Information Technology Center

The Internet

The internet is a global network of computer networks. The word internet is a PORTMANTEAU formed from two words INTERCONNECTED and NETWORK.

This lecture focuses on:

  1. Cyberspace
  2. Why use the net
  3. Who owns the net
  4. Why the net was created
  5. How the net works
  6. How to connect to the net

Cyberspace

The Internet allows you to travel through the virtual universe called Cyberspace. Once you enter Cyberspace you can communicate directly with persons on the other side of the globe. The whole earth is effectively a single virtual global village. The internet is not a single network but a very large collection of networks that are connected together to share resources. Each individual network is owned and managed differently by different sets of people.

Why use the Net

The Internet is sometimes referred to as the Information Superhighway or simply the Net. We use the NET for many reasons which include :

  1. To communicate using electronic mail and social media sites
  2. Online chat
  3. Searching for information
  4. Up-to-date news
  5. Education and Research
  6. eBusiness - buying and selling of goods and services electronically
  7. Entertainment - playing online games
  8. Downloading and uploading files (music, video, software )

Four Services are available on the Net

  1. Communications services - email, chat
  2. File access and transfer services
  3. Terminal emulation services
  4. The World Wide Web

Who Owns the net

Although the internet grew out of a project started in 1969 by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) of the United States Deprtment of Defense no one owns it. The different networks that make up the internet are owned and managed by individuals, government agencies, companies and organizations but no one owns the net.

Why was the net created

The net was developed to allow scientific and military personnel to communicate over a large geographic area. It was designed to provide reliable communication even if parts of it were to be damaged.

How the net works

Hardware and software are needed to connect to the internet. A home personal computer with a modem can connect to a main computer at an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The computer at the ISP remains connected to the net at all times while users may dial in using a modem along with special software. This slow dial-up method is no longer common. Many users now use broadband internet service from a telephone company.

How Users connect

Users may connect to the net via telephone, cable, satellite. Many use their cell phones. Two types of software are needed : An implementation of TCP/IP ( Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol ) and a web browser like google chrome.

TCP/IP is really two protocols or two sets of rules that determine how data is to be transmitted and received.

Web browsers such as Microsoft Edge, Firefox and Chrome allow users to enter a web address, press the enter key then they display the information on a webpage. Webpages are created using Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).

Test Yourself

Choose the correct answer
Questions Options Verify
 1)  The US Government owns the internet True
False
 2)  The net was created for facebook users and gamers . True
False
 3)  The internet is a global network of networks. True
False
 4)   The only software needed for the net is a web browser. True
False
 5)   A protocol is a set of communication rules. True
False
 6)  The daily newspaper provides more up to the minute news than the internet. True
False

Assignment

1. Internet users should avoid making their personal data available to other net users. Why?

2. Besides your name and date of birth what three personal data items would you advise new users on the net to avoid making public?

3. Can you think of any possible danger of placing personal images on a social website as Facebook?

4. What is HTML and what is it used for?