Basic Internet Skills

UNIT II, DMLT, HSBTE, IInd Sem, FIT

Understanding browser, Introduction to WWW, efficient use of search engines, awareness about Digital India portals (state and national) and college portals. Advantages of Email, Various email service providers, Creation of an email id, sending and receiving emails, attaching documents with email and Drive.

Effective use of Gmail, G-Drive, Google Calendar, Google Sites, Google Sheets, Online mode of communication using Google Meet & WebEx.

Understanding Browser

A browser (or web browser) is a software application that allows users to access and view content on the World Wide Web. It is a window to the internet.

Purpose: Browsers interpret the HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and other code that websites are written in. They display them in a human-readable format. They fetch resources (like text, images, videos) from web servers and present them to the user.

Functionality: Browsers do much more than displaying web pages. They also

1. Navigate: A browser allows you to move between different web pages by typing in URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) or clicking on hyperlinks.

2. Interact: A browser enables one to interact with web pages, such as filling out forms, playing videos, and clicking buttons.

3. Manage Bookmarks: Bookmarks save frequently visited web pages for easy access.

4. Handle Security: Provide some level of security by warning about potentially malicious websites.

5. Support Extensions/Add-ons: A browser allows you to add extra features and functionality to your browser.

6. Popular Browsers: Some of the most popular web browsers include: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari (primarily for Apple devices)

7. How a browser Works: When you type a URL into a browser, it sends a request to a web server. The server then sends back the files that make up the web page. The browser interprets these files and displays the page on your screen.

In short, the browser is an essential tool to explore, interact with, and enjoy the vast world of information and resources available on the internet.

The World Wide Web (WWW)

The World Wide Web (WWW), also called "the Web," is a system of interconnected documents and other resources linked together via hyperlinks and URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) on the Internet. It's the primary way most people interact with the internet.

It's important to understand that the WWW and the internet are different. The internet is the underlying network of computers. The Web is a collection of information and resources accessible over the Internet. Think of the Internet as the roads and the Web as the houses and businesses built along those roads.

The following are the components of WWW:

• 1. Web Pages: Documents written in HTML (HyperText Markup Language) that contain text, images, videos, and other content,

• 2. Websites: Collections of related web pages.

• 3. Web Servers: Computers that store and deliver web pages to users.6

• 4. Web Browsers: Software applications (like Chrome, Firefox, Safari) that users use to view web pages.

• 5. Hyperlinks: Links within web pages to allow users to navigate to other web pages or resources.

• 6. URLs (Uniform Resource Locators): Addresses used to identify and locate web pages and other resources on the Web.

How WWW Works: When you type a URL into a web browser, the browser sends a request to the web server that hosts that URL. The server then sends back the requested web page (or other resource), which the browser displays to you.

Importance: The WWW allows access to and sharing information. It has made it possible to: Communicate with people around the world. It accesses

• 1. Vast amounts of information on any topic,

• 2. Shop online,

• 3. Learn new skills

• 4. Be entertained.

The World Wide Web is the global information system that makes the Internet useful and accessible to billions of people.

Efficient use of Search Engines

Efficient use of search engines can significantly improve the quality and speed of online searches. The following is a brief guide:

1. Precise Keywords: Be Specific. Avoid generic terms. The more specific keywords the more relevant the results. Instead of "cars," try "2024 Honda City fuel efficiency."

   a. Use Phrases: Enclose phrases in quotes (" ") to search for the exact wording. This helps find specific articles or quotes. For example, "importance of sleep for students."

   b. Include Synonyms: If the initial search doesn't yield good results, use synonyms or related terms.

2.  Advanced Search Techniques:

   a. Use Operators: Search engines support operators like:

        i. + (must include): +apple +pie (results must contain both words)

        ii. - (exclude): jaguar -car (results about the animal, not the car)

        iii. OR (either term): laptop OR notebook

   b. Site: (search within a specific website): site: wikipedia.org history of computers

   c. Filetype: (search for specific file types): filetype: pdf research paper on climate change

   d. Use Advanced Search Pages: Most search engines have advanced pages that allow you to refine your search by date, region, language, and other criteria.

