Internet,Basics,Getting,Starte DIY Internet Basics - Getting Started

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in When starting a new work at home business it is very easy to become consumed by it. We spend so much time trying to get the business up and running that we may end up becoming burned out and lose our motivation. There is so much to learn and

Everyone must be a beginner at something sometime in his life. And at somepoint, all of us were new to the internet. Even the most arrogant webmasterwho can create sites with his eyes closed was, once, struggling with theconcepts of the vast network that now connects most of the planet.So what's the best course of action when you are a beginner? I mean, mostpeople want to look like they know what they are talking about. Sometimesthe hardest thing in the entire world is to admit you know nothing or verylittle about a subject.Yet, when you are a beginner at something, that's what you have to do. Youmust admit to yourself (at least) that you are a beginner and you mustunderstand that there is something to learn about the subject. Learningabout the internet is no exception to this rule.LearningMy advice is to just jump in and start learning all you can learn. How youlearn about the internet depends upon your own preference and style. Alsoremember that you can combine learning styles as desired or needed to suityour taste.High School or college courses - Some people learn best in a scholasticatmosphere. Personally, this drives me up the wall, but others thrive on acampus with lecture halls, teachers, home room and hall monitors. If thisdescribes how you best like to learn, then by all means go for it. If youare pressed for time, remember there are night and weekend classes availableat most educational facilities. Not much money? Try community colleges -they are inexpensive and often have excellent computer curricula.Informational Web Sites - Our site has a large amount of informationdesigned to help people learn about the internet. There are many other suchsites and some of them are quite useful indeed. In fact, we learned much ofwhat we know from many of these sites, and use them to this day to expandupon our knowledge. Just be careful, however, that you understand themotivation of these web sites - often they are honest, but sometimes theyare attempting to get you to purchase something that you may not need.Trade Courses - You can find many trade schools which offer courses. Thesediffer from college in that they very short (a day to a week), they areusually very expensive (a few hundred to a few thousand per class), and theyare of limited focus and duration. Courses are great for focused, specificknowledge or for earning a certification - and they are wonderful when thebill is picked up by the company you work for. Otherwise, there are cheaper,better ways to learn your skills.Books - Don't forget books. Your local library or bookstore is one of yourbest friends, if used properly. It never ceases to amaze me to watch peoplespend small fortunes on books, courses, tapes, and classes when a bookchecked our from their tax-supported library would serve their purposes justfine. Think about it - how often will you be reading that book on MicrosoftExcel again?On The Job Training - This is the absolute best way to learn. If you want tobe a webmaster, then pick up a book, learn the basics, then find a clientwho will pay you a few hundred bucks to create a web site. If you want tobecome a computer specialist, then go get a job as a computer operator. Thisis the best way to learn.Some Information SourcesThere are many other ways to learn a subject, but what about when you wantto just find out information?Search engines and directories - These are some of your best friends. Usethe search engines and directories, and learn how to use them to find whatyou want.Ezines - Subscribe to a few ezines on subjects that you like. I wouldrecommend that you get a free mail.com email address for each ezine. Forwardthe mail to your primary email account. This way, you will find out whichezines are selling or giving away your email address. Those are the ezinesthat you cancel.Good ezines to start with? Check out zdnet.com, internet.com and cnet.com.Then expand to smaller ezines as you find them.Newsgroups and message boards - These can be excellent sources ofinformation, especially if you need to ask questions. Just be aware that youshould never spam (advertisements, even to look at your web site), and youshould expect an occasional idiot to flame you for whatever reasons suitstheir fancy. Ignore the flames.What do you need to learn about?Tools - Learn about your tools. Start by learning about your browser(Internet Explorer, Netscape, AOL, Opera or whatever). Follow with youremail client (Outlook Express, Outlook, Eudora, Netscape and so on), thenyour FTP client, newsgroup reader and whatever else you use.Follow that with the tools which help you do what you want to do. Interestedin graphics? Learn about Adobe Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro and so on. Want tobe a webmaster? Find out about web tools such as Frontpage, Dreamweaver andNotetab.Now, learn more about how it all works. Internet tips and secrets is a greatplace to start, and there are dozens more web sites which can help. If youare interested in graphics, then learn all about graphics - how they arestored, created, displayed and optimized. Become an expert on graphics. Wantto be a webmaster? Learn HTML, ASP, PHP or whatever else you need.Start cheapThere is no need to spend a lot of money at this point in time. You willneed a computer and a connection to the internet, of course. Beyond that, afree web host will work fine while you are learning how to create a website. There are demonstration copies available (30 to 90 day try outs) forjust about everything - take advantage of those before you choose whichtools you want.Stay EthicalFollow the golden rules - don't violate copyrights, don't steal software,don't flame and, well, be good. Remember, what goes around comes around. Ifyou tend to treat others as you would like to be treated, then you willgenerally get treated that way in return.The Bottom LineIf you are new to the internet, then don't be afraid to admit it. You willfind many people willing and able to help. We've all been new at one time oranother, and we've all needed an occasional bit of help. Just keep learning,continue communication and start creating. Article Tags: Learn About