Contributed by Rob Nanstad
Over the last several years the primary uses of the Internet have shifted from research-based to commerce-based. Consumer and business use of the Internet is increasing by thousands of users monthly. People are discovering Internet-based resources and businesses are finding new ways to promote and sell their products on the Internet.
Microsoft believes this growth will continue, so it's important for our customers to be able to easily use the Internet. Each product group within Microsoft is currently embracing and working toward extending Internet standards, enabling their customers to be more efficient and productive on-line. Microsoft will not only be aggressively enhancing current products to take advantage of the Internet, but will continue to offer new products and services that help businesses and consumers leverage the Internet in their daily activities.
To fully appreciate the Internet, a basic understanding of Internet concepts and infrastructure is useful. This Basic Guide to Online Services and the Internet provides a simplified overview of the Internet and how it works, as well as a cursory overview of on-line services. The information unfolds from a "big picture" viewpoint (the most general information) to more detailed explanations of how the individual users interact with the powerful resources available.
This guide does not attempt to provide technical assistance or Microsoft strategy for the Internet, but rather, explains how the various elements of the Internet relate to each other and where current Microsoft offerings benefit businesses and consumers planning to take advantage of the opportunities and resources available on the Internet.
The Internet is truly the network of networks. It is a massive collection of computer networks that connect millions of computers, people, software programs, databases, and files. The parts and players are spread around the world and interact continuously.
Any two connected computers can be considered a network. Any two connected networks become an internet (small "i"). Technological advancements over the last few years have enabled virtually all computers to be networked together, giving birth to today's Internet (capital "I").
The Internet was created in 1973 by the U. S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to ensure that their communications systems would continue to work in the event of war. For most of its existence the Internet was primarily a research and academic network. More recently, commercial enterprises and a vast number of consumers have come to recognize the Internet's potential. Today people and businesses around the world can use the Internet to retreive information, communicate and conduct business globally, and access a vast array of services and resources on-line.
No particular group or organization owns the Internet. It is actually a worldwide network that links approximately 20,000 other networks together. Volunteer groups of individuals do set some standards for Internet technologies, but there is no central body that governs the structure.
Millions of people use the Internet for its electronic mail capabilities. Electronic mail however, is only a small part of what the Internet offers. Users can join any of the thousands of Internet discussion groups, search for specific information in vast libraries, or transfer a variety of files to their computer. They can also explore the World Wide Web, the Internet's multimedia service. Over just the last few years Internet-based resources and services have grown exponentially. Based on current projections this rapid growth will continue into the next decade as more businesses and consumers make the decision to move onto the Internet.
When you send a message over the Internet, it is broken into tiny pieces, called packets, which travel over many different routes between your computer and the recipient's computer. The communications protocol used to route the packets across the Internet is TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). Use of this standard protocol enables computers using different operating systems to communicate with each other. DOS-based PCs, PCs using the Microsoft Windows(R), Windows 95, or Windows NT(TM) operating system, Macintosh(R) computers, and UNIX(R)-based systems all use TCP/IP to connect to the Internet.
One of the biggest obstacles for realizing the full potential of the Internet has been the issue of security. Fears of corporate espionage and sabotage, theft of personal identities and credit, lack of privacy in correspondence, and potential access to confidential records have led to a cautious approach in on-line transactions. Some of these fears have been realized, others have been blown out of proportion. Microsoft has collaborated on security protocols targeted for specific security issues.
There are three basic levels of on-line activity requiring transit security: General Communications, Business Communications, and Financial Transactions.
The simplest application is general communications such as private e-mail or limited access to data on a Web page. An example might be a situation where both sender and receiver (or client and server) know what data is being sent back and forth, but they would prefer not to share this information with others. In situations such as this a password system is employed to ensure that the access is allowable, or "authentic." Authentication is the process by which the recipient of a message can be assured that the sender is who they claim to be. Depending on the sensitivity of the data, strong authentication of either or both parties may be required. Authentications may also be used to verify the integrity of a message in order to preclude dissemination of inaccurate or misleading information.
In business communications, authentication and message integrity -- as well as privacy -- can be critically important. For example, a public advertisement of a discount on long distance telephone rates is only meaningful if it is valid. The Internet has already experienced many faked press releases, so false advertisements are not unimaginable.
Financial transactions require additional security measures. Obviously, authentication is a big issue for credit card users. From the merchants' viewpoint, it is essential that customers cannot deny valid transactions: "non-repudiation" is the inability to deny having made an action -- essentially the equivalent of a signature. Merchants need to be sure that customers will pay for merchandise before sending goods. Furthermore, financial data must be partitioned on a need-to-know basis. Many financial transactions, such as using bank cards, involve more than two parties -- the merchant and the card holder. Each party needs some data, but at least one party shouldn't have access to all data.
Once you connect to the Internet, you interact with other computers using a client/server model. The resources of the Internet -- information and services -- are provided through host computers, known as servers. The server is the computer system that contains information such as electronic mail, database information, or text files. As a customer, or "client," you access those resources via client programs (applications) which use TCP/IP to deliver the information to your screen in the appropriate format for your computer.
Every resource on the Internet has its own location identifier or Uniform Resource Locator (URL), an Internet address. This helps users identify the source of any information on the Internet. When you know the URL, you can key it in for immediate access to that resource without browsing through directories or using keyword searches.
The first part of the URL indicates the access method or protocol used by that server. For instance, all Web sites would have a URL that begins with "http", since that is the protocol for accessing the Web.
The second part of the URL is the computer's domain name, which is described below. For example, http://www.msn.com is the locator for the Web page about The Microsoft Network(MSN(TM)) online service. The www indicates this is a Web home page, msn is the name selected by Microsoft for this site, the .com indicates this is in the commercial domain of the Internet.
