Online is the term for being connected to another computer, where the data you are reading can be modified. You are not online when you are using a non-networked computer for word processing or reading a CD-ROM. The term online means that the computer you are using is communicating with another computer, for example, to connect to the Internet, or to access a library's regularly updated catalog and other resources.

To get online, you must logon (type a password, or go through certain prescribed steps, depending on the system). To go offline, you logoff (by typing certain words or symbols).

The Internet is the name given to the network of all the computers in the world that can communicate with each other. The most common means of connection is a modem (an electronic device in each computer that uses the telephone lines to transmit the data between computers), but some systems use cable or satellites.

Some of the computers on the Internet contain huge storehouses of information organized for easy public retrieval. Others provide the interconnections for networks of personal computers (such as a university mainframe computer or America Online). Still other computers on the Internet provide information from businesses, government agencies, or non-profit organizations. Connecting to the Internet allows you access to libraries and museums, computer software, elaborate graphics--and ads for products you may or may not want. Further, you can reach thoughtful and generous people who will respond to your questions or entertain you. And unfortunately, you may also encounter people who give misinformation or waste your time.

Via the Internet, you have access to all these resources--almost all of them for free. The challenge is to figure out which ones you want to connect to and how to do so efficiently. Once connected, you'll find some of the information presented in simple text format (plain black typeface on an unadorned screen), but you'll also find some valuable information festooned with colorful and entertaining artwork (including commercials), sound effects, video and music.

Occasionally, you'll be asked to register--giving your real name, address, and e-mail address. You will be told if fees are involved, but sometimes registration alone is necessary before you can read the information at that location.

The fastest growing area of the Internet is that of the World Wide Web (WWW). This is the name for the interlinked part of the Internet where you can with one keystroke jump from one topic--and location--to another. You may have already seen this linking method if you've used a multimedia CD-ROM--such as Encarta or Cinemania. As you scroll through the text, you encounter underlined and colored words or phrases; when you click your mouse (or press the Enter/Return key) on that phrase, you jump to a different page relevant to that topic. The multimedia ones also include audio (giving, for example, the pronunciation of a word) or video (a film clip).

Websites (locations on the World Wide Web)use this same linking method. You might start looking at the home page (the first page of a Website) of the National Register of Historic Places at the U.S. Department of the Interior; then you might jump from there to a list of landmarked buildings; next you could see a picture of a specific building--all with just three keystrokes! Later, you might wonder how you got there, but the computer program allows you to go back to each previous screen, where each of the phrases you clicked on (links) will have changed color, so you can almost always retrace your path until you disconnect.

Another way people use the Internet is to send e-mail (electronic mail). This is the method of sending messages via computer--either to one person or to a group of people, once you know the correct Internet address. Computers make it possible to send copies simultaneously to a great many people, allowing for "live chats," where individuals type messages back and forth--and many others can read those messages, either at the time or later.

The most important characteristic of the Internet and more specifically the World Wide Web is openness: Anyone with the equipment and knowhow can have a WWW page, and anyone else can read that page. Consequently, the Internet is accessible, democratic--and disorganized. Computers speed up the access to the information, but you can't predict what you will find. You may follow a promising lead and find notes from a scholarly seminar on your topic--or just as easily find someone's family portrait or rambling travelogue. Thus you need to be prepared to spend time searching for what you want.

Download is the term for copying a document from the Internet to your disk or the hard drive of your computer. We speak of computers as loading data from a disk or another computer. Thus a Webpage is loading onto your computer as it gradually comes into view. The computer where the Website is located (its server) is uploading the Webpages to you. Should you choose to save them, you would then download copies of those pages onto your own disk.

Note: some college programs or libraries restrict the types of downloads you are allowed to do. You may be able to copy to your disk or print copies of the screens you are viewing, but you might not. You may also be restricted from downloading from commercial services, where fees could be involved. Be sure to ask where you are using the Internet what rules apply. Caution: If you do decide to download for a fee, make sure that your credit card number will be encrypted (scrambled). If it is not, you will be warned that you are about to submit an "insecure" document. If that is the case, others would be able to read your number. By law, a telephone number must be given so that you can phone in your order.

If you have a sizable research project, you will want to save as much information as possible onto your disk (to avoid needless typing). Thus, when you go to the library or computer lab, plan to take a 3.5" disk formatted for the system used there (if you know whether it is Mac or PC). Then give a separate name to each document you copy to your disk, so you can find it later.

Browse is the term for moving from one Website to another. Special software, a Web browser (such as Internet Explorer or Netscape), makes it possible for you to reach a Website by typing in its address or clicking on a highlighted phrase in a Web page. Time spent visiting a number of Websites is also called surfing--a good metaphor for the rapid movement that is possible on the Web.