Chapter 2 The Internet and World Wide Web

The Internet, also called the Net, is a worldwide collection of networks that links millions of businesses,
government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals. The Internet is a widely used research
tool, providing society with access to global information and instant communications.

The Internet has its roots in a networking project started by an agency of the U.S. Department of
Defense. The goal was to build a network that (1) allowed scientists at different locations to share
information and work together on military and scientific projects and (2) could function even if part of
the network were disabled or destroyed by a disaster such as a nuclear attack. That net work, called
ARPANET, became functional in September 1969, linking scientific and academic researchers across the
United States. The original ARPANET consisted of four main computers, one each located at the
University of California at Los Angeles, the University of California at Santa Barbara, the Stanford
Research Institute, and the University of Utah. Each of these computers served as a host on the network.
A host or server is any computer that provides services and connections to other computers on a
network. By 1984, ARPANET had more than 1,000 individual computers linked as hosts. Today, more
than 550 million hosts connect to this network, which is known now as the Internet.

The Internet consists of many local, regional, national, and international networks. Both public and
private organizations own networks on the Internet. These networks, along with telephone companies,
cable and satellite companies, and the government, all contribute toward the internal structure of the
Internet. Each organization on the Internet is responsible only for maintaining its own network. No
single person, company, institution, or government agency controls or owns the Internet. The World
Wide Web Consortium (W3C), however, oversees research and sets standards and guidelines for many
areas of the Internet. More than 350 organizations from around the world are members of the W3C.

Connecting to the Internet

Many home and small business users connect to the Internet via high-speed broadband Internet service.
With broadband Internet service, your computer or mobile device usually is connected to the Internet
the entire time it is powered on. Examples of broadband Internet service include the following:

• Cable Internet service provides high-speed Internet access through the cable television network via a
cable modem.

• DSL (digital subscriber line) provides high-speed Internet connections using regular telephone lines.

• Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) uses fiber-optic cable to provide high-speed Internet access to home and
business users.

• Fixed wireless provides high-speed Internet connections using a dish-shaped antenna on your house or
business to communicate with a tower location via radio signals.

• A Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) network uses radio signals to provide high-speed Internet connections to
wireless computers and devices.

• A cellular radio network offers high-speed Internet connections to devices with built-in compatible
technology or computers with wireless modems.

• Satellite Internet service provides high-speed Internet connections via satellite to a satellite dish that
communicates with a satellite modem.

Many home users set up a Wi-Fi network, which sends signals to a communications device that is
connected to a high-speed Internet service such as cable or DSL. Instead of using broadband Internet
service, however, some home users connect to the Internet via dial-up access, which is a slower-speed
technology. Dial-up access takes place when the modem in your computer connects to the Internet via a
standard telephone line that transmits data and information using an analog (continuous wave pattern)
signal. Users may opt for dial-up access because of its lower price or because broadband access is not
available in their area.
Access Providers

An access provider is a business that provides individuals and organizations access to the Internet free or
for a fee.

Access providers are categorized as ISPs, online service providers, and wireless Internet service
providers. An ISP (Internet service provider) is a regional or national access provider.

In addition to providing Internet access, an online service provider (OSP) also has many members-only
features such as instant messaging or their own customized version of a Web browser. The two more
popular OSPs are AOL (America Online) and MSN (Microsoft Network).

A wireless Internet service provider, sometimes called a wireless data provider, is a company that
provides wireless Internet access to computers and mobile devices, such as smart phones and portable
media players with built-in wireless capability (such as Wi-Fi) or to computers using wireless modems or
wireless access devices.

How Data and Information Travel the Internet

Computers connected to the Internet work together to transfer data and information around the world
using various wired and wireless transmission media. Several main transmission media carry the
heaviest amount of traffic on the Internet. These major carriers of network traffic are known collectively
as the Internet backbone.

Internet Addresses

An IP address, short for Internet Protocol address, is a number that uniquely identifies each computer or
device connected to the Internet. The IP address usually consists of four groups of numbers, each
separated by a period. In general, the first portion of each IP address identifies the network and the last
portion identifies the specific computer.

