Internet
BASICS OF INTERNET
The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers that allows users to share information and communicate with each other worldwide. It connects millions of computers and devices through wired and wireless networks.
The Internet is widely used for communication, information sharing, education, and entertainment.
Need for Internet
The Internet is needed because:
It provides quick access to information
It enables communication through email and messaging
It supports online education and research
It allows online services such as banking and shopping
Basic Components of Internet
1. Computer or Device
A computer, mobile phone, or tablet is required to access the Internet.
2. Internet Connection
An Internet connection is provided by an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
3. Modem / Router
A modem or router connects the device to the Internet.
4. Web Browser
A web browser is software used to access websites.
Examples: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer
Internet Services
The Internet provides various services such as:
World Wide Web (WWW)
File Transfer (FTP)
Online Chat and Video Calling
Common Internet Terms
Website – A collection of web pages
Web Page – A single page on the Internet
URL – Address of a website
Search Engine – Used to find information on the Internet
Advantages of Internet
Fast communication
Easy access to information
Online learning and business
Global connectivity
HISTORY OF THE INTERNET
The Internet is a global network of computers that allows people to share information, data, and resources worldwide. Today, the Internet is used for communication, education, business, entertainment, and social networking. But the Internet was not developed in one day. It has a long and interesting history.
Origin of the Internet
The history of the Internet started in the 1960s. At that time, the United States Department of Defense started a research project called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network).
The main aim of ARPANET was:
To share information between computers
To create a strong communication network
To work even if one part of the network failed
In 1969, ARPANET connected four computers located at different universities. This was the first successful computer network.
Development of Networking
In the 1970s, scientists developed a new communication rule called TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).
TCP/IP made it possible for different computers and networks to communicate with each other easily.
In 1983, TCP/IP became the standard protocol for ARPANET. This step played a very important role in the growth of the Internet.
Birth of the World Wide Web (WWW)
In 1989, a scientist named Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web (WWW).
The World Wide Web made the Internet easy to use for common people.
He introduced:
HTML (HyperText Markup Language)
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)
Web Browser concept
Because of WWW, users could view web pages, click links, and access information easily.
Growth of the Internet
In the 1990s, the Internet became available to the public. Many services started growing, such as:
Search engines
Websites
Online shopping
After 2000, high-speed Internet, smartphones, and social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp made the Internet a daily necessity.
Modern Internet
Today, the Internet is used in almost every field:
Online education
Digital banking
Cloud computing
E-commerce
Artificial Intelligence
Social networking
BASIC INTERNET TERMINOLOGY
Here is a list of the terms associated with the structure and design of the Internet.
(a) ARPANET
Stands for Advanced Research Project Agency NETwork. Computer network originally developed for military purposes, by the US Department of Defense, as an experiment in wide area-networking. The ARPANET went into service in 1969 when it connected four universities and research laboratories.
(b) Bookmark
A saved link to a web site that has been added to a list of saved links so that you can simply click on it rather than having to retype the address when visiting the site again.
(c) Download
To copy a file from one computer system to another. From the Internet user's point of view, to download a file is to request it from another computer (or from a Web page on another computer) and to receive it.
(d) Electronic Mail
A way of sending messages electronically from one computer to another, generally through a modem and telephone line connected to a computer.
(e) Emoticons
Those little smiley faces people use to indicate emotions in e-mail messages or in chat rooms.
(f) Freeware
Free software available for downloading on the Internet.
(g) Home Page
The site that is the starting point on the World Wide Web for a particular group or organization.
(h) Hypertext Link
Also known as hyperlink. An easy method for retrieving information by choosing highlighted words or icons on the screen. The link will take you to related documents or sites.
(i) Hypertext Transfer Protocol
A standard used by World Wide Web servers to provide rules for moving text, images, sound, video, and other multimedia files across the Internet.
(j)Internet Service Provider (ISP)
A company that offers you access to the Internet.
(k) Modem
Stands for Modulator/DEModulator. A device that connects your computer to a phone jack and, through the phone lines to another modem and computer.
(l) Netiquette
Rules or manners for interacting courteously with others online (such as not typing a message in all capital letters, which is equivalent to shouting).
(m) POP
Stands for Post Office Protocol. A standard way to download and upload emails.
(n) Search Engine
A program that performs keyword searches for information on the Internet.
(0) Web Browser
A software program that lets you find, see, and hear material on the World Wide Web, including text, graphics, sound, and video.
(p) World Wide Web
A hypertext-based system that allows you to browse through a variety of linked Internet resources organized by colorful, graphic-oriented home pages.
SERVICES ON THE INTERNET
The Internet plays a very important role in our society. It provides a lot of latest informative information about business, education etc. It becomes the main medium for advertisement, communication between users etc. The main services provided by Internet are:
World Wide Web (WWW)
The World Wide Web is simply referred to as Web. It is the latest addition to the Internet to exchange information. There is a vast network of HTTP servers (Web servers) that store documents called Web pages and these are accessible on the Internet. It is the easiest way to search and to get information on the Internet.
Newsgroups
The Newsgroups are the discussion forums that provide the services to exchange messages on the Internet about a particular subject. This facility is provided on the Internet on special servers known as News servers. Different newsgroups are available for different purposes. For example, a newsgroup provides the services to exchange information about business and another provides the services about current affairs etc.
FTP
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is a way to transfer files to others through Internet. The files are stored on a special type of server called the FTP server. The browsers can be used to transfer files from FTP server to the client computer but it is a slow process to transfer files.
