3. Software and ISPs

Web browsers

The Internet has been around for nearly 40 years and yet it is only in the last 15 years or so that everyone has got excited about it. Why is that?

The main reason is that around 1993, someone invented a method of viewing both text and pictures on the same Web page. It sounds simple now, but at the time it was a revelation!

With this new development people could not only write things on their web pages, they could also include pictures to make it a bit more interesting.

The new invention was a piece of software called a 'Web Browser.'

The basic function of a web browser is to allow you to view text, images, videos from web pages.

There are a number of web browsers available. The most popular are, Internet Explorer, Firefox and Netscape (note: Google is NOT a web browser).

ISP

ISP stands for 'Internet Service Provider'.

An ISP is a company that provides Internet access. For a monthly fee they will offer you a broadband connection to the Internet. Without this service, most businesses and individuals would not be able to use the Internet.

Often, they provide other services as well such as email, web site building and web site hosting.

Examples of ISPs are BTinternet, AOL, Tiscali etc.