Components of the Internet

The internet consists of many systems that offer different facilities to users.

WWW, the World Wide Web is a collection of files or pages containing links to other documents on the Net. They use the HTTP protocol. You navigate through the web using a program called a web browser.

• Email

  Electronic mail allows users to exchange messages and attached files which can include text, pictures, audio.

• Chat and instant messaging

  Allow you to have real-time conversations online by typing messages at the keyboard.

• FTP

  File Transfer Protocol is used to transfer files over a TCP/IP network. Nowadays it is built into Web browsers. You can download programs, games and music files from a remote computer to your hard drive.

• Telnet

  Is a program that enables a computer to function as a terminal working from a remote computer and use online databases for example library catalogues.

• Newsgroups

  • Are the public discussion areas which make up a system called the Usenet. The contents are contributed by people who post articles or respond to articles, creating chains called message threads. You need a newsreader to subscribe to newsgroups and read and post messages. The newsreader can be a part of a web browser.
  • A thread is a string of text based messages, from the first one that started the topic up to the latest one. The first 'emoticons' such as :) (smiling face) appeared here and even before the mobile phone was invented, people were using text shortcuts such as IMHO (In My humble Opinion) or ROLF (Roll on Floor Laughing).
  • Some newsgroups are 'moderated' meaning someone is controlling what can and cannot be posted in that newsgroup.

• Internet telephone

  Is a system that allows people to make phone calls via the Internet

• Video conference

  • Is a system allowing the transmission of video and audio signals in real time A video conference is a 'meeting' between two or more people who are in separate geographical locations.
  • It is made possible by the use of video monitors, specialist software, fast broadband connection and satellite technology.
  • People in different locations are able to see and hear one another and thus hold a meeting as if they were in the same room.