Internet

Q 1. What kind of files can be downloaded using FTP?
Ans: Any type of file can be downloaded via FTP. However, the files you download from an FTP site are usually compressed to save space and to reduce download times. The compression process usually turns the file into either a .zip file (PC) or a .sit file (Mac). To uncompress the file you'll need a program like WinZip (PC) or StuffIt Expander (Mac).

Q 2. What is the purpose of a web host and why would I need one?
Ans: Web hosts are what make web sites accessible over the Internet. This means they keep all the web pages of the hosted site on their server, they take care of all the setup and technical issues, and they have a very high-speed connection to the Internet. For example, SiteHost4U hosts Sharpened.net. All the Sharpened.net web pages are actually on a SiteHost4U server, which is connected to the Internet backbone. The reason most people have their domain hosted instead of doing it themselves, is because there are very high costs involved in the setup and maintenance of a server. Just the high-speed connection typically runs a couple grand a month. This is why most small organizations and businesses choose to have their sites hosted by a web host for simple monthly payments (usually around $10-$25 per month).

Q 3. What are computer viruses and how can I protect myself from them?
Ans: A virus is a program or file which can do a variety of harmful things to your computer. Things like causing your computer to crash, creating tons of random files, or worse yet, deleting files. Most viruses can replicate themselves, which can be a big problem if they get on a computer network.

To protect yourself from viruses you should make sure you have an anti-virus program installed on your computer such as Symantec Anti-Virus, or McAfee Virus Scan. The most common way to get a computer virus is through an e-mail attachment. So it's best to not open any file that is questionable until you find out for sure that it's safe.

Q 4. Can I use the same Internet service on two different computers?
Ans: If you connect to the Internet via 56K modem, most ISPs will allow you to use the same service on multiple computers as long as they're not connected at the same time. To set up another computer for Internet access, just open the Internet control panel and enter the same information that is in the Internet control panel of your other computer. If this doesn't work, run the Internet Setup Wizard (in the same control panel) and enter the correct information there.

If you connect to your ISP using a DSL or cable modem, you should first check with your ISP to see if using two computers is OK. If so, you can connect your modem from your computer to a hub and have multiple other computers connected to the hub as well. Then, once you connect to the Internet (with the computer that is attached to the modem), all computers connected to the hub can be online at the same time.

Q 5. What's the difference between e-mail, online chat, and instant messaging?
Ans: These are three different ways of communicating with other people over the Internet. To answer your question, I'll explain each method individually.

E-mail is a way of sending individual messages to people using an e-mail server to relay the message. Because the server holds the messages for a person until he or she retrieves them, e-mail can be sent whether or not a person is online. One way to send or receive e-mail is to use a mail program such as Outlook Explorer or Mac OS X Mail that will communicate with your mail server. Another method is called Webmail (such as Hotmail or Gmail) that allows you to send messages using a Web-based interface. To send someone an e-mail message using either of these methods, you simply need to know their e-mail address.

Online Chat is a way of talking online in realtime with many people at once. Some chat rooms are available via the Web, such as Yahoo! Chat, while others require a separate software program for chatting with other users. Online chat rooms allow multiple users to join in a conversation and see what all the other people are typing. Typically chat rooms are based around certain themes, such as Teen Chat, Macintosh Chat, or Religious Chat. Using online chat, you can meet new people in an anonymous environment. You will need to choose a "screen name" to join a chat room, but the screen name can be whatever you would like it to be. I usually choose something that describes me well, like "Hot Guy."

Instant Messaging, or "IMing," is a way of communicating online with a select group of people, usually individually. To instant message someone, you need to know his or her screen name. You can save your friends' screen names in a list called a "Buddy List." In the instant messaging world, your screen name is likely to be more permanent than with online chat. Also, unlike online chat, you need to use an instant messaging program, such as AOL Instant Messenger or MSN Messenger. While online, you can open IM windows with many of your friends at once and type messages back and forth until you realize it's time for bed and you haven't done you homework yet.

Q 6. Which is better or faster - a Cable or DSL modem?
Ans: Both cable and DSL connections are significantly faster than dial-up modem connections. However, there is often debate over which is the fastest of the two.

Cable and DSL modems are typically external devices that connect to your computer's Ethernet port. However, a cable modem connects to cable wiring (the same connection used for cable TV), while a DSL modem connects to a phone jack (used for a regular phone line). While these are significantly different connections, they both provide the same "always-on" Internet access for your computer.

