Title: Topic 2: Internet Fundamentals and Applications
Course: Digital Fundamentals

Introduction

This topic introduces the individual to various internet-related technologies used daily for communication and research. You will be guided on how to use internet technologies and their applications in daily academic activities.

The internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that links several billion devices worldwide. It is a network of networks that consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, from local to global scope, which are linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless, and optical networking technologies. The internet carries an extensive range of information resources and services, such as the inter-linked hypertext documents and applications of the world wide web (www), the infrastructure to support email, and peer-to-peer networks for file-sharing and telephony. (Wikipedia, 2014)

Unlike online web services, which are centrally controlled, the internet is decentralised by design. Each internet-connected host computer is independent, but may be mirrored in different parts of the world. Its operators can choose which internet services to use, and which local services to make available to the global internet community. For individual access, it is usual to gain access through a commercial Internet Service Provider (ISP), be it via a mobile smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop (Webopeida, n.d.).

Objectives

At the end of this topic you should be able to

    - Describe internet technology;
    - Identify types of internet connections;
    - Search for reliable information on the web;
    - Describe features of social networks;
    - Identify and describe internet applications; and
    - Identify internet ethics and security issues