An Introduction to Information Systems - Principles of Information Systems - page 14

individuals around the world. The U.S. government is expected to spend almost $50 billion
on upgraded telecommunications systems and equipment in the next several years. 25 With
telecommunications, people can work at home or while traveling. 26 This approach to work,
often called telecommuting , allows a telecommuter living in England to send his or her work
to the United States, China, or any location with telecommunications capabilities. Today,
China is the largest provider of mobile phone and telecommunications services, with over
300 million subscribers. 27
Networks connect computers and equipment in a building, around the country, or
around the world to enable electronic communication. Investment firms can use wireless
networks to connect thousands of investors with brokers or traders. Many hotels use wireless
telecommunications to allow guests to connect to the Internet, retrieve voice messages, and
exchange e-mail without plugging their computers or mobile devices into an Internet con-
nector. Wireless transmission also allows aircraft drones, such as Boeing's Scan Eagle, to fly
using a remote control system and monitor buildings and other commercial establishments.
The drones are smaller and less-expensive versions of the Predator and Global Hawk drones
that the U.S. military used in the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts.
The Internet is the world's largest computer network, consisting of thousands of inter-
connected networks, all freely exchanging information. Research firms, colleges, universities,
high schools, and businesses are just a few examples of organizations using the Internet.

networks
Computers and equipment that are
connected in a building, around the
country, or around the world to
enable electronic communications.

Internet
The world's largest computer net-
work, consisting of thousands of
interconnected networks, all freely
exchanging information.

People use the Internet wherever
they are to research information,
buy and sell products and services,
make travel arrangements, conduct
banking, download music and
videos, and listen to radio programs.
(Source: © Bob Daemmrich / Photo
Edit.)

People use the Internet to research information, buy and sell products and services, make
travel arrangements, conduct banking, download music and videos, and listen to radio pro-
grams, among other activities. 28 Increasingly, the Internet is used for communications,
collaboration, and information sharing. 29 Internet sites like MySpace ( www.myspace.com )
and FaceBook ( www.facebook.com ) have become popular places to connect with friends
and colleagues. 30 Some people, however, fear that this increased usage can lead to problems,
including criminals hacking into the Internet and gaining access to sensitive personal
information. 31
Large computers, personal computers, and today's cell phones, such as Apple's iPhone,
can access the Internet. 32 This not only speeds communications, but also allows people to
conduct business electronically. Some airline companies are providing Internet service on
their flights so that travelers can send and receive e-mail, check investments, and browse the
Internet. 33 Internet users can create Web logs (blogs) to store and share their thoughts and
ideas with others around the world. Using podcasting , you can download audio programs or
music from the Internet to play on computers or music players. One of the authors of this
book uses podcasts to obtain information on information systems and technology. You can
also record and store TV programs on computers or special viewing devices and watch them
later. 34 Often called place shifting, this technology allows you to record TV programs at home
and watch them at a different place when it's convenient.
The World Wide Web (WWW) , or the Web , is a network of links on the Internet to
documents containing text, graphics, video, and sound. Information about the documents