Internet is a vast, global network of interconnected computer networks that allows billions of devices worldwide to exchange information and communicate. This network consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, all linked by various electronic, wireless, and optical networking technologies.
Internet vs. the World Wide Web
It is a common misconception that the internet and the World Wide Web are the same thing.
The Internet is the underlying physical and technical infrastructure—the hardware, cables, and protocols that connect computers globally.
The World Wide Web is a service that runs on the internet. It is a collection of linked documents (web pages) and other resources that are accessed via the internet using a web browser. Other services, such as email, also run on the internet
INTERNET TERMINOLOGIES
An Internet Protocol (IP) address is a unique numerical label assigned to every device connected to a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. Is normally a number that has four parts W,X,YZ. Example 10.50.100.254.
A Media Access Control (MAC) address is a unique identifier assigned to a network interface controller (NIC), which is a piece of hardware that allows a device to connect to a network. It is a permanent physical address embedded in the device by the manufacturer, unlike an IP address, which can change.
A URL, or Uniform Resource Locator, is the unique web address of a resource on the internet, such as a webpage, image, or file. Think of it as a street address that your web browser uses to find and retrieve specific information online, making it a key part of navigating the web. Example https://www.tie.go.publications/ICS.pdf
A web page is a single document accessible online via a web browser, containing text, images, videos, and links to other pages or files. These pages are written in HyperText Markup Language (HTML),
A website is a collection of interconnected web pages, hosted on a server and accessible via the internet through a unique domain name or URL.
A web server is a computer or software system that stores and delivers website content to users over the internet. When a user requests a webpage, their browser sends a request to the web server, which then processes the request and sends back the necessary files, such as HTML pages, images, and videos, using protocols like HTTP.
A hyperlink is a clickable element, like text, an image, or an icon, that connects to another web page, document, or online location.
Hypertext is a form of electronic text that contains clickable hyperlinks to other texts, which can be in the same document or different ones, forming a non-linear path through information.
A web browser is a software application used to retrieve, present, and navigate information on the World Wide Web, allowing users to access websites and view web pages.
An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a company that provides access to the internet to individuals and businesses. They use technologies like fiber optics, DSL, satellite, or wireless connections to deliver internet access and may also offer related services like email accounts, web hosting, and data communication.
Modem- A modem is a hardware device that connects a computer to the internet by converting digital signals into analog signals for transmission and then converting the incoming analog signals back into digital signals.
HISTORY OF INTERNET.
The internet began with the 1960s development of ARPANET by the U.S. government for research, which evolved into the global network we know today. A key milestone was the 1983 adoption of TCP/IP protocols, which allowed different networks to communicate. In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web, making the internet accessible to the public through websites and browsers, with the first website launching in 1991
Early development (1960s–1980s)
1960s: The concept of a global network emerged, with the U.S. Department of Defense funding ARPANET as a decentralized communication system to withstand nuclear attacks.
1969: The first message was sent over the ARPANET between UCLA and Stanford, marking the network's operational start.
1970s: Ray Tomlinson sent the first email and introduced the "@" symbol in addresses. In 1974, Vint Cerf and Bob Kahn developed TCP/IP, the fundamental communication language for the internet.
1983: The official "birth date" of the internet, when ARPANET officially switched to using the TCP/IP protocol, creating a unified network of networks.
The rise of the World Wide Web (1990s)
1989: Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web while at CERN.
1991: The first website went live, and the Web became publicly accessible.
1993: The Mosaic web browser was released, the first user-friendly browser for the general public, leading to a rapid increase in websites and users.
1998: Google was founded, quickly becoming the dominant search engine.
Modern internet and beyond
2000s: The rise of social media platforms like Facebook (2004) and YouTube (2005), user-generated content (Web 2.0), and the explosive growth of mobile internet access via smartphones changed how people interact online.
2010s–Present: The internet has continued to evolve with technologies like 5G, the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), and ongoing research into decentralized networks (Web 3.0) and virtual worlds
SEARCH ENGINE
A search engine is a software program or system that helps users find information on the internet by searching a massive index of web pages. Users enter keywords or phrases into a search box, and the search engine returns a list of relevant websites, images, or videos, ranked by its algorithm. Popular examples include Google, Bing, MSN and Yahoo.
ACTIVITY
Practice to use MSN search engine to search information about history of computer.
APPLICATION OF INTERNET
The internet provides several services such as e-mail, e-learning, e-commerce, newsgroup, online forums, video and teleconferencing, and social media.
ELECTRONIC EMAIL
Email, short for electronic mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages over a computer network like the internet. It allows users to send and receive text messages, files, and other attachments quickly
Accessing email services:
To access email services, you must have two email account, which associated with an email address. There are two types of email address: Commercial email address and organizational email addresses.
Commercial email Address-These are free email addresses that are created on commercial websites such as Yahoo, Google and Hotmail. Eg. dude@gmail.com.