In addition, every computer -- client or server -- on the Internet has a unique IP (Internet Protocol) address to distinguish it from other computers on the Internet. The IP address is four sets of digits separated by dots, as in this example: 198.46.8.34. Since this string of numbers would be hard to remember and fraught with potential keying errors, the Domain Name System (DNS) was created so people wouldn't have to remember several confusing numbers. Domain names enable short, alphabetical nicknames to be assigned to IP addresses to describe where a computer is located. For the most part, domain names indicate who or what is located at this site and the type of organization that owns or supports the site. In the URL example above, www.msn.com is the domain name for the MSN Web page.
Some domain types you might see with US addresses:
com |
Commercial Organizations |
edu |
Educational Institutions |
gov |
Government Organizations (except the military) |
mil |
Military Organizations |
net |
Network Service Providers |
org |
Organizations other than those above |
Here are some examples of international domain designations:
au |
Australia |
fr |
France |
uk |
United Kingdom |
us |
United States |
The InterNIC (Internet Network Information Center) exists to issue IP addresses and domain names so that duplicate names or addresses do not proliferate. New users, or existing users requiring additional Internet addresses, need to apply to the InterNIC for these resources.
A Browser is a client program (application) that is used to search through information provided by a specific type of server. A browser helps you view and navigate through information on the Internet. Today's most popular browsers, including Mosaic(R), Netscape(TM) Navigator, and the Microsoft Internet Explorer offer a graphical interface to the World Wide Web.
The Microsoft TCP/IP software is easy to install and configure, thanks to the support of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). With a Windows NT-based DHCP server on their network, Windows NT users can easily install TCP/IP on their machines and choose automatic configuration: the DHCP server provides an IP address, subnet masks, default gateways, and other information. This service can dramatically reduce the cost of deployment for Internet clients running the Microsoft(R) Windows for Workgroups, Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows NT(TM) Workstation operating systems by reducing the time required to define network addresses and install TCP/IP on every user's system.
Historically, TCP/IP connections have been the domain of Internet Access Providers, not the big commercial on-line companies. The Microsoft Network defies this distinction by providing a TCP/IP stack for direct, full-access to the Internet and high-quality commercial on-line services for MSN members.
To help meet security needs, Microsoft has two offerings: Secure Transaction Technology (STT) for financial transactions, and Private Communications Technology (PCT), a set of enhancements to Netscape's Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).
STT is the safest way to make credit card payments over the Internet. It is a joint-project between Microsoft and Visa to extend the current Visa credit card payment system to electronic networks. STT uses advanced cryptographic methods to provide privacy, integrity, authentication, and signed orders and receipts to all participants in a credit card transaction.
STT enables secure Internet commerce and reduces risk throughout the credit card system. It is different from other technology in several ways:
All participants in the transaction -- consumers, merchants and banks -- will benefit:
As a secure communications technology, Private Communication Technology (PCT) builds on the earlier advances of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), using techniques developed by Microsoft while designing STT. Improvements include efficiency -- PCT improves on SSL by using a more efficient protocol and strong authentication -- PCT also enhances SSL by separating authentication from encryption. Encryption is a method of scrambling content so it can only be read by those with the ability to decode it first.
PCT offers distinct benefits to users of the protocol:
Microsoft incorporates PCT into its Internet-related products, including the Microsoft Internet Explorer. In addition, to help encourage widespread adoption of PCT, Microsoft is making the specifications available at no charge to all software developers and businesses who want to create PCT-compliant applications. Leading software companies such as NetManage and Spyglass have committed to developing products based around this specification.
Microsoft has licensed SSL from Netscape. Microsoft Internet products which support PCT will also support SSL v2, and will work with other software products which also support SSL v2.
Microsoft offers Microsoft Windows NT(TM) Server as a platform that provides full networking support of TCP/IP in addition to a host of other services. For remote users, Remote Access Service (RAS) supports Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) and Serial Line Interface Protocol (SLIP) -- two processes for connecting a client to a server over a phone line.
Microsoft offers Microsoft Windows 95 and Microsoft Windows NT Workstation as the client platform to make it easier for customers to navigate, access, render and publish information on the Internet or MSN. Microsoft Windows 95 is network-ready with support of TCP/IP, supports PPP over RAS and has plug-and-play modem support built into the product. Microsoft Windows 95 comes with the Microsoft Exchange e-mail client that is able to send E-mail via the Internet, on-line services, and corporate LANs.
The Microsoft Internet Explorer allows users to navigate the Web in the same way they navigate their Microsoft Windows operating system. By clicking on icons and using drag-and-drop functions, users move quickly and seamlessly between the Internet and other applications.
Microsoft has evolved the Microsoft Internet Explorer to support single button account creation, autodial and disconnect to the Internet. Support of OLE and Microsoft Windows 95 "Shortcuts" on the Internet allows users to drag and drop network addresses to their desktops or to e-mail messages. The Microsoft Internet Explorer can be downloaded from MSN or from the Microsoft FTP server at ftp://ftp.microsoft.com. It is also available within the Microsoft Plus! companion for Windows 95.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 2.0 will ship as part of the Internet Jumpstart Kit. This kit includes a set of utilities and extensions to Microsoft Windows 95 that make it even easier for users to set-up access to and navigate the Internet. Detailed information on, as well as a beta copy of, the Internet Jumpstart Kit can be found at http://www.msn.com.
Additional tools and protocols help you further explore the vast territory of the Internet and the various resources offered by servers. These tools locate and transport resources between computers. They help you search for information, access services, and communicate through your keyboard.
The key tools of the Internet are: Electronic Mail (e-mail), News, Gopher, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Telnet, and World Wide Web.