3. Evaluate Results:

   a. Scan Titles and Snippets: Quickly scan the titles and snippets (short descriptions) to determine their relevance.

   b. Check Website Authority: Consider the source of the information. Look for reputable websites such as established organizations, educational institutions, or government agencies.

   c. Be Critical: Not all information online is accurate. Be critical of what you find and cross-reference information from multiple sources.

4. Explore Different Search Engines: Different search engines may yield different results. Experiment with different search engines to see which ones work best.

5. Refine Your Search: If your initial search doesn't produce the desired results, refine your keywords or use different search techniques. Don't be afraid to experiment.

6. Use Search Engine Features: Many search engines offer features like image search, video search, and news search. Take advantage of these features to find different types of content.

These tips can significantly improve search efficiency and find the information needed quickly and accurately.

Awareness about Digital India Portals (state and national) and college portals.

1. Digital India Portals (National and State): The Digital India initiative aims to empower citizens through technology, providing access to various government services and information online. Awareness of these portals is crucial for several reasons:

   a. Access to Services: These portals offer a wide range of services, from applying for Aadhaar cards and PAN cards to paying taxes and accessing land records. Awareness allows citizens to conveniently access these services with an internet connection, saving time and effort.

   b. Transparency and Accountability: Digital platforms promote transparency by making government processes and information readily available to the public. This fosters accountability and reduces the potential for corruption.

   c. Citizen Empowerment: These portals empower citizens to engage with the government and participate in governance.

   d. Bridging the Digital Divide: Digital India aims to bridge the digital divide by making technology accessible to all, regardless of location or socioeconomic status. Increased awareness is essential to ensure that everyone can benefit from these initiatives.

   e. Information Dissemination: These portals are valuable sources of information on government schemes, policies, and initiatives. Awareness helps citizens stay informed and access relevant information.

   Examples:

   i. National Portal (india.gov.in):

   o This official national portal is a single-window access point for government information and services.

   o It links to government ministries, departments, and state/union territory portals.

   o It is a key component of India's e-governance initiatives.

   · MyGov.in (MyGov):

   o This platform allows individuals to participate in government initiatives, provide feedback, and contribute ideas.

   o It facilitates interaction between citizens and the government on policy matters.

   o It also contains many contests, and ways for citizens to contribute to the nation.

   These portals are designed to improve accessibility to government services and promote transparency.

2. State-Specific Portals: Each state in India has its digital portal services and information specific to that region. (e.g., Haryana's portal, Maharashtra's portal, etc.)

   The following are some Haryana Government state portals:

   · Haryana Government Official Website (haryana.gov.in): This is the central portal, providing a gateway to information about the Haryana government, its departments, policies, and various initiatives. It offers access to e-services, tenders, acts, rules, and policies.

   · SARAL Haryana (saralharyana.gov.in): This platform for delivers government-to-citizen (G2C) services. It aims to provide efficient and transparent delivery of services.

   · Haryana Labour (hrylabour.gov.in): This portal is dedicated to labor-related services, including online registration, welfare schemes, and grievance redressal.

   · Directorate of Higher Education, Haryana (highereduhry.ac.in): This portal provides information and services related to higher education in Haryana, including details about colleges, universities, scholarships, and online services.

   · Land Records Haryana: Information regarding land records can be found on the Haryana government web pages.

3. College Portals: College portals are equally important for students, faculty, and staff. Awareness of these portals is vital because they often serve as a central hub for academic and administrative activities.

   a. Academic Information: College portals provide access to course materials, assignments, grades, attendance records, and other academic resources.

   b. Administrative Tasks: Students can use these portals to register for courses, pay fees, apply for scholarships, and access other administrative services.

   c. Communication: College portals often facilitate communication between students, faculty, and staff through forums, announcements, and email systems.

   d. Resources and Support: Portals may provide access to library resources, career services, counseling services, and other support resources.

   e. Timely Updates: Important announcements, deadlines, and other critical information are posted on college portals. Regular access ensures that students don't miss important updates.

