Difference Between The Internet And The World Wide Web?

How you can understand the difference between the Internet and Web by understanding their history.

In the past 30 years, new technology has been introduced so quickly that it can be difficult for the average person to keep track of it. The Internet has revolutionized modern life, but few people know the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web.

The Internet was developed in the late 1960’s as a communication system for the military. The Internet is simply a network of computers connected to one another via phone and data lines. In the 1980’s, the military opened up the Internet for academic use, and it quickly caught on among academics and computer enthusiasts. It wasn’t until the advent of the World Wide Web in the 1990’s that the Internet really became a part of most people’s everyday lives.

Since its inception, several systems have been introduced for sharing data over the Internet. FTP, short for “File Transfer Protocol” is used to share files over the network. FTP software simply helps move a file from one computer to another: additional software is needed to open the files once they have been downloaded. Gopher, another Internet system, is used to display textual information. Unlike FTP, Gopher uses a browser interface to display information, so no additional viewing software is required. However, Gopher’s hierarchical structure is relatively strict, making it a less flexible system than the World Wide Web.

Other Internet systems include Usenet, which is a bulletin board-type system for reading and posting messages; e-mail, which is used for sending and receiving private messages; and instant messaging, which is used for real-time communication between users.

The World Wide Web is separate from all of these systems. It is just one part of the Internet (although it is the most popular part). The World Wide Web uses HTML to display text and graphics. Its flexibility quickly made it more popular than its predecessor, Gopher. Web pages are viewed through a browser, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera and Mozilla. World Wide Web technology has grown rapidly in the last ten years, with the development of more interactive and multimedia features. The Web has adapted to these changes well, making it an integral part of the Internet. Whether you want to use FTP, Gopher, or the World Wide Web, you need an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to connect to the Internet. ISPs like AOL or your local cable company act as a gateway between your computer and the rest of the network. Once you are connected to the Internet, you can use any of the Internet’s protocols. Your use of the Internet will most likely be limited to the World Wide Web and e-mail, but you may find yourself using some of the older systems occasionally. You may use Gopher to view certain government or academic information, or FTP to download software or music files. Many Usenet communities are still very active as well.

Although the World Wide Web has become an integral part of many peoples’ lives, it’s the Internet as a whole that has revolutionized online communication and the transfer of information across the globe.

Author: Aimee Hall

About Author: Aimee Hall is a professional writer and an Internet enthusiast. She was online before the advent of the World Wide Web.