Whilst the two are undeniably linked and cross-share many skills, network literacy is far different from computer literacy. Computer literacy more tends to refer to an understanding of both mechanical/technological knowledge of a computer, as well as its operating systems – being able to utilise the single device to its full capacity, whereas network literacy tends to refer to an understanding of connectivity on a more grand scale. Rather than remaining on one strand of the ‘web’, being isolated to a connected or disconnected computer server, someone who is network literate can branch out and connect to other webs, increasing access to information as well as create more broad access to conversation.

The very basis of network literacy stems from Tim Berners-Lee’s evolutionary creation of the World Wide Web; an extension of ARPANET, and additionally the introduction of HTML, otherwise known as Hypertext Mark-up Language. HTML enacts as the common language for all operating systems to understand and enable processing/dispersing information via the internet. Within its coding  the language cross-references and creates hyperlinks; a subconscious form of association and  hypertextual networking, which in the human mind is the ability to jump from one subject to another based on ones understanding of the subject itself and networking.  – creating links in commonalities. Being a far cry from previous renditions of the internet, this peer to peer (P2P) system conjoined via a central node in conjunction with hypertextual programing revolutionised networking, and became the basis for the internet as a whole.
With this leap, the internet now enacted as an encyclopaedic program, hyperlinking all of its information in order of relevancy. To know how to make the most of this and navigate the internet, you must be network literate.

In this we can see how network literacy aids a person in their search for information. With automatic hyperlinking, one who is network literate can jump from relevant source to source in maximising their reach on their given search. This may be utilised from a student in search of information on a topic, going from site to site to reach varying sources of information, to a marketing manager linking their private websites and social medias, using their own network literacy to aide those who are less network literate, create easier access to information they wish to spread/convey.