ENGLISH FOR NETWORKING
AND TELECOMMUNICATION
CONTENTS
What is Computer Communication?
Uses Of Computer Communications
I. Definition of computer communication
Computer communication describes a process in which
two or more computers or devices transfer data,
instructions, and information. Some communications
involve cables and wires; others are sent wirelessly
through the air. Communications systems contain all
types of computers and computing devices. For successful
communications, you need the following:
A sending
device
A communication
A receiving device device 1
A communication A communication
device 2 channel
A sending device: It is a device that initiates an instruction
to transmit data, instructions, or information.
A communications device: this device connects the
sending device to a communications channel.
A communications channel, or transmission media is a
channel on which the data, instructions, or information
travel.
A communications device 2: It connects the
communications channel to a receiving device.
A receiving device: It accepts the transmission of data,
instructions, or information.
All types of computers and mobile devices serve as
sending and receiving devices in a communications
system. This includes mainframe computers, servers,
desktop computers, notebook computers (laptop),
Tablet PCs, smart phones, portable media players, and
GPS receivers.
One type of communications device that connects a
communications channel to a sending or receiving device
such as a computer is a modem. Two examples of
communications channels are cable television lines and
telephone lines.
II. Uses Of Computer Communications
Computer communications are everywhere. Many require
that users subscribe to an Internet access provider. With
other computer communications, an organization such as a
business or school provides communications services to
employees, students, or customers.
II.1. Wireless Messaging Services
Users can send and receive wireless messages
(télégrammes sans ligne/ message radio) to and from smart
phones, cell phones, handheld game consoles (des
consoles de jeux vidéos), and other personal mobile devices
using three techniques:
text messaging, wireless instant messaging, and
picture/video messaging.
II.1. 1. Text Messaging
A mobile device with text messaging, also called SMS (short
message service), capability allows users to send and receive
short text messages on a phone or other mobile device. Text
messaging services typically provide users with several
options for sending and receiving messages:
Mobile to Mobile: send a message from your mobile device
to another mobile device
Mobile to E-Mail: send a message from your
mobile device to an e-mail address anywhere in the world
Web to Mobile: send a message from a text messaging
Web site to a mobile device, or request that a Web
site alert a mobile device with breaking news and other
updates, such as sports scores, stock prices, and
weather forecasts
Mobile to Provider: send a message by entering a four- or
five-digit number assigned to a specific content or wireless
service provider, followed by the message, such as a vote
for a television program contestant.
II.1. 2. WIRELESS INSTANT MESSAGING
Wireless instant messaging (IM) is a real-time Internet
communications service that allows wireless mobile devices to
exchange messages with one or more mobile devices or online users.
Some wireless Internet service providers partner with IM services so
that you can use your smart phone or other mobile device to send and
receive wireless instant messages. With a compatible IM service,
users have these IM options:
Mobile to Mobile: use a wireless instant messenger to communicate
between two mobile devices.
Mobile to Personal Computer: use a wireless instant messenger to
communicate between a mobile device and a personal computer.
Web to Mobile: send or forward messages from a personal
computer’s instant messenger to a mobile device.
II.1. 3. Picture/Video Messaging:
With picture messaging, users can send pictures and sound files, as
well as short text messages, to a phone or other personal mobile
device, or a computer.
With video messaging, users can send short video clips, usually
about 30 seconds in length, in addition to all picture messaging
services. Picture/video messaging service, also called MMS
(multimedia message service), typically provides users these options
for sending and receiving messages:
Mobile to Mobile: send the picture/video from your mobile
device to another mobile device
Mobile to E-Mail: send the picture/video from your mobile
device to an e-mail address anywhere in the world.
Users can send and receive text messages, wireless instant
messages, and picture/video messages to and from their smart
phones and other computers and devices.
II.1. 4. Wireless Internet Access Points
At home, work, school, and in many public locations, people connect
wirelessly to the Internet through a wireless Internet access
point using mobile computers, smart phones, handheld game consoles,
or other devices. Users access wireless Internet access points with
computers or devices that have the necessary built-in wireless
capability or the appropriate wireless network card, PC Card, Express
Card module, or USB network adapter. Two types of wireless Internet
access points are hot spots and mobile wireless networks.
