The World Wide Web -
- The Internet

If you have your own Web Site, it is important to know how the Internet works and what part you have to play in it.  The following diagram and associated text is an attempt to explain some of the important components of the Internet and how they affect you.
Domain Name Registry
Servers forming part of the Internet
Your Internet Service Provider's Server
Your Domain Hosting Service Provider's Server
Your Internet connection
Information flowing throughout the Internet
Email collected by you
Your computer
How does it work?
To gain access to the Internet, you enter into an agreement with an Internet Service Provider (ISP).  
     
This ISP will also provide you with an Email address, which means that you can collect email from a "mailbox" located on the ISP's server.
  
Your computer is configured to access the Internet by passing through this ISP's computer "server" AND your computer is configured to collect email from the ISP's server.
         
When you have your own Web site, this means that you have a registered Domain name.  This name is exclusive to you - a unique name that is unable to be owned by anyone else in the world.  The Domain name is included in your web address eg www.yourdomainname.com.au. 
        
Your Web site must be stored on a Host Server.  This is a different type of Internet Service provision and therefore is usually provided by a different ISP.
      
This Web Hosting service provider also provides you with Email services ie Mailboxes and the ability to set-up and use your own email addresses eg info@yourdomainname.com.au.
     
Your Host Server and your own computer must be configured to access and collect email from these mailboxes. Note: This is something that is commonly overlooked by many businesses.
    
When people access your Web site or send you email, the Domain Name Registry directs their electronic communication to your ISPs' servers.  That is, if the communication is referencing your Domain (for Web information or passing on email) it is directed to your Web Host's Server OR if it is email being sent to your Internet access ISP provided email address (eg yourname@yourISP.com.au), then it is directed to your Internet Access ISP's server.  The diagram (above) may explain this a little better.
      
The most important thing to remember about your Internet presence and related Email is that you must be aware of what you have and that you are getting the most benefit from it.  For protection of your business interests, it is also strongly recommended that you know and retain details of all usernames and passwords for all internet related services provided by ISPs.  If you do not have these details, contact your Web Developer and ask for them.
       
This is only a very basic explanation of the 2 major Internet functions.  If you would like more details, please contact me (Di O'Shea - Quality Matters) on di@infm.com or mobile phone 0417 779 552.
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