Electronic mail, the sending and receiving of electronic messages, is currently the most popular use of the Internet. E-mail is also used on most commercial on-line services, and for many people, is the primary reason for getting onto the Internet or an on-line service.
To send e-mail, you must know the recipient's e-mail address. These addresses are composed of the user's identification, followed by the "@" sign, followed by the location of the recipient's computer. For example, the e-mail address for the President of the United States is president@whitehouse.gov. The last three letters indicate this location is a government sponsored domain on the Internet.
When you access the Internet through a local service provider or one of the large commercial on-line services, you can exchange e-mail without incurring the long-distance charges of a telephone call. Depending on the service package you have selected, e-mail can be an economical alternative for some telephone usage. E-mail has the added advantage of allowing you to access messages and at your convenience. You can also send an identical message to any number of people at a time.
NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol) is an Internet standard protocol defined for distribution, inquiry, retrieval and posting of news articles. Network News (USENET) is a popular usage of NNTP. It offers bulletin boards, chat rooms, and netnews, which is a massive system with over 5,000 ongoing conferences, called newsgroups, conducted around the clock, 365 days a year. To access these newsgroups, you download a special program from the Internet that allows you to participate in any newsgroup you wish. Most commercial browsers, including the Microsoft Internet Explorer, have this capability built in. You then "subscribe" to those newsgroups that interest you and communicate through a message system similar to e-mail.
You may simply view an ongoing dialog without participating -- this is called lurking -- and is encouraged for newcomers. To enter the conversation, you "post an article" in the newsgroup and you become part of the forum. As with e-mail, Netnews is usually informal communication between individuals (albeit thousands of individuals!), with little distillation of content. However, some newsgroups are managed by a monitor who may elect not to post responses that are deemed inappropriate for that forum. Usenet operates at a very high speed, with postings appearing quickly and constantly. Group administrators set the length of time that messages remain posted before being deleted from the system. Most do not keep postings longer than a week.
Discussion groups and chat rooms can be excellent sources of information and assistance on technical issues, hobbies, travel, etc. They can also be sources of lively political debate and an opportunity to meet people with shared interests.
Another widely used tool of the Internet is Gopher, a menu-based program that enables you to browse for information without having to know where the material is specifically located. It lets you search lists of resources, and then helps send the material to you. Gopher is probably the most comprehensive of all browser systems and is integrated to allow you access to other programs including FTP and Telnet.
When you use Gopher, you cross the Internet by moving deeper and deeper into the menus. Using Gopher, you can access library catalogs, files, and other databases. For example, if you are looking for a poem written by your favorite poet, you might look first under authors & books, and then under poetry.
Veronica and Jughead are related programs that assist your search of Gopherspace (the term for the collective assortment of Internet sites that run Gopher software). Veronica helps you search gopher systems for documents; Jughead searches directory titles only.
Sometimes browsing for information is not enough -- you may want to obtain copies of software programs or data files for your own use and manipulation. FTP is a method of transferring files from one computer to another over phone lines. You can transfer many different types of files to your computer. For example, you may want the latest upgrade for a particular software product, or you might find your favorite movie star's photograph. This feature allows access to information more quickly than sending disks and hardcopy materials through regular, or even express, mail.
There are probably millions of files available via FTP on the Internet. The search tool Archie, a client program, helps you find files stored on FTP sites using keywords that appear in the file names. You enter likely keywords and Archie searches its database for matches. Archie then sends you a list with full file names and the address information you need to retrieve the file via FTP.
Another way to access information from servers is to actually log on to a remote computer and use it. Telnet provides that capability. When you connect, your computer acts as if your keyboard is attached to the remote computer. You can use the same services as a local user.
This means that you can run programs on a computer on the other side of the world, just as if you were sitting in front of it.
You might use Telnet to look at the electronic card catalog from the Library of Congress or the British Library in London. You might also use Telnet to browse through government databases. One potential downside to Telnet is that you must know how to use the computer you have logged on to. The remote computer must also grant you access. A number of organizations have written special programs into their systems so that Internet users can have ready-access to information.
The World Wide Web is the multimedia part of the Internet. It is currently the fastest growing part of the network. WWW content displays as a page and, unlike other Internet sites, text is formatted in various fonts, styles, colors and sizes. Pages may also contain pictures, sounds, and movies.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is the standard language that allows Web clients and servers to communicate. Sometimes WWW servers are called HTTP servers and, as explained earlier, http is the path name for Web sites.
Web sites use hypertext to display links to other pages. By clicking on these links, you can go directly to other pages or sites on the Web. You can also access other key tools of the Internet, such as FTP and Gopher, to help you explore and access Web resources. Browsers are available to help you view and navigate through Web pages easily.
A variety of companies and organizations establish Web sites by providing Web pages. Some organizations may want to sell their products, while others may simply want to tell you about themselves. Individuals can also develop their own personal Web pages. The initial screen you see when you access a Web site is commonly referred to as a home page.
Microsoft offers the following options for sending e-mail to consumers and organizations:
In addition to the option listed above, MSN offers users the capability of using an e-mail system that is managed for them. MSN uses the Microsoft Exchange e-mail client (Inbox), which is a component of Microsoft Windows 95 for the client e-mail user interface. Additionally, MSN offers public bulletin boards, chat rooms and forums within various communities on-line. MSN is a service provider -- the goal is to offer e-mail as a service that is easily accessed by customers. Organizations with a Local Area Network (LAN) and technology staff that want to control and manage the administration from within their enterprise should consider Microsoft Exchange Server, which can easily exchange mail with on-line services through the Internet Mail Connector.
There are currently two basic ways to physically connect to the Internet. The first, and most widely used method is through a modem which connects your computer to a normal analog telephone line, which in turn connects to a modem at the host computer. This is called a dial-up account, because your computer goes through a process similar to dialing a phone number to gain access. The second method for connecting to the Internet does not involve modems and is referred to as an ISDN connection.
