-mail
address
To create new address
Click on sign up link
The sign up page will be displayed
(Figure 3)

1.Fill

the necessary
information
2. Click on create
my account button

Click on create my account button

Figure 4
If you fill the necessary
information we can get this
message (figure 4)
5. At this stage you create new Email account successfully.
To use a created account
1. In figure 2 click on sign in link
2. Enter the user name and
password created above and click
on sign in button

FIGURE 5
WHEN YOU CLICK ON SIGN IN BUTTON THE FOLLOWING
PAGE (FIGURE 6) WILL BE DISPLAYED AS SHOWN

mail

FIGURE 6

4. TO SEE YOUR MESSAGE CLICK ON MAIL LINK AND YOU CAN GET THE FOLLOWING PAGE (FIGURE 7)

Inbox

Drafts
Sent

Figure 7
Inbox:- used to store your message
that is send by your friends
Sent:- a message that is send to
your friends
Draft:- a message that is saved but
which didnt sent
When you click Inbox you can get
the following page (Figure 8) and
click in the message subject and
read the message

TO SEND A MESSAGE

CLICK ON NEW LINK IN THE ABOVE PAGE (FIGURE 8)

AT THIS STEP YOU CAN GET THE FOLLOWING PAGE (FIGURE 9)

Figure 7
Select a file you want to attachment
Click on Open button, then you can get the following page
Body: - you can write your message and click send button
After checking your E-Mail you click on Sign out link in Figure 6,
Sign out is Logout in your Account

Summery
Benefits of email

Email combines the speed and efficiency of the telephone with the
written word.
It allows users to transfer files and documents.
It facilitates consultation.
It is a quick and easy way to allow others to participate in or monitor
a process.
It allows you to easily inform others of whats happening and is more
effective than any other method because of the ability to view
documents without the cost and time constraints of face-to-face
meetings.

There are no time or place barriers. You can write and

respond to emails whenever you choose day or night. It
can free people from the office, make communications
across time zones a simple process, and avoid telephone
tag, where two people leave numerous phone messages as
the other moves in and out of meetings.
E-mail can reduce time spent in meetings by educating
participants on issues before the meeting, or it can
eliminate the need for the meeting entirely.
Email can help you organize meetings.
E-mail allows the user to contact many other users at the
same time, eliminating production and postage costs, and
keeping many people in the loop at the click of a few keys.
E-mail has changed the way we communicate how we
share our ideas and information. It has revived the short
letter as a means of getting in touch with each other and
can also act as an effective advocacy tool and help to build
online communities.

Combined with your organizations website,

email can encourage users to correspond
with you by making email as convenient as
filling out a simple form. An email can be
imbedded into the site, or the site can
provide the email addresses of an
organizations members.

To search information by using

internet

The first step is you have to open a web sit

and write the URL address Google.com
Here you can get the following page (figure
1)

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