🚀 go-pugleaf

Here's what I do, and it seems to get the point across.

Step one: I describe the Net as a communication *system.* I then tell
folks that the Web, email, FTP etc. are *sub* systems. I get around to
the term "protocol" -- and I do get there -- after I explain that these
different sub-systems use different "rules and procedures" for making
the communicating work. These rules and procedures are the "protocols."
Everyone nods with great understanding, but I'm not fooled. This
description of systems and subsystems, while very clear to (only) some
of the folks, is still abstract. So I go to step two.

Step two: I mention the various non-Net ways we use to communicate --
methods that everyone is familiar with. I mention face-to-face
conversation, telephone, letters (snail mail), telegrams, faxes and
"Fed-Ex & co." I point out that, when I send someone a fax, I do not use
an envelope: that's not part of the correct rules and procedures for
sending a fax.

People do seem to get it at this point.

I use this "rules and procedures" distinction to lead me
into the various kinds of software we use to actually *use* the Web or
email.

Jay Gerard