Susanna Chen 06/19/15
1. Discuss the Internet, including their origins, the three generations of the web, and the most
common uses.
The internet, a large global network that connects smaller networks all over the globe, was
launched in 1969. The web and the internet are two separate things where the web is part of
the internet. It originally started as research. The first generation was used to link existing
information, the second generation was a more dynamic content creation and used for social
interaction, and the third generation contained computer-generated information requiring less
human interaction. The internet is commonly used for communicating, shopping,
entertainment, education, and searching.
2. Describe how to access the Internet. What are the providers? Define browsers and discuss
URLs, HTML, JavaScript, AJAX, Applets, and mobile browsers.
The most common way to access the internet is through an Internet Service Provider, also
known as the ISP. Typical ISP’s are Verizon, Comcast, Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T. A browser
allows you to explore the web. A URL is the address or location that allows you to connect to
other resources. Many URLs have additional parts specifying directory paths and file names.
Browsers interpret the HTML codes and formatting instructions to display the page. In order to
create interactive web sites, you need to use technologies such as JavaScript and AJAX. They use
HTML documents to trigger interactive features. Applets are used to present animation, display
graphics, and provide interactive games. Mobile Browsers are designed to run on portable
devices and contain special navigational tools for convenience to pinch and stretch.
3. What are Web utilities? Discuss plug-ins, filters, file transfer utilities, and Internet security suites
Web utilities are specialized utility programs that make using the Internet and web easier and
safer. Plug-ins are programs that start automatically and operate as part of your Browser. Filters
block access to selected sites. File transfer protocols receive files from the Internet and upload
copying a file to the Internet. Internet security suites are collections of utility programs designed
to maintain your security and privacy while you are on the Web.
4. Discuss Internet communications, including client-based and web-based email, instant and text
messaging, social networking, blogs, microblogs, webcasts, podcasts, and wikis.
You are able to communicate on the internet through e-mails, messaging, social networking,
blogs, microblogs, webcasts, podcasts, and wikis. Client-based email systems require installation
of an e-mail client. Web-based e-mail systems require no email program on your program. Text
messaging is sending short electronic messages between mobile devices and has become one of
the most widely used ways to send short messages. Instant messaging is an extension of email
that allows two or more people to contact each other via direct, live communication. Some
services include video and file-sharing. Social networking is one of the fastest growing uses of
the Internet and it connects individuals to one another. Blogs are personal news pages that are
date and time-stamped and arranged with the most recent items shown first, while microblogs
are short status updates. Webcasts are streaming technology for live broadcast of audio and
video. Podcasts are audio and video files that can be downloaded to your computer or media
player. Wikis are specially designed web sites that allow visitors to edit the contents.
5. Define search tools including search services. Discuss search engines and specialized search
engines. Describe how to evaluate the content of a web site.
Search tools are specialized programs that assist you in locating information on the Web and the
Internet. Search services maintain the database that helps you get where you want. Search
engines assist you to locate specific information. They use keywords or phrase search to look for
phrases than individual words. Specialized search engines are programs that focus on subject
specific web sites. In order to evaluate the content of a web site, you must be sure to check the
authority, accuracy, objectivity, and currency.
6. Describe electronic commerce, including
business-to-consumer, consumer-to-consumer, and business-to-business e-commerce, and
security.
E-commerce, or electronic commerce, is buying and selling over the internet. There are three
basic types of electronic commerce. Business to consumer commerce (B2C) is the fastest
growing type of e-commerce. It involves the sale of a product or service to the general public or
end user. The three types of B2C is online banking, financial trading, and shopping. Consumer to
consumer (C2C) e-commerce involves individuals selling to individuals and is Web auctions.
Buyers and sellers rarely meet face-to-face. The last type of e-commerce is business to business
(B2B) e-commerce. It involves sales of a product or service from one business to another.
7. What is cloud computing? Describe the three basic components of cloud computing.
Cloud computing shifts computing activities from users’ desktops to computers on the Internet
and frees end-users from owning, maintaining, and storing software programs and data. The
three basic components are clients, service providers, and the internet. Clients are corporations
and end-users who want access to data, programs, and storage anywhere and anytime a
connection to the Internet is available. Service providers are organizations that are willing to
provide access to software and storage.