HISTORY OF INTERNET

1960 ‘S - The U.S. Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) funded a research project that created a packet switching network known as the ARPANET.

1970S’ - ARPA funded research projects that produced two satellite networks. ARPA was faced with a dilemma: Each of its networks had advantages for some situations, but each network was incompatible with the others. ARPA focused research on ways that networks could be interconnected and the Internet was envisioned and created to be an interconnection of networks that use TCP/IP protocols

1980’S - a group of academic computer scientists formed the Computer Science NETwork, which used TCP/IP protocols. Other government agencies extended the role of TCP/IP by applying it to their networks: The Department of Energy’s Magnetic Fusion Energy Network (MFENet), the High Energy Physics NETwork (HEPNET), and the National Science Foundation NETwork (NSFNET).

1980’S -  Large commercial companies began to use TCP/IP to build private internets, ARPA investigated transmission of multimedia—audio, video, and graphics—across the Internet.

1989 - Many of these technologies were combined to create the World Wide Web. Initially designed to aid communication among physicists who worked in widely separated locations, the Web became immensely popular and eventually replaced other tools.

LATE 1980S - The U.S. government began to lift restrictions on who could use the Internet, and commercialization of the Internet began.

EARLY 1990’S - With users no longer restricted to the scientific or military communities, the Internet quickly expanded to include universities, companies of all sizes, libraries, public and private schools, local and state governments, individuals, and families.

Uses of Internet

Internet is today one of the most important part of our daily life. There are large numbers of things that can be done using the internet and so it is very important. You can say that with the progress in the internet we are progressing in every sphere of life as it not only makes our tasks easier but also saves a lot of time. Today internet is used for different purposes depending upon the requirement. 

Here goes the list!

 CommunicationAt the moment the

easiest thing that can be done using the internet is that we can communicate with the people living far away from us with extreme ease.  Now people can not only chat but can also do the video conferencing. It has become extremely easy to contact the loved ones who are in some other part of the world. Communication is the most important gift that the internet has given to the common man. Email, social networking sites are some of the prime example of it. This is one such gift of the internet which is cherished by everyone and has made our life easier to much extent.

  ResearchNow the point that has been

placed next is research. In order to do research you need to go through hundreds of books as well as the references and that was one of the most difficult jobs to do earlier. Since the internet came into life, everything is available just a click away. You just have to search for the concerned topic and you will get hundreds of references that may be beneficial for your research. And since internet is here to make your research public, you can then benefit a large amount of people from the research work that you have done. Research is one such thing which has got lots of benefit from this evolution of internet. Research process has now got wings and has gained the most due to the internet.

 EducationEducation is one of the best

things that the internet can provide. There are a number of books, reference books, online help centers, expert’s views and other study oriented material on the internet that can make the learning process very easier as well as a fun learning experience. There are lots and lots of websites which are related to different topic. You can visit them and can gain endless amount of knowledge that you wish to have. With the use of internet for education, you are non-longer dependent on some other person to come and teach you. There are various number of tutorials available over the internet using which you can learn so many thing very easily. There can’t be any excellent use of the internet other than education as it is the key to achieve everything in life.

 Financial Transaction 

Financial transaction is the term which is used when there is exchange of money. With the use of internet in the financial transaction, your work has become a lot easier. Now you don’t need to stand in the queue at the branch of your particular bank rather you can just log in on to the bank website with the credential that has been provided to you by the bank and then can do any transaction related to finance at your will. With the ability to do the financial transaction easily over the internet you can purchase or sell items so easily. Financial transaction can be considered as one of the best uses of resource in the right direction.

 Real Time Updates 

This has been mentioned here in regards to the news and other happenings that may be on-going in different parts of the world but with the use of internet we come to know about it very easily and without any difficulty. There are various websites on the internet which provides you with the real time updates in every field be it in business, sports, finance, politics, entertainment and others. Many a time the decisions are taken on the real time updates that are happening in various parts of the world and this is where internet is very essential and helpful.

 Leisure 

Right from watching your favorite videos to listening songs, watching movies, playing games, chatting with the loved ones has been possible due to internet. Internet has progressed with so much pace that today whenever you get time, you just move on to the internet and so such activities which helps you to relax. Leisure is one of the most important uses of internet and that has surely one thing that attracts people towards it. Internet is home of some of the excellent resources using which you can freshen up your mood in minutes.

 

 Online Booking 

Do you remember the time when the only way to book the railway tickets or bus tickets or plane tickets was to visit their centers at the designated location? That time has completely changed and today everything is available at the mouse click. This has been possible only because of the internet. Not only the online booking process is easier as well as less tedious but is also reliable. There is no need to visit the booking counters to book tickets or to contact the agents that might ask for more money in order to process your request. You can do all these things sitting at home, using internet. This is the reason it has been placed at the number seventh place in this list. The booking process has simplified because of the internet and this is the best use of the resources that you have.

