Frequently Asked
Questions
What is the
Internet?
What is
a Domain name?
What is
a Web Browser?
What is a Web
Server?
What is a Web
Host?
Why
should my organization have a website?
Is the Internet
secure for my business transactions?
Should
churches and ministries be involved with the Internet?
Is
the Internet safe for my children?
THE INTERNET
The Internet is the worldwide collection of computers,
networks, and gateways that use TCP/IP protocols to communicate with one
another. At the heart of the Internet are high-speed data communication
lines between major host computers consisting of thousands of commercial,
government, educational, and other company systems, that route data and
messages. Currently the Internet offers a range of services to users,
such as e-mail, the World Wide Web, FTP Usenet newsgroups, Gopher, IRC,
telnet, and others.
Top
DOMAIN NAME
A domain name is the Internet equivalent of a physical
business, ministry, organization or person. It allows people to access
Internet sites without knowing the true numerical address. Every domain name
contains two or more components separated by periods, called “dots.”
www.divwebdesigns.com
The www is for world wide web, divwebdesigns is my company id,
and com stands for commercial entity.
There are sub domains that are also available such as:
members.xoom.com/EABrown
Top
WEB BROWSER
A web browser is the tool(program) that is run on your
computer and allows you to view web pages and surf the web. The most popular
web browsers at this time are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet
Explorer.
Top
WEB SERVER
A web server is a computer that provides web services on the
Internet or on a local intranet. When a request for a web page comes from the
browser , the basic web server:
-
Reads the request from the browser
-
Finds the page in the server
-
Sends the page back across the Internet to the browser
Top
WEB HOST
A Web Host is the computer on which a web site is physically
located. There are many companies that provide this service at various fees
depending on your requirements. There are some that provide free hosting
service if you agree to certain conditions.
We will work with you until you find a web hosting company
that meets your organizational and technical business needs.
We will eventually offer Web Hosting Services to our clients
as well.
Top
BENEFITS OF THE
INTERNET
Whether you are a business, ministry, or non-profit
organization, the Internet can benefit you in many ways. It is an excellent
marketing and research tool in addition to being used for communication,
generating revenue, or offering improved services to your client base. These
are just a few facts to help you see the benefit of a website.
MARKETING
| Businesses |
Ministries |
Non-Profit Organizations |
Increase Market Share
|
Increase Outreach/Missions Area
|
Increase Community Awareness
|
Number of years to reach 50
million people
-
Radio 38 years
-
TV 13 years
-
Cable 10 years
-
Internet 5 years
|
SERVICE
| Businesses |
Ministries |
Non-Profit Organizations |
| Improve Customer
Service |
Service Public, Local
and Global Churches & Ministries |
Improve Service
to Members & Patrons |
Uses for a Website
-
Online Retail
-
Targeted Marketing
-
Company, Product, &
Service Info
-
Mailing Lists/ Guestbooks/Newsletters
|
REVENUE/EXPENSES
| Businesses |
Ministries |
Non-Profit Organizations |
| Reduce Advertising Costs
& Generate Revenue |
Exercise Better Financial
Stewardship |
Reduce Advertising Costs
& Increase Contributions |
Cost per transaction in
the Banking Industry
-
Branch Visit $ 1.07
-
Telephone .54
-
ATM .27
-
Internet .01
-
U.S. Businesses will trade over $300
Billion in Goods and Services over the Internet by the year 2002.
|
Top
SECURITY
With the exploding popularity of the Internet and electronic
commerce, security has become an important consideration. There are
always those individuals who will hack into government or corporate networks
in order to steal or alter data. We must make sure that our data is
protected from unauthorized access. Most ISP's and Web Hosting companies
require some form of password protection from the administrator of your site.
The primary security concern is in the area of Ecommerce where you will have
to consider some form of added security for your products and customers
financial transactions. SSL - Secure Sockets Layer originally designed
by Netscape has become the favorite method for providing secure electronic
commerce over the Web.
Top
CHURCHES AND THE
INTERNET
There are spiritual as well as practical reasons for churches to have a web
presence on the Internet. In light of all of the negative satanic information
that is being communicated across the Internet and the affect it is having on
our youth in particular, it is critical that we attempt to win souls on the
battleground.
When the light shines in the darkness, the darkness can
not overcome it! John 1:5
Exalt and Glorify Christ- Jesus
said in John 12:32 KJV "If I be lifted up from the earth I’ll draw
all men unto me."
( Worship Music and Spiritual Graphics)
Evangelize the Lost- Jesus said in
Matthew 28:19-20 TEV "Go then to all peoples everywhere and make them
my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you."
Prov.11:30 "He who wins souls is wise."
( Salvation Plan, Missions Updates)
Edify the Body of Christ-
Ephesians 4:11-12 KJVstates "And he gave some apostles: and some
prophets and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers: For the
perfecting of the saints for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of
the body of Christ.
(Newsletters, Church Events, Bible Study)
Exercise Good Financial Stewardship
1 Cor. 4:2 "Now it is required that those who have been given a
trust must prove faithful". Mt. 25:14-29 "Parable of the
Talents".
(Tapes, Videos, Books)
The Internet is not a new concept. Only the technology and
methods are new. The "concept" of recording, storing, retrieving,
and communicating data existed in heaven before man was created.
There are numerous scripture references concerning our deeds,
thoughts, words , laws, and events being recorded by God. Rev. 20:12 states
"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne and
books were opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according
to what they had done as recorded in the books." In the old testament
there were scribes and record keepers. In the book of Ezra 6:1, king Darius
made a decree and a search was made in the "house of the rolls." In
the Strongs concordance the Hebrew word for house is "bayith" which
has several meanings one of which is " web"!
Truly God is the Divine
Webmaster!
Top
CHILDREN AND THE
INTERNET
The Internet can be a valuable learning and research tool when
managed properly. Because of the interactive nature of the Internet and
the ability to communicate with people and explore a wide variety of content,
I do not recommend unsupervised Internet usage for children under 18.
There is a lot of violent, hate-filled, pornographic, and satanic information
on the web and allowing your child to visit chat rooms and surf the web
unsupervised is an invitation for trouble!!! Do not let the Computer or
TV be a babysitter!!!
The chat rooms are a special area of concern because
many pedophiles are attracted to children's sites and pretend to be children
in order to lure our youth into temptation and dangerous situations.
Just read the papers!! We must pray and ask God for wisdom.
Excessive Internet usage could also be a warning sign.
Our children must have a balance spiritually, academically, and socially.
Surfing the web all day could lead to poor social development. Encourage
other church, community, recreational or sporting activities!
Top
Ecommerce statistics taken from Actium Consulting Firm 1999.
