Gabriel John B.

Alviar
BSMA 1-7
Living in the I.T. ERA

The Internet
● History of the Internet
The Internet is a revolutionary system architecture that connects various computer networks

worldwide, enabling mass communication, media, and commerce. It emerged in the 1970s but

became visible to the public in the 1990s. By 2020, over half the world's population had Internet

access, a number continually growing due to smart technology and the Internet of Things. This

network supports diverse activities, including social media, email, chat rooms, and collaborative

work. It facilitates access to digital information, notably through the World Wide Web, and has

fostered the rise of e-businesses conducting sales and services online.

The origins and development of the Internet trace back to early computer networks like SABRE

and AUTODIN I in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Time-sharing systems allowed multiple users

to access a computer simultaneously, leading to the concept of sharing resources over a network.

ARPANET, established in 1969 by ARPA, marked the first host-to-host network connection and

facilitated communication between time-sharing computers at research sites, primarily

universities. ARPANET utilized packet switching, breaking data into manageable packets for

efficient transmission. Commercial packet networks emerged in the 1970s, though host-to-host

communication remained limited to research networks. DARPA supported initiatives like

ground-based packet radio and packet satellite networks, enabling mobile access to computing

resources and international connections. Connecting these networks became imperative, leading

to the development of inter-networking protocols.

The commercial expansion of the Internet was propelled by various factors, including the

widespread availability of personal computers and workstations in the early 1980s,

advancements in integrated circuit technology leading to declining computer prices, and the
emergence of local area networks like Ethernet. Federal legislation in 1993 opened the NSFNET

backbone to commercial users, allowing commercial entities to access the Internet directly. The

University of Illinois introduced Mosaic, a user-friendly web browser, in 1993, simplifying

Internet access and accelerating its growth. Netscape Communications Corporation and

Microsoft Corporation developed web browsers, further spurring Internet usage. By the late

1990s, there were approximately 10,000 Internet service providers globally, with consolidation

leading to the emergence of larger ISPs like America Online (AOL). Advertising revenue

became a major focus for Internet companies in the late 1990s, leading to speculation and the

eventual bursting of the dot-com bubble in 2001.

The evolution of the Internet in the 21st century saw the emergence of Web 2.0, marked by social

networking, user-generated content, and cloud computing. The widespread adoption of

smartphones and advancements in wireless technology led to a significant increase in Internet

users globally. Future directions for the Internet include higher network speeds, integrated

broadband systems, and the expansion of the "Internet of things." Managing the vast amount of

digital information available online becomes increasingly important, with infrastructure and

effective management crucial for its preservation and accessibility.

The Internet's rapid expansion in the late 20th and early 21st centuries transformed it from a

technical tool into a pervasive aspect of daily life. Initially conceived for military and academic

purposes, it merged with the personal computer revolution to become a medium for

communication, commerce, and social interaction. DARPA's ARPANET and the rise of

affordable personal computers, like the Apple II and IBM PC, fueled this transformation. Silicon

Valley, with its innovative spirit and DARPA-funded research, played a central role. The

Internet's integration into society reflects the convergence of military and civilian technologies,

reshaping how we live and interact in the digital age.

The WELL (Whole Earth ’Lectronic Link), established in 1985 by Stewart Brand, served as one

of the earliest electronic communities, fostering discussions on various topics such as parenting

and Grateful Dead concerts. It exemplified features still prevalent in online communities today,
such as geographic irrelevance, collective knowledge sharing, and democratic moderation. The

WELL served as a template for diverse online communities dedicated to topics ranging from

religion to politics.

The Internet's impact on communication was profound, with email replacing traditional mail and

instant messaging becoming widespread, especially among youth. Instant communication

facilitated the organization of events and protests, such as the WTO protests in Seattle in 1999

and the Egyptian uprising in 2011. Social media platforms like Facebook played crucial roles in

mobilizing people for social and political causes.

In times of disaster, the Internet emerged as a critical tool for coordinating relief efforts and

reconnecting separated individuals. Following the September 11 attacks and the earthquake in

Haiti in 2010, the Internet facilitated communication and aid distribution, demonstrating its value

in times of crisis.

Social gaming and social networking have become significant aspects of online interaction,

demonstrating the Internet's ability to transcend spatial distances for social engagement. Online

gaming has evolved from mere entertainment to a complex form of social life, as seen in games

like World of Warcraft where virtual property can be bought and sold with real money.

Economists study virtual economies, which can rival the GDP of some countries and provide

insights through controlled experiments.

However, social gaming also blurs the boundaries between the virtual and real worlds, leading to

instances of real-life violence over virtual possessions. In South Korea, incidents of violence

related to online gaming have led to the creation of cybercrime units. Moreover, gaming

addiction has become a concern, with reports of players neglecting their personal lives and

health.
Social networking sites (SNSs) have emerged as significant platforms for online communities,

allowing members to share various content and interact. Early examples like Classmates.com and

Yahoo! 360° paved the way for platforms like Myspace, Facebook, and LinkedIn, which have

become integral parts of modern social interaction. Businesses leverage SNSs for recruitment

and marketing, tapping into the influence of key members within social networks.

