The Internet


Internet is a network of computers around the world, which have been linked with the help of telephone lines, optical cable networks, LAN and WAN systems, and satellites. It is a complex but well-organized system of information exchange.

Internet benefits everyone whether old or young. The Internet was started in 1986 in the USA. The Bell Labs and the Department of Defence of the USA conceptualized and implemented it. In India, the Internet is widely used in all the metropolises and big cities. Without the internet, everything would come to a halt. Nearly 85% of the work is carried out by the internet.

The Internet consists of the server, telephone line, modem, Local Area Network or Wide Area Network (LAN or WAN), satellite communication system, and cable network. The procedure of scanning the websites on the internet and moving from one website to another is termed as 'surfing.' Surfing is an easy method but 'loading the information on the websites is not an easy job. The software programs and software engineers are required for loading the information and this information is added, deleted, and updated by the owners of the websites.

There are three stages of Internet connectivity. The "first stage of connectivity" is through which, the user can surf the websites and can see the information on them. In the "second stage of connectivity", he can generate his own website. In the "third level of connectivity", he himself becomes the main part of Internet procedures. His server is then, located in the USA and several other websites can be developed under his own website. A firm, which provides these services, is known as an internet services provider (ISP). In India, there are many service providers like BSNL, Mantra Online, MTNL, Reliance, Airtel. These ISPs have their own gateways, which could be used by the users for developing their websites of their own or surfing through other websites.

Information is transferred to a computer from the internet through a modem, which is connected with the telephone line. The data transfer speeds are very high in western countries. Some people who do not have access to computers at home go to internet cafes to surf. Though the prices of computer hardware are rational now, yet the unfortunate strata of society cannot pay for these modern gadgets. The central government has offered incentives and tax reduction schemes to software exporters. The use of the internet has increased since the beginning of the new century. Internet operations are developing in India, thus leading to the growth, in hardware and software markets of the country, The web development activities would lead to the enlargement of our economy, the Internet could be used for the transfer of text, video images, still, images, voice, data and Graphics, People even chat verbally on internet.

E-mail helps people to easily send messages within few seconds anywhere in the world. E-com is an abbreviation used for Electronic Commerce. Under this concept, all the products and services are sold and purchased through the Internet. E-com is already very popular in the west and is gaining momentum in India as well. Further, e-mail is used to convey information at a low cost. Internet is also serving the firms to promote the concept of small office wherein, people would be able to work at home. Most of the magazines and newspapers can be read on the internet. It is one of the most developed ways of communication all over the world.