What's the Internet

The Internet is the largest computer network in the world made up of millions of smaller computer networks; in short, a network of networks. What does this mean exactly? Simply put, billions of devices are interconnected via some sort of data transfer media.

The terms Internet and World Wide Web (WWW) are often used as synonyms, but technically they are not the same thing. The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers and networks. The World Wide Web is a service that uses the Internet’s infrastructure to provide digital devices and applications with access to websites. Popular internet services include email, VoIP (Voice over IP), and SMS (Short Message Service).

The Internet is decentralized, which means there is no central authority governing its operations. To enable communication between devices, the internet relies on protocols and standards that govern how small units of data are formatted, addressed, and transmitted.

History of the Internet

1960s: The internet's origins trace back to the 1960s when the concept of a network of computers communicating with each other was explored. The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) funded research leading to the creation of ARPANET, the precursor to the internet.
1970s: ARPANET became operational in 1969 and grew throughout the 1970s, connecting various research institutions and universities. Email emerged as a means of communication on ARPANET during this time.
1980s: The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) was developed, becoming the standard protocol for ARPANET in 1983. This protocol enabled different types of computers to communicate with each other over a network.
1990s: The 1990s saw significant expansion and commercialization of the internet. Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web (WWW) in 1989, providing a user-friendly way to navigate and access information. The commercialization of the internet led to the emergence of internet service providers (ISPs), web browsers, and e-commerce.
2000s: The 2000s witnessed the rise of Web 2.0, characterized by user-generated content, social media, and interactive web experiences. Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Wikipedia gained prominence during this period.
2010s: The proliferation of smartphones and mobile devices in the 2010s led to a significant shift towards mobile internet usage. Cloud computing also became increasingly prevalent, enabling remote access and storage of data.

For specific info... (click in the link) What is the Internet? - Definition, History, Protocols, How it Works (techopedia.com)

How the Internet Works

The Internet is a vast network of interconnected computers that communicate with each other using a common set of protocols. At its core, the Internet works through a combination of hardware devices (such as routers, switches, and servers) and software protocols (such as TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP, and SMTP) that enable data transmission and exchange.

What can you do Online?

First of all we have Four common browser used today.

Chrome
Friefox
Edge
Safari

Once you have picked which one is the most adaptable for you, we can keep digging in into the internet. Now the Main question is What can you do Online?

There's almost no limit to what you can do online. The Internet makes it possible to quickly find information, communicate with people around the world, manage your finances, shop from home, listen to music, watch videos, and much, much more.

Here the main things that we use the INTERNET for:

FINDING INFORMATION ONLINE

With billions of websites online today, there is a lot of information on the Internet. Search engines make this information easier to find. All you have to do is type one or more keywords, and the search engine will look for relevant websites.

Short for electronic mail, email is a way to send and receive messages across the Internet. Almost everyone who uses the Internet has their own email account, usually called an email address. This is because you'll need an email address to do just about anything online, from online banking to creating a Facebook account.

Social networking

Social networking websites are another way to connect and share with your family and friends online. Rather than sharing with just a few people over email, social networks make it easier to connect and share with many people at the same time. Facebook is the world's largest social networking site, with more than 1 billion users worldwide.

Chat and instant messaging

Chat and instant messaging (IM) are short messages sent and read in real time, allowing you to converse more quickly and easily than email. These are generally used when both (or all) people are online, so your message can be read immediately. By comparison, emails won't be seen until recipients check their inboxes.

Online media

There are many sites that allow you to watch videos and listen to music. For example, you can watch millions of videos on YouTube or listen to Internet radio on Pandora. Other services, like Netflix and Hulu, allow you to watch movies and TV shows. And if have a set-top streaming box, you can even watch them directly on your television instead of a computer screen.

Everyday tasks

You can also use the Internet to complete many everyday tasks and errands. For example, you can manage your bank account, pay your bills, and shop for just about anything. The main advantage here is convenience. Rather than going from place to place, you can do all of these tasks at home!

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse