Unit 10: Internet - Subjective Questions

The Internet is a worldwide network of interconnected computer networks that enables computers and digital devices to communicate and exchange information.

Main characteristics:

• Global connectivity: It connects millions of devices across the world.
• Network of networks: It links private, public, educational, commercial, and government networks.
• Standard protocols: Communication is governed by protocols such as TCP/IP.
• Information sharing: Users can access text, images, audio, video, software, and online services.
• Decentralized structure: No single organization owns or controls the entire Internet.
• Multiple services: It supports the World Wide Web, email, instant messaging, Internet telephony, videoconferencing, and file transfer.

A web page is an electronic document available on the World Wide Web. It is normally created using HTML and is viewed through a web browser.

Common elements of a web page:

• Headings and paragraphs
• Images, audio, and video
• Hyperlinks
• Lists and tables
• Forms, buttons, and menus
• Advertisements and interactive content

Types of web pages:

• Static web page: Displays fixed content that changes only when its source file is manually updated.
• Dynamic web page: Generates or updates content according to user input, stored data, location, time, or other conditions.

Each web page generally has a unique address called a URL.

Web page, website, and home page are related but different concepts:

• Web page: A single document on the Web. For example, a page containing admission information is one web page.
• Website: A collection of related web pages stored under a common domain name. A university website may include pages for admissions, courses, departments, and contact details.
• Home page: The main or introductory page of a website. It often provides a navigation menu and links to the website's important sections.

Example:
If a school has a website, its main introductory page is the home page, while its pages for results, notices, and admissions are individual web pages. Together, all these pages form the school website.

A web browser is application software used to access, retrieve, interpret, and display content from the World Wide Web.

Examples: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Apple Safari, and Opera.

Major functions of a browser:

• Accepts a URL entered by the user.
• Sends a request to the appropriate web server.
• Receives web resources such as HTML documents, images, and videos.
• Interprets HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to display a web page.
• Allows navigation through hyperlinks and browser controls.
• Stores bookmarks, browsing history, cookies, and cached files.
• Downloads files from websites.
• Provides security features, including HTTPS indicators, warning messages, and privacy controls.

A URL, or Uniform Resource Locator, is the address used to locate a resource on the Internet.

Consider the URL: https://www.example.com/lessons/internet.html?unit=10#browser

Its main components are:

• Protocol or scheme: https specifies how the resource will be accessed securely.
• Host or domain name: www.example.com identifies the website or server.
• Path: /lessons/internet.html identifies the location of the resource on the server.
• Query string: ?unit=10 sends additional information to the website.
• Fragment: #browser points to a particular section within the page.

Some URLs may also contain a port number. A complete and accurate URL enables a browser to request the correct resource from a web server.

Hypertext is text containing references, called hyperlinks, to other documents or to different sections of the same document. A hyperlink may appear as colored or underlined text, an image, a button, or another clickable element.

Role in web navigation:

• A user selects a hyperlink to move to another web page or resource.
• Links can connect related information stored on the same website or on another website.
• Internal links can take the user to a specific heading within the current page.
• Hyperlinks create a non-linear information structure, so users do not need to read pages in a fixed order.
• Linked text, images, audio, and video collectively support the idea of hypermedia.

Thus, hypertext is a fundamental feature that makes web content interconnected and easy to explore.

An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a company or organization that provides individuals and institutions with access to the Internet.

Services commonly offered by an ISP include:

• Internet connections through fiber, cable, DSL, mobile data, satellite, or wireless broadband
• Allocation of an IP address
• Email accounts and related facilities
• Domain registration and web-hosting services
• Technical support and network troubleshooting
• Security services such as spam filtering, firewalls, and antivirus protection
• Data plans with specified speed, usage limit, and cost

When selecting an ISP, users should compare availability, connection speed, reliability, data limits, customer support, security, and price.

A web server is a computer system and its software that stores, processes, and delivers web resources to clients such as web browsers.

Process of delivering a web page:

1. The user enters a URL or selects a hyperlink.
2. The browser determines the server's IP address, usually through the Domain Name System.
3. The browser establishes a connection to the server.
4. It sends an HTTP or HTTPS request for a resource.
5. The web server locates or generates the requested content.
6. The server sends an HTTP response containing the resource or an error message.
7. The browser interprets the received HTML, CSS, scripts, and media files.
8. The completed page is displayed to the user.

