This page contains brief, introductory information inspired by questions asked by people around the web. This page here contains reasonably short concise answers or information with some useful links or images to help clarify answers.
29 October 2006
updated: 15 April 2008
Internet fundamental sites
When we think of the internet and some of the most important sites to know about the following come to mind:
Yahoo!
This is probably the first site that became popular on the internet. It is our introduction to the World wide web(WWW). It was originally the first human edited index on other wesbites.
Google
Although not the first internet search engine it was one of the first that became hugely popular due to its clear interface and clear seperation of search results and advertising.
Wikipedia
A relative new comer but it the first open encyclopedia that almost anyone can contribute to. Due to it's open structure it can be a little unreliable but it has various methods to keep it mostly accurate.
Ebay
One of the first commercial website that allows mostly individuals to auction items. People are able to sell and buy items using a bidding system or a buy now function in some cases.
Amazon
Another very early website that was one of the first online bookstores. But now has diversified into selling a wide range of other goods.
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These sites chosen are examples of sites that have been or are deeply connected to the internet. It doesn't include newspaper websites of computer companies that existed well before the WWW became popular.
(Click on any of the images to take you directly to the sites)
Myspace
A relative newcomer and is sometimes refered to a s social networking site. Originally developed for people organising bands but now is more generally a social site.
Facebook
Another recent social networking website that is characterised by having a cleaner more structured interface
YouTube
A major new comer and is a video sharing website. It allows users to upload their home video and allow people to view it.
Blogger
This is a relatively older site and allows users to easily create a web log of daily activities in a chronological order usually from most recent to an archive. There are various types from serious journalists to tourists reporting on their own adventures.
Hotmail
This was one of the first free email websites that became and is still massively popular. It is a web based email meaning you only need a web browser to access your email anywhere you are connected the internet.