Chapter 2 - Internet

Internet is the largest global physical network and most developed network system currently in use to connects million of people all over the world and moves information through networks. The Web, also known as World Wide Web (WWW) provides an easy-to-use multimedia interface to connect to the Internet.

End-users need to be aware of the resources available on the Internet and the Web because we don't know the information on the Internet is real or fake. The common uses of Internet is

• Communicating - We can send e-mail, message and share information with family and friends, make new friends and participate in the group discussion.
• Shopping – Shopping application is a fastest-growing application such as Shopee, Lazada and Taobao. We can window shop, look for the latest fashions, search for bargains, and make purchases.
• Searching - We can simply get the information from the Internet and search all the information we want using virtual libraries. We can find the latest local, national, and international news.
• Education - E-learning is an online education system.
• Entertainment – Online entertainments are familiar to people nowadays such as online games, music and videos downloads, live concerts, movie previews, book clubs, and interactive live games.

I almost participated in all of the activities Internet above. For me, the activities above can be most popular to everyone based on their individual interest.

We can access the Internet through the provider like Commercial Internet Service Provider (ISP). It already connected to the Internet and provide a path or connection for individuals to access the Internet. The popular Commercial Internet Service Provider is Verizon and Comcast. 

Cloud computing is where the Internet acts as a “cloud” of servers. This activity is supplied by servers. For example, Cloud in Google Apps. It uses the Internet and the web to shift many computer activities from a user’s computer to computers on the Internet. Users can use the Internet to connect to the cloud and access more powerful computers, software, and storage. Wireless communication and cloud computing are driving the mobile Internet.

• Cloud servers provide storage, processing, and memory.
• Software installation and upgrades are avoided.

Cloud Storage Services

When provided with a connection to the Internet, you can use browser to search the web. Browsers are programs that provide access to web resources. It allows you to surf the Internet and provides an uncomplicated interface to the Internet and web documents. The well-known and popular Web browsers include Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox. 

A web page may contain

• Hyperlinks - quickly connect to other pages or Web sites
• Graphics
• Text
• Multimedia elements

The location or address of the resources called uniform resource locators (URLs) must be specified for the browser to connect to resources. It has at least two basic parts which is protocol (http://) and domain name.

Blogs - personal news pages that are arranged with the most recent items shown first (Blogger)

Microblogs -  short status updates that answer the question (Twitter)

Webcast – streaming technology for live broadcast of audio and video (Youtube)

Podcast - audio and video files that can be downloaded to your computer or media player (iTunes)

Wiki – a specially designed Web site that allows visitors to edit the contents (Wikipedia - online encyclopedia)

Search Tools

1.   Search Engines - specialize programs to assist in locating information

          a.   Keyword search – enter a keyword or a phrase reflecting the information you want

          b.   Directory search (index search) - select a category or topic that fits the information you want\

2.   Web Directories (subject directories) - Organize information according to categories or topics (ex. dir.yahoo.com)

3.   Metasearch Engines - programs that automatically submit your search request to several engines simultaneously

4.   Specialized Search Engines - programs that focus on subject specific Web sites, topic : law (www.lawcrawler.com)

5.   Content Evaluation - nowadays anyone can publish to the web - not all Web information is accurate

Ways to evaluate accuracy of Web information:

• Authority 
• Accuracy
• Objectivity
• Currency 

Electronic Commerce

1.   Business to Consumer (B2C)

• Online banking - Customers use standard browser to perform many banking operations
• Financial trading - Online stock trading allows investors to research, buy, and sell stocks and bonds over the Internet
• Shopping - Buying and selling of goods via the Internet, consumers can compare products and locate bargains

2.   Consumer to Consumer (C2C)

• Auction house sites – merchandise presented for auction
• Person-person auction sites – forum for buyers and sellers
• Buyers and sellers seldom meet face-to-face
• Example auction sites include Amazon, Bidz, eBay, Sotheby’s, and Yahoo!

3.   Business to Business (B2B)

• Involves the sale of a product or service from one business to another
• manufacturer-supplier relationship : A furniture manufacturer requires raw materials such as wood and paint

Web Utilities

1.   Plug-Ins - Programs that automatically start and operate as part of you browser

• Acrobat Reader
• Flash
• QuickTime
• RealPlayer
• Silverlight

2.   Filters - Programs that block access to selected sites and can set time limits

• CyberPatrol
• Cybersitter
• iProtectYou Pro Web Filter
• Net Nanny
• Safe Eyes Platinum

3.   File Transfer Utilities - Programs that allow user upload files to Internet and download files from Internet

• File Transfer Protocol and Secure File Transfer Protocol (FTP & SFTP)
• Web-based - uses web browser to upload and download files
• BitTorrent - distributes for more efficient downloads (large file transfers across many computers)

4.   Internet Security Suites - collection of utility programs to maintain your security and privacy when surf Internet

• Protect against computer viruses
• Provide Filters
• Spam - junk or unsolicited e-mail
• • computer viruses can be attached to spam
  • Spam blockers - use a variety of different approaches to identify and eliminate spam

   

  Tips to blocking spam :

  • Choose a complex address
  • Keep a low profile
  • Don’t ever respond to spam
  • Use e-mail filter options
  • Use spam blockers