What You Will Learn

• What the difference between the Internet, an intranet, and an extranet is
• Which of the three you need
• What you should put on your Web site
• How to design a server for Internet, intranet, or extranet uses
• What e-commerce is
• Specific examples of how the Web can help your company
• How to design a Web site
• How to register a domain name
• How to pick an ISP
• What issues to consider when connecting your environment to the Internet

Introduction

Everywhere you go, you see and hear about the Web, the Net, I-this, and e-that. What kind of Web site do you have? Intranet or Internet you have to slow down when saying either one so that people don't mistakenly hear the other one; type too fast and you'll capitalize the wrong one.

The Internet has changed society not just for techies, but for everyone! It's a powerful tool that can do work for you, generate revenue, bring in customers, save money, and so on. That's a lot to do no wonder there are so many different words for it. In this chapter, we take a relative respite from the fast pace of Internet time to try to help you get a solid understanding of the Internet and its potential value to you and your organization.

11.1 Internet, Intranet, and Extranet: What's the Difference between the Three?

It is important for most corporate managers to understand the difference between these three key types of Web sites:

• Internet An Internet Web site...