Internet Basics: Chapter Notes | Computer Application: Class 10 PDF Download

Introduction

The Internet is the most commonly used term in today’s world and plays a very important role in the everyday life of people. The Internet completely revolutionised communication and technology across the Globe. Initially, computerised devices were only used for large industries but later its usage increased massively.
It is also mandatory for people to know that it is not possible for a single person to develop something as broad and wide as the Internet all by himself/herself. It was a combined effort of multiple researchers and programmers that the Internet was discovered.

Internet: A global system of interconnected computers, using a standardised Internet Protocol suite for communication and sharing information is called the Internet.

Computer Network

A computer network consists of two or more autonomous computers that are linked in order to share programs, data, hardware, messages and other resources.

WWW

World Wide Web is a set of programs, standards and protocols that allows the multimedia and hypertext files to be created, displayed and linked on the internet. It was proposed by Tim Berners-Lee in 1991.

The internet is the physical network of computers all over the world. The World Wide Web is a virtual network of websites connected by hyperlinks (or “links”). Web sites are stored on servers on the internet, so the World Wide Web is a part of the internet.

• In 1969, the U.S. Department of Defense, approved a project named ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency NETwork). In 1970, NSF created a common network called CSNET. A more speedy network NSFNET was built. In 1995, a new name was given to the collection of all networks and was called INTERNET. 

Web Server

A web server is a computer that stores websites on the Internet and delivers web pages to viewers upon request.

Web client

It refers to the web browser in the user’s computer system.

Website

A website is a collection of web pages belonging to a particular person or organisation. The first page is called the homepage. From the homepage, we can visit all pages on the site. Static websites have pre-stored information while dynamic websites customises themselves frequently.

Web browser

A web browser is a piece of software that enables the user to access web pages and web apps on the internet. There are a range of browsers available, and they are usually free to download and install.

Some popular web browsers are:

Web address

The web address allows us to identify a computer on the network. There are two systems used for identification:

• Domain Name System (DNS): Domain name is a readable computer address that identifies the location of a computer on the internet.
• Internet Protocol Addressing: A unique 32-bit address is assigned to each computer that is connected to the internet.
  Example: 5.230.50.50  ===  www.abc.com

HTML is a computer language devised to allow website creation.
Email address: It is a unique identifier used to send and receive mails in an electronic format.
Newsgroups are similar to e-mails except that instead of sending our message to someone’s mailbox, the message is posted on a bulletin board where anyone can read it and respond.
A blog is a type of website usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of news on a particular subject, description of events, graphics or videos.
Using newsgroup, people can share their views on any topic according to their interest. Blogs are virtual diaries creates by individuals and stored on the Internet.

Know the Terms

• Hypertext: Text linked together in a complex web of associations in which the user can browse through related topics.
• Modem: A device that allows a computer to transmit information over a telephone line.
• Packet: A block of data transmitted.

• Uploading: Uploading is the transmission of data or file from a local computer to a remote computer.
• Downloading: Downloading is transmitting data or file from a remote computer to a local computer.
• ARPANET: Advanced Research Projects Agency NETwork
• NSF: National Science Foundation
• ISP: Internet Service Provider
• HTML: Hypertext Markup Language
• URL: Uniform Resource Locator
• DNS: Domain Name System
  

Pros and Cons of Using the Internet

Intentionally or unintentionally, Internet usage is a part in the day to day lives of every individual. The Internet has made lives easy and comfortable, but at the same time made human being dependable for the smallest or biggest of information. Discussed below are the uses of the internet, along with a few cons that it brings along.

Pros of Internet

• Easy Access to Information: Information on anything and everything are available online. The Internet makes it convenient to learn about new things at any point in time and get details on various subjects, irrespective of time and place.
• Platform for Online Education: With the advanced technology, even students and adults wish to learn new things and gaining knowledge at various online portals has become more accessible.
• Job Hunting: Employers can look for employees on the internet and the job seekers can apply online for jobs using the Internet.
• Platform to become an Entrepreneur: Today, thousands of people have started their own websites and getting good business and users/customers by making their own websites and selling products or services. This has become accessible due to Internet connectivity.
• Visual and Graphical Representation of Things: Various researches have shown that a person tends to get more engaged with a graphical representation of things. Internet has made this facility also convenient for both user and creator.
• Reduced the parameter of Distance: Social media has reduced the distance between people as communication has become much easier because of Internet connection.

With the Internet being an extremely essential part of daily life, it is important that a person is well aware of the disadvantages of the Internet and its excess usage.

Cons of Internet

• Dependency: The dependency of people for looking things and information online has increased massively since the introduction of Internet and its easy access.
• Cyber Crime: People do not just use internet for learning purposes, cybercrime has also been at a distinctive high because of effortless availability of resources.
• Distraction: People can easily find online games, interesting information, etc. online which may be a cause of distraction for may.
• Bullying and Trolls: Online platforms are being used for unethical practises like bullying people and trolling them.

All the information provided in this article regarding the Internet will bring in a broader perspective of connectivity, networks and protocols which are necessary for Internet usage.
Analysing and studying the information given here shall prove to be highly useful for people belonging to all age groups.