Providers
Network Providers
Organizations and companies that offer access to networks and their services.
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
A company that provides access to the internet for individuals and organizations.
ISPs offer various services, including:
- Internet Access:
- Connection to the internet.
- Email Services:
- Hosting email accounts and providing email servers.
- Web Hosting:
- Hosting websites on their servers.
- Domain Registration:
- Registering and managing domain names.
- Cloud Services:
- Offering cloud storage and computing resources.
- Security Services:
- Providing firewalls, antivirus software, and other security measures.
Other service providers
- Mobile service providers (MSPs): Companies and businesses that offer cellular connection to mobile phone users.
- Voice over internet protocol (VoIP): Protocol that allows for voice calls over internet service rather than cellular analogue phone lines.
Many provider companies offer multiple provider services, such as being both an ISP and an MSP.
Chat, Texting, and Online Messaging
- Instant Messaging Apps:
- Platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal offer real-time text communication.
- Social Media Platforms:
- Facebook Messenger, Instagram Direct, and Twitter DMs provide integrated messaging services.
- Email Providers:
- Services like Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo Mail offer email accounts and storage.
How do ISPs and network services influence the accessibility and distribution of information