Module 2 Notes: Connecting and Communicating Online (The Internet, Website, and Media)
Module 2 Notes: Connecting and Communicating Online — The Internet, Website, and Media
The Internet
The Internet is a worldwide collection of networks that connects millions of businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals.
It enables daily activities such as accessing information, exchanging messages, and conversing with others from computers and mobile devices.
Origins and evolution:
The Internet originated as ARPANET in September 1969 with two main goals:
Allow scientists at different physical locations to share information and collaborate.
Function even if part of the network were disabled or destroyed by a disaster.
Timeline milestones:
1969: ARPANET becomes functional.
1984: ARPANET has more than 1,000 individual computers linked as hosts.
Today: Millions of hosts connect to the Internet.
Implication: The Internet began as a resilient, research-focused network and evolved into a global communications backbone.
Connecting to the Internet
Connection types:
Wired connections: a computer/device attaches via a cable to a communications device.
Wireless connections: devices use a wireless modem or other device to enable connectivity without cables.
Common connection options:
Wired:
Cable Internet service
DSL (digital subscriber line)
Fiber to the Premises (FTTP)
Wireless:
Wi‑Fi (wireless fidelity)
Mobile broadband
Fixed wireless
Satellite Internet Service
Hot spots and tethering:
A hot spot is a wireless network that provides Internet connections to mobile devices.
A mobile hot spot can be a communications device or a tethered smartphone.
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and bandwidth:
An ISP is a business that provides access to the Internet, either free or for a fee.
Bandwidth measures the capability of a network to send/receive data. Common units include:
Megabyte (MB)
Gigabyte (GB)
How a home user’s request for a webpage travels (example path using cable Internet):
Step 1: You request a webpage by entering its web address in the browser.
Step 2: A cable modem transfers your computer’s digital signals to the cable line in your house.
Step 3: Your request travels through cable lines to a central cable system shared by many homes (up to ~500).
Step 4: The central system sends your request over high‑speed fiber‑optic lines to the cable operator, who is often the ISP.
Step 5: The ISP routes your request through the Internet backbone toward the destination server.
Step 6: The server retrieves the webpage and sends it back through the Internet backbone to your computer.
Key concept: “Backbone” refers to the high‑capacity core network that interconnects networks and ISPs.
Practical takeaway: Your browser’s request traverses an interlinked path of local networks, ISPs, and backbone networks to reach a server and return data.
IP addresses, domain names, and DNS
IP address: A sequence of numbers that uniquely identifies the location of each computer or device on the Internet or other networks.
Example IPv4 address:
Example IPv6 address:
Domain name: A text-based name that corresponds to an IP address (e.g., google.com).
DNS (Domain Name System): A DNS server translates a domain name to its associated IP address so clients can locate the correct server.
Relationship recap:
Domain names map to IP addresses via DNS so humans can use readable names while computers use numeric addresses.
Example: The domain name google.com resolves to its IP addresses; the browser then connects to those IPs to fetch content.
Figure reference: The IPv4/IPv6 addresses and domain name example for Google (illustrates the mapping between domain name, IPs, and how a browser uses them).
Top‑level domains (TLDs) and purposes:
Table of popular TLDs (examples and intended purposes):
— Businesses
— Commercial organizations, businesses
— Educational institutions
— Government agencies
— Military organizations
— Museums and museum professionals
— Individuals
— Network providers or commercial companies
— Nonprofit organizations
— Licensed professionals
— Technology information
— Entities in the travel industry
How a browser resolves a domain name to a page (overview):
User enters domain name → browser asks a DNS server for the corresponding IP address → IP address returned → browser connects to the web server at that IP and requests content → server responds with content to display in the browser.
Figure references:
Figure 2-5: demonstrates IPv4, IPv6, and domain name for a site (Google).
Figure 2-6: shows the DNS lookup process.
The World Wide Web (WWW)
Definition: The World Wide Web is a worldwide collection of electronic documents (webpages).
Website: A collection of related webpages and associated items.
Web server: A computer that delivers requested webpages to your device.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): A markup language used to specify headings, paragraphs, images, links, and other content elements on a webpage.
Browser: An application that enables users with an Internet connection to access/view webpages on a computer or mobile device. Mobile devices use mobile browsers.
Home page: The first page a website displays.
Tabbed browsing: Modern browsers support multiple pages in tabs.
Web apps: An application stored on a web server that you access through a browser; web apps typically store user data on the host’s servers (examples include cloud/app-based services and cross‑device access).
Web ecosystem takeaway: The Web is built atop the Internet, relying on HTML, URLs, and servers to deliver interactive content via browsers.
Figure references:
Figure 2-7: mobile versions of websites available for mobile browsers.
Figure 2-8: anatomy of a web address/URL (protocol, host name, domain name, path, webpage name).
Figure 2-9: web and mobile apps functioning together (content accessible across devices).
