Building Business Websites
By Kim VickeryLesson 1: The Basics
Here we'll cover the following:
- Web Vocabulary - we must be on the same page before we commence! Some Web-words to help you out.
- How the Internet Works - this section will cover the basic concepts about the Internet as a whole, and how your business site fits into the grand scheme of things.
- Browsers and Why We Love Them - covers browser versions and tailoring your site to your audience.
- Your First Bit o' HTML - a primer for HTML. You'll need at least a little.
Web Vocabulary
I've put a few essential words here for your use. These are all terms that we'll be using as our lessons progress. For more terminology, see the link called "Web Vocabulary" provided as a Lesson 1 link.
Cookie - a small file loaded on to your computer by a Web page that is supposed to help with browsing and maintain user information. They're normally harmless, and are used in nearly every site you'll visit. For example, if you order something from Barnes and Noble, normally a cookie is placed on your computer that remembers your name so that the next time you visit the site, it can recommend books for you based on what you have ordered in the past.
"DNS" or Domain Name System - a system that assigns Web addresses to computers.
Downloads - the process of getting data from one computer and loading them onto your computer (see Upload). For example, in order to view "Flash" files (Flash is a common Internet graphics animator) you need to download the Flash player software to your computer. You can get this software, also known as a "plug-in," at http://www.macromedia.com/downloads/.
"ftp" or File Transfer Protocol - another way besides http that files are transferred from one computer to another. This method is much more efficient that http, and large files can be uploaded or downloaded to your computer from any other computer. This usually requires software to accomplish the upload/download, and a password to access the computer that has the files you need. Most Internet Service Providers (see "ISP") provide a Graphic User Interface (see "GUI" pronounced "goo-ey") that will allow you to transfer files without needing special software.
GIF - a type of graphic or photo displayed on the Internet.
Hyperlink - a "clickable" link that will either take you to another Web page or another location within the same Web page.
"http" or Hypertext Transfer Protocol - you see this at the beginning of every Web address you type. You'll notice that even if you were to type www.mysite.com that the "http" automatically appears once the page is loaded. This is a set of rules by which information is transferred from one computer to another.
"ISP" or Internet Service Provider - services that allow commercial and private entities to access the Internet.
JPG or JPEG - a type of graphic commonly found on the Internet.
Search Engine - software that assists in finding other sites. Common search engines are Google.com and Lycos.com
"OS" or Operating System - the software on your computer that boots it up and lets you run everything else. If you're on a PC, the OS is most often Windows. For Macs, the latest is OSX.
Upload - the process of sending data from your computer to another computer.
"URL" or Uniform Resource Locator - the address of a Web site, like www.google.com or www.yahoo.com.
Web browser - the piece of software your computer uses to access and display contents of the Web. There are several different kinds: Internet Explorer made by Microsoft, Netscape, Opera.
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