A2.3: WWW Reflection
August 30, 2007
Deidra Darst
8/30/07
What did I learn that I didn’t already know? My husband is a computer programmer, so most of these words, phrases and concepts were familiar to me. I found it interesting that only 130 websites existed at the beginning of the Internet’s history. It is amazing how something that started out so small and quite unavailable has grown into an enormous and convenient tool for millions of users. I have always been amazed by the workings of the Internet, and these sites gave me some insight as to how it functions. With HTML codes, HTTP and URLs, the World Wide Web is a highly organized system that can be very beneficial to those who know how to navigate it. I had never contemplated all of the intricacies involved in locating and accessing a website, I merely took it for granted.
What surprised me? I was surprised to learn that the Internet was so small in its infancy. I cannot remember a time of a “limited Internet” in my years as a user. Something that surprises now, after reading these articles, is how easily anyone can access data and information. I am surprised that navigating the World Wide Web is so effortless for its users. A great amount of time, effort, knowledge and skill were utilized in order to achieve such a feat. I was surprised to read that one particular website named Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator as the two most popular web browsers. As of late, Mozilla Firefox as far surpassed the popularity of Netscape Navigator.
How might what I learned impact my work? I believe that background knowledge is necessary in order to be knowledgeable. I can be a more efficient user by understanding the workings and organization of the World Wide Web. I will not take for granted the access to information that the World Wide Web has afforded me. I need to maintain a high level of digital literacy so that I can efficaciously use the World Wide Web to my advantage. I can be a productive citizen by understanding new and current developments related to the Internet.
**Check out these links if you are interested in visiting the sites I was assigned to read:
http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/exploring/netweb.html#web
http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/exploring/netweb.html#serving
http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/exploring/netscape.html
