Internet Manual

INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNET What is internet? The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks It is a network of networks that consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, of local to global scope, that are linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless and optical networking technologies. Sometimes called information superhighway due to the large volume of information resources passsing through it. Importance of the internet Internet plays a very important role in todays living. It has lead to the emergence of an elite society called the information society. Its importance can be viewed in the following ways:

The main importance of the internet is that it has made information available in a quick and easy manner, publicly accessible and within easy reach. It has revolutionized communications and social networking, creating a zone which was so international that new law had to be designed to govern it. People communicate, share data and work through the internet all day, every day, without realizing that it is completely decentralized. The internet plays a great role in removing the borders on nations, and assisting in the process of globalization. Through the internet, we can now communicate with people around the world in a matter of seconds, whether for important business matters or just talking to friends. It has many different ways of helping people such as with their homework, with search engines like Google, or entertainment, game websites like miniclip, video websites like youtube, communication, email websites, such as Yahoo & Hotmail, shopping online in shopping site like amazon.com etc Internet connectivity requirements: 1. Telecommunication facilities – these are telephone lines, satellites etc. The internet comminication relies heavily on these. Minimum requirement is a telephone line plus network coverage in your area. 2. Internet software – this is the TCP/IP protocol suite(governs how data is transmitted over the internet and network addressing) and a browser e.g. mozilla firefox, internet explorer etc 3. Modem- Short for modulator-demodulator. A modem is a device or program that enables a computer to transmit data over, for example, telephone or cable lines. Computer information is stored digitally, whereas information transmitted over telephone lines is transmitted in the form of analog waves. A modem converts between these two forms.

4. Internet service providers (ISP’s)- it refers to a company that provides Internet services, including personal and business access to the Internet. For a monthly fee, the service provider usually provides a software package, username, password and access phone number. Equipped with a modem, you can then log on to the Internet and browse the World Wide Web and USENET, and send and receive e-mail.

For broadband access you typically receive the broadband modem hardware or pay a monthly fee for this equipment that is added to your ISP account billing.Examples of ISPs in kenya includes wananchi online, access kenya, swiftglobal, safaricom, airtel, yu, orange, Kenya Data networks (KDN) etc INTERNET SERVICES

1. E-mail - this is sending a message electronically over the internet, from the sender to the receiver. It is similar to sending a letter by post as each person has an address only an e-mail is sent electronically via the internet to someone's e-mail address. 2. The World Wide Web - this is a collection of documents and other resources linked together using hyperlinks which are viewed via an internet connection. 3. Remote access - The Internet allows computer users to connect to other computers and information stores easily, wherever they may be across the world. They may do this with or without the use of security, authentication and encryption technologies, depending on the requirements 4. Forum - this is a place that people who have the same interests can share ideas and talk among each other, similar to a chat room. 5. File sharing - a file can be E-mailed by the internet using an attachment in the E-mail. A computer file can also be put on to a shared location on a shared network, this means people who are in the company or organization has access to it, for example this can save giving out lots of paper photocopied to lots of colleges in a work place. 6. Streaming media - Radio and television broadcasters provide Internet "feeds" of their live audio and video streams. 7. Voice telephony - VoIP stands for Voice over IP, where IP refers to the Internet Protocol that underlies all Internet communication. This began as an optional two-way voice extension to some of the instant messaging systems. This has become easy to use and is much cheaper or even free than normal calls especially for long distances. 8. e-learning- distance education programs and home schooling solutions are implemented through the internet. E.g you can take your course at home. The college just uploads course materials online and you access them from your computer at home /remotely. E-learning is delivered through special programs. 9. e-commerce- you can shop for anything online. Popular shopping sites includes amazon.com (stationeries and books) , kalahari, uzanunua.com etc

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Other services: News media on the net- catch up with the latest news online. Chatting on the net-people can sign into a chat room and exchange ideas freely through a discussion. Social networking- you can link up with your friends, colleagues, relatives, collegemates from social sites e.g. facebook, twitter etc