Course A Introduction to Computing
Multi-campus Modular Non-major Curriculum in Computing

Goals

• Students will recognize the main protocols used in Internet communications
• Students will send and receive email

• Students will join a mailing list

• Students will utilize newsgroups to find information

• Students will identify levels of connectivity to the Internet

Prerequisite Skills

• Familiarity with the worldwide web and URLs
• Basic historical background of the Internet

Contents

• Structure of the Internet
  • Protocols
    • TCPIP
    • Telnet
    • FTP
    • Mail and News Protocols
    • HTTP
    • other protocols
  • The DNS system
    • IP numbers
    • Domain Names
    • Subdomains
    • Userids
    • Passwords
  • How it all works
    • The local computers and the LAN
    • Lans and Routers
    • Routers and The Internet Backbone
    • The Client - Server Approach
• Levels of Connectivity
  • Direct connection
  • Dial - in connection
  • Slip - PPP connection
  • Commercial Service providers
    • Proprietary Networks
    • Internet Service Providers
• Email
  • The problems you can solve with Email
  • Tools common to Email programs
    • Customized Text Editor
    • Send Command
    • Address Book
    • Storage area for incoming mail
    • Mail reader
  • Email etiquette
  • Disadvantages of Email
  • Common Email Programs
• Talk and Chat
  • The problems they are good at solving
  • The tools such programs usually give you
  • Disadvantages of chat programs
  • Common Chat or Talk programs
• Mailing lists
  • Historical context of mailing lists
  • How mailing lists work
  • Example: Fran and the Pygmy Hippos
  • The problems you can solve with a Mailing List
  • The program and the list
  • Mailing List Etiquette
  • Disadvantages of Mailing Lists
  • Common Mailing List Programs
• Newsgroups
  • How newsgroups work
  • The problems Newsgroups help you solve
  • Newsgroup Etiquette
  • Disadvantages of Newsgroups
• Laboratory Assignment
• Summary