Types of Websites (8 types at a glance)
A web search engine: software that finds websites, webpages, images, videos, news, maps, and other data on topics.
A subject directory: classifies webpages into organized categories and subcategories (e.g., sports, shopping).
The table of operators and examples (how search queries can be refined):
Display results with all given words: art + music (logical AND behavior).
Display results with any one word from a list: dog OR puppy.
Combine results: (pizza OR subs) in Kalamazoo Michigan.
Exclude a word from results: automobile - convertible.
Exact phrase search: "19th century literature".
Substitute characters with wildcard: writer* → writer, writers, writer's, etc.
Examples of combined logic: (pizza OR subs) with Kalamazoo Michigan demonstrates complex boolean search strategies.
Categories of websites (high-level):
Search engines, online social networks, informational/research, media sharing, bookmarking, news/weather/sports/other mass media, educational, business/governmental/organizational, blogs, wiki/collaboration, health, science, entertainment, banking/finance, travel/mapping, retail/auctions, careers and employment, e-commerce, portals, content aggregation, and web publishing.
Web publishing lifecycle (how sites are created and maintained):
Key phases: Plan the website → Design the website → Create the website → Host the website → Maintain the website.
Practical relevance: Understanding different website types helps in selecting credible sources, using appropriate search strategies, and evaluating online content.
Digital Media on the Web
Multimedia definition: Any application that combines text with media, including:
Graphics
Animation
Audio
Video
Virtual Reality (VR)
Graphic formats:
Visual design and page structure (example): A page uses colors, shapes, and thumbnails to separate areas and guide attention (dynamic and engaging layouts).
Infographics: A visual representation of data/information designed to communicate quickly and reveal patterns or trends.
Animation: The appearance of motion by displaying a sequence of still images.
Audio: Music, speech, or other sounds; typically compressed to reduce file size; played via a media player on the computer.
Video: Images displayed in motion.
Virtual reality (VR): Computers simulate a three-dimensional space/environment.
VR example: Smithsonian Gemini 7 Space Capsule VR—360 HD VR movie; users can explore inside the capsule via touch or input device.
Plug-in (add-on): Extends the capability of a browser (e.g., to play certain media or display interactive content).
Media integration takeaway: The Web supports multiple media types, often combined with HTML/CSS/JavaScript to create rich user experiences.
Other Internet Services (Email, Messaging, and More)
Email basics:
Email is the transmission of messages and files across a computer network.
An email program can create, send, receive, forward, store, print, and delete messages.
How an email travels (typical path):
Step 1: User creates and sends a message via an email program.
Step 2: The client connects to the outgoing mail server.
Step 3: The outgoing server determines the best route and sends the message across Internet routers.
Step 4: The recipient’s email program checks for new messages; the message transfers from the incoming mail server to the recipient’s device.
Email lists: Groups of email addresses used for mass distribution of messages. Subscribers select formats (HTML or Text) and newsletters/alerts topics.
Internet messaging services: Real‑time notifications about contacts being online, enabling messages, file exchange, or private chat rooms.
Chat and chat rooms:
A chat is a real‑time typed conversation with many online users.
A chat room is a website/application where users chat with others online at the same time.
Example: Live chat interfaces (e.g., Facebook Messenger) show messages as they are typed.
Online discussions: Online areas where users write and respond to threads on a topic.
Examples of online discussions: Real-world group conversations with multiple posts and replies (as shown in group discussions).
VoIP (Voice over IP): Enables users to speak to others via the Internet.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol): An Internet standard for uploading and downloading files to/from other computers; many operating systems include FTP capabilities; an FTP server allows file transfers.
Netiquette (Online Etiquette)
Netiquette is the code of acceptable Internet behavior.
Guidelines:
Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated.
Be polite and avoid offensive language.
Avoid flames (abusive/insulting messages) and flame wars.
Be careful with sarcasm/humor; may be misinterpreted.
Do not use all capital letters (SHOUTING).
Use emoticons/emojis to express emotion (e.g., 🙂, 🙁, etc.).
Use common abbreviations/acronyms: BTW, FYI, IMHO, TTFN, FWIW, TYVM.
Clearly identify spoilers (news about game endings/movies).
Be forgiving of others’ mistakes.
Read the FAQ when available.
Summary
Key takeaways:
The Internet has evolved from ARPANET’s original goals to a global network supporting billions of devices and users.
The Web (WWW) sits on top of the Internet and uses HTML, URLs, web servers, and browsers to deliver content.
IP addressing, domain names, and DNS are foundational for locating resources on the Internet.
There are many types of websites and media, plus a variety of online services beyond basic web browsing (email, messaging, chat, VoIP, FTP).
Digital media (graphics, animation, audio, video, VR) enriches online content, with plug-ins extending browser capabilities.
Netiquette governs respectful online communication and information sharing.
Understanding these components supports safer, more effective, and more ethical use of online technologies.