INTERNET

• It is an interconnected wide area network of millions of computers that are linked together around the world, which share information in the form of data, graphics, sound, software, text, etc., instantly as and when required.
• It is an international network.
• It is a global network.
• It is a network of networks.
• It is also known as a Wide Area Network (WAN).

HISTORY OF INTERNET

• In 1960, the ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) planned to create a computer network so that data could be shared easily.
• Later in 1969, ARPA created a network by connecting four computers, which was known as ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network).
• By the 1970s, ARPA helped in the development of a new protocol known as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) for transferring and tracking data between networks so that it could reach the destination safely.
• By the 1980s, another federal agency of the USA named National Science Foundation (NSF) used ARPANET to connect its five regional supercomputer centers located at different universities so that multiple users could share resources among themselves. Later, NSF created a more sophisticated network called NSFNET (National Science Foundation Network), which was used for research and development.
• The link between ARPANET, NSFNET, and other networks was termed as the Internet. The process of connecting separate networks to each other is called interconnecting.
• In 1990, ARPANET lost its existence, and the government discontinued funding to NSFNET in 1995. Commercial Internet services replaced them.

WEB BROWSER

• A web browser is an application software.
• It is used to access web pages.
• Opera, Safari, Google Chrome, etc., are examples of web browsers.

WEB PAGE

• A web page is an electronic page that exists on the Internet.
• It contains all the information related to a website.
• The first page of any website is known as the home page.

WEBSITE

• A website is a collection of two or more web pages.
• It is a combination of two words:
  • Web — means Internet
  • Site — means place
• So, we can say that it is a place on the Internet.
• Any website is accessed by a unique name known as a web address.

SERVICES ON INTERNET

SEARCH ENGINE

• A search engine is an information retrieval tool that helps to find any type of information that exists on the Internet.
• It is a program of a web browser that helps to search anything on the Internet.

Types of Search Engines

There are two categories of search engines:

1. Directory-based search engine
2. Keyword-based search engine

1. Directory-Based Search Engine

• It enables users to search for information by selecting categories of subject matter.
• The directory separates subjects into general categories, which are divided into subcategories.
• Once a category is selected, the directory displays a list of websites that provide content related to that subject.

Examples:

• www.looksmart.com
• www.yahoo.com
• www.dmoz.com

2. Keyword-Based Search Engine

• It helps to search information when related words are typed.
• The engine displays a list of web pages that contain information related to the typed words.
• It is useful for searching topics that do not occur under general categories.
• When a user submits keywords, the search engine matches web pages and displays related websites.
• These types of search engines are also called index-based search engines.

Examples:

• www.google.com
• www.bing.com
• www.altavista.com

HOW DOES A SEARCH ENGINE WORK

• A search engine must have a strong database.
• It uses powerful programs called spiders or web crawlers that crawl the web to find newly published pages.
• The documents and their web addresses are sent to an indexing tool, which stores them in a database.
• It prepares an index so that information can be retrieved quickly.
• When users enter keywords, the search engine searches its database using the index and displays matching results.

SUGGESTED TIPS FOR USING A SEARCH ENGINE

1. Be specific, use synonyms, and use lowercase letters.
2. Avoid common words like computer or internet, as they produce too many results.
3. Use Boolean operators (AND / OR / NOT) for better results.
   • Example: computer AND advantage
4. Use double quotes to search exact phrases.
   • Example: "what is computer"
5. Use wildcard characters like asterisk (*) to search related words.
   • Example: comp*
6. Use + and − signs to include or exclude keywords.
   • Example: +Ranchi +University −technical

VIDEO CONFERENCING

• Video conferencing is a way of communication in which two or more persons at distant places interact with each other as if they are face-to-face.

Elements Required for Video Conferencing

1. Video Input:
   Video camera, webcam, mobile camera
2. Video Output:
   Computer monitor, television, projector
3. Audio Input:
   Microphone
4. Audio Output:
   Speakers or earphones
5. Network:
   Internet, LAN, digital telephone network

DOWNLOADING

• Downloading refers to transferring files from a remote computer to the host computer.
• FTP (File Transfer Protocol) helps to create directories and transfer files over the Internet.

UPLOADING

• Uploading refers to transferring files from the host computer to a remote computer or server.
• Uploading files is usually not possible with anonymous FTP.
• Anonymous FTP is mainly used for downloading files. Only administrators can upload files.

E-LEARNING

• E-learning refers to the use of Internet technology in education and learning.
• E means electronic, and learning means study.
• It allows students to learn from distant locations at any time.
• Many universities provide distance learning programs using e-learning.
• It also helps employees receive training from remote locations.

E-BANKING

• E-banking refers to online banking transactions done through the Internet.
• It allows users to transfer funds and perform transactions online.
• Banks provide a PIN (Personal Identification Number).
• Users need a login ID and password to access e-banking services.

FTP DIRECTORIES

There are two types of FTP directories:

1. Anonymous FTP Directory

• Username: Anonymous
• Password: User's email address
• Used mainly for downloading files.
• Only administrators can upload files.

2. Non-Anonymous FTP Directory

• Requires a username and password.
• Provided by the FTP administrator.
• Users are verified before accessing files.
• FTP connections can be made using web browsers or FTP client software.

E-RESERVATION

• E-reservation refers to electronic reservation.
• It means booking services or seats online for a limited time.
• It allows users to reserve tickets or facilities through the Internet.

HOW TO BOOK AN E-RAILWAY TICKET

1. Open a web browser.
2. Search for IRCTC.
3. Log in using your User ID and Password.
4. Enter destination details.
5. Click Check Availability.
6. Click Book Now on the desired date.
7. Fill required information.
8. Pay the fare using debit or credit card.
9. Receive the e-ticket in your email.

E-GROUP

• An e-group is a group of people communicating through the Internet on a common topic.
• It is an electronic mailing forum.
• Users can create mailing lists and allow others to join.
• It helps maintain communication and manage group access.

SOCIAL NETWORKING

• Social networking refers to connecting people around the world using the Internet.
• It allows users to share ideas, relationships, and information.
• It enables communication between people from different locations.
• Users create profiles and share personal information.

Examples of social networking sites:

• WhatsApp
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Skype
• LinkedIn
• Orkut
• MySpace