A hot spot is a wireless network that provides Internet connections to
mobile computers and other devices. Through the hot spot, mobile
users check e-mail, browse the Web, and access any service on the
Internet. Three hot spot technologies are Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and
Bluetooth. Wi-Fi hot spots provide wireless network connections to
users in public locations such as airports, train stations, hotels,
convention centers, schools, campgrounds, shopping malls,
bookstores, libraries, restaurants, and coffee shops.
The coverage range for WiMAX hot spots, can be much wider than
Wi-Fi; for example, they can cover an entire city. Bluetooth hot spots
provide location-based services, such as sending coupons or menus, to
users whose enabled devices enter the coverage range. Sections later in
this chapter discuss Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and Bluetooth in more detail.
II.1. 5. Cybercafés
When mobile users travel without their notebook computer or Internet-
enabled mobile device, they can visit a cybercafé to access e-mail, the
Web, and other Internet services. A cybercafé, or Internet cafe, is a
coffeehouse, restaurant, or other location that provides personal
computers with Internet access to its customers. Cybercafés exist in
cities around the world. Although some provide free Internet access,
most charge a per-hour or per-minute fee. Some cybercafés also are hot
spots.
II.1. 6. GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS
A global positioning system (GPS) is a navigation system that
consists of one or more earth-based receivers that accept and analyze
signals sent by satellites in order to determine the receiver’s geographic
location. A GPS receiver is a handheld, mountable, or embedded device
that contains an antenna, a radio receiver, and a processor. Many
include a screen display that shows an individual’s location on a map.
Some also function as a portable media player.
Many mobile devices such as smart phones have GPS capability built
into the device or as an add-on feature. Some users carry a handheld
GPS receiver; others mount a receiver to an object such as an
automobile, boat, airplane, farm and construction equipment, or
computer.
The first and most used application of GPS technology is to assist
people with determining where they are located.
The data obtained from a GPS, however, can be applied to a
variety of other uses: creating a map, ascertaining the best route
between two points, locating a lost person or stolen object,
monitoring the movement of a person or object, determining
altitude, and calculating speed. Many vehicles use GPSs to
provide drivers with directions or other information.
II.1. 7. COLLABORATION
Many software products provide a means to collaborate, or
work online, with other users connected to a server. Two
methods of collaboration include collaborative software
and document management systems. . Collaborative
software includes tools that enable users to share
documents via online meetings and communicate with other
connected users.
An online meeting allows users to share documents with others in
real time. When the online meeting takes place on the Web, it is
called a Web conference. In an online meeting, all participants see a
document(s) at the same time. As someone changes the document,
everyone in the meeting sees the changes being made. Collaborative
software often has chat, white- board, and video/audio conferencing
capabilities.
A document management system provides for storage and
management of a company’s documents, such as word
processing documents, presentations, and spreadsheets. Users
then access these documents, depending on their needs. A
document management system can track all changes made to a
document. It also can store additional information such as the
document’s creation date, the user who created the document, a
summary of the document, and any keywords associated with the
document
II.1. 8. COLLABORATION GROUPWARE
Groupware is software that helps groups of people work together on
projects and share information over a network. Groupware is a
component of a broad concept called workgroup computing, which
includes network hardware and software that enables group members
to communicate, manage projects, schedule meetings, and make
group decisions
To assist with these activities, most groupware provides personal
information manager (PIM) functions, such as an electronic
appointment calendar, an address book, and a notepad.
II.1. 9. VOICE MAIL
Voice mail, which functions much like an answering
machine, allows someone to leave a voice message for one
or more people. Unlike answering machines, however, a
computer in the voice mail system converts an analog voice
message into digital form. Once digitized, the message is
stored in a voice mailbox
A voice mailbox is a storage location on a hard disk in the
voice mail system. Some voice mail systems can send
digital voice mail files to e-mail addresses. Others can
convert a voice mail message to a text message for display
on a computer or mobile device.
II.1. 10. WEB SERVICES
Web services describe standardized software that enables programmers
to create applications that communicate with other remote computers
over the Internet or over an internal business network. Businesses are
the primary users of Web services because this technology provides a
means for departments to communicate with each other, suppliers,
vendors, and with clients. For example, third-party vendors can use
Web services to communicate with their online retailer’s Web site to
