Internet

The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to serve billions of users worldwide. It is a network of networks that consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, of local to global scope, that are linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless and optical networking technologies. The Internet carries a vast range of information resources and services, such as the inter-linked hypertext documents of the World Wide Web (WWW) and the infrastructure to support electronic mail.

Most traditional communications media including telephone, music, film, and television are reshaped or redefined by the Internet, giving birth to new services such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and IPTV. Newspaper, book and other print publishing are adapting to Web site technology, or are reshaped into blogging and web feeds. The Internet has enabled or accelerated new forms of human interactions through instant messaging, Internet forums, and social networking. Online shopping has boomed both for major retail outlets and small artisans and traders. Business-to-business and financial services on the Internet affect supply chains across entire industries.

The origins of the Internet reach back to research of the 1960s, commissioned by the United States government in collaboration with private commercial interests to build robust, fault-tolerant, and distributed computer networks. The funding of a new U.S. backbone by the National Science Foundation in the 1980s, as well as private funding for other commercial backbones, led to worldwide participation in the development of new networking technologies, and the merger of many networks. The commercialization of what was by the 1990s an international network resulted in its popularization and incorporation into virtually every aspect of modern human life. As of 2009, an estimated quarter of Earth's population used the services of the Internet.

The Internet has no centralized governance in either technological implementation or policies for access and usage; each constituent network sets its own standards. Only the overreaching definitions of the two principal name spaces in the Internet, the Internet Protocol address space and the Domain Name System, are directed by a maintainer organization, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The technical underpinning and standardization of the core protocols (IPv4 and IPv6) is an activity of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), a non-profit organization of loosely affiliated international participants that anyone may associate with by contributing technical expertise.

Types of Internet Communication

The Internet provides users with multiple means of communicating. Users may communicate with friends, colleagues, news reporters, editors and even strangers. Today there are more ways to reach out to people who were traditionally difficult to contact. As technology advances, the means of Internet communications becomes increasingly convenient and varied.

Social Networking

Members of social networking sites are able to send messages, comments, links, articles and pictures to other members of the site. Communication is not just between the sender and receiver, it is also available to other members who have access to browse your site. These other members may also make comments. This type of relationship is known as an Internet community.

Online Phone Calls

Skype.com is a website dedicated to providing online phone calls to other Skype members. This type of communication is known as Skype-to-Skype calling. Users communicate once they have downloaded the Skype software program from the Skype website. Skype also allows users to make video calls, through which users can see each other as they talk. Skype allows members to make low, per-minute Skype calls to landlines and cell phones.

Emails

Email, also known as electronic mail, not only allows you to communicate with other email users, but it also is a way to receive, for example, newsletters, coupons, daily inspirational quotes and job postings. Registered users have the ability to save drafts and past important emails for future reference.

Blog and Vlog

Blogging is a writer's way of expressing his thoughts, ideas, and social and political views online. Bloggers communicate to readers, who in turn make comments and send their links to other readers. Some bloggers gain notoriety through building a devout group of readers. Once bloggers have a following, they may be contacted by sponsors or they may propose sponsorship to interested companies. For instance, a food and wine blogger may obtain sponsorship from restaurants, food and wine magazines or online publications.

Vlogs are the same concept as blogs, except vlogs are digitally recorded. You can create a vlog on a digital video camera, digital camera, or cell phone. Video can then be uploaded onto your computer and shared with viewers.

Speak Out Loud

Online forums or message boards are an interesting way for participants to express their knowledge or views of a particular subject. Participants may speak, for example, on issues like new political agendas, their favorite sports teams or discuss their concerns about new technology. Message boards range from home improvement to medical experiences and procedures.

Your Opinion Matters

Online retail stores now allow prospective customers the opportunity to read buyer reviews before purchasing an item. This is an excellent tool for people who are skeptical about making a purchase. Reviewers describe their shopping experience and also rate purchased item according to various scales.

Readers of news articles are able to communicate with the public, news reporters and editors by expressing their views of online articles. Other readers may make comments about the article or the previous comments about the article. Comments about comments comprise what is known as a thread.