A domain name is the text version of an IP address. Figure 2-3 shows an IP address and its associated
domain name. As with an IP address, the components of a domain name are separated by periods.

IP address 72.14.207.99

Domain name www.google.com

The text in the domain name up to the first period identifies the type of Internet server. For example,
the www indicates a Web server. The Internet server portion of a domain name often is not required.
Every domain name contains a top-level domain (TLD), which is the last section of the domain name. A
generic TLD (gTLD), such as the com, identifies the type of organization associated with the domain.
Figure 2-4 lists some gTLDs. For international Web sites outside the United States, the domain name also
includes a country code TLD (ccTLD), which is a two-letter country code, such as au for Australia or fr for
France. When you specify a domain name, a server translates the domain name to its associated IP
address so that data and information can be routed to the correct computer. This server is an Internet
server that usually is associated with an Internet access provider.

Generic TLD Intended Purpose

aero Aviation community members

biz Businesses of all sizes

cat Catalan cultural community

com Commercial organizations, businesses, and companies

coop Business cooperatives such as credit unions and rural electric co-ops

edu Educational institutions

gov Government agencies info Business organizations or individuals providing general

information jobs Employment or human resource businesses

mil Military organizations

mobi Delivery and management of mobile Internet services

museum Accredited museums

name Individuals or families

net Network providers or commercial companies

org Nonprofit organizations

pro Certified professionals such as doctors, lawyers, and accountants

tel Internet communications

travel Travel industry

The World Wide Web

The World Wide Web (WWW), or Web, a widely used service on the Internet, consists of a worldwide
collection of electronic documents.

Web page is an electronic document that can contain text, graphics, animation, audio, and video.

Web site is a collection of related Web pages and associated items, such as documents and pictures,
stored on a Web server.

Web server is a computer that delivers requested Web pages to your computer.

Some industry experts use the term Web 2.0 to refer to Web sites that provide a means for users to
share personal information (such as social networking Web sites), allow users to modify Web site
content and have application software built into the site for visitors to use (such as e-mail and word
processing programs).

A Web browser, or browser, is application software that allows users to access and view Web pages or
access Web 2.0 programs.

Web Addresses

A Web page has a unique address, which is called a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or Web address.
For example, the home page for the United States National Park Service Web site has a Web address of
http://www.nps.gov. A Web browser retrieves a Web page using its Web address.

A bookmark, or favorite, is a saved Web address that you access by clicking the bookmark name in a list.
That is, instead of entering a Web address to display a Web page, you can click a previously saved
bookmark.

protocol domain name path Web page name

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/wildlifeviewing.htm

Navigating Web Pages

A link, short for hyperlink, is a built-in connection to another related Web page or part of a Web page.
Links allow you to obtain information in a nonlinear way.

Surfing the Web, to refer to the activity of using links to explore the Web.

Most current Web browsers support tabbed browsing, where the top of the browser displays a tab
(similar to a file folder tab) for each Web page you open. To move from one open Web page to another,
you click the tab in the Web browser.

Searching the Web

A search engine is a program that finds Web sites, Web pages, images, videos, news, maps, and other
information related to a specific topic. A subject directory classifies Web pages in an organized set of
categories or groups, such as sports or shopping, and related subcategories.

Search engines require that you enter a word or phrase, called search text, that describes the item you
want to find.
The following list identifies techniques you can use to improve your searches:

• Use specific nouns.

• Put the most important terms first in the search text.

• Use the asterisk (*) to substitute characters in words. For example, retriev* displays hits containing
retrieves, retrieval, retriever, and any other variation.

• Use quotation marks to create phrases so that the search engine finds an exact sequence of words. •
List all possible spellings, for example, email, e-mail.

• Before using a search engine, read its Help information.

• If the search is unsuccessful with one search engine, try another.

Subject Directories provides categorized lists of links arranged by subject.