Both cable and DSL Internet connections have increased in speed over the last few years. As of early 2005, a typical cable connection supports speeds of 2 to 3 Mbps (Megabits per second), while a typical DSL connection supports speeds of 768 Kbps (Kilobits per second) to 1.5 Mbps. This means cable modems usually have the capability to be faster than DSL modems.
However, a cable modem shares bandwidth with other computers in the area that also have cable Internet connections. If there are many people in your neighborhood that use the same cable service, it is likely your data transfer speeds will be reduced. DSL, on the other hand, is a direct line to the phone company, and therefore is not affected by other users. So DSL generally offers a more consistent speed.

That being said, I have tried both services and found that cable Internet service is faster. I have achieved speeds of 4.3 Mbps with the Time Warner cable connection, while I have not seen anything higher than 1.5 Mbps with the Qwest DSL connection. Also, I have not noticed the cable modem bandwidth drop significantly at busy times of the day, though my transfer rates are definitely faster at night than during the afternoon.

Q 7. What does ".com" stand for in domain names?
Ans: ".com" is the most common and most recognized domain suffix. It stands for "commercial" and is used by mostly commercial websites. However, anyone who wants to register a domain name can register a name ending in .com, whether their site is going to be used for commercial purposes or not.

While .com is the most common of all domain suffixes, .net and .org are also popular. ".net" stands for "network," while ".org" stands for "organization." Again, these domains can be registered by anyone regardless of their intended use. For more information on domain suffixes, including those from countries around the world, visit the Domain Suffixes page.

Q 8. What are ten things the Internet cannot help me with?
Ans: As great as the Internet is, it can't help with everything. Here are 10 things the Internet won't do for you:
Get out of bed in the morning
Excercise at least three times a week
Make your coffee in the morning
Get rid of your coffee addiction
Climb Mt. Everest
Win the lottery
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
Do the dishes, your laundry, and vacuum
Learn to play the autoharp
Tell you what the purpose of your life is
But at least the Internet is great for browsing the Web, sending e-mails, and chatting online!
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Q 9. What does Windows XP ICS/ICF status mean?
Ans: ICS stands for "Internet Connection Sharing" and ICF stands for "Internet Connection Firewall."

Internet Connection Sharing is where two or more computers share the same Internet connection. An Internet Connection Firewall is a Windows XP-specific feature that monitors and limits incoming Internet traffic. ICS and ICF can be enabled independently, which means you can have ICF turned on and ICS off, or vice versa.

If you are sharing an Internet connection, ICF should only be enabled for the computer or router that is directly connected to your Internet connection. It should not be configured for each computer on the network. If you only have one computer connected to the Internet, you can enable ICF directly on that machine and ICS is not needed. The ICS/ICF status refers to whether or not either of the two options have been turned on.

Q 10. What is FSB?
Ans: Short for Front Side Bus, FSB is also known as the Processor Bus, Memory Bus, or System Bus and connects the CPU with the main memory and is used to connect to other components within the computer. The FSB can range from speeds of 66 MHz, 133 MHz, 100 MHz, 266 MHz, 400 MHz, and up. The FSB is now another important consideration when looking at purchasing a computer Motherboard or a new computer.

The FSB speed can generally be set either using the system BIOS or with jumpers located on the computer motherboard. While most motherboards will allow you to set the FSB to any setting, ensure that the FSB is properly set unless you plan to Overclock the computer.

Issues such as hardware lockups, data corruption or other errors may arise with older hardware, such as old SCSI cards and a newer front side bus such as a motherboard with a 100MHz FSB. Verify your component's compatibility with your motherboard and/or Motherboard FSB speed. In addition, verify that the FSB is properly set; overclocking the computer can also cause these types of issues.

Q 11. What is SMP?
Ans: SMP (symmetric multiprocessing) is the processing of programs by multiple processors that share a common operating system and memory. In symmetric (or "tightly coupled") multiprocessing, the processors share memory and the I/O bus or data path. A single copy of the operating system is in charge of all the processors. SMP, also known as a "shared everything" system, does not usually exceed 16 processors.

SMP systems are considered better than MPP systems for online transaction processing (OTP) in which many users access the same database in a relatively simple set of transactions. An advantage of SMP for this purpose is the ability to dynamically balance the workload among computers (and as a result serve more users faster).