INTRODUCTION OF INTERNET

INTRODUCTION OF INTERNET

The Internet is the global system of interconnected computer networks that use the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link devices worldwide. It is a network of networks that consists of private, public, academic, business, and government networks of local to global scope, linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless, and optical networking technologies.

Internet and Networking

The Internet is the most widely recognized and used form of computer network . Networks connect computers to each other to allow communication and sharing of services. Originally, a computer user kept all the computer hardware in one place; that is, it was centralized in one room. Anyone wanting computer access had to go to where the computer was located. Although this is still sometimes the case, most computer systems are decentralized. That is, the computer itself and some storage devices may be in one place, but the devices to access the computer-terminals or even other computers-are scattered among the users. These devices are usually connected to the computer by telephone lines. For instance, the computer and storage that has the information on your checking account may be located in bank headquarters. but the terminals are located in branch banks all over town so a teller in any branch can find out what your balance is. The subject of decentralization is intimately tied to data communications, the process of exchanging data over communications facilities, such as the telephone.

A network uses communications equipment to connect computers and their resources. In one type of network, a local area network (LAN), personal computers in an office are hooked together so that users can communicate with each other. Users can operate their personal computers independently or in cooperation with other PCs or mainframes to exchange data and share resources. We discuss computer networks in detail in a later chapter. 

Software: Telling the Machine What to Do

In the past, when people thought about computers, they thought about machines. The tapping on the keyboard, the clacking of the printers, the rumble of whirling disk drives, the changing flashes of color on a computer screen-these are the attention-getters. However, it is really the software- the planned, step-by-step instructions required to turn data into information-that makes a computer useful.




Categories of Software. 

Generally speaking, software can be categorized as system software or applications software. A subset of system software is an operating system, the underlying software found on all computers. Applications software, software that is applied, can be used to solve a particular problem or to perform a particular task. Applications software may be either custom or packaged. Many large organizations pay programmers to write custom software, software that is specifically tailored to their needs. We will use several forms of system software (e.g. Windows 2000, MacOS) and several application software programs (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint) in this course.



Some Task-Oriented Software.

Most users, whether at home or in business, are drawn to task-oriented software, sometimes called productivity software, that can make their work faster and their lives easier. The collective set of business tasks is limited, and the number of general paths towards performing these tasks is limited, too. Thus, the tasks and the software solutions fall, for the most part, into just a few categories, which can be found in most business environments. These major categories are word processing (including desktop publishing), spreadsheets, database management, graphics, and communications. We will present a brief description of each category here.




Word Processing/Desktop Publishing

The most widely used personal computer software is word processing software. This software lets you create, edit, format, store, and print text and graphics in one document. In this definition it is the three words in the middle-edit, format, and store-that reveal the difference between word processing and plain typing. Since you can store the memo or document you type on disk, you can retrieve it another time, change it, reprint it, or do whatever you like with it. You can see what a great time-saver word processing can be: unchanged parts of the stored document do not need to be retyped; the whole revised document can he reprinted as if new.
As the number of features in word processing packages has grown, word processing has crossed the border into desktop publishing territory. Desktop publishing packages are usually better than word processing packages at meeting high-level publishing needs, especially when it comes to typesetting and color reproduction. Many magazines and newspapers today rely on desktop publishing software. Businesses use it to produce professional-looking newsletters, reports, and brochures-both to improve internal communication and to make a better impression on the outside world. 




Electronic Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets, made up of columns and rows, have been used as business tools for centuries . A manual spreadsheet can be tedious to prepare and, when there are changes, a considerable amount of calculation may need to he redone. An electronic spreadsheet is still a spreadsheet, but the computer does the work. In particular, spreadsheet software automatically recalculates the results when a number is changed. This capability lets business people try different combinations of numbers and obtain the results quickly. This ability to ask "What if . . . ?" helps business people make better, faster decisions. In this course, we use Microsoft's Excel spreadsheet application software. 



Database Management

Software used for database management-the management of a collection of interrelated facts-handles data in several ways. The software can store data, update it, manipulate it, report it in a variety of views, and print it in as many forms. By the time the data is in the reporting stage-given to a user in a useful form-it has become information. A concert promoter, for example, can store and change data about upcoming concert dates, seating, ticket prices, and sales. After this is done, the promoter can use the software to retrieve information, such as the number of tickets sold in each price range or the percentage of tickets sold the day before the concert. Database software can be useful for anyone who must keep track of a large number of facts.



Graphics

It might seem wasteful to show graphics to business people when standard computer printouts are readily available. However, graphics, maps, and charts can help people compare data and spot trends more easily, and make decisions more quickly. In addition, visual information is usually more compelling than a page of numbers. We use Microsoft's PowerPoint and Adobe's Photoshop application software for graphics. We use it in two ways: for doing original drawings, and for creating visual aids to project as a support to an oral presentation.




Communications

We have already described communications in a general way. From the viewpoint of a worker with a personal computer at home, communications means-in simple terms-that he or she can hook a phone up to the computer and communicate with the computer at the office, or get at data stored in someone else's computer in another location.  We use Microsoft's Internet Explorer application software for doing email, World Wide Web browsing, and participating in Internet discussion groups.