Types of Web Sites

1. Portal .A portal is a Web site that offers a variety of Internet services from a single, convenient
location.
2. News .A news Web site contains newsworthy material including stories and articles relating to
current events, life, money, sports, and the weather.
3. Informational .An informational Web site contains factual information.
4. Business/Marketing A business/marketing Web site contains content that promotes or sells
products or services.
5. Blog. A blog, short for Weblog, is an informal Web site consisting of time-stamped articles, or
posts, in a diary or journal format, usually listed in reverse chronological order.
6. Wiki .A wiki is a collaborative Web site that allows users to create, add to, modify, or delete the
Web site content via their Web browser.
7. Online Social Networks, An online social network, also called a social networking Web site, is a
Web site that encourages members in its online community to share their interests, ideas,
stories, photos, music, and videos with other registered users.
8. Educational. An educational Web site offers exciting, challenging avenues for formal and
informal teaching and learning.
9. Entertainment. An entertainment Web site offers an interactive and engaging environment.
10. Advocacy. An advocacy Web site contains content that describes a cause, opinion, or idea.
11. Web Application .A Web application, or Web app, is a Web site that allows users to access and
interact with software through a Web browser on any computer or device that is connected to
the Internet.
12. Content Aggregator .A content aggregator is a business that gathers and organizes Web content
and then distributes, or feeds, the content to subscribers for free or a fee (Figure 2-11l).
Examples of distributed content include news, music, video, and pictures.
13. Personal .A private individual or family not usually associated with any organization may
maintain a personal Web site.
Criteria for Evaluating a Web Site’s Content

Evaluation Criteria Reliable Web Sites

Affiliation A reputable institution should support the Web site without bias in the information.

Audience The Web site should be written at an appropriate level.

Authority The Web site should list the author and the appropriate credentials.

Content The Web site should be well organized and the links should work.

Currency The information on the Web page should be current.

Design The pages at the Web site should download quickly, be visually pleasing, and easy to
navigate.

Objectivity The Web site should contain little advertising and be free of preconceptions.

Multimedia refers to any application that combines text with graphics, animation, audio, video,
and/or virtual reality.

A graphic, or graphical image, is a digital representation of nontext information such as a drawing,

chart, or photo.

A thumbnail is a small version of a larger graphic. You usually can click a thumbnail to display a
larger image.

Animation Many Web pages use animation, which is the appearance of motion created by
displaying a series of still images in sequence. Animation can make Web pages more visually
interesting or draw attention to important information or links.

Audio includes music, speech, or any other sound.

Streaming is the process of transferring data in a continuous and even flow. Streaming allows users
to access and use a file while it is transmitting. For example, streaming audio enables you to listen to
music as it downloads to your computer.

Podcast is recorded audio, usually an MP3 file, stored on a Web site that can be downloaded to a
computer or a portable media player such as an iPod.

Video consists of images displayed in motion.

Virtual reality (VR) is the use of computers to simulate a real or imagined environment that appears
as a three-dimensional (3-D) space. VR involves the display of 3-D images that users explore and
manipulate interactively. A VR Web site, for example, might show a house for sale. Potential buyers
walk through rooms in the VR house by moving an input device forward, backward, or to the side.

A plug-in, or add-on, is a program that extends the capability of a browser. You can download many
plug-ins at no cost from various Web sites.

Web publishing is the development and maintenance of Web pages. To develop a Web page, you do
not have to be a computer programmer. For the small business or home user, Web publishing is
fairly easy as long as you have the proper tools.

The five major steps to Web publishing are as follows:

1. Plan a Web site: Think about issues that could affect the design of the Web site.

2. Analyze and design a Web site: Design the layout of elements of the Web site such as links, text,
graphics, animation, audio, video, and virtual reality.

3. Create a Web site: Use a word processing program to create basic Web pages or Web page
authoring software to create more sophisticated Web sites.

