Internet 101

The web has developed well beyond the static display of images and text. Sites that can provide users with a variety of interactive services are now common. Most of these services are realized using a handful of basic technologies that predate the web itself, but the development of new systems and standards is proceeding at an unprecedented pace. The new technologies that are on the cutting edge today will be commonplace within a matter of months, and as this happens, tools will be developed that make them easier to use.

Forms have been a part of the HTML standard almost since its inception. They are the most common tool used to gather input from users. The HTML standard defines the tags used to create the different objects used in forms, such as input boxes, pick lists, and buttons, and to assign variable names to the data provided by the user.
A form requires a script or a program in order to put the user data to any use. An HTML page that contains a form will specify the CGI program that makes use of the data, referring to the information gathered by the variable names defined in the page. The program that is called can do anything that a programmer is capable of making it do, from sending an email containing the user data to adding it to a database.

Cookies are files that are stored on a user's computer by the code on a web site containing information that is specific to that particular user. When the user returns to that site at another time, the information in the cookie file can be accessed and used again. Saving such information on the user's machine makes far more sense than trying to index and save it on the web server.
Cookies are typically used to save user preferences. For example, The Company's web site uses a cookie to store users screen display preferences. When you opt to view the site in text-only or frames mode, you selection is saved in a cookie file and recalled whenever you access the site again.
Cookies can be used to save all kinds of environmemtal specifications. If you customize the look of the home page at the Microsoft Network site, your selections are all saved in a cookie file.
The use of cookies necessarily gives rise to a question of security. If web sites are to be allowed to save files to your hard drive, what is there to stop unscrupulous persons from sending unwanted code containing viruses or worse, advertisements. Internet Explorer will, by default, seek your approval before saving a cookie to your drive. You can disable this feature if you wish. As more and more sites use them, approving each cookie can become very annoying, and there is as yet little real danger in accepting them.
Remote Administration

The web browser is rapidly becoming the most ubiquitous piece of computer software on the planet. It provides a universal cross platform interface to computer systems of all types. It is very likely that within a year or two, the browser will become the standard interface for virtually all of your software. Internet Explorer 4.0 will be a fully integrated part of the Windows operating system, essential to its functionality.
Most client/server software products are currently developing a client that uses a web browser to interface with the server. This not only saves on software development costs, but also cuts user training time and provides remote functionality over the Internet.
The Company is currently developing browser-based administration utilities for ARCserve and its other products.
Microsoft currently provides remote web administration utilities for both its Internet Information server (on which this web site is currently running) and for the Windows NT operating system. The NT administrator allows you to create users, manage services, and even reboot the server, all through the web browser.