Brief History of the Internet and Web Browsers
The internet began to come into existence about 50 years ago, during the time of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union. Scientists wanted a way to quickly communicate with each other all over the world that was also secure. From this desire was born the idea to network many computers all over the world together so they could communicate efficiently and effectively. For more information on how the internet developed into the vast network we know today, visit
http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/invention-of-the-internet.
Users were introduced to web browsing in 1995 from Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. This web browser enabled users to access and surf the internet that was slowly but surely making its way into our daily lives. Internet Explorer was the main web browser used until other companies began introducing new browsing options. As the popularity of Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome increased, and more and more users were surfing via mobile devices, Internet Explorer fell out of favor. One of the most recently introduced web browsers is another release from Microsoft, called Microsoft Edge. For more information on web browsers, visit
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/11577364/Web-browsers-a-brief-history.html.
Methods of Communication
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| Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gavinjllewellyn/6235070321 |
Social Networking has become a large part of what many users spend their time doing on the internet. Social networking sites allow users to connect with each other, and share thoughts, ideas, pictures, videos, music, and just about anything else. Some popular social networking sites are Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube, and Pinterest. These sites allow users to create a profile that they can then use to share what they choose with their friends. For more information on social networks, visit
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/socinetw.htm.
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Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jaselabs/3306827131
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Email is still the main form of communication over the internet. Email stands for “electronic mail,” and is written communication sent over the internet. It is the modern version of a letter, but instead of writing it out on a piece of paper, putting it in an envelope with a stamp, and taking it to the post office, you instead just send your communication to an email address where your intended recipient will receive it almost instantaneously! It is also convenient in that users do not have to be online at the same time in order to communicate via email. Emails can have attachments such as videos, pictures, music, or other files added so sharing your files with friends is fast and easy. For more information on email, visit
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/e/email.htm.
Wikis and Blogs A wiki is an online database that is open for anyone to edit and add information. One of the most recognizable wikis is perhaps Wikipedia, where you can look up an endless variety of topics and see user created entries regarding said topic. There are also very specific wikis that can be found detailing any number of topics, from video games to knitting. Blogs are created by users to act as a kind of online journal. The entries are set up in chronological order, and can be written by a single person, a business, or other organization. Blogs generally have a specific topic, but others can just be personal ramblings of the blog’s creator. For more information on wikis and blogs, visit
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/w/weblog.htm,
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/w/wiki.htm
Podcasts and Webcasts are very similar in nature. A podcast is an audio broadcast that can be live, but is generally downloaded to an MP3 player and listened to after broadcast. A webcast is the same idea, except that it can also be in video format. Many users who create webcasts and podcasts have their own “channel” to which someone can “subscribe” and be automatically notified when new content is available. My brother, Scott White of CBSSports.com, does a weekly webcast for CBS Sports, but anyone can make their own webcasts and podcasts and broadcast them for anyone to see. For more information on podcasts and webcasts, visit
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/p/podcast.htm,
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/w/webcast.htm
Streaming Media is an audio or video file that plays on your computer while simultaneously being downloaded. The content your computer is downloading is playing immediately. This is becoming a very popular way to watch movies and television. Some sites that utilize streaming content are Netflix and Hulu. This live streaming means that your computer does not have to save the content, since you are watching it as it downloads. For more information on streaming media, visit
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/streamin.htm
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Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fosforix/3007393167
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E-Commerce and M-Commerce are very similar. E-commerce, or electronic commerce, refers to any business done over the internet. This can be buying a product on Amazon, Etsy, or eBay. M-commerce, or mobile commerce, is business that is done over the internet through a mobile device, like a cell phone. M-commerce is considered the next generation for e-commerce, and is quickly becoming the preferred method for purchasing goods and services. For more information on e-commerce and m-commerce, visit
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/e/ecommerc.htm,
http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/definition/m-commerce
