FMGT0213 Chapter 2: Internet

INTERNET

A network is two or more computers connected via wire or wireless.
The Internet is a telecommunication or worldwide system of computer networks (a network connected to other networks).
Connected networks in the Internet allow them to exchange data and information.

Origin: The Internet has its roots in a networking project started by the Pentagon’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), a U.S. Department of Defense agency.
Objective: Build a network to share information and that could function even if part of it was disabled or destroyed by a disaster (e.g., nuclear attack).
ARPANET: The network became functional in September 1969, linking scientific and academic researchers across the U.S.
Scale today: Millions of hosts connect to this network, which is now known as the Internet.
Open question posed: "Who owns the Internet, then?" (implies multi-stakeholder governance rather than a single owner).

The World Wide Web (WWW) is a worldwide collection of electronic documents.
Each electronic document on the Web is a webpage.
The Web is a part of the Internet and is the service of the Internet that users interact with most.
Common misconception: ‘net’ and ‘web’ are interchangeable; technically, the Web is a service built on top of the Internet.

A web browser is software that allows users to view, retrieve information and access websites.
Without a web browser, exploring Internet features is limited; browsers provide access to search engines and URLs.
Factors affecting browser choice:
- Configuring options: privacy features, security features, and favourites/bookmarks.
- Obtaining browsers: browsers come built into operating systems or can be installed on devices.
- Making a decision: what the user wants the browser to do; device age can influence compatibility.
- Common options: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, Edge.

Inside a web browser, a tool that provides a service to search information on the Internet is called a Search Engine.
A search engine is software that finds websites, webpages, images, videos, news, maps, and other information related to a specific topic.
Different search engines use different algorithms, which is why results may differ between engines.

IP ADDRESS: Each time you connect to the Internet, your computer is assigned a unique identification number called an Internet Protocol Address (IP address).
An IP address is a sequence of numbers that identifies the location of a device on a network or the Internet.
IP address format example: 123.123.123.123 (four numbers separated by dots).
Domain name: A text-based name that corresponds to the IP address/server and is part of the web address you type in a browser’s address bar to access a website.
Domain name provides a memorable alternative to numerical IP addresses.

Example: Pinging WWW.GOOGLE.COM.MY [74.125.130.94] with 32 bytes of data:
- Reply from 74.125.130.94: bytes=32 time=22ms TTL=45
- Reply from 74.125.130.94: bytes=32 time=9ms TTL=45
- Reply from 74.125.130.94: bytes=32 time=22ms TTL=45
- Reply from 74.125.130.94: bytes=32 time=16ms TTL=45
Ping statistics: Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds: Minimum = 9ms, Maximum = 22ms, Average = 17ms
Notes:
- The prompt shows a Windows command prompt path: C:\Users\admin> (environment information, not a technical concept)

TLD: .biz — Intended Purpose: Businesses
.com — Commercial organizations, businesses, and companies
.edu — Educational institutions
.gov — Government agencies
.mil — Military organizations
.museum — Museums and individual museum professionals
.name — Individuals
.net — Network providers or commercial companies
.org — Nonprofit organizations
.pro — Licensed professionals
subdomain — Not a TLD; refers to hierarchies under a domain
Top Level Domain (TLD) categories shown: technology, travel
URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator; domain (name) and protocol (HyperText Transfer Protocol) are parts of URLs
Example URL: http://www.google.com
Protocols and terms:
- Protocol: HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
- Domain name in a URL

Posting etiquette rules:
- Avoid multiposting, cross-posting, off-topic posting, and hijacking a discussion thread.
- Avoid flamewars and spam.
- Avoid typing in ALL CAPS or using excessively large scripts for emphasis (seen as shouting).
- Do not send text containing viruses.

Do’s:
- Respect other people's privacy
- Verify facts before reposting
- Check messages and respond promptly
Don’ts:
- Name-call or express offensive opinions
- Post private or embarrassing images or comments
- Exclude people or talk behind their backs

By the end of the topic, students should be able to:
- Discuss the evolution of the Internet.
- Describe ways to compose effective search text.
- Explain how to use e-mail, chat rooms and online discussions.
- Identify the rules of netiquette.