A web server may host one website or many websites and may also communicate with databases and application software.

The World Wide Web (WWW) is a system of interlinked web pages and multimedia resources accessed over the Internet through web browsers. It commonly uses technologies such as HTML, URL, and HTTP/HTTPS.

Difference between the Internet and the Web:

• The Internet is the global networking infrastructure that connects computers and devices.
• The Web is one service that operates through that infrastructure.
• The Internet supports many services, including email, file transfer, instant messaging, Internet telephony, and the Web.
• A web browser is mainly used to access websites, whereas other Internet services may use separate applications.

Analogy: The Internet can be compared to a system of roads, while the Web can be compared to one type of service using those roads. Therefore, the terms are related but should not be treated as identical.

Email, or electronic mail, is an Internet service used to exchange digital messages and attachments between users.

Steps involved:

1. The sender signs in to an email service or opens an email application.
2. The sender selects Compose and enters the recipient's email address.
3. A subject and message are added, along with any required attachments.
4. When Send is selected, the message is transferred to an outgoing mail server.
5. The message travels through the Internet to the recipient's mail server.
6. The recipient opens an email application or webmail service to retrieve and read it.
7. The recipient may reply, forward, archive, download attachments, or delete the message.

A typical email address has the form username@domain, where the username identifies the mailbox and the domain identifies the email service.

Important email fields:

• To: Contains the primary recipient's address.
• Cc: Sends a visible copy to additional recipients.
• Bcc: Sends a hidden copy; other recipients cannot see the Bcc addresses.
• Subject: Briefly states the purpose of the message.
• Body: Contains the main message.
• Attachment: Adds files such as documents, pictures, or spreadsheets.

Common email features:

• Reply responds to the sender.
• Reply all responds to the sender and all listed recipients.
• Forward sends a received message to another person.
• Drafts store unfinished messages.
• Inbox contains received messages.
• Sent stores messages that have been sent.
• Spam or junk holds suspected unwanted messages.
• Trash temporarily stores deleted messages.
• Folders, labels, search tools, filters, and address books help organize communication.

Instant messaging (IM) is an Internet-based service that allows users to exchange messages in real time or near real time.

Features:

• One-to-one and group conversations
• Presence indicators such as online, offline, or busy
• Text, emoji, image, document, audio, and video sharing
• Voice notes, calls, and message notifications
• Delivery and read indicators on supported platforms

Advantages:

• Fast and convenient communication
• Low communication cost when Internet access is available
• Easy collaboration among groups
• Immediate sharing of files and media

Limitations:

• Requires a device, suitable software, and Internet access.
• Messages can interrupt work and reduce concentration.
• False information can spread quickly.
• Users may face spam, fraud, cyberbullying, and privacy risks.
• Tone and meaning may be misunderstood in short text messages.

Internet telephony is the transmission of voice communication through the Internet. It is commonly implemented using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

How it works:

• A microphone captures the speaker's voice.
• The voice is converted into digital data.
• The data is divided into packets and transmitted through the Internet.
• At the destination, the packets are reassembled and converted back into sound.

Difference from traditional telephony:

• Internet telephony uses Internet Protocol networks, while traditional telephone systems mainly use dedicated telephone circuits.
• VoIP calls are often less expensive, especially for long-distance communication.
• Internet telephony can combine voice with video, messaging, file sharing, and screen sharing.
• Its quality depends on bandwidth, network delay, and connection stability.
• Traditional landline service may remain available during some Internet failures, whereas VoIP usually requires Internet access and electrical power.

Videoconferencing is a form of real-time communication in which people in different locations exchange live audio and video through a network.

Requirements:

• Computer, tablet, or smartphone
• Stable Internet connection
• Camera or webcam
• Microphone and speakers or headset
• Videoconferencing software or a browser-based service

Uses:

• Online classes and training
• Business meetings
• Remote interviews
• Telemedicine consultations
• Webinars and virtual events
• Communication with friends and family

Advantages:

• Reduces travel time and expense
• Supports remote participation
• Enables screen and document sharing
• Allows geographically separated teams to collaborate

Challenges:

• Poor bandwidth can cause delays, frozen video, or broken audio.
• Participants may experience technical problems or background noise.
• Unauthorized access and recording may create security and privacy risks.
• Long online meetings may cause fatigue and reduce engagement.

