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The reality is that like every phone
in the world, every website or e-mail addressee has a numeric address.
When the web started, users sent information to individuals by using
their numeric address. Addresses look something like: 127.13.111.211.
As more people started using the net, a naming system was added.
Unlike the current phone companies who will look up a name and give
you the phone number for a charge, the Internet has full time "directory
assistance" called DNS or Dynamic Name Servers. These servers
look up the name you enter and convert it into a numeric address.
This is all done behind the scenes, automatically and without charge
(at least for now).
There are several types of names used
on the Internet. Names starting with "HTTP:" are used
to address individual websites viewable through a web browser. Names
starting with "FTP:" are addresses used to move blocks
of data. There are actually several other types of names used for
various purposes that are not used by the public in general. A domain
name is the name people call your address. It is really your address
name. The DNS servers actually convert it into an address (in the
background) that people will use to locate you on the Internet.
Every single website on the internet
has a unique name and unique address. The use of the internet is
growing far more rapidly than the founders ever imagined available.
Addresses are starting to run out using the current system. You
can purchase your own domain name for $72 (plus a few dollars if
you need some help) for two years. It can also be renewed for $35
per year. You will also need a "host" (an Internet Host)
to "host" your website. Your website is transferred to
your "host" for the public to access, not directly from
your computer that you build it on. Once you have an Internet Host,
you must have your domain name "terminated" at your host.
Most hosting companies will perform this task for you, usually without
charge.
Free Hosting.
Most people do not realize that with their internet access account,
many Internet service providers (ISP) provide an e-mail box and
a certain amount of web page space for no additional charge. There
are usually some restrictions. The major restriction is that you
can not use your own domain name. For example, if your e-mail box
with your ISP is something like: "myname@earthlink.net",
then your web page address would most likely end up being something
like "www.earthlink.net/myname". This usually works fine
for personal sites, but it is less than desirable for a business
sites. There are usually some other restrictions on these free sites
such as limited utility support, limits on the amount of space,
etc.
© 2001 - Barry
Wroobel - Discovery Data Systems, inc.
(note: Set left and right printer margins
to 0.25" for printing)
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523-8153 (fax-24/7)
