The Internet is the world's computer network backbone—a vast network that connects independent networks spanning more than 170 countries. It links computers of many different types, sizes, and operating systems, all sharing the Internet Transmission Control Protocol (TCP/IP), which allows computers of different types to communicate. Internet users can communicate with one another by email, file transfer, computer conferencing, bulletin boards, and newsgroups. Using Telnet, they can log onto computers elsewhere to access databases, on-line libraries, or even computer games. They can explore the World Wide Web, with links to the same resources and to graphics, sound, and video material. And they can have real-time interaction with other users through the keyboard (Internet relay chat) or through audio and video links. No organization or government "owns" the Internet; instead, many people and organizations participate voluntarily on task forces to develop standards and monitor its technical operation. < /P>

Internet resources (external links)

• Internet Access in U.S. Public Schools and Classrooms: 1994-2001
  
• Internet2 Backbone systemIs Too Expensive for Many Liberal-Arts Colleges
  
• The Human Factors of MBone Videoconferences: Recommendations for Improving Sessions and Software
  
• The Internet Goes to College: How students are living in the future with today’s technology
  
• Internet Tutorials - Using and Searching the Web 
  
• Intellectual Property on the Internet: A Survey of the Issues 
  
• Internet Basics. ERIC Digest
  
• Beginners Guide to the Internet. Available at http://www.swv.ie/guide/index.htm
  Permission to link granted.

• Alan Taylor and Madjid Merabti. 1995. Multimedia nad Internet Protocols. A Review of Multimedia Networking. Available at: http://www.man.ac.uk/MVC/SIMA/network/sect9.html
  Permission to link granted.

• Barry M Leiner et al, A brief history of the Internet available at: http://www.isoc.org/internet/history/brief.html
  Permission to link granted.