The four services differ mainly in timing, media, and purpose:

• Email: Primarily asynchronous communication. It is suitable for formal, detailed, and documented messages and supports attachments.
• Instant messaging: Usually real-time or near real-time. It is suitable for short messages, quick questions, and group discussions.
• Internet telephony: Provides live voice communication through the Internet. It is useful when speaking is faster or clearer than typing.
• Videoconferencing: Provides live audio and video, often with screen sharing and meeting controls. It is suitable for classes, interviews, presentations, and team meetings.

Common requirements:

• A digital device
• Internet access
• Suitable software or web service
• A user account in many cases

The best method depends on the required formality, urgency, number of participants, available bandwidth, need for visual interaction, and need to maintain a written record.

The web browser environment includes controls and areas that help users access and manage web content.

Main parts:

• Title bar: Displays the title of the current page or browser window.
• Tab bar: Allows several web pages to remain open in one window.
• Address bar: Displays and accepts a URL or search term.
• Back button: Returns to a previously visited page.
• Forward button: Moves to a page from which the user returned.
• Refresh or reload button: Requests the current page again.
• Home button: Opens the browser's configured home page.
• Web page area: Displays the content of the current page.
• Scroll bars: Move through content that does not fit on the screen.
• Bookmarks or favorites: Save links for future use.
• Menu and settings: Provide access to downloads, history, printing, privacy, extensions, and other options.
• Status and security indicators: Show loading information and connection security details.

• Tabs: Allow users to open and switch between multiple web pages within one browser window.
• Bookmarks or favorites: Save the addresses of useful pages so that they can be opened again quickly.
• Browsing history: Maintains a record of visited pages, helping users return to earlier content. It can be cleared for privacy.
• Downloads: Shows files obtained from the Internet and may provide options to open, pause, resume, or locate them.
• Cache: Stores temporary copies of web resources on the device. This can make frequently visited pages load faster, although old cached content may occasionally need to be cleared.
• Cookies: Small pieces of data stored by websites. They can maintain sign-in sessions, remember preferences, and support shopping carts. Some cookies may also be used to track user activity.

Users should manage these features carefully, especially on shared or public computers.

The complete process generally includes the following stages:

1. The user enters a URL in the browser's address bar.
2. The browser examines the URL to identify the protocol, domain, and requested resource.
3. The Domain Name System (DNS) translates the domain name into an IP address.
4. The browser connects to the web server at that IP address.
5. If HTTPS is used, a secure encrypted connection is established and the server's digital certificate is checked.
6. The browser sends an HTTP or HTTPS request.
7. The web server processes the request and may retrieve information from files, programs, or a database.
8. The server returns a response containing HTML and references to other resources.
9. The browser requests required style sheets, scripts, images, fonts, audio, or video.
10. It interprets and combines the resources to render the page.
11. Scripts may continue to update the page or request additional data.

This process often takes only a few seconds, depending on server performance, page size, and connection speed.

Safe and responsible Internet practices include:

• Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication where available.
• Check the URL and domain name before entering personal or financial information.
• Prefer secure websites that use https, while remembering that HTTPS alone does not prove that a site is trustworthy.
• Avoid opening suspicious links or unexpected attachments.
• Do not share passwords, verification codes, banking details, or unnecessary personal information.
• Keep the browser, operating system, and security software updated.
• Download files only from trusted sources and scan them when necessary.
• Adjust cookie, location, camera, microphone, notification, and pop-up permissions.
• Sign out after using an account on a shared device and avoid saving passwords on public computers.
• Use respectful language and obtain permission before recording or sharing another person's content.
• Verify information before forwarding it.
• Report phishing, harassment, impersonation, and harmful content through appropriate channels.

• A browser home page is the page configured to open when the browser starts or when the user selects the Home button. It may be a search engine, an organization's portal, or any page chosen by the user.
• A website home page is the main introductory page of a particular website. It presents the site's identity and provides links to major sections.
• A search engine results page is generated after a user submits a search query. It lists links and information considered relevant to that query.

Key distinction:
The browser home page is a browser setting, the website home page is part of a particular website, and the search results page is dynamically produced by a search service. Although one web page can serve more than one of these roles, the terms describe different functions.