There are several variations to the dial-up account which provide different capabilities, depending on the protocols used. All of these connections require the Internet Protocol, and are therefore called IP accounts. The three types of IP accounts are: PPP, which stands for Point-to-Point Protocol; SLIP, which stands for Serial Line Internet Protocol; and CSLIP, which is a compressed version of SLIP. PPP is the emerging connection of choice because it is faster and more reliable. But PPP is also more complex, so many computer platforms still only have built-in support for SLIP. Supplemental programs are being developed to enable most platforms to support PPP accounts.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is a telecommunications service which connects networks through digital lines using a terminal adapter. ISDN provides a faster connection and can be more economical if it is available in your local area code. In the future, ISDN boards designed to support ISDN connections through the PC will be commonplace. Microsoft Windows 95 will offer drivers to support ISDN by mid-1996.
Theoretically, both methods can connect single-user accounts or multiple-user accounts to the Internet. Dial-up accounts are probably most affordable for single-users, but ISDN provides a more economical solution (where available) for Local Area Networks (LAN), which connect multiple users at a specific location to the Internet. In preparation for the support of ISDN in Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft is building access in their local Points of Presence (POPs) for ISDN connection to MSN and the Internet.
With the advent of Internet protocols, modems, and Web browsers, virtually anyone can gain access to the Internet. But first they will need something comparable to a new kind of utility company -- they will need an Internet Access Provider (IAP). This can be a small local operation or one of the large commercial on-line services, or something in between. Historically, the commercial on-line services have not been considered IAPs and their Internet-access tools have been less than optimal.
Microsoft is redefining the role of commercial on-line services by offering the Microsoft Internet Explorer and being the Internet Access Provider for MSN members throughout the United States. Anyone with a PC running the Microsoft Windows 95 operating system can get to the Internet by licensing the Microsoft Plus! companion for Windows 95, downloading the browser for free, or having it bundled on their machine. MSN provides a dial-up TCP/IP backbone that offers up to 28.8Kbps connectivity. MSN is both a service provider, which can be used in conjunction with Microsoft Internet Explorer for straight internet access, and a high-quality commercial on-line service. With Local Points of Presence (POP), access to the Internet is a local phone call away. This same Internet functionality will be implemented worldwide by the end of 1996.
Organizations which want to link several computers together to share files and exchange e-mail may want to set up a LAN with access to the Internet. This is an economical alternative to providing each individual with a modem and SLIP or PPP dial-up capability. Workstations on a LAN are normally located in close proximity to each other, usually within the same building. A LAN connection will allow multiple users to access the Internet under a single domain name. LAN connections to the Internet are typically done via ISDN or with a leased telephone line. User IDs are assigned to individuals for logon purposes and for directing e-mail.
One potential drawback to a LAN connection is that other Internet users could gain access to files and data residing on the LAN. This can be prevented by establishing a security system such as a "firewall." A firewall usually consists of a single machine that is connected to the Internet and all Internet traffic on the LAN must pass through that machine. This machine is set up to prevent or restrict users on the Internet from accessing data on the attached LAN. It can also be set up to restrict access from the LAN to the Internet.
Microsoft will soon release a set of tools and services for Microsoft Windows NT that will help companies provide a secure platform for desktop access to MSN and the Internet. The Microsoft Internet Access Server will provide this secure access with minimum internal disruption to the corporation. Also known as "Catapult," the Microsoft Internet Access Server for Windows NT is designed to operate as a one-way access mechanism between a private network, such as a corporate LAN, and the Internet. It provides organizations control over individual users accessing the Internet with common protocols such as FTP, Gopher, and WWW. Catapult will also provide transport protocol for desktops, independent of Internet access. Using a Web browser, such as the Microsoft Internet Explorer, businesses can deliver Internet access without changing their current network infrastructure.
In addition to accessing Internet resources through either dial-up or LAN accounts, you may also wish to establish your own server presence. Depending on the type of service you want to provide, you may choose to create a server for E-mail, FTP, Gopher, World Wide Web or a combination of these. Server services are available to help you design, establish, and maintain a server presence on the Internet.
The World Wide Web has become the tool of choice for establishing an Internet presence. As a server on the Web, a business can advertise services, provide detailed product information, and even conduct transactions. Individuals may establish Web pages to connect to others with shared interests or hobbies, promote themselves in seeking job opportunities, or simply to tell the world they exist.
Establishing a server for any Internet tool requires using specific protocols and programs. All Web clients and servers must be able to speak HyperText Transmission Protocol (HTTP) in order to send and receive hypermedia documents. Because the HTTP protocol is the foundation for most Web transactions, Web servers are usually called HTTP servers.
Currently most Web servers run on UNIX servers. However, this domination of the Internet by UNIX servers is likely to change due to the rapid growth in Microsoft Windows NT Server installations and due to the introduction of Microsoft Windows 95.
A Web page is created by formatting text with styles and links using HyperText Markup Language (HTML), the standard format for the World Wide Web. HTML commands -- referred to as tags -- are added to the text file, or source document. The source document can be created using a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word.
The best tool for improving relationships with customers and business partners and the performance of employees is to ensure they are as informed as possible. The Microsoft Internet Information Server is designed to help businesses deliver timely, quality information to customers, business partners, and employees. Whether that information is being shared on internal local area networks or around the globe over the Internet, this product -- also known as Gibraltar -- delivers the capabilities necessary to ensure accurate delivery of information. The Microsoft Internet Information Server for Windows NT delivers complete Web, FTP, Gopher services all in a high-performance, easily manageable product. Moreover, by using the core security model of Microsoft Windows NT, you can be safe in the knowledge that information is only being viewed by those with authorized access.
