What is the Internet?

A collection of computers linked together in a worldwide network.

What is a web site?

A collection of documents and images held on one of those computers, which can be viewed by anyone with a computer and an Internet connection.

So what can you find on the "U's Net" web site?

The site has several sections offering a wide variety of information as well as the chance to share your opinions with other U's. But the most important and popular section of the site is U's News, where the latest news and gossip can be viewed. Updated almost every day, this page relays news about the latest games, transfers, injuries, ticket news etc. from a number of sources.

Since the latter stages of last season, when Steve Greenall first saw the web site, the news service has improved greatly thanks to increased involvement from the club. Now instead of asking for information I get the news as soon as something happens and it can be on the web site within minutes. Steve, Graham Eales and Andy Pincher have all provided material for the site and the benefits extend beyond the U's News page into other areas of the site.

One recent example of how much better United is at communicating with the supporters, compared to other clubs, is the way Leyton Orient fans have been logging onto U's Net in their droves to read the latest developments on the 'Billy' Beall front!

The news page also relays information from other sources such as the local and national media, gossip gleaned by members of the "Moosenet" mailing list, fans of other clubs and their web sites.

Another important part of the site is the "This Season" section. This is where you can read the full season's fixtures for the first team, reserves and youth team. Results are included as soon as possible and match reports for first team games are usually available within a day of mid-week games or the Monday following a Saturday match. The reports are written by United fans and are usually posted to the "Moosenet" list for the benefit of fans all over the world … and they are, literally, all over the world. Even chairman Reg Smart looked at the site recently from his holiday in Thailand.

Last weekend, when nearly three hundred supporters made the long trip to watch the Torquay match, "Moosenet" received half a dozen reports and the most detailed ones can be read on the web site. If you are interested in matches from previous seasons, similar reports are archived for the last two seasons.

"This Season" also keeps details of the players' appearances to date, the leading goalscorers, various other statistics and the current League table.

I will continue this guide around U's Net next time.