Organization e-mail Address-These are free email addresses that are created by particular organization to facilitate communication by its staff. Example dani.r@sachoolofstjude.co.tz
HOW TO CREATE COMMERCIAL EMAIL ACCOUNT-GMAIL
To create a Gmail account, go to the Google Account sign-up page and click "Create account" Go to the sign-up page: Navigate to the Google Account creation page or gmail.com and select Create account. Follow steps by providing all necessary information to create your account.
SENDING AN E-MAIL
On email account home page, click on Compose button. A web page will display for you to fill the email address of a receiver, subject or message heading and message to be sent.
Fill the required information and click Send button: The message will be sent to a person bearing the typed email address.
E MAIL FIELDS
From: The sender's email address.
To: The primary recipient's email address.
Cc (Carbon Copy):Email addresses of recipients who are copied on the email but are not the main focus.
Bcc (Blind Carbon Copy):Email addresses of recipients who are copied on the email, but their addresses are hidden from all other recipients.
SIGN OUT OR LOGOUT
Sign out is the process of quitting a signed in email account. It is important to prevent unauthorized users access your emails. To sign out click Sign Out button
SIGNING IN OR LOGIN IN
Is the process of getting into your email account for the purposes of sending new message or reading incoming message. To read new message click INBOX, and to send new message click COMPOSE or New message.
EMAIL FOLDER
Inbox: All new emails arrive here unless directed elsewhere.
Drafts: Saves emails you start but don't finish.
Sent: A copy of every email you send is stored here.
Junk/Spam: Automatically moves messages that are likely unwanted.
Deleted Items/Trash: Holds messages you've deleted.
Advantages of email services
Easy to use
Cost effective.
Reliable
Can send longer message than SMS
Allow attachment of various files such as image, video
Wide access
Neatness
Disadvantages
Lack of personal touch like expression of emotion.
Need user to be computer literate
Can only send specific limited size of file attachment
Security risks: Emails are vulnerable to viruses and phishing scams
Requires internet access-for both sender and receiver
ELECTRONIC LEARNING:
E-learning is an educational approach that delivers learning content and resources using digital technologies and online platforms, allowing for flexible, remote, and accessible education at any time and location
Examples of E-learning
Online Courses: Structured courses delivered entirely online through a learning management system (LMS).
Virtual Classrooms: Live, synchronous online sessions where instructors and students interact in real-time.
Webinars: Online seminars or presentations that allow for interactive learning experiences.
Mobile Learning (M-learning): Educational content accessed through mobile devices like smartphones.
Blended/Hybrid Learning: A combination of e-learning and traditional in-person instruction
Advantages of e learning
You can have your own learning schedule and your own pace
You can learn at your place without going to the physical school or school
It save cost of transport for both learners and education providers
It can enable to support blended learning, i.e combine face to face and online learning.
Disadvantages of electronic learning
It minimizes social interaction between teachers and students
Internet connection may be required to access some resources and internet can be expensive.
It requires self-motivation as unmotivated student may waste time on other entertaining sites.
ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
E-commerce is the buying and selling of goods and services over the internet, including the transfer of money to complete transactions. It encompasses a wide range of activities, such as online shopping on websites and apps, purchasing digital products, and booking travel and financial investments. E-commerce can occur between businesses and consumers (B2C), between businesses (B2B), or even between individuals. Some of the common application of e commerce are: Online marketing, Online Auction, E banking
Advantages of e commerce
Wider customer base:
Lower operational costs:
24/7 availability:
Scalability:
Customer data and insights:
Disadvantages of ecommerce
Inability to see, touch, or try products
Shipping costs and delays:
Difficulty with return
Lack of personal interaction
Security risks
Technical issues such as internet.
ONLINE FORUM
An online forum is a website or platform where people can hold discussions by posting messages and replying to each other's posts, often organized into specific topics or threads. To participates in discussion a person some time need to subscribes using an email address. Example of online forum are Google answers, Quora and Slide share.
VIDEO AND TELE CONFERENCING
Video and tele conferencing enables conversion between people separated by physical barriers through a web-based system that facilitates things such as family interaction, business meetings and learning activities. Examples of video conferencing tools are Zoom, Google meet, Skype.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media refers to internet-based communication platforms that allow users to create and share content, interact with others, and build online communities. These platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and X, enable people to share ideas, personal messages, photos, and videos, and they have evolved to include business and news dissemination
ADVANTAGES OF USING INTERNET
Source of information
Source of entertainment
Online shopping
Communication
Promoting business
Online learning
Telemedicine
E-services such as paying bills
DISADVANTAGES OF THE INTERNET
Internet addiction
Cybercrimes
Social Isolation
Measures to reduce negative effects of internet.
Use of antivirus
Use of strong password
Keep your software updated
Managing social media setting
Strengthening your home network
Provide awareness to children about safe use of the internet
Keep up-to-date on major security breaches
Having in place policies and acts to reduces the negative effects of internet.
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