Communication and Internet Overview

Communication with Other ICT Users

  • Email is used for sending/receiving messages and files.
  • Email is used for personal/business communication and marketing.
  • Email security is important.
  • Netiquette includes:
    • No abusive behavior or spam.
    • Clarity and conciseness.
    • Awareness of public nature of posts.
    • Checking spelling/grammar.
    • Respecting privacy.
    • Avoiding ALL CAPS, plagiarism, and excessive emoticons.
  • Email groups enable mass communication.
  • Company guidelines may cover:
    • Permitted personal email use.
    • Acceptable devices.
    • Email style standards.
    • Prohibited content.
    • Account usage.
    • Confidentiality rules.
    • Email storage policies.
    • Virus prevention.
    • Monitoring practices.
    • Staff training.
  • Cc sends emails to multiple recipients.
  • Bcc sends emails to recipients without revealing their addresses to others.
  • Forward sends an existing email to a new recipient.
  • Attachments are used to include files with emails.
  • Spam is unwanted email, potentially harmful with viruses.
    • Disadvantages: wastes time, slows internet, risks viruses, fills inboxes.
    • Minimizing spam: use filters, protect email address, avoid clicking links.

Effective Use of the Internet

  • The Internet connects people globally.
  • It uses a distributed network.
  • It transmits data in various formats (text, photos, audio, video).
  • Uses:
    • Communication via email and messaging.
    • Information database.
    • Online purchasing and digital transactions.
  • Advantages:
    • Access to information.
    • Global connectivity.
    • Simplicity and effectiveness.
  • Disadvantages:
    • Security and privacy risks.
    • Misinformation spread.
    • Digital divide.
  • Internet vs. Intranet vs. Extranet:
    • Internet: vast, public network using TCP/IP.
    • Intranet: secure, internal network using internet technologies.
    • Extranet: managed network providing limited access to external users.
  • Accessibility:
    • Internet: public and open.
    • Intranet: restricted to internal users.
    • Extranet: limited secure access for authorized users.
  • Purpose:
    • Internet: intercultural dialogue and resource access.
    • Intranet: facilitates internal communication and collaboration.
    • Extranet: enables collaboration with external stakeholders.
  • Internet vs. World Wide Web:
    • Internet: network of connected devices.
    • World Wide Web: collection of websites accessed via the internet.
  • Blog: website with new information, like a journal; reverse chronological order, allows comments.
  • Forum: online discussion site with posted messages around topics; peer-to-peer interaction, account creation might be needed, can be moderated or unmoderated.
    • Moderated forum: administrator checks posts before they are allowed to be posted.
    • The internet is essentially a huge unmoderated forum.
  • Wiki: website where users can add/edit content; facilitates collaboration and knowledge sharing; changes can be tracked.
  • Social networking: platforms for connecting and sharing content; privacy settings.

Functionality of the Internet

  • Internet Service Providers (ISPs) provide internet access for a fee.
  • Uniform Resource Locator (URL): address of a web page.
    • Components:
      • Protocol: communication protocol (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS, FTP).
      • Domain: server name or IP address.
      • Webpage/filename: location on the server.
    • Example: https://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/IGCSE/ICT
  • Hyperlink: a word/phrase/image that links to other data/web page.
  • Web browser: software to locate, retrieve, and display web content.

Use of Search Engines

  • Methods for finding information:
    • Enter URL directly.
    • Use a search engine.
  • Advantages of using the Internet to find information:
    • Up-to-date
    • Vast amounts of information
    • Fast and easy searching
    • Accessibility from home
    • Essentially free
    • Multimedia elements
  • Disadvantages of using the Internet to find information:
    • Unregulated content
    • Risk of accessing inappropriate websites
    • Distractions
    • Loss of research skills
  • Speed of Searching:
    • Search engines quickly scan billions of pages.
    • Speed is influenced by internet connection and algorithms.
  • Amount of Information:
    • Use specific search phrases.
    • Use quotation marks, + signs, and - signs to refine search.
  • Finding Relevant and Reliable Information:
    • Relevancy is determined by keyword frequency and page quality.
    • Reliable information comes from educational, government, or industry sites.
  • Evaluating Information Found on the Internet:
    • Consider the source's reputation.
    • Verify accuracy with other sources.
    • Assess for bias.
    • Check for current information.

Internet Protocols

  • Protocols are rules for data exchange.
    • HTTP: for accessing web pages.
    • HTTPS: secure version of HTTP.
    • FTP: for transferring files.
    • SSL: secure data transmission.

Risks of Using the Internet

  • Inappropriate and unlawful content.
  • Data restriction via parental, educational, and ISP controls.