Chatting
Internet also provides the facility to Internet user to talk with people online all over the world. Different programs like MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, ICQ, AOL online etc. are available for chatting on the Internet. You can add names of your friends or other people to these programs. The chat room allows the users to participate in a chat on the Internet. A chat room is an area on the web where you talk with people online. You send messages by typing with the keyboard to the online people and receive messages from the other end instantly. Some chat rooms support voice chats and video chats where you talk with people as well as see them.
E-Commerce
E-Commerce or Electronic Commerce is a very important service provided by the Internet through which financial transactions are carried out over the Internet. It is the modern way to carry out business on international basis. When business is conducted with the help of computer networks, this activity is usually termed as e-commerce or e-trade. Through e-commerce, goods can be purchased and sold from anywhere in the world. Credit cards are used for payments.
etc The examples of E-commerce are; online shopping, online advertising, online banking
Telnet
Telnet is an Internet service (or tool) that is used to login and run commands or programs on a remote server on the Internet. Through this service, you can also access information on the Internet. You run the telnet client application on your computer. The telnet provides you a prompt on your screen and you can access the host computer by giving commands through this prompt. You will feel that you are sitting in front on the host computer and operating it. When you send commands to the host through this service, information is accessed from host and displayed on your own computer screen.
When telnet client program is run on your local computer, you have to give your account name (user name) and password to start the operating session. The expert users mostly use this service.
Gopher
Gopher is an Internet service that organizes resources into multilevel menus to make finding information easier on the Internet. Before Gopher, it was difficult to find information on the Internet.
E-mail stands for electronic mail. It is the most popular service or facility provided by the Internet through which we can electronically send and receive messages anywhere in the world.
E-mail is a fast and efficient method of communication. It is almost free of cost. The e-mail reaches to the destination in a few seconds. You can also send documents, pictures, audio and video files via e-mail by attaching the file with the email. It is also possible to send or receive e-mail messages through a mobile phone.
CONNECTING YOUR PC TO THE INTERNET
To establish a connection to the Internet the following are required:
(a) A computer with facility to connect a modem. A separate port is to be provided for external modem or an expansion slot for internal modem.
(b) A telephone connection
(c) A modem
(d) A TCP/IP account with an internet service provider
(e) The computer should have the respective software to avail the various internet resources.
It should have a web browser to view the web pages.
Once you have subscribed to a broadband internet service provider, the next thing you have to do is set up the internet connection on your computer. You just have to follow the provider's instructions in installing the network equipment that came from them. After which, you will need to set up your computer with the broadband internet connection.
The detailed instructions in setting up Windows 7 for your broadband internet connection are as follows:
1. Click Start > Control Panel. Following window appears on your screen.
2. From the above displayed window, click on Network and Internet link. Following window is displayed on the screen:
3. Now, click on the Network and Sharing Center link from the above window.
4. Now, under the Change your networking settings section, click on the Set up a new connection or network link to start the network setup wizard.
5. Select Connect to the Internet option and click Next button. Following window is displayed:
6. From the above two options, click on Set up a new connection anyway. This activates a new window as shown in the following figure
7. Clicking on the Broadband (PPPoE) link, next wizard window appears on your screen. Fill in the required User name, Password and Connection name in the provided window. The default connection name is Broadband Connection.
8. After filling in the details, click Connect.
9. When the process is completed, the following last confirmation window is displayed on the screen.
10. Click Close and start exploring internet using Internet Explorer web browser provided by Windows 3.
CREATING YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS
There are so many web sites that provide free e-mail services. For example - Gmail, Rediffmail, Yahoomail, etc.
Gmail is the most popular web-based email service provided by Google. It offers large storage capacity, which is handy for people who like to keep and send a lot of emails, and the size is convenient for sharing large files. Gmail has spam filters that filter most spam, and there are no flash banner ads to slow you down. Gmail is designed to be read in a Web browser, but any email software, such as Outlook, can access Gmail by forwarding the Gmail messages to an existing email address. Setting up a Gmail account takes only a few minutes.
The step-by-step process to create an e-mail address using Gmail is given below:
1. Open your web browser (Internet Explorer in our case).
2. Type in the Gmail homepage address (www.gmail.com) in the Address field of the browser window. The Gmail homepage appears as shown in the following window.
3. In the New to Gmail? It's free and easy section, click on the Create an account button.
4. Clicking on the Create an account button, Create an account form is shown with several fields that need your inputs.
5. You now need to start filling the form. Once you have entered your First name and Last name, it is time to choose a Desired Login Name.
This is important as your login name will decide the email address you will get. So be sure to pick a login name, also called the username, with care.
Email addresses need to be unique which means no two people in the world can have the same address. So it is better to check availability of your desired login name.
6. After choosing a unique login name, type a password in the Choose a password text box. Also type the same password in Re-enter password: text box to confirm it.
7. Similarly, also fill in other desired details provided in the form. A sample filled-in form is displayed below:
8. You now need to either select a Security Question from the drop down list or enter one - and you need to provide the answer. This additional security helps in getting your email account password if you forget it.
You may also enter a secondary email address but this field is optional, i.e. you can leave it blank.
This section is shown in the figure below:
9. After supplying the Security Question and its answer, you need to enter the characters that you see in the picture in the Word Verification: field in your form. This is required so that Gmail knows the inputs are from a human being and not some automated program..
All these filled up details are shown in the following figure:
10. Now that everything is set, you can go through the Terms of Service and click on the "I Accept. Create my account" button which will create your very own free Gmail account!
11. When your complete process is successful, a congratulatory screen is displayed on the screen to ensure that your account has been successfully created.
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