You've already discovered that much of the technical information on the internet is laced with acronyms: http, isp, ip, asp, xml, dns, dun, html, any of which can be confusing for a new web site owner. This is internet shorthand. It's much faster to write "http" than "hyper text transfer protocol," and much faster to write "html" than "hyper text mark-up language."

You don't need to know the technical information behind these descriptions, but you'll gain some added confidence knowing the kind of technology some of these acronyms refer too, and why they're important to you. 

As a new web site owner you'll find these terms very handy. So you might as well become familiar with them. They're really not hard to learn.

Including definitions for: internet, world wide web (www), server, host, interNIC, domain name, ISP, IP address, DNS, browser, DUN, host, upload.

-----------You already know your computer is made of various hardware parts. It becomes a working computer because of many different types of software programs that tell the parts what to do. 

-----------You know that all your software programs reside on your computer's hard drive. Normally, no one sees the contents of your hard drive except you.  However, when you're browsing the internet looking at a web site, you're actually looking "inside" someone else's computer - through a lot of special software - into a hard drive very much like yours - located somewhere in the world.

----------- And you probably already know that the internet or World Wide Web (www) is composed of many computers linked together--- an interconnected network made possible through telephone wires and special cables. 

-------Now, your ready for: servers, internet, intranet, upload

There are many types of computers linked on the net. Some of these are called "servers."  Computer servers are designed to hold lots of information and be accessible to many people.  Internet servers are  the computers that "serve" up the web sites you see while you're browsing from your own computer. 

Servers normally contain large hard drives along with  other specialized hardware components built specifically for the internet. They also contain special types of software that protect and enhance your internet experience while browsing the web.  Servers are made specifically to allow information to be sent or "uploaded" to them usually in the form of web sites.  All web sites that you view have been  "uploaded" or "sent" to a computer server. 

Many businesses have local servers inside their company for their own employees (this is called an intranet).  Internet servers, on the other hand, are designed to provide information to millions of people all over the world. This is then the internet, the www or the world wide web.

So, lets look now at DUN and browsers

To access the internet, you'll use basically two types of software on your computer. One is a special program that dials in to the internet through your modem. On your Windows system it's called DUN or Dial Up Networking.  Once you're connected to the internet, DUN will put an icon on your taskbar (Windows 95/98/2000) with two small green computers showing you that you are now online. 

The other program is called a browser. This program locates the web sites you want to visit. You browse the internet looking at web sites with your browser.  Your browser can be Netscape, or MS Internet Explorer, or AOL's browser, or perhaps another browser program.  Browser software is made by different companies, but they all are designed specifically to locate web sites for you all over the world.

Each browser has it's own distinctive way of displaying web sites on your computer.

--------Next,  and now: ISP, static, host,

Your DNS or Dialup Networking connection accesses the servers on the internet  through your ISP or  Internet Service Provider.  Your ISP may be a larger company such as, AOL, or Earthlink, or Compuserve, or a smaller ISP in your own community. 

All computers that access the internet must have a particular address. Like your home address or your license plate on your car, it's an identifiying set of numbers.

In fact, the computer your using right now has it's own unique number/address. This address is automatically created for you by your ISP as soon as you dialed in to the internet. Your computer's address probably changes each time you "log in" on the internet. 

Exceptions are the rule, of course. And if you're using a cable modem, or a DSL line, or are behind a firewall through your business, your computer's address will probably stay pretty much the same.

An internet server, on the other hand, normally has a "static" address that stays the same from day to day. Also, unlike your home computer,  internet servers are always plugged in, turned on, and stay running "online" 24 hours a day.

In order for people to view your new web site, it must be placed on someone's "server."  This server will then be the "host" for your web site. The host for this web site, "Sites by Dezine," is a computer server in California.

---------The last of these definations: IP address, URL, DNS, domain name

Each server, and each web site on that server has it's own unique address. These addresses are very important. Browsers will find your web site by looking for your special address.

Addresses on a computer are similar to the houses on your street, or like a telephone number. It is a unique identifier for a specific place.  An address on a computer is called an "IP or Internet Protocol address." It's also referred to as a URL, or Uniform Resource Locator.

 A URL and an IP address mean exactly the same thing. 

An IP address is composed of 4 unique number combinations from 0 to 255.  My home computer's address at this moment is: 216.98.151.213, but, of coarse, since I use a normal DUN connection, this number will change next time I log on to the internet. 

Computers on the internet know how to identify each other through these IP addresses.  Your new web site will also have it's own IP address, or URL.

Since IP number addresses don't seem very logical, and are very hard to remember, another system of naming was created, called DNS, or Domain Name Service.  

DNS translates normal words---normal names---into the required IP address. This was, indeed, a very good idea. With DNS, all computer servers, and all web sites can have a name that's easy to remember. That is a good thing  : )

DNS is now a specialized computer on the internet that has lookup tables for domain names and their relevant IP numbers. 

When you use your browser to surf to a name on the internet, such as www.sitesbydezine.com, somewhere along the communication path, this name is translated by a DNS computer into the IP address number for this web site. 

Along with the required IP address, your web site will have a "real" name called a "domain name." Your domain name is like an arrow that points to your unique IP web address, on your host server.  Your web site name and its IP address will actually be more like a "sub address" of the main Host  server---similar to an apartment that you rent in a large complex. 

So, in order for your browser to find this web site, my domain name  www.sitesbydezine.com  must be translated by a DNS server, into my actual  IP address, which is: 209.249.147.86. Once the IP address is established then, your browser understands what to do and  will take you to this site.  

On the web, of course, your "real" domain name is like your front door. And you can name your web site any name that isn't being used by someone else. 

So, in summary: And you know this now!

Using your DUN through your ISP, you access the IP addresses /URL's of the internet. Your web site will be hosted on a server of your choice, and people will be able to access it by typing in your unique domain name into their browser. 

Hope that made good sense. If it doesn't, please let me know.  If you'd like more in-depth information about these and other internet terms, I've provided some links below.

A Post Script: Applying for your Domain Name

The interNIC, or Internet Network Information Center is the "entity" responsible for assigning IP addresses to the internet. InterNIC is actually a term defining a range of services. Here's how these folks fit in with your plans:

When you're ready for a unique domain name for your new web site, you should register it as soon as possible.  And probably have a few alternate names in mind too, just in case . . . 

A.  You must first register your domain name with InterNIC. Network Solutions has the database of names.  http://www.networksolutions.com   Go to this web site, and just  follow the directions. They have a secured server so you can use your credit card. If you do not have a Host server yet for your web site, they will put your new domain name on "hold" for you. 

B.   There are many hosting companies who will be happy to host your site for a small fee. It's usually based on a monthly charge, and usually discounted if you pay for a year in advance.  Prices range from $6 - $10 a month and way -  way up.  

C.  Your Host will send you their DNS address information. Network Solutions uses those addresses to enable your web site on your Host's server. 

Host Index http://www.hostindex.com provides a nice assortment of help and searching tips for finding a good host for your new web site.  I have had excellent service with the two companies listed below. Both have been friendly and responsive to my requests.