Internet Tools

Internet Tools

A good World Wide Web browser, electronic mail client, file transfer software and the underlying networking software necessary to make it all run are requirements to get at the information available online. With these tools, we will be able to locate information about practically any other Internet tool or technique, including HTML tagging and translation software, secure transaction software, consulting services, world wide web server and browser tools and packages, industry organizations, consultants and vendors of services.

Choosing a Browser

If we can choose only one Internet application, a World Wide Web browser is probably the most logical choice. It is easiest Internet interface to use; it can support other Internet applications, including Telnet, FTP, Gopher and e-mail; it is widely implemented on different platforms. Browser market is dominated by Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator.

Other Internet client software

Electronic mail has been an essential application for decades. An electronic mail client should be able to save messages sent and received, should allow file attachments, preferably using the MIME standard, and should be almost completely intuitive to use. Organizations may prefer to continue using their existing e-mail client by implementing an Internet gateway to their existing e-mail server. Individuals may wish to purchase a package like Eudora or others. FTP or File Transfer Protocol, defines procedures for transfer of files between Internet hosts. This protocol is often invoked when transferring files from World Wide Web sites, but can also be used on its own. While FTP-only sites used to be fairly common, they are becoming less common as more sites move their published data to web sites, or at least to web interfaces. FTP may be implemented very much like a windows file manager program, including drag-and-drop file copying. Telnet, a remote terminal session application, is less frequently used. It is included with complete TCP/IP packages.