Microsoft offers the Microsoft Internet Assistant for Word document authoring and viewing tool for Windows to author documents for the World Wide Web. This product allows Microsoft Word users to create great looking documents for the Internet without having to understand the complicated codes associated with HTML. Because Microsoft Internet Assistant for Word works within Microsoft Word for Windows 95, users have IntelliSense(TM) features like enhanced AutoCorrect, Spell It automatic spell checking, and AutoFormat As You Type as they create Web pages. With its robust HTML file converter, Microsoft Internet Assistant for Word makes creating an HTML document as easy as saving a file.
Microsoft Internet Assistant for Word also makes it easy to create Hyperlinks. Hyperlinks are visual clues, such as colored text or graphics, that allow the user to move to areas of related information by simply clicking on the link. Creating Hyperlinks between two documents using Microsoft Internet Assistant for Word is as easy as copying and pasting.
Microsoft Internet Assistant for Word lets users create Web pages in familiar environment without having to know HTML. It automatically adds HTML tags to text files, which could otherwise be a time-intensive activity.
Microsoft Internet Assistant for Word makes Microsoft Word for Windows 95 the only word processor that allows users to create, view, and browse through information on the World Wide Web from within a single, easy-to-use interface. The integrated browsing component of the Microsoft Internet Assistant for Word supports FTP, GOPHER, and HTTP protocols. It also features integration with Microsoft Internet Explorer so users can easily toggle between their authoring environment and a fully WYSIWYG view of their document.
Microsoft's end-to-end publishing system, BlackBird, supports all the development and administrative needs of Content Providers or on-line publishers. Blackbird extends Microsoft Word for Windows 95 for use as a hypertext document authoring tool. It includes components for designing, authoring, distributing, viewing, searching, personalizing and billing on-line services and multimedia applications.
Blackbird, which is optimized for dynamic content, requires no programming, integrates HTML documents, and is extensible via OLE controls. The extensible OLE architecture allows third parties to create and add their own components and advanced functionality to Blackbird titles. This gives content providers the ability to further differentiate their titles and add unique value for their users.
Blackbird provides a sophisticated layout environment that gives the content provider complete control over the look and feel of their titles. Graphics, video, sound, and sophisticated text layout capabilities enable content providers to create compelling and highly branded content for their users. Blackbird supports seamless links to other services and related information: designers can integrate existing HTML Web pages, e-mail, eforms, file transfers, and other Blackbird titles. Users don't need to waste time finding and downloading their favorite titles each day. Using Blackbird, content providers control the entire display space--their content is not displayed in someone else's branded viewer. Blackbird separates design of the title from the content within the title, so that content providers can easily publish titles with constantly refreshed, ever-changing information. "One-button" publishing makes publishing updates a snap.
Blackbird will be available for publishing on the Internet in 1996.
For many people, the best way to access the Internet is to use a commercial on-line service, such as The Microsoft Network, CompuServe(R), America OnLine(R), or Prodigy(TM). Most of these services combine limited Internet access with unique fee-based services available only through their commercial connection. For some users, there are advantages to using these service providers over direct Internet connections. One advantage may be the wide assortment of commercial-quality information, which the on-line service purchases from commercial servers and then sells to their users. In many locations, commercial on-line services provide access with a local phone number, precluding long distance charges for connection to the Internet. This could be a key advantage in locations that do not have local Internet service providers.
All commercial on-line services allow you to send and receive e-mail via the Internet. Many are starting to add the other main Internet services such as WWW, Usenet news, FTP, Telnet, and Gopher. As commercial services evolve and continue to compete for market share, they will differentiate themselves mainly by cost, specialized services, reliability, and unique restrictions such as storage space, time limitations and parental guidance warnings.
The following table provides a point-in-time comparison of the major commercial on-line services. Rates and features are changing constantly, so this information may not be current as you read it.
Service |
MSN |
America Online |
CompuServe |
|---|---|---|---|
Cost |
Basic 4.95/month 2.50/+hour |
Basic 9.95/month 2.95/+ hr |
Basic 9.95/moth 2.95/+ hr |
Number of Hours per month |
10 hrs free 1st month 3 hrs/month |
10 hrs free 1st month 5 hrs/month |
10 hrs free 1st month 5 hrs/month |
Baud rates |
28.8Kbps |
28.8Kbps |
28.8Kbps |
Browser |
Internet Explorer |
Webcrawler |
NetLauncher (SPRY Mosaic Browser) |
Consumer Services
|
Hobbies Art & Entertainment Computers & Software Chat Rooms Education & Reference Sports Software d/l BBS |
Entertainment Travel Chat Rooms Education Sports Shopping Software d/l BBS |
Entertainment Travel Games Chat Rooms Education Sports Shopping Reference Software d/l BBS |
Business Services
|
Financial News Business News Stocks News Services |
Business News |
Research Financial News Business News Stocks News Services Tech support |
Internet Services
|
Databases |
Databases File transfers |
|
Transport Support |
Gopher Telnet FTP NNTP HTTP |
FTP NNTP HTTP |
Gopher Telnet FTP NNTP HTTP |
Network Connectivity |
dial-up LAN |
dial-up |
dial-up LAN |
Publishing Tools |
MediaView BlackBird |
Navi Server Navi Press |
HTML |
Target Market |
Consumer Business |
Consumer |
Consumer Business |
GEnie(TM) |
AT&T Interchange (TM) Business Network |
InternetMCI/ |
Prodigy |
|---|---|---|---|
8.95/month 5.00/+ hr |
Basic 4.95/month 2.95/+ hr |
Basic 9.95/moth 2.50/+ hr OR 6.50/+ hr for 800# |
Basic 9.95/month 2.95/+ hr |
4 hrs free |
5 hrs |
10 hrs free 1st month 5hrs/month |
|
14.4Kbs |
28.8Kbs |
28.8Kbs |
28.8Kbps |
No Web Browser uses LYNX, a text browser for WEB |
Netscape "WorldNet" |
Prodigy Web Browser |
|
Communications Computers Entertainment Hobbies Games Career / Professional Education Chat Rooms Shopping Reference Software d/l |
Entertainment |
Computers Entertainment Travel Home/Family/Kids Chat Rooms Education Shopping Reference Software d/l BBS |
|
Financial News Business News |
Financial News Business News News Services |
Financial News Business News Stocks News Services |
Research Financial News Business News Stocks News Services |
Databases |
Databases |
Databases |
Databases |
Gopher Telnet FTP NNTP |
NNTP |
NNTP |
HTTP NNTP |
dial-up |
dial-up |
||
HTML |
HTML |
HTML |
|
Consumer |
Business |
Consumer Business |
Consumer Business |
The Microsoft Network online service, Microsoft's entry into the on-line world, is intended to make on-line access seamless while providing a destination site for customers to have a productive and enjoyable on-line experience. MSN is a destination site for consumers who want to join a community that offers Microsoft-branded content, custom-packaged content, communication services, and services for publishers and companies who want to do business on the Internet. These communities are managed in a "forum" and offer uniquely produced content, file libraries, e-mail, bulletin boards and chat rooms.
