Internet FAQ
What is FTP?
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. Across the Internet are millions of files and programs stored on distant computers which you can transfer to your own hard disk. The P stands for Protocol (a set of rules) allowing computers to communicate together), and allows for the successful downloading of files from distant computers.
To transfer programs and files using FTP, you need a special file transfer program known as an FTP client. These are easily available for all makes of computer and you are normally given one when you sign up with your service provider. If not, they are obtainable over the Internet as shareware. There are many ways to log into an FTP site although there are two common methods. Firstly, you can use the standard FTP client software or secondly, access an FTP site using a web browser. Many FTP sites will need a user name and access code although many do not and are known as Anonymous FTP sites. These sites have full public access and when asked for a user name, you simply type in anonymous. For the password, you usually type in your email address.
What is IRC?
This stands for Internet Relay Chat and allows for live conversations over the Internet. It is made up of a series of networks on the Internet where people can hold live conversations with one another. These conversations are made not by talking into a microphone, but by typing on a keyboard. Rather like a CB radio, IRC networks are split up into a series of channels in which you can only talk to people on the same one.
The discussions vary from one channel to another and can range from computer talk to teenage gossip, and from politics to classic cars. IRC networks have their own society and rules. It has its own etiquette which comprises of different smilies to show different emotions and special abbreviations to speed up conversations. Because nobody can see or hear other each other, it allows users to take on a new identity and thus escape their normal lives.
What is SLIP/PPP?
For this option you need a computer, Modem and a Service Provider. The protocols used on a dial-up connection are either SLIP (Serial Line Internet protocol) which is a subset of TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), designed for use with serial ports or PPP (Point-to-Point), an advanced protocol and more stable than SLIP. PPP is the most commonly used protocol that allows direct Internet connection.
Email services (POP3 and SMTP)?
There are two types of email, which are explained below:
POP3 - This stands for Post Office Protocol and is designed for a single user to read mail from a server. POP3 is the latest version. Mail will automatically be delivered to the user unless he/she wishes to collect it.
SMTP - This stands for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol and involves the user collecting and sending mail to and from their Server. This is possibly the commonest of the two and usually used to send mail.
What's the difference between the various search engines like Yahoo, Alta Vista, Google and Lycos?
Search engines breakdown into two categories, directories and indexes. Directories are good at identifying general information. They group websites together under similar categories, such as Internet tutorials, English universities and Paris museums. Yahoo! and Magellan are two popular directories.The results of your search will be a list of websites that cover the subject you are searching for. Web indexes are useful if you want more specific information, because they search all the contents of a site, not just the file name.
Indexes use software programs called spiders or robots that scour the Internet, analyzing millions of web pages and newsgroup postings, indexing all of the words. Indexes like Google, Alta Vista, Lycos and WebCrawler find individual pages of a website that match your search, even if the site itself has nothing to do with what you are looking for.
Can I catch a virus over the Internet?
The odds of your computer catching a virus on the Internet are slim, but it's no fun if you do. Viruses, worms and Trojan horses are software programs created specifically to wreak havoc on computers and networks. These destructive programs may start out on one computer, but they very quickly get copied and sent to other computers around the world. But keep in mind that most personal computer viruses are spread through floppy discs or by running infected programs.
If you download and run a lot of software from the Net, there's always the chance of bringing home one of these bugs. So, how do you protect yourself? There are excellent virus protection programs available that scan your hard drive for viruses and delete them.
What should our school put on a website?
Basically anything that has to do with the school can and should be included on your web site. Decide on the following questions: How would you like your site to look? What do you want to include in it? Who do you see as your potential audience? School sites vary, some include school policies, information on subjects, school news, staff and student profiles, useful lesson ideas. Children's work such as pictures, projects, links, puzzles, poetry, news items are strongly encouraged. We want to put particular emphasis on pupil created content. Schools, we feel should create active web sites which will reflect what's going on in the school.
I want to create a website but know nothing about HTML or using graphics.
If you want to find out more about HTML, go to the NCTE Web Publishing Centre. There are also some very good introductions to using HTML on the web such as and how to deal with graphics, links, and colours. You should also consider using a web editor which takes a lot of the donkey work out of creating web pages. The standard of web editors is improving all the time, and there are many free shareware and freeware versions available on the Internet.
Is there much to keeping a website properly maintained?
You will need to decide initially how the site is to be managed and what structure it will take. The person who has ultimate responsibility for the website must look after the following: create and design the site, decide on the material to publish on the site, reply to the emails that are sent to the website, and constantly update and maintain the material on the site. Many schools successfully use student editorial groups to maintain and update the content. The school website is used as a Transition Year Project in some schools. You may be surprised at how creative and quick some of the students can be.
We want to link our website to the Scoilnet website, can we do this?
Yes, that is no problem at all, simply send an email to scoilnet@ncte.ie.
How do you go about getting connected to the Internet?
The best thing is to contact an Internet service provider; they will give you all of the information on how to set up an account. Also, see our section on Using the Internet.
Is it advisable to let each child set up an Internet email account for its own personal use?
We would highly recommend that you do not give children access to this sort of facility. The Internet is a highly powerful tool and if used correctly, will give many educational benefits. However, there are those who misuse the Internet and so it is wise to have a policy on safe use of the Internet. See our Internet Safety section for more information.
Is there any way in which to block access to Internet websites?
It is possible to block access, to do this you have to purchase software programmes which act as a filtering device. There are various different software packages available such as, Net Nanny, Cybersitter, Cyber Patrol. These packages can be purchases from any good supplier of software. Cyber Patrol is available on the computer which was supplied by Eircom. See our Internet Safety section for more information.
We have received a copy of the video 'Up and Running' is it possible to receive another copy?
Unfortunately no, there is only one copy per school.
We have received the Irish/English version of the video 'Up and Running' would it be possible to get an English/Irish copy?
That's no problem, please contact the NCTE at 01 700 8200.
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