   Promoting Awareness Several strategies can be used to promote awareness of these digital platforms:

   i. Educational Campaigns: Government and educational institutions can conduct awareness campaigns to educate citizens and students about the benefits and features of these portals.

   ii. Digital Literacy Programs: Digital literacy programs can equip individuals with the skills and knowledge to access and use these online platforms.

   iii. Community Outreach: Reaching out to communities through workshops, seminars, and other outreach activities can help to increase awareness and encourage adoption.

   iv. Online Promotion: Utilizing social media, email, and other online channels to reach a wider audience.

   v. Integration with Education: Incorporating information about these portals into school and college curricula can ensure that young people use these valuable resources.

   By promoting awareness and digital literacy, citizens and students can fully benefit from the opportunities offered by Digital India and college portals.

Advantages of Email

Email has become a communication tool. It offers a range of advantages that make it a popular choice for personal and professional communication. The following are benefits:

1. Speed and Efficiency:

   a. Instant Delivery: Emails are typically delivered within seconds or minutes, allowing for rapid communication across geographical boundaries.

   b. Asynchronous Communication: email doesn't require both parties to be available for communication. An email can be sent whenever it's convenient for the sender, and the recipient can read and respond when they have time.

2. Cost-Effectiveness:

   a. Low Cost: Sending emails is generally very inexpensive, compared to traditional mail or long-distance phone calls. Most email providers offer free accounts.

3. Accessibility and Convenience:

   a. Anytime, Anywhere Access: Email can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, including computers, smartphones, and tablets.

   b. Easy to Use: Most email platforms have user-friendly interfaces, making it easy to compose, send, and manage emails.

4. Record Keeping and Documentation:

   a. Automatic Archiving: Emails are automatically stored, creating a record of communication. This can be useful for tracking conversations, referencing past agreements, or providing evidence if needed.

   b. Searchable History: Most email platforms allow easy search of email history for specific messages or information.

5. Formal Communication:

   a. Professional Tone: Email is often considered a more formal mode of communication than instant messaging or social media, making it suitable for business correspondence and official communication.

   b. Detailed Messages: Email allows you to write longer and more detailed messages than other forms of communication, making it ideal for conveying complex information.

6. Mass Communication:

   a. Distribution Lists: Email sends the same message to multiple recipients using mailing groups. This is useful for newsletters, announcements, and other mass communications.

7. Multimedia Support:

   a. Attachments: Email allows you to send attachments, such as documents, images, videos, and other files, along with your messages.

8. Environmentally Friendly:

   a. Reduced Paper Usage: Compared to traditional mail, email is a more environmentally friendly option as it reduces the need for paper.

While email has some drawbacks (like spam and the potential for miscommunication), its numerous advantages make it an essential tool for communication in the digital age.

Various email service providers,

The following are some popular Free Email Providers:

1. Gmail (Google): A very popular and feature-rich email service. Offers generous storage, integration with other Google services (Drive, Docs, etc.), and a user-friendly interface. Known for its powerful spam filtering.

2. Outlook.com (Microsoft): Another widely used service, formerly known as Hotmail. Integrates well with other Microsoft products and offers a clean interface.

3. Yahoo Mail: One of the older email providers, still offering a decent service and good storage.

4. iCloud Mail (Apple): Primarily for Apple users, integrated with iCloud and Apple devices. Offers a simple and clean interface.

5. Proton Mail: Focuses on privacy and security, offering end-to-end encryption.

6. Mail.com and GMX.com: Offer a variety of domain names and email addresses to choose from.

The following are Paid Email Providers (Often for Businesses):

• 1. Google Workspace (formerly G Suite): A suite of productivity tools, including professional email with custom domain names, more storage, and other business features.