The goal of MSN is to be the premier packager and distributor of content and services. As a packager, MSN will offer a produced environment that includes editorial information, navigation tools, directory services, a large community, customer support, single billing and merchandising, and special promotions. The content and information will be unique, as well as linked from the Internet, combining WWW and value-added formats for free and for fee.
The Microsoft Network is different from other on-line services in several significant ways. Its features and content are intended for a full range of users -- from the inexperienced to the sophisticated -- including children, recreational users, and small-business and home-office users. The MSN content provider can leverage a suite of services for providing infrastructure for their on-line business. Some of these services include: data warehousing, end-to-end security for transactions and communication, shortcuts to content on the Internet, directories, automated billing, and advertising.
Free services are available to all Internet users from The Microsoft Network Web site. This includes Microsoft product information, news headlines, and MSN content directory. Any Internet user can obtain these services by accessing http://www.msn.com.
Basic services are available as part of MSN membership and include e-mail, chat rooms, bulletin board systems, communities, Internet access, news, weather, reference materials, file libraries, etc.
On a fee-for-use basis, MSN members may access extended services provided by both Microsoft and independent service providers. Costs for these services are set by the service providers. These extended services include subscription services, cover charge events and paid access to information.
Independent Content Providers (ICPs) are being encouraged to publish on the Internet and advertise their Internet site via MSN with a direct link to effectively reach their customer base. While continuing to be the destination site for on-line members, MSN will also provide publishing support and offer value-added services to ICPs. Over the course of the next year these tools and services will be become distributed over the Internet for ICPs to leverage so that access, navigation, and billing will become easier for Internet users. MSN will continue to manage and offer these services, as well as combine content on the Internet with unique content and information available on MSN. This will offer the ICP the ability to reach out and be found on the Internet.
The Microsoft Network will also evolve to support large corporate customers who want to manage the on-line experience centrally or at the desktop. MSN will offer more business-oriented content, tools, and services to address organizational needs so that a corporation's employees can effectively extend their desktop to gather on-line information and so that technology staff can manage the employee's Internet experience.
The Internet is truly a revolution in standardization of wide-area public networks. Microsoft is an active Internet participant who wants to work openly with customers and other companies to realize the full potential of the Internet. All Microsoft products are designed to work well on the Internet to provide easy access, enable customers to leverage existing investments, and take advantage of new applications. Microsoft will work with all other participants on the Internet in an open way to meet customer needs.
Microsoft has a philosophy toward standards called Technology Leadership and Collaboration:
Microsoft takes the same approach with the Internet. We have adopted a variety of Internet standards, beginning with TCP/IP, DHCP, WINS, and HTML. We are collaborating with key vendors on other technologies such as STT and PCT. We are building on Microsoft technologies such as the Win32 application programming interface and OLE to give customers full access to the Internet, allowing customers to leverage their existing investments and get access to new applications.
address
Code by which the Internet identifies you. The format is username@hostname, where username is your username, login name, or account number, hostname is the name of the computer or Internet provider you use. The host name may be a few words strung together with periods.
America OnLine
A public Internet provider. If you have an account on America OnLine, username@aol.com is your Internet address, where "username" is your America OnLine account name.
anonymous FTP
A way to use the FTP program to log on to another computer to copy files when you don't have an account on the other computer. When you log on, enter anonymous as the username and your address as the password. This gives you access to publicly-available files.
ANS
Advanced Network Services. ANS runs one of the largest, high-speed networks on the Internet. Run by Merit, MCI, and IBM.
Archie
A system that helps you locate files located anywhere on the Internet. After Archie locates the file, you can use FTP to get it. Archie is both a program and a system of server computers that contain indexes of files.
authentication
Verifying the identity of a person or computer process.
Backbone
A high-speed line or series of connections that forms a major pathway within a network. The term is relative as a backbone in a small network will likely be much smaller than many non-backbone lines in a large network. (see also: Network)
Bandwidth
How much "stuff" you can send through a connection. Usually measured in bits-per-second. A full page of English text is about 16,000 bits. A fast modem can move about 15,000 bits in one second. Full-motion full-screen video would require roughly 10,000,000 bits-per-second, depending on compression.
