Internet
We all use the Internet as a mainstream tool. We go to certain websites for information, we use Google to help us find those sites, we watch streaming shows and related, we watch videos, we save files, we provide links to files or pages for others to view, we use email and more. The list is endless. Below is a definition a bit on the technical side, but states what the Internet is and, to a small degree, how it works. [Commentary is provided using everyday language.]
The internet is a global network of interconnected computer networks [all the computers in the world are connected], enabling worldwide communication and information exchange. This is achieved through a suite of protocols, primarily TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol).
Key aspects of the Internet
A Network of Networks: The internet is a collection of interconnected networks operated by various organizations, including private companies, academic institutions, and governments.
Packet Switching: Information sent over the internet is broken down into packets. These packets are transmitted independently across the network and reassembled at their destination.[This allows the information to arrive intact when a particular network is down.]
Protocols: Standardized rules and procedures, known as protocols, govern data transmission and reception. TCP/IP is the foundational protocol suite, with others like HTTP (for web browsing) and FTP (for file transfer).
Infrastructure: The internet relies on physical infrastructure such as routers, switches, cables, and wireless technologies to transmit data.
Servers and Clients: Servers store and distribute content, while clients are the devices [individual computers] that users employ to access this content.
Domain Name System (DNS): DNS translates domain names into numerical IP addresses.
History of the internet
The Internet’s origins trace back to the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET) developed in the United States in the 1960s. With the development of key technologies and protocols and the advent of the World Wide Web, the internet became a public infrastructure in the 1980s and widely accessible in the early 1990s.
Impact of the Internet
The internet has significantly impacted modern society, transforming communication, work, learning, and interaction. It has facilitated global communication, fostered e-commerce, revolutionized education, and created social interaction avenues.
Challenges and future trends
The internet faces challenges such as cybersecurity threats, privacy concerns, the digital divide, and the environmental impact of its infrastructure.
Future trends include advancements in areas like 5G and beyond, the expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), edge computing, and AI-powered internet enhancements, according to E8 Internet. These developments promise greater connectivity, faster speeds, and more intelligent and immersive digital experiences.
The Layman’s View of the Internet. What is a Website?
First, you need a name for your website, a Domain Name. You see this each time you visit a site or see a link. The domain names look like: www.mysite.com or www.favoriteNonProfit.org The www is not a part of the name. You obtain the domain name through a Registrar, such a GoDaddy. Today’s Internet has millions of domain names, making it a challenge to find your desired unique name. There are many extensions such as com and net. You can find these when registering your domain name or with an Internet search.
Hosting is where the website sits. There are many hosting companies. You point to the hosting site in the Admin section of your domain name registrar. When you type MySite.com, the data is sent to the registrar who then sends it to the hosting site. It”s possible to have your computer as a hosting site. For the technical folks, this is somewhat easy. There may be a cost in the software. This is most like outside the range of what a typical user would want to do. You can see a variation on this with Microsoft OneDrive. Your local computer files are synced with OneDrive, which is a huge hosting site. You can provide the link to others for their access. This technology is moving fast.
The website is comprised of files. It could be just one file or many. Robust sites may have thousands of files. The website can also provide links to other website pages, to videos, to photos, etc.
Typically, the Registrar and the Hosting site are two different web providers, but it can be the same. Regardless, the Registrar points to the Host.
Today, the Hosting sites provide tools to make website construction easy, without the need for a web designer. Many people use the web designer to set up the basic site and infrastructure, making new content easier to produce by the non-technical user. Of course, each situation is different and the website owners all have different levels of skill or desire as to updating.
The are now AI tools that can create a site with zero web design knowledge. Of course, you will want to edit or otherwise revise the site, which will take some skill as noted above.
More to Come…..