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The Internet

Computer systems

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ALFRED OCHIENG
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23 views5 pages

The Internet

Computer systems

Uploaded by

ALFRED OCHIENG
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INTRANET

This is an organization’s private network that is accessed by members of the


organization through a password.

EXTRANET
This is an organization’s private network that is accessed by members of the
organization and authorized outsiders such as customers, suppliers, financial
institutions, government agencies etc.
It is also accessed through a password.

INTERNET
Internet is a short form of international networking.
It refers to the interconnection of thousands of computers throughout the
world. It is the most popular form of WAN.

This technology allows any computer with telecommunication links to


exchange information with all other computers linked with each other.

Uses of the Internet


1. Sending electronic mail (e-mail)
Individuals can send emails to any destination throughout the world so
long as they are connected.

2. File transfer
This refers to the transfer of data across the internet from one site to
another using a software which can handle the data transfer at both ends.

This software is called the file transfer protocol; (F.T.P) the files can be
transferred as attachments to email.

3. Discussion groups

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Individuals can share information amongst themselves provided they are
linked up in the system
The internet eliminates the need for physical meetings for discussions.

4. Information resource
This is the greatest use of internet. Users can find information through a
web browser. The most popular resource for information is World Wide
Web (WWW). Browsing software enables users to search for data by
name or specifying location/ website i.e. by URL.

5. Remote log-in:
This refers to the access and use of another computer which is connected
to the internet. A password is required to enable users to login using their
computers to another computer.

IMPORTANT CONCEPTS IN INTERNET


1. World Wide Web (WWW)
WWW is a facility which provides a graphical user interface and enables
the display of graphical images, pictures and text, so that the user can
easily retrieve information.

2. Website
This is a collection of screens providing information in text and graphical
form and can be viewed by clicking the appropriate button key on the
screen. The users are required to access the information by disclosing the
website.

3. Home page
Homepage sets out the contents of the website. Companies and
individuals with personal homepages use them for the following purposes:
a) Advertising business products and services

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b) Publishing ideas
c) Communication with other businesses

4. Internet Service Providers (ISP)


There are organisations which provide individuals and companies with the
services of being connected to the internet.
Examples of ISPs include: - Safaricom, Telcom, Airtel, Zuku, SwiftKenya
etc
Services offered by ISPs
- Email services
- Access to the internet
- Commercial information such as tourist guide, hotel reservations etc
- Website development for individuals and companies.

5. Browsers
A web browser is a software that enables the user to search for
information from the internet i.e. to access a web server. E.g. chrome,
Firefox, opera etc

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN DESIGNING A WEBSITE


1. Security
The web servers should have strong security measures to protect the
website from being subjected to deliberate or accidental damage.

2. Ease of access
The movement from one page to another should be simple and the
browser software package must also support every type of computer
model in order to enhance ease of access to the website.

3. Response time

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A company should use the right technology to reduce the response time.
It should avoid using obsolete or outdated hardware and software

4. Network capabilities
Since the display of graphical information on the website is highly
required. The network system for this purpose must be efficient enough.

5. Language
The HTML used should be fairly simple to learn.

N.B- HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is the standard markup language


for creating Web pages

APPLICATIONS OF INTERNET IN BUSINESS


i. Advertising – www can be used to tell the world about the company’s
products and services and the advantage of using it to advertise it’s
possible to know very quickly how many people viewed the
advertisement and got interest on it.
ii. Telecommuting – employees can obtain information from the internet
to enrich their reports and send them to office through the network.
iii. E-commerce – it facilitates exchange of goods, services and
information.
iv. Recruiting personnel – organisations can place job advertisements via
internet and require applicants to send their applications through
electronic mail.
v. Making business contacts – the presence of information of a company
over the internet can is important in identifying business partners,
consultants, potential clients and companies to merge with.
vi. Training – organisations use the internet to train their staff.
vii. Sales – settlement of payments using electronic cards such as smart
cards can be done through the internet.

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viii. Marketing – most companies provide newsletters with information of
the latest products in the market and even tips on how to use these
products.
ix. Gaining business intelligence – it provides information pertaining to
stock exchange reports, financial management reports and other
reports relating to activities of other companies.

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNET


i. Security – the internet is vulnerable to computer hackers and spread of
viruses.
ii. Amount of data – the internet is an ‘ocean’ of data and users may not
know what to ignore and what to read.
iii. Cost – effective use of internet requires powerful and costly computers
and payments to ISPs.
iv. Decentralisation – the internet does not have any central control or
administration and it depends on the corporation of thousands of
computer users.
v. Obsolescence – computer hardware and software becomes obsolete
within a short time as a result of changes in technology and this calls
for constant updating.
vi. Network breakdown – the network may fail and thus the internet
services may be brought to a stand still for some time.

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