BBS
Bulletin Board System. A computerized meeting and announcement system that allows people to carry on discussions, upload and download files, and make announcements without being connected to the computer at the same time. There are several thousands (millions?) of BBS's around the world. Most BBS are very small and run on a single IBM(R) clone PC with one or two phone lines.
Browser
A client program (software) that is used to search through information provided by a specific type of server. (see also: Client, URL, WWW)
chatting
Talking in real-time to other network users from any and all parts of the world.
Client
A software program that is used to contact and obtain data from a Server software program on another computer, often across a great distance. Each Client program is designed to work with one or more types of Server programs.
com
When these letters appear at the end of an address, they indicate that the host computer is run by a company rather than a university or government agency. It also means that the host computer is most likely located in the United States.
CompuServe
An on-line information provider (sometimes abbreviated as CIS) that gives some Internet access. If your CompuServe account number is 7123,456 your Internet address will be 7123.456@compuserve.com. Notice that the comma in the CompuServe address becomes a period in the Internet address.
cyberspace
A virtual universe of computers, programs and data.
Delphi(R)
An on-line information provider that includes access to Internet services. If you have an account on Delphi, your Internet address is username@delphi.com. where username is your Delphi account name.
Domain Name
The unique name that identifies an Internet site A given machine may have more than one domain name but a given domain name points to only one machine. It is also possible for a domain name to exist but not be connected to an actual machine. This is often done so that a group or business can have an Internet e-mail address without having to establish a real Internet site. In these cases, an Internet Service Provider's machine must handle the mail on behalf of the listed domain name. (see also: IP Number)
edu
When these letters appear in the last part of an address (info@mit.edu), they indicate that the host computer is run by an educational institution. It also means that the host computer is most likely located in the United States.
Electronic Mail. Messages, usually text, sent from one person to another via computer. E-mail can also be sent automatically to a large number of addresses by use of a Mailing List. (see also: Listserv, Mailist)
File-transfer protocol (FTP)
A method of transferring one or more files from one computer to another on a network or phone line.
Finger
A program that displays information about someone on the net. On most UNIX systems, this command tells you who is logged on right now. On most Internet hosts, it tells you the name, and possibly some other information based on the person's Internet address and the last time they logged on.
Firewall
A filter for messages. A system that has a firewall lets only certain kinds of messages in and out from the rest of the Internet. If an organization wants to exchange mail with the Internet, but does not want other Internet members "telnetting in" and reading those files, its connection to the Internet can be protected using a firewall.
gateway
A computer that connects one network with another when the two networks use different protocols. The UUNET computer connects the UUCP network with the Internet, providing a way for mail messages to move between the two networks.
GEnie
An on-line service run by General Electric. If you have an account on GEnie and your mail name is ABC, your Internet address is ABC@genie.gies.com.
GIF
Graphic Interchange Format. The file format commonly used to distribute graphics files on the Internet.
Gopher
A system that lets you find information by using menus. To use Gopher, you usually Telnet to a Gopher server and begin browsing the menus.
HTTP
Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The method by which World Wide Web pages are transferred over the network.
host
A computer on the Internet that you may be able to log on to. You can use FTP to get files from a host computer, and use other programs (such as Telnet) to make use of the host computer.
HTML
Hypertext Markup Language, used for writing pages for the World Wide Web. HTML allows text to include codes that define fonts, layout, embedded graphics, and hypertext links.
Hypertext
A system of writing and displaying text that enables the text to be linked in multiple ways, available at several levels of detail. Hypertext documents can also contain links to related documents such as those referred to in footnotes. Hypermedia can also contain pictures, sounds, video.
Internet (upper case I)
The vast collection of inter-connected networks that all use the TCP/IP protocols and that evolved from the ARPANET of the late 60's and early '70s. The Internet currently (July 1995) connects roughly 60,000 independent networks into a vast global Internet.
Internet Protocol (IP)
The transport layer protocol used as a basis of the Internet. IP enables information to be routed from one network to another in packets and then reassembled when they reach their destination.
IP Number
A four-part number separated by dots (e.g. 165.113.245.2) which uniquely identifies a machine on the internet. Every machine that is on the Internet has a unique IP number -- if a machine does not have an IP number, it is not really on the Internet. Most machines also have one or more Domain Names that are easier for people to remember. (see also: Domain Name)
IRC
Internet Relay Chat. A system that enables Internet users to talk with each other in real time over the Internet rather than in person.
ISDN
Integrated Services Digital Network. Basically a way to move more data over existing regular phone lines. ISDN is only slowly becoming available in the USA . ISDN can provide speeds of 64,000 bits-per-second over a regular phone line at almost the same cost as a normal phone call.
Jughead
A program that helps you find specified information in Gopher directories. Similar to Veronica, but more focused.
LAN
Local Area Network. A group of connected computers, usually located in close proximity (such as the same building or floor of the building) so data can be passed between them.
Leased line
Refers to a phone line that is rented for exclusive 24-hour, 7-days-a-week access between your location to another location. The highest speed data connections require a leased line.
listserv
A family of programs that automatically manage mailing lists by distributing messages posted to the list, adding and deleting members automatically.
Login
Noun or a verb. Noun: The account name used to gain access to a computer system. Unlike a Password, the login name is not a secret. Verb: The act of entering into a computer system, e.g. "Login to the WELL and then go to the GBN conference."
message
A piece of e-mail or a posting to a newsgroup.
mirror
An FTP server that provides copies of the same files as another server. Some FTP servers are so popular that other servers have been set up to mirror them and spread the FTP load to more than one site.
Modem
MOdulator, DEModulator. A device that you connect to your computer and to a phone line to allow the computer to talk to other computers through the phone system. Modems convert the computer's digital signals into analog waves that can be transmitted over standard voice telephone lines. Modem speeds are measured in bits per second (bps) - also sometimes expressed as KILObits (thousands of bits) per second. As an example, 28.8Kbps and 28,800bps are the same thing -- 28,800 bits per second.
Mosaic
A Windows-based, Windows Sockets-compliant program that lets you access information on the World Wide Web.
name resolution
The process of mapping a name into its corresponding address.
Netnews
Another name for Usenet, often refers to Usenet News when being received via the Internet, via NNTP.
Netscape Navigator
A Windows-based, Windows Sockets-compliant program that lets you access information on the World Wide Web. This is an improvement on Mosaic.
Network
Any time you connect two or more computers together so that they can share resources you have a computer network. Connect two or more networks together and you have an internet (small "i"). (see also: Internet)
Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP)
A protocol defined for distribution, inquiry, retrieval and posting of news articles.
Newsgroup
A distributed bulletin board system about a particular topic. Usenet news (also known as net news) is a system that distributes thousands of newsgroups to all parts of the Internet.
Node
A computer on the Internet, also called a host. Computers that provide a service, such as FTP sites or places that run Gopher are also called servers.
Packet
A chunk of information sent over a network. Each packet contains the destination address, the sender's address, error-control information, and data.
Page
A document, or collection of information, available by way of the World Wide Web. To make information available over the WWW, it is organized into pages. A page may contain text, graphics files, video, and/or sound files.
Ping
A network management tool that checks to see whether you can communicate with another computer on the Internet. It sends a short message to which the other computer automatically responds. If the other computer does not respond to the ping, you usually cannot establish communications.
Point of Presence (POP)
A physical site in a geography where a network Access Provider, such as UUNet, has equipment that users connect to. The local phone company's central office in a particular area is also sometimes referred to as their POP in that area. (As an example, AT&T's POP for the Seattle area is in downtown Seattle.)
POP
Post Office Protocol. A system by which a mail server on the Internet lets you grab your mail and download it to your PC or Mac. Most people refer to this protocol with its version number (i.e. POP2, POP3) to avoid confusing it with Point of Presence.
PPP
Point-to-Point Protocol. A scheme for connecting two computers over a phone line (or a network link that acts like a phone line). Similar to SLIP.
Prodigy
An on-line system run by IBM and Sears. If you have a Prodigy account, username@prodigy.com is your Internet address, where username is your Prodigy user name.
Router
A special-purpose computer (or software package) that handles the connection between two or more networks. Routers look at the destination addresses of the packets passing through them and decide which route to send them.
Secure Transaction Technology (STT)
The STT specification is a software technology designed to provide a secure method for handling credit card transactions across electronic networks.
server
A computer that provides a service to other computers on a network. An Archie server, for example, lets people on the Internet use Archie.
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
A protocol used to transfer e-mail between computers.
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
The Internet standard protocol developed to manage nodes on an IP network.
SLIP
Serial Line Interface Protocol. A software scheme for connecting a computer to the Internet.
socket
When your computer is on the Internet via a SLIP connection, a socket is a conversation your computer is having with a computer elsewhere on the net. You may have one socket for an FTP session, another socket for a Telnet session and another socket taking care of getting your mail.
TCP/IP
Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. The system networks use to communicate with each other on the Internet.
Telnet
The command and program used to login from one Internet site to another. The Telnet command/program gets you to the "login" prompt of another host.
Terminal
A device that allows you to send commands to a computer somewhere else. At a minimum, this usually means a keyboard and a display screen and some simple circuitry. Usually you will use terminal software in a personal computer -- the software pretends to be ("emulates") a physical terminal and allows you to type commands to a computer somewhere else.
UNIX
A computer operating system (the basic software running on a computer, underneath things like word processors and spreadsheets). UNIX is designed to be used by many people at the same time (it is "multi-user") and has TCP/IP built-in. It is the most common operating system for servers on the Internet
URL
Uniform Resource Locator. The standard way to give the address of any resource on the Internet that is part of the World Wide Web (WWW). A URL looks like this: http://www.matisse.net/seminars.html. The most common way to use a URL is to enter into a Web browser program, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. (see also: Browser, WWW)
Usenet
A system of thousands of distributed bulletin boards called newsgroups. You read the messages by using a program called a news reader.
Veronica
Very Easy Rodent Oriented Net-wide Index to Computerized Archives. A program that uses word searches to locate articles in Gopherspace. Developed at the University of Nevada, Veronica is a constantly updated database of names of almost every menu item on thousands of gopher servers. (see also: Gopher)
Viewer
A program used by Gopher, WAIS or WWW client programs to show files with contents other than text. You would use a viewer to display graphics files, play sound files or display video files.
WAIS
Wide Area Information Servers. A system that lets you search for documents that contain specific information that you are looking for.
WAN
Wide Area Network. Any internet or network that covers an area larger than a single building or campus. (see also: Internet, LAN, Network)
Windows Sockets
Windows Sockets is a standard way for Windows-based programs to work with TCP/IP. You can use Windows Sockets if you use SLIP to connect to the Internet.
WWW
World Wide Web. A hypermedia-based system for accessing information on the Internet.
The information contained in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on the issues discussed as of the date of publication. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented after the date of publication.
This document is for information purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS DOCUMENT.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Microsoft Corporation.
(C) 1995 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
America Online is a registered trademark of America Online, Inc.
AT&T Interchange is a trademark of AT&T Corporation.
CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe, Inc.
Delphi is a registered trademark of Borland International..
GEnie is a trademark of General Electric Corporation.
IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
Microsoft, Windows, and Win32 are registered trademarks and IntelliSense, MSN, and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
NCSA Mosaic was developed by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Netscape is a trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation.
Prodigy is a trademark of Prodigy Services Company.
UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Ltd.
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Kit part number
0000A
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