• 2. Microsoft 365: Similar to Google Workspace, offering email, office applications, and other business services.

• 3. Zoho Mail: Aimed at businesses, offering custom domain names, collaboration tools, and other business-focused features.

• 4. Fastmail: A paid service focusing on speed, reliability, and privacy.

The following Features to Consider When Choosing:

• 1. Storage: How much space you have for storing emails and attachments.

• 2. Spam Filtering: How effective is it at blocking spam emails?

• 3. Interface: How user-friendly and easy is the email platform?

• 4. Integration: Whether the email service integrates with apps and services you use.

• 5. Security: Features like two-factor authentication and encryption.

• 6. Mobile Apps: Availability of mobile apps for accessing email on your smartphone or tablet.

• 7. Cost: Whether the service is free or paid. Paid services often offer more features and storage.

Choosing the Right Provider:

The best email provider for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you're looking for a free and feature-rich service, Gmail or Outlook.com are good options. If privacy is your top priority, consider Proton Mail. If you need professional email for your business, Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 are worth considering.

Creating an email id, sending and receiving emails, attaching documents with email and Drive.

1. Creating an Email ID: The process is similar across most providers (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.):

   a. Choose a Provider: Select an email provider (e.g., Gmail, Outlook.com).

   b. Go to Signup: Visit the provider's website and look for a "Sign Up," "Create Account," or similar button.

   c. Fill in Information: You'll be asked to provide personal details like your name, desired username (which will become your email address), password, date of birth, and possibly a phone number for recovery.

   d. Choose a Username: Your username is the part of your email address before the "@" symbol (e.g., yourname@gmail.com). Choose something memorable but professional. Try a few variations as many common names are already taken.

   e. Create a Password: Choose a strong password that is difficult for others to guess. Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

   f. Agree to Terms: Read the terms of service and privacy policy, and if you agree, check the box.

   g. Verify (Optional): Some providers may require you to verify your phone number or email address.

   h. Finish Signup: Click the "Create Account" or "Sign Up" button to complete the process.

2. Sending an Email:

   a. Log in: Go to your email provider's website and log in with your email address and password.

   b. Compose: Click the "Compose," "New," or "+" button to start a new email.

   c. To: Enter the recipient's email address in the "To" field. You can add multiple recipients by separating email addresses with commas.

   d. Cc/Bcc (Optional): Cc (Carbon Copy): Use Cc (Carbon Copy) to send a copy of the email to other people, while letting the primary recipient know they were also copied.

   e. Bcc (Blind Carbon Copy): Use Bcc to send a copy to other people without letting any of the recipients know who else received the email.

   f. Subject: Write a brief and clear subject line that summarizes the email's content.

   g. Compose Message: Write your email message in the body of the email.

   h. Send: Click the "Send" button to send the email.

3. Receiving an Email:

   a. Log in: Log in to your email account.

   b. Inbox: Your inbox is where new emails arrive.

   c. Open Email: Click on an email in your inbox to open and read it.

   d. Reply/Forward:

        i. Reply: Click the "Reply" button to respond directly to the sender.

        ii. Forward: Click the "Forward" button to send the email to someone else.

4. Attaching Documents:

   a. Compose/Reply: Start composing a new email or replying to an existing one.

   b. Attach: Look for an "Attach" button (often a paperclip icon).

   c. Select File: Click the "Attach" button and select the file you want to attach from your computer.

   d. Send: Once the file is attached, finish composing your email and click "Send."

