The Internet also known as the Net is the world's largest computer network . “ And what is a network”? You may ask. A computer network is basically a bunch of computers booked together somehow. In concept, it's sort of like a radio or TV network that connect a bunch of radio or TV stations.
Some computer networks consist of a central computer and a bunch of remote stations that report to it-a central airlinereservation computer, for example, with thousands of terminals at airports and travel agencies. Other, including the Internet, permit any computer on the network to communicate with any other.
The Internet is probably the most open network in the world. Thousands of computers provide facilities that are available to anyone who has Net access. This situation is unusual-most networks are very restrictive in what they allow users to do and require a pecific arrangements and passwords for each service. Although a few
pay services exist, the vast majority of Internet services are free for the taking , onc


Internet，也叫做Net，是世界上最大的計算機網(wǎng)絡(luò)。你也許會問：“什么是網(wǎng)絡(luò)？”計算機網(wǎng)絡(luò)，簡單地說，就是通過某種方法被連在一起的若干計算機。從概念上講，就像若干無線電臺或電視臺連成無電線網(wǎng)絡(luò)或電視網(wǎng)絡(luò)一樣。
某些計算機網(wǎng)絡(luò)包括一個中心計算機和若干與中心計算機相聯(lián)的遠端的計算機。例如．一臺飛機訂票系統(tǒng)的中心計算機，就與各個機場和旅行社的上萬臺終端相連。其它類型的計算機網(wǎng)絡(luò)，包括Internet,允許網(wǎng)絡(luò)中每臺計算機與另一臺計算機通信。
Internet可能是世界上最開放的網(wǎng)絡(luò)。任何人，只要聯(lián)入Net，就能利用上萬臺計算機提供的服務(wù)。這種情況是不多見的，很多網(wǎng)絡(luò)在允許用戶使用方面限制性較強，并且對每項服務(wù)均有特別安排的口令。盡管有一些服務(wù)需要繳費，但絕大多數(shù)Internet的服務(wù)都是只要你連通了就可免費享受。如果你通過公司、學(xué)校還不能進人Internet，你可以付費給Internet訪問權(quán)提供商來進入Internet。