What is "the internet"?

What is "the internet"? Technically, the "internet" is all the computers in the world that are connected, includin...

What is "the internet"?

Technically, the "internet" is all the computers in the world that are connected, including the technologies (routers, servers, etc (which are also computers actually) as well as the wires and antennas that keep all the computers talking to each other.

So the "internet" is not just your web email. It is everything that goes over those wires from one computer to another: the email itself, web sites, messenger (such as Yahoo Messenger or MSN Messenger), phone calls on Skype, messages from an ATM to a bank, ...

importance of the internet to you

Because of all these things, the "internet" is a gigantic library, as well as a world-wide message board, telephone network, and publishing medium. It is open 24 hours a day, and you can find anything you want there, and say anything you want.

As well as current events and blogs, information about almost any subject is available in depth and up to date. This is incredibly valuable for every subject you can imagine. Almost every college and government research organization is "on the web", along with libraries, educational institutions, associations, and many commercial directories and sites,

If you appreciate the richness of the Web and the Internet, and get the benefits yourself, then you will be better able to provide services on them. You don't have to know how to do those technical things yourself — but if you know what is useful, then you will be able to direct your technical staff.

importance of the internet to your organisation

What does your organisation do?

Broadly, i think one could classify your organisation's jobs into something like this:

• "Communication" 
  with other organisations, with your members, with your staff, with your supporters and donors.

some great ways: letters, phone calls, faxes, meetings

additional ways: email, messenger, web pages, mail lists, web site message boards

• "Publishing" your message to the world.

some great ways: books, journals, brochures, press releases, workshops, conferences, lectures.

additional ways: website with conference proceedings, PDF files of your publications, blogs, newsfeeds

• "Customer support" 
  the people you are helping through your organisation.