Non-web

Referring to anything that is not a part of or reliant upon the World Wide Web. This encompasses a broad range of technologies, activities, and information sources that operate outside of the internet’s globally interconnected system of documents and resources. It highlights the existence of alternative methods for communication, information retrieval, data storage, and entertainment that precede or bypass web-based infrastructure. The term often implicitly contrasts with web-based applications and services, emphasizing the significance of non-web mediums in contexts such as traditional media, offline computing, and specialized hardware. The usage of 'non-web' underscores the existence of communication paradigms, platforms and technology independent of the online world's influence. The spectrum ranges from analog devices and methods to systems of offline data storage.

Non-web meaning with examples

• Before the internet, communication was a largely non-web activity. People relied on physical letters, phone calls, and face-to-face conversations. Information was disseminated through print media, radio broadcasts, and television. Purchasing goods demanded trips to brick and mortar stores. Entertainment included going to the theatre, and listening to the radio. These pre-internet, non-web methods of communication were the primary form of information transfer.
• Consider a library's holdings. Books, journals, and microfilm records represent a wealth of information stored in a non-web format. Unlike websites which can be updated rapidly, the printed word is persistent, offering an alternative method for information storage and retrieval which is outside of web-based frameworks. Librarians rely on cataloguing systems and physical shelves to store and access non-web documents offering unique challenges.
• The development of computer systems encompassed many non-web functions. The early days of computing saw the proliferation of standalone PCs, functioning independently of the web. These systems could run complex software, store files, and provide advanced processing capabilities without an internet connection. This non-web environment prioritized individual user interaction and control, a concept which evolved to current web-based designs.
• Traditional broadcast mediums, like television and radio, deliver content through non-web channels. These media deliver information via electromagnetic waves, using specific frequencies, but they are not linked with the internet. The programming schedule, availability, and reach are determined by network infrastructure. This provides a different media delivery and access model to web-based streaming.
• Businesses often use a combination of web and non-web systems. While a company might run a website for customer interaction and online sales, they could also maintain an internal network. This offline infrastructure may house sensitive company data that must stay outside of the web. Financial records or intellectual property would be protected. This hybrid environment enables flexibility and security.