4. Deploy a Web site: Transfer the Web pages from your computer to a Web server.

5. Maintain a Web site: Ensure the Web site contents remain current and all links work properly.
E-commerce, short for electronic commerce, is a business transaction that occurs over an electronic
network such as the Internet. Anyone with access to a computer or mobile device, an Internet
connection, and a means to pay for purchased goods or services can participate in e-commerce.

Three types of e-commerce are business-to-consumer, consumer-to-consumer, and business-to-

business. B

1. Business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce consists of the sale of goods and services to the
general public. For example, Apple has a B2C Web site. Instead of visiting a retail store to
purchase an iPod, for example, customers can order one directly from Apple’s Web site. E-retail,
short for electronic retail, occurs when businesses use the Web to sell products (Figure 2-16). A
customer (consumer) visits an online business through an electronic storefront, which contains
product.
The shopping cart allows the customer to collect purchases.

2. Consumer-to-consumer (C2C) e-commerce occurs when one consumer sells directly to another,
such as in an online auction. With an online auction, users bid on an item being sold by someone
else. The highest bidder at the end of the bidding period purchases the item. eBay is one of the
more popular online auction Web sites.
3. Most e-commerce, though, actually takes place between businesses, which is called business-to
business (B2B) e-commerce. Many businesses provide goods and services to other businesses,
such as online advertising, recruiting, credit, sales, market research, technical support, and
training.

A mailing list, also called an e-mail list or distribution list, is a group of e-mail names and addresses
given a single name.

Instant messaging (IM) is a real-time Internet communications service that notifies you when one or
more people are online and then allows you to exchange messages or files or join a private chat
room with them. Real time means that you and the people with whom you are conversing are online
at the same time. Some IM services support voice and video conversations. For IM to work, both
parties must be online at the same time. Also, the receiver of a message must be willing to accept
messages

A chat is a real-time typed conversation that takes place on a computer. A chat room is a location on
an Internet server that permits users to chat with each other. Anyone in the chat room can
participate in the conversation, which usually is specific to a particular topic.

VoIP (Voice over IP, or Internet Protocol), also called Internet telephony, enables users to speak to
other users over the Internet (instead of the public switched telephone network).

FTP FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is an Internet standard that permits the process of file uploading
and downloading with other computers on the Internet. Uploading is the opposite of downloading;
that is, uploading is the process of transferring documents, graphics, and other objects from your
computer to a server on the Internet.

A newsgroup is an online area in which users have written discussions about a particular subject.

A popular Web-based type of discussion group that does not require a newsreader is a message
board. Many Web sites use message boards instead of newsgroups because they are easier to use.

Netiquette, which is short for Internet etiquette, is the code of acceptable behaviors users should
follow while on the Internet; that is, it is the conduct expected of individuals while online.

NETIQUETTE — Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like them to treat you.

1. In e-mail, chat rooms, and newsgroups:

• Keep messages brief. Use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Be careful when using sarcasm and humor, as it might be misinterpreted.
• Be polite. Avoid offensive language.
• Read the message before you send it.
• Use meaningful subject lines.
p• Avoid sending or posting fl ames, which are abusive or insulting messages. Do not participate
in flame wars, which are exchanges of flames.
• Avoid sending spam, which is the Internet’s version of junk mail. Spam is an unsolicited e-mail
message or newsgroup posting sent to many recipients or newsgroups at once.
• Do not use all capital letters, which is the equivalent of SHOUTING!
• Use emoticons to express emotion.
Popular emoticons include
:) Smile :| Indifference
:o Surprised
:( Frown
:\ Undecided
• Use abbreviations and acronyms for phrases:
btw by the way
imho in my humble opinion
fyi for your information
ttfn ta ta for now
fwiw for what it’s worth
tyvm thank you very much

• Clearly identify a spoiler, which is a message that reveals a solution to a game or ending to a
movie or program.

2. Read the FAQ (frequently asked questions), if one exists. Many newsgroups and Web pages
have an FAQ.

3. Do not assume material is accurate or up-to-date. Be forgiving of other’s mistakes.

4. Never read someone’s private e-mail.