● Components of the Internet

Network Infrastructure: This includes the physical hardware, such as routers, switches,
servers, and cables, that form the backbone of the Internet. Network infrastructure
facilitates data transmission between devices connected to the Internet.

Protocols: Protocols are rules and standards that govern how data is transmitted and
received over the Internet. Examples include TCP/IP (Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol), HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), and DNS (Domain
Name System).

Domain Name System (DNS): DNS translates domain names (e.g., www.example.com)
into IP addresses (e.g., 192.0.2.1), allowing users to access websites using
human-readable names.

Servers: Servers store and serve data to clients upon request. Web servers, for example,
host websites and deliver web pages to users' browsers.

Clients: Clients are devices (such as computers, smartphones, and tablets) that connect to
servers to access resources and services on the Internet. Web browsers, email clients, and
FTP clients are examples of client applications.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs): ISPs are companies that provide users with access to
the Internet. They maintain the infrastructure necessary for connecting users to the global
network.
 Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): CDNs distribute content (such as web pages,
images, and videos) across multiple servers located in different geographic locations.
This improves the speed and reliability of content delivery to users.

Peering and Transit: Peering agreements allow networks to exchange traffic directly
with each other without going through third-party networks. Transit providers, on the
other hand, provide access to the entire Internet by routing traffic through their networks.

Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): IXPs are physical locations where multiple ISPs and
networks connect to exchange traffic. They play a crucial role in facilitating efficient data
exchange between different parts of the Internet.

● Uses of the Internet

-Communication- communicating to different parts of the world are made easier through
the use of internet; websites and platforms, in order to converse with a multitude of
people to share thoughts and ideas.
-E-commerce- E-commerce websites and online marketplaces enable buying and selling
goods and services, making it convenient for consumers and businesses to conduct
transactions globally.
-Governance- Many governments provide online services for citizens, including tax
filing, permit applications, and accessing public records.
-Scientific breakthrough- Researchers use the internet to access academic journals,
collaborate with colleagues, and gather data for their studies.
-Education- Online courses, tutorials, and educational resources allow people to learn
new skills and subjects from anywhere with an internet connection.
-Information Access- The internet provides access to vast amounts of information on
almost any topic imaginable through websites, search engines, online encyclopedias, and
databases.
-Entertainment- Streaming services, online gaming platforms, social media, and
websites offer a wide range of entertainment options, including movies, TV shows,
music, games, and user-generated content.
-Healthcare- Telemedicine services, health-related websites, and online support
communities provide information, advice, and access to healthcare professionals.
-Community Engagement- Online forums, community websites, and social media
groups enable people to engage with others who share their interests, hobbies, or local
community.
-Travel and Tourism- Booking flights, hotels, rental cars, and researching destinations
can all be done online, making travel planning more convenient.
 -Personal Organization- Online calendars, productivity apps, and cloud storage services
help individuals manage their schedules, tasks, and files.
● Internet Terms and Definitions

Domain
While every computer has its own unique address, every user using the Internet has a unique address called a
domain. A domain recognizes one or more IP addresses. edu - Educational institutions

● gov - Government agencies

● mil - Military
● net - Networks organization
● org - Organizations (nonprofit)

There are additional top-level domains that are now recognized on the Internet. They include:

● aero - Air-transport industry

● biz - Businesses
● coop - Cooperatives
● info - Unrestricted use
● museum - museums
● pro - Accountants, lawyers, physicians, and other professionals
● tv - Television

Some countries use a sub-domain or geographical domain as part of their address

Browser

A piece of software such as Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer that allows a computer to access and display
documents, view pictures, hear sound, and view video clips from the World Wide Web.

E-mail

Mail that's electronically transmitted by your computer. As opposed to snail mail, e-mail sends your messages
instantaneously, anywhere in the world. It has the capability to send messages at any time and to anyone.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

The standard method for downloading and uploading files over the Internet. With FTP, you can login to a
server and transfer files (meaning you can "send" or "receive" files).

Homepage

The first page that is viewed when the browser starts. It is also the page of a Web site that provides the
introduction or content with links.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

The abbreviation for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. It is the set of rules by which Web pages are transferred
across the Internet.

Internet Protocol (IP) Address

The Internet is composed of local, regional, national, and worldwide computer networks. Each computer on the
Internet can be identified by a set of unique numbers that is called an internet protocol (IP) address. The IP
address is composed of four different numbers separated by periods such as 205.134.120.60.

Link or Hypertext Link

An underlined word(s), phrase(s), or graphics on a Web page that transports the reader to additional or related
information on the Internet.

TelNet

A terminal emulation protocol (or Internet program) used to connect a computer to a remote host or server.
Telnet is one of the oldest Internet activities and is primarily used to access online databases or to read articles
stored on university servers.

Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

An addressing scheme that is used on the Internet to locate resources and/or services on the World Wide Web.
Basically the URL is the address of a computer file that has been put on a computer server to access the
Internet.

Web Page

A single hypertext file or a page that is part of a Web site.

Website

A collection of World Wide Web pages or files.