Julie Wolpers Internet Basics :: Julie Wolper

Internet BasicsJulie Wolpers Internet Basics was originally offered by the Telecommunication Community Resource Center and represents a developing phenomena on the Web -- the free course. In fact, this is not so much a course as it is a self-directed tutorial, an outgrowth of the early guide learning modules that first appeared in PLATO and in early DOS and Macintosh programs.Wolpers work offers its users a brief guide to the Internet (along with an introduction written by Dan Duvall). It includes descriptions of such technologies as the Web, downloads, e-mail and newsgroups, a collection I found oddly conceived till I worked through the aim the technologies chosen all fill within her stated vision of the Internet. . . a network of linked computers allowing participants to share information on those computers.Given that understanding and conceptualization of the Internet (and its unmatched that is certainly defensible, if not one that is rapidly becoming the standard), her ch oices make perfect sense. And her information is very down to earth, succinct and accurate her brief summation of the story of the Internet, for instance, is right on the button, and useful for helping new users begin to think about the issues involved in using and being part of the Web.Though the site is decidedly kinesthetic in its approach -- users are often enjoined to try this and links take them to places where the technology theyve just installed can be used. But the book of instructions can often be mercilessly brief and I wonder if newcomers could hope to follow them without more step by step instruction mountain up a downloads area The first step here is to create a new folder or directory on your hard drive entitled, simply, downloads. This charge can reside anywhere you like. I keep mine on the desktop where I can easily find the new things I get. whatever people also find it helpful to put the download directory at the root level of thei r c drive.How many new time users are guaranteed to jockey how to create a folder at all, let alone locate it on their desktop? Admitted, knowing how to create a folder is not stringently speaking part of the content of a course about using online technology, but its certainly germane.