What is the Internet?
The Internet is a network of networks, linking computers to computers sharing the TCP/IP protocols. Each runs software to provide or "serve" information and/or to access and view information. The Internet is the transport vehicle for the information stored in files or documents on another computer. It can be compared to an international communications utility servicing computers. It is sometimes compared to a giant international plumbing system. The Internet itself does not contain information. It is a slight misstatement to say a "document was found on the Internet." It would be more correct to say it was found through or using the Internet. What it was found in (or on) is one of the computers linked to the Internet.
Computers on the Internet may use one or all of the following Internet services:
• Electronic mail (e-mail). Permits you to send and receive mail.
• Telnet or remote login. Permits your computer to log onto another computer and use it as if you were there.
• FTP or File Transfer Protocol. Allows your computer to rapidly retrieve complex files intact from a remote computer and view or save them on your computer.
• Gopher. An early, text-only method for accessing internet documents. Gopher has been almost entirely subsumed in the World Wide Web, but you may still find gopher documents linked to in web pages.
• The World Wide Web (WWW or "the Web"). The largest, fastest growing activity on the Internet.
• RSS readers, interpreting XML in a way analogous to how browsers interpret HTML.
Getting Connected to the Internet
To access the Internet by computer, you need a computer, a modem or other telecommunications link, and software to connect to an Internet Service Provider
What is the Intranet?
An intranet is a private network that is contained within an enterprise. It may consist of many interlinked local area networks and also use leased lines in the wide area network. The main purpose of an intranet is to share company information and computing resources among employees. An intranet can also be used to facilitate working in groups and for teleconferences. An intranet provides access to information quickly and easily in a familiar environment, while keeping this information securely off the public Internet. It also facilitates interdepartmental cooperation and saves hard and soft resources.
An intranet uses TCP/IP, HTTP, and other Internet protocols and in general looks like a private version of the Internet. With tunneling, companies can send private messages through the public network, using the public network with special encryption/decryption and other security safeguards to connect one part of their intranet to another.
Following are some general examples of information or processes that might be available on an intranet to serve various departments.
Human Resources: From employee training materials to the employee handbook, an intranet can offer quick easy access to fundamental publications to all employees.
Sales Department: One of the most productive uses of an intranet is interactive multimedia training. Sales reports, forecasts and goals, marketing strategies and geographic saturation are all tools the intranet can keep available at the click of a mouse.
Accounting Department: Requisition requests on an intranet will save time, resources and money. Pages within an intranet can be password protected to limit employee access, or administratively controlled. Payroll, receivables/payables, and budget reports are all processes that can reside on the intranet.
Information Systems: Data warehousing access, departmental software development applications, and network support can be invaluable uses of an intranet. Security information and technical resources are also common uses of an intranet.
Executive Branch: Bottom line information like quarterly profit/loss reports, stock market analysis, tax and legal information, and merger or partnership information can all be neatly provided on an intranet. Meeting minutes, appointment calendars and key profiles (employees, companies or clients) can also reside here.
The Internet is a network of networks, linking computers to computers sharing the TCP/IP protocols. Each runs software to provide or "serve" information and/or to access and view information. The Internet is the transport vehicle for the information stored in files or documents on another computer. It can be compared to an international communications utility servicing computers. It is sometimes compared to a giant international plumbing system. The Internet itself does not contain information. It is a slight misstatement to say a "document was found on the Internet." It would be more correct to say it was found through or using the Internet. What it was found in (or on) is one of the computers linked to the Internet.
Computers on the Internet may use one or all of the following Internet services:
• Electronic mail (e-mail). Permits you to send and receive mail.
• Telnet or remote login. Permits your computer to log onto another computer and use it as if you were there.
• FTP or File Transfer Protocol. Allows your computer to rapidly retrieve complex files intact from a remote computer and view or save them on your computer.
• Gopher. An early, text-only method for accessing internet documents. Gopher has been almost entirely subsumed in the World Wide Web, but you may still find gopher documents linked to in web pages.
• The World Wide Web (WWW or "the Web"). The largest, fastest growing activity on the Internet.
• RSS readers, interpreting XML in a way analogous to how browsers interpret HTML.
Getting Connected to the Internet
To access the Internet by computer, you need a computer, a modem or other telecommunications link, and software to connect to an Internet Service Provider
What is the Intranet?
An intranet is a private network that is contained within an enterprise. It may consist of many interlinked local area networks and also use leased lines in the wide area network. The main purpose of an intranet is to share company information and computing resources among employees. An intranet can also be used to facilitate working in groups and for teleconferences. An intranet provides access to information quickly and easily in a familiar environment, while keeping this information securely off the public Internet. It also facilitates interdepartmental cooperation and saves hard and soft resources.
An intranet uses TCP/IP, HTTP, and other Internet protocols and in general looks like a private version of the Internet. With tunneling, companies can send private messages through the public network, using the public network with special encryption/decryption and other security safeguards to connect one part of their intranet to another.
Following are some general examples of information or processes that might be available on an intranet to serve various departments.
Human Resources: From employee training materials to the employee handbook, an intranet can offer quick easy access to fundamental publications to all employees.
Sales Department: One of the most productive uses of an intranet is interactive multimedia training. Sales reports, forecasts and goals, marketing strategies and geographic saturation are all tools the intranet can keep available at the click of a mouse.
Accounting Department: Requisition requests on an intranet will save time, resources and money. Pages within an intranet can be password protected to limit employee access, or administratively controlled. Payroll, receivables/payables, and budget reports are all processes that can reside on the intranet.
Information Systems: Data warehousing access, departmental software development applications, and network support can be invaluable uses of an intranet. Security information and technical resources are also common uses of an intranet.
Executive Branch: Bottom line information like quarterly profit/loss reports, stock market analysis, tax and legal information, and merger or partnership information can all be neatly provided on an intranet. Meeting minutes, appointment calendars and key profiles (employees, companies or clients) can also reside here.