The Internet and connections © EIT, Author Gay Robertson, 2017

The Internet … Computer networks all round the world ‘talking to each other’ Sending, retrieving and sharing information Connected together by phone lines, fibre, cable, wireless or satellites

Global network used for …..

The beginnings of the Internet The Internet was started in the late 1960’s by the United States Department of Defence The purpose was to develop a network of computers which could still function if any part of that network suffered bomb damage In the 1990’s the Internet was opened up to the commercial world and its use has escalated since More than 3 billion people are now using the Internet, according to the United Nations agency that oversees international communications The number of Internet users has increased from 738 million in 2000 to 3.2 billion in 2015, according to a new report from the International Telecommunication Union

Structure of the Internet The internet is international A global collection of networks connected together into an entity we know as the Internet which anyone with access to a phone line or wireless connection can connect to Most common language is English The internet is author driven Anyone can write and publish anything on the Web Can be amateur or expert The internet is public domain Not owned by any one person or company Simply a network that links willing participants No one ‘censors’ any content on the Internet Users are responsible for their own actions and safety

Connecting to the Internet

What do I need to connect and access information? I’m online

What is Browser software … A web browser is an end-user program that you need to use to view web pages and ‘browse’ websites which are made up of multiple web pages Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, FireFox, Android (Dolphin) Browser are the most popular browsers

Modem A modem - is used to receive (input) and send (output) digital data over a phone line. Most modems are built into your computer or device. The sending modem modulates the data into a signal that is compatible with the phone line The receiving modem demodulates the signal back into digital data and the data becomes input Modem connects to an Internet service provider (ISP) ISP connects us into the Internet Internet lets us connect to any machine in the world

Wireless Modem A wireless modem bypasses the telephone system and connects directly to a wireless network A wireless network is known as a WiFi

What is WiFi WiFi is a technology that uses radio waves to provide network connectivity. ALWAYS Make sure your home WiFi is secure.  The major advantage of WiFi is that it is compatible with almost every operating system, game device, and advanced printer.   The computer should include a wireless adapter that will translate data sent into a radio signal. This same signal will be transmitted, via an antenna, to a decoder known as the router. Once decoded, the data will be sent to the Internet through a wired Ethernet connection.  WiFi enabled door chime …See, hear & speak to people from your smartphone, tablet or PC http://ccm.net/faq/298-what-is-wifi-and-how-does-it-work

What are Hotspots? The term hotspot is used to define an area where WiFi access is available. It can either be through a closed wireless network at home or in public places such as restaurants or airports.  In order to access hotspots, your computer should include a wireless adapter. If you are using an advanced laptop model, it will probably include a built-in wireless transmitter already. If it doesn't, you can purchase a wireless adapter that will plug into the PCI slot or USB port. Once installed, your system should automatically detect the WiFi hotspots and request connection. If not, you should use software to handle this task for you. 

What is an ISP … Internet Service Provider a company that sells connections to the internet (you choose how you will pay depending on how much you use the internet) everything you send goes through your ISP everything you receive goes through your ISP

Connection speeds The speed of sending and retrieving information is dependent on the type of connection you have: Dial-Up (Analogue 56K) DSL – Broadband ADSL stands for Asymetrical Digital Subscriber Line (upload some data, download lots of data) Fibre is currently the fastest connection

Connection speeds Cable provides an internet connection through a cable modem and operates over cable TV lines Wireless, or Wi-Fi, as the name suggests, does not use telephone lines or cables to connect to the internet Satellite available everywhere – check with your ISP

Connection speeds 3G/4G 3rd Generation 4th Generation (most current 15/11/16) 3G technology created the first networks fast enough to make smartphones practical. Before that, they were too slow to allow you do all the things that make smartphones great, like streaming videos, surfing the web and downloading music. 4G has really allowed smartphone technology to spread its wings. That’s because it’s much, much faster than 3G. So when you want to download a new game or stream a TV show in HD, you can do it without buffering and lags that make the experience not worth the wait. https://www.verizonwireless.com/archive/mobile-living/network-and-plans/what-is-3g-what-is-4g-lte-difference/

Esc to finish A great website to go to for more help and information: http://www.gcflearnfree.org/internetbasics/what-is-the-internet/1/ http://www.gcflearnfree.org/internet-tips Esc to finish