The Internet has completely revolutionized the computer and communications. The creation of the Internet helped along by many individuals. Tim Berners-Lee, Vannevar Bush, Norbert Wiener, JCR Licklider, Marshall McLuhan and the 1956 Dartmouth Artificial Intelligence Conference are a few of the big names. Vannevar Bush contributed to the development of the Internet through a visionary description of informational technology uses. Norbert Wiener inspired researchers through his invention of the field of Cybernetics. Berners-Lee wrote the first web server and client and paved the way for URIs, HTTP and HTML to become the main web language. The 1956 Dartmouth Artificial Intelligence Conference also put forth the concept of expanding technology.
It wasn’t until the 1960’s that large, immobile computers used to store information were developed. Individuals had to travel to the site of the computer or send magnetic computer tapes through a conventional postal system. The Cold War also played a role in the formation of the Internet. With the launch of the Sputnik satellite, the U.S. Defense Department was forced to consider ways to disseminate information after an attack or other major situation. This led to the creation of ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network) which evolved into the Internet as we know it today.
- Histories of the Internet
- Internet for Historians
- Internet History Timeline
- Internet Modern History Sourcebook
- Tim Berners-Lee
- Marshall McLuhan
- Norbert Wiener
- JCR Licklider
- Vavnevar Bush
Networks and IP’s
The official birth of the Internet is January 1, 1983. While computers had incorporated Internet before this point, the networks did not have a way to communicate with one another. With the communications development tool known as Transfer Control Protocol/Internetwork Protocol (TCP/IP), computers had found a way to communicate on different networks. The Defense Data Network and ARPANET switched to the standard TCP/IP format in 1983, hence the birth of the Internet.
In other terms it is a “global network” which consists of a worldwide compilation of computer systems coming together as one. These computer networks use TCP/IP protocols to transmit and exchange data. Since its start, the Internet was designed to run multiple applications at once using telecommunications links. Commonly, these applications include electronic mail (e-mail) and the World Wide Web. Since the Internet is a global network, all users must have a unique IP (Internet Protocol) address to access it.
- What Exactly is the Internet?
- What is a Network?
- Definition of an IP Address
- The Man Who Made You Put Your Pen Away: Email Invention
Servers and Browsers
Computers that have access to the Internet can be classified in one of two basic categories: servers and browsers. This network of computers is linked together through satellite links, telephone lines, and other means. Servers are used for information storage and where you will retrieve information when searching the web. Browsers are used as an access point to enter the Internet from a computer. Examples of Internet browsers include Internet Explorer (IE) and Mozilla Firefox.
The Internet is continually growing and new forms of communication and an excess of information is presented to the public each day. Anyone with a computer and Internet connection is able to surf the web. Users can use the Internet to find information on an endless range of topics, receive and send e-mails, buy, sell and advertise products, watch videos, play games, operate a business, engage in social networking (ex. MySpace or Facebook), and most importantly, communicate and share information.
- What is a Browser?
- What is a Server?
- What is the Internet Used for?
- Uses of the Internet
- Internet Uses in College Classes
Security
One branch of computer security specifically related to the Internet is Internet security. Internet security is essential to provide protection against attacks, viruses, and fraud that Internet users are at high risk for. There are several ways to protect the user when using the Internet, including data encryption, the use of firewalls, anti-virus software, email security, and the proper browser choice. TCP/IP can be made secure through cryptography protocols, such as TLS and SSL web traffic, IPSec for network layer security, and PGP for email.
- How to Protect Your Computer
- Internet Security Settings
- Internet Safety, Security & Responsibility
- Internet Protection Act
- Internet Crime Complaint Center
Net Manners
Internet etiquette, or “Netiquette”, refers to a set of basic regulations that have been set over the years to make using the Internet a pleasant experience. Its primary concern is for users to engage in respect and courtesy practices while online. Since the net allows a person a sense of anonymity some people choose to abuse their power on the web and use it to harm others. These basic rules have even been put into a set of 10 commandments for web ethics. The underlying theme is about being respectful and treating others as you would want to be treated.
Social Media
Social media is a type of communication used for social interaction using various publishing techniques. Using web-based technologies, social media allows users to create and exchange content. Social media can include Internet blogs, forums, wikis, weblogs, micro-blogging, podcasts, video/picture, and social bookmarking. One of the key components of implementing successful social media is to build “social authority”. This is when the user established him or herself as an “expert” in a given field.