5. Using Google Drive with Email (Gmail): Google Drive integrates seamlessly with Gmail. This is generally preferred to attaching large files directly, as it avoids email size limits.

   a. Compose: Start composing an email in Gmail.

   b. Drive Icon: Look for the Google Drive icon (it looks like a triangle made of different colors) in the compose window.

   c. Select File: Click the Drive icon and choose the file you want to share from your Google Drive.

   d. Share Options: You can choose whether the recipient can view, comment, or edit the file.

   e. Insert Link: Gmail will insert a link to the file in your email. The recipient will be able to access the file by clicking the link. They do not need to have a Google account to view files you share with them, depending on the sharing permissions you set.

   Using Google Drive for file sharing is a great way to send large files, collaborate on documents, and keep your email storage tidy.

Effective use of Gmail, G-Drive, Google Calendar, Google Sites, Google Sheets, Online mode of communication using Google Meet & WebEx.

1. Gmail: Mastering Email Communication

   a. Organization: Use labels and filters to emails, keeping your inbox clean and manageable. Archive or delete emails you no longer need.

   b. Search: Utilize Gmail's powerful search operators (from, to, subject, attachment, etc.) to quickly find specific emails.

   c. Canned Responses: Save frequently used email templates as canned responses to save time and effort.

   d. Multiple Inboxes: If you manage multiple email accounts, consider setting up inboxes within Gmail for easy access.

   e. Integrations: Connect Gmail with other apps and services for seamless workflow.

2. Google Drive: Your Cloud Storage Hub

             a. Organization: Create folders and subfolders to organize your files logically. Use descriptive names for easy retrieval.

   b. Sharing: Share files and folders with others, controlling their access level (view, comment, edit). Collaborate in real time.

   c. Syncing: Install the Google Drive desktop app to sync files between your computer and the cloud, ensuring you always have the latest versions.

   d. Version History: Track changes to your documents and revert to previous versions if needed.

   e. Offline Access: Make files available offline so you can work on them even without an internet connection.

3. Google Calendar: Scheduling and Time Management

   a. Multiple Calendars: Create separate calendars for work, personal appointments, projects, etc., and color-code them for easy visualization.

   b. Sharing: Share calendars with others to coordinate schedules and avoid conflicts.2

   c. Reminders: Set reminders for upcoming events and appointments to stay on top of your schedule.

   d. Integrations: Integrate Google Calendar with other apps and services for seamless scheduling.

   e. Mobile Access: Use the Google Calendar mobile app to access and manage your schedule on the go.

4. Google Sites: Creating Simple Websites

   a. Planning: Before you start building, plan the structure and content of your website.

   b. Templates: Use pre-designed templates to quickly create a professional-looking website.

   c. Customization: Customize the appearance of your website by changing colors, fonts, and layouts.

   d. Collaboration: Collaborate with others to build and manage your website.

   e. Embedding: Embed content from other Google services (Drive, Calendar, Maps) into your website.

5. Google Sheets: Data Analysis and Collaboration

   a. Formulas and Functions: Leverage formulas and functions to perform calculations and analyze data.7

   b. Charts and Graphs: Visualize your data with charts and graphs to gain insights.

   c. Collaboration: Collaborate with others in real time on the same spreadsheet.

   d. Data Validation: Use data validation to ensure data consistency and accuracy.

   e. Import/Export: Import data from various sources and export your spreadsheets in different formats.

6. Online Communication: Google Meet & WebEx

   a. Google Meet:

        i. Scheduling: Easily schedule meetings and send invitations to participants.

        ii. Screen Sharing: Share your screen to present documents, presentations, or other content.

        iii. Recording: Record meetings for later viewing or sharing.

        iv. Chat: Use the chat feature to communicate with participants during the meeting.

        v. Integrations: Integrate Google Meet with Google Calendar for seamless scheduling.

   b. WebEx:

   i. Similar Features: WebEx offers similar features to Google Meet, including scheduling, screen sharing, recording, and chat.

   ii. Advanced Features: WebEx often provides more advanced features for larger meetings and webinars, such as breakout rooms and polling.

   iii. Security: WebEx typically offers robust security features for protecting meeting content and participant privacy.

Alok Bains. alokpdf,com