Q.How can I "Surf the Net"using World-Wide-Web?
A.The World-Wide-Web is a "multi-media, hyptertext"system that makes information from thousands of computers across the globe available to Internet users in an easy-to-find, easy-to-use fashion. All you need to get in on the fun is a WWW "browser"-- a program that lets you read WWW. Popular browsers include Mosaic, Netscape, and Lynx. Mosaic and Netscape work on networked Macs and PCs; Lynx is available in Minerva.
Here's how it works. Enter WWW by clicking on the Mosaic or Netscape icon, if you are working with a networked Mac or PC, or by typing "lynx"at the Minerva (or Mercury) prompt. First, you will see a hypertext document appear on the screen: this is a page where some of the expressions are highlighted. Simply read the text and, when you see a highlighted expression that interests you, select it; you will then receive another document that gives more details on the highlighted expression. This is Surfin'the Net!
With Mosaic or Netscape, you'll find lots of cool graphics -- and at times even sounds or motion pictures -- on WWW. With Lynx, it is not possible to receive images or sounds, but you'll still find loads of useful, fun information in text form.
A good place to start browsing WWW is The Internet Directory. This includes The Whole Internet Catalog, EINet Galaxy, Yahoo, Best of the Web '94, and several other indexes that offer useful "hot links"for navigating the World-Wide-Web. The Internet Directory is at the following address:
http://home.mcom.com/home/ internet-index.html
Q.How can I use the CSO phone books to find an address at another college or university?
A.First, enter YaleInfo. You can do this by clicking the YaleInfo icon on a networked Mac or PC, or by typing "yaleinfo"at the Minerva (or Mercury) prompt. Then select the "People on the Internet"option and, after that, the "CSO Phone Books"option. From there, it's simply a matter of following the geographical clues until you reach the college or university you want, and then entering the necessary information to track down the person you want to find.
Q.I need a music fix. Help me!
A.Check out the World-Wide-Web homepage for New Haven's own What the Cat Dragged In. Cool graphics, tunes, pointers to other music hot spots. Might I recommend "(Drinkin'Myself) Into a Hole"for a little online entertainment. The address is:
http://noodle.med.yale.edu/ ~mceachen
Q.Where can I go for help with all this network stuff?
A.The Internet Information Center, located in the Yale Computer Center, 175 Whitney Avenue. The center is open 1-5 pm weekdays and by appointment. Also, feel free to call 432-5116 or to write iic@minerva.cis.yale.edu. This month's Q&A was written by Lane Witt (Lane.Witt@yale.edu), a graduate student in the History department and a consultant working at the Internet Information Center.