Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
As you read this chapter, consider the following:
•
What unique features of the Internet and Web make them popular choices for many
business communication applications?
•
In what ways do people use the Internet and Web to improve their quality of life? How
do businesses use these technologies to improve the bottom line?
To say that the Internet has had a big effect on organizations of all types and sizes
would be a huge understatement. Since the early 1990s, when the Internet was first
used for commercial purposes, it has affected all aspects of business. Businesses use
the Internet to sell and advertise their products and services, reaching out to new
and existing customers. If you are undecided about a career, you can use the Inter-
net to investigate career opportunities and salaries using sites such as
www.monster.com
and HotJobs at
www.yahoo.com.
Most companies have Internet
sites that list job opportunities, descriptions, qualifications, salaries, and benefits. If
you have a job, you probably use the Internet daily to communicate with coworkers
and your boss. People working in every field and at every level use the Internet in
their jobs. Purchasing agents use the Internet to save millions of dollars in supplies
every year. Travel and events-management agents use the Internet to find the best
deals on travel and accommodations. Automotive engineers use the Internet to work
with other engineers around the world developing designs and specifications for new
automobiles and trucks. Property managers use the Internet to find the best prices
and opportunities for commercial and residential real estate. Whatever your career,
you will probably use the Internet daily. This chapter starts by exploring how the
Internet works and then investigates the many exciting opportunities for using the
Internet to help you achieve your goals.
Why Learn About
the Internet?
The Internet is the world's largest computer network. Actually, the
Internet
is a collection
of interconnected networks, all freely exchanging information (see Figure 7.1). Research
firms, colleges, and universities have long been part of the Internet, and businesses, high
schools, elementary schools, and other organizations have joined it as well. Nobody knows
exactly how big the Internet is because it is a collection of separately run, smaller computer
networks. There is no single place where all the connections are registered. Figure 7.2 shows
the staggering growth of the Internet, as measured by the number of Internet host sites or
domain names. Domain names are discussed later in the chapter.
Internet
A collection of interconnected
networks, all freely exchanging
information.
Host
computer 1
Figure 7.1
Routing Messages over the
Internet
Host
computer 2
Router/Gateway
Host
computer 3
Router/Gateway
Router/Gateway
Router/Gateway
Router/Gateway
Host
computer 4