 

 BloggingThere are many people who

are very much interested in writing blogs and for them internet is the best place. They can not only write blogs as per their wish but can also publicize their work so that their work reaches to most of the people and they get appreciated. There is huge number of websites over the internet which allows you to write blogs. You just need to get yourself registered as per their procedure and then start writing. And if your blogs are really good and so many people visit your blog then there is chance that you might get elected to write blogs for big organizations. Blogging has reached to all new level with the help of internet and is one such use which is beneficial to everyone.

 

 Job SearchJob search is one such

thing which required updates from every corner as well the patience from the person searching for it. Using internet, this has become an easier task. Job search has been placed at the number eighth place. There are endless amount of websites on the internet that provided with the news about the vacancy in various companies. You just need to get yourself registered at these website and they will do the rest. They will not only send you the email mentioning job vacancy according to your choice but will also help you to select the best out of them. Job search is easier now, all thanks to internet else it was a nightmare earlier.

ShoppingShopping has now

become one of the most pleasing things to do using the internet. Whenever you find time, just visit the concerned websites and order the items that you need from there. Those items will be delivered to you in best possible time. There is huge number of options available for a common people to buy or to sell any particular item using the internet. Using internet now it is possible to buy products from all over the world.

Advantages of the Internet

Faster Communication

The Internet has been mankind's greatest means of communication yet. Newer innovations are only making it faster and more reliable. Today, we can initiate real-time communication with someone who is in another part of the world.

Abundant Information Resources

The Internet is a treasure trove of information; which offers knowledge on any given topic under the sun. Search engines make information accessible on various subject matters such as, government law and services, trade fairs and conferences, market information, new innovations and technical support, and even dispense advice on love and relationships matters.

Inexhaustible Education

The Internet has become an essential propagator of knowledge, both through free as well as paid services. The credibility of this form of education and whether it is safe, secure, and trustworthy, is usually proven through the quality and authenticity of content presented by each website. The World Wide Web has become a remarkable avenue for the academically unprivileged, to amass greater knowledge and know-how on subjects.

Entertainment for Everyone

Entertainment is one of the foremost reasons why people prefer surfing the Web. In fact, the Internet has gained much success by marketing for several multifaceted entertainment industries. Finding the latest updates about celebrities and exploring lifestyle websites have become day-to-day activities of many Internet consumers. On the other hand, even celebrities are using the Internet effectively for promoting their cause and for keeping their fans happy.

Social Networking and Staying Connected One cannot imagine a

social life without Facebook or Twitter. These portals have become our means to stay connected with friends and family, and stay in touch with the latest happenings in the world. Social networking has also evolved as a great medium to connect with like-minded individuals and become a part of interesting groups and communities.

Online Services and E-commerce

We can book tickets for a movie, transfer funds, pay utility bills and taxes without having to leave our homes or offices. Travel websites for instance, offer quick booking schemes and plan itineraries as per the preferences of their clients.

E-commerce is used for all type of business dealing that involves the transfer of money through the Internet. Online transaction of money has become the norm with almost all kinds of business. E-commerce, with its vast reach over a variety of products and services, makes it possible to have the client's orders delivered at their doorsteps.

Disadvantages of the Internet

Theft of Personal Information

The use of Internet for banking, social networking, or other services, often makes our personal information vulnerable to theft. There are no fail-proof ways to securing names, account numbers, addresses, photos, and credit card numbers from being stolen or misused by thieving websites and individuals.

 Spamming Spamming refers to

sending unwanted e-mails, which serve no purpose and needlessly obstruct the computer system. Such illegal activities can be very frustrating as it makes it slower to access our email accounts and makes the entire service unreliable for consumers.

 Malware Threats

One of the most annoying problems with the Internet is the ease with which any malware can infect our computers. Internet users are often plagued by virus attacks that harm their computers and important files. Virus programs are inconspicuous and may get activated simply by clicking a seemingly harmless link. Computers connected to the Internet are extremely prone to IP targeted virus attacks that may end up crashing the system completely.

 Age-inappropriate Content Pornography and age-

inappropriate content is perhaps the biggest disadvantage of the Internet. The worst being underage porn, which is largely rampant in the deeper parts of the web. It is the lack of control over the distribution and unrestricted access of pornographic material, that is detrimental to children. All that parents can do, is lock harmful sites and monitor the sites viewed by their children.

 Social Isolation, Obesity, and Depression

The biggest problem

with having the Internet is, its ability to create rifts between the real and virtual world. The virtual world can often seem so alluring that once hooked, going back to real life seems daunting.

There is an addiction for everything that pertains to the web and that includes excessive surfing, online gambling, social networking, and gaming addiction.

Citations:

www.p-10-list.org/2013/06/22/top-10-uses-of-internet/2/

Prepared By:

BARCELISA M. GAMILLA

By Jayashree PakhareLast Updated: July 10, 2013