Internet

What is Internet? 

The term 'Internet' stands for International Network. The Internet is world wide network of computers which allows the sharing of large amounts of information. In this networking system, computers are connected through cables or wireless links. The Internet connects millions of computers around the world. Thus, the Internet is a global network which has revolutionised communication in today's world.

The Internet is a system through which we can communicate with people or access information from any part of the world. Computers access and retrieve digital information with the help of the Internet. These signals are communicated through modems, phone lines, satellites, etc. The information obtained from the Internet is called online information. The process of interconnecting computers and exchanging information is done through TCP/IP ( Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol).A protocol is a procedure through which communication is conducted over the Internet. It transmits audio, videos, graphic images, etc.

Nowadays, the Internet is considered to be one of the best means of sending, receiving and accessing information.

Uses of Internet

• We can access information about anything on the Internet.
• We can send messages, greetings, etc. to our friends and relatives by using an e-mail.
• We can watch movies and play computer games on the Internet.
• We can chat on the Internet and make new friends.
• We can buy things on the Internet (Online shopping/e-shopping

Commonly used Internet terms

Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

Every page on the Internet has a unique address by which it is identified. The address of a web page is called the Uniform Resource Locator or URL.

Example: - 

www.google.com

www.yahoo.com

Protocol

It is a set of rules responsible for transferring  a hypertext document two or more computers. 

Hyperlinks

A hyperlink is a hotspot on a web page that acts as a link to another web page. Hyperlinks allow us to visit websites/web pages to which they are linked without typing a new address each time.

Hyperlinks are displayed in the form of underlined text, buttons or images. When you move your mouse pointer over a hyperlink, the mouse pointer generally takes the shape of a hand.

Search Engines

The Internet contains millions of websites and pages of information. Therefore, it is not possible to remember the address of all websites. These problems can be sorted by using search engines. Search Engine is a tool that searches the Internet to find information on the basis of the keyboard(s) provided by the user.

Example: -

Google - www.google.com

Yahoo - www.yahoo.com

MSN - www.msn.com

Altavista- www.altavista.com

Electronic Mail or e-mail

Electronic mail is most commonly abbreviated as 'e-mail'. It is a method of exchanging digital messages. It accepts, forwards, delivers and stores messages on the behalf of users. Through e-mail, messages can be sent to any part of the world. You know that when you send a letter through the postal services, you have to specify the destination address. Similarly, you also require an e-mail ID to send e-mails to different people.

Some of the websites which provide free e-mail facilities are: -

www.gmail.com

www.yahoo.com

www.outlook.com

Advantages of e-mail

1. It is very cheap as compared to other communication services.
2. It is versatile in nature. You can send pictures, worksheet, word document etc. as an attachment.
3. It can be sent any time of the day or night.
4. It is one of the fastest ways of communication where messages can be sent anywhere around the world instantly.

Disadvantages of e-mail

1. It can be impersonal and easily misunderstood by people.
2. It's attachment can contain viruses.
3. It can be time-consuming when answering complicated questions. (One can use telephone for providing detailed answers.)
4. It is compulsory to have an e-mail address for both sender and receiver.

Terms related to e-mail

1. Inbox - All the received mails are collected in the Inbox.
2. Sent Mail - All the sent mails are stored here.
3. Spam - The junk mail received from any unknown source is called 'Spam'.
4. Trash - All the deleted e-mails are stored in 'Trash'. It will remain in the trash for a period for 30 days. In case the deleted mails need to be viewed, then it can be done within this period. After 30 days, the trashed mail gets deleted permanently.
5. cc - It stands for 'Carbon Copy'. The mail IDs entered under 'cc' will receive a copy of your mail. In this situation, other receivers will come to know who else have been given the same copy of the mail.
6. bcc - It stands for 'Blind Carbon Copy'. The mail IDs entered under 'bcc' will be hidden from other receivers. Other receivers will not be able to know who else have been given a copy of the same mail.