chapter 2

• Internet


  Largest and most well-known computer network, linking millions of computers all over the world
• ARPANET


  The predecessor of the Internet, named after the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), which sponsored its development
• World Wide Web


  The collection of Web pages available through the Internet
• World Wide Web


  • Proposed by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989
  • Originally only text-based content; release of the Mosaic browser in 1993 led to graphical content
  • Wide variety of content available via Web pages today (social networking, RSS, podcasts, blogs and wikis)

  
• Internet2


  Researches advanced Internet applications and technologies
• Members of the Internet community

  • Users
  • Internet service providers (ISPs)
  • Internet content providers
  • Application service providers (ASPs)
  • Web service
  • Infrastructure companies
  • Hardware and software companies
  • Government and other organizations
• Internet service providers (ISPs)


  Provide access to the Internet, typically for a fee
• Internet content providers


  Provide Internet content (Businesses, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, Individuals)
• Application service providers (ASPs)

  Companies that manage and distribute software-based services over the Internet (Web-based software, Software as a Service (SaaS), cloudware, often fee-based business software)
• Web service


  Added to a Web page to provide specific services for end users
• Infrastructure companies


  Own or operate the physical structure of the Internet (Conventional and mobile phone companies, cable companies, and satellite Internet providers)
• Hardware and software companies


  Provide the hardware and software used in conjunction with the Internet and Web
• Government and other organizations

  Some countries limit information and access, FCC influences communications, Internet Society (ISOC) addresses issues impacting the future of the internet, Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) manages domain and IP, World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) sets protocols and standards
• The Internet is not free, most people and businesses pay for Internet access
• No single group or organization controls the Internet, governments can regulate Internet use within its country but it is difficult to enforce
• Internet


  Physical network
• World Wide Web


  One resource (Web pages) available via the Internet
• Devices used to access the Internet

  • Personal computers
  • Mobile phones
  • Gaming devices
  • Televisions
• Types of Internet connections

  • Dial-up
  • Direct (always on) - Cable, DSL, Satellite, Fixed wireless, Broadband over Fiber, Mobile wireless, Hotspot
• Dial-up


  Uses standard phone lines, uses modem to dial-up ISP, inconvenient, slower but cheaper, ties up phone lines, relatively secure from hackers
• Direct (always on)


  Device is continually connected to the Internet, typically broadband, fast speeds needed for many Web activities today, important to protect computer from hackers
• Cable


  Most widely used home broadband connection, fast (between 5 and 20 Mbps), requires a cable modem
• DSL


  Broadband delivered over telephone lines, must be less than 3 miles from a switching station, transmits over telephone lines but does not tie up the line, typically 1-7 Mbps
• Satellite


  Broadband option for rural areas, slower and more expensive that cable or DSL, available in many areas other broadband options are not, requires satellite modem and transceiver dish
• Fixed wireless


  Uses radio transmission towers rather than satellites, not available in all areas, uses Wi-Fi or WiMAX
• Broadband over Fiber (BoF)


  Delivers over fiber-optic cabling all the way to the building, also called Fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP), fast, available in limited areas, requires special networking equipment
• Mobile wireless


  Access via mobile phone or device
• Hotspot


  Public wireless networks (Wi-Fi), both free and fee-based are available
• Setting up your computer for Internet access

  1. Install necessary hardware

  2. Install necessary software

  3. Select user name, access telephone number (for dial-up connections), and a payment method

  4. Perform any necessary set-up to share the connection with other computers or devices
• Keyword search


  Keywords are typed in a search box to locate information on the Internet, matching Web pages are called hits
• Directory search


  Categories are selected to locate information on the Internet
• Search engine


  Program used by many search sites to retrieve matching Web pages from their database
• Search strategies


  1. Phrase searching (more than one keyword)

  2. Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT)

  3. Multiple search sites

  4. Appropriate keywords

  5. Synonyms (different words that mean the same thing)

  6. Variant word forms (variations of your keywords, alternate spellings, etc.)

  7. Wildcards (such as * to search for keyword patterns)

  8. Field searches (searches limited to a particular characteristic, such as page title, page text, URL, top level domain or Web site)
• To avoid plagiarism, proper citation procedures should be used for all Internet content used in a paper, book, or on a Web site
• The author is not specified
• The source is Understanding Computers: Today and Tomorrow, 13th Edition
• The date is not specified, but the book is the 13th edition
• Plagiarism is discussed in more detail in Chapter 16
• Keyword search


  User selects a category matching the topic for which he or she is searching
• Directory search


  User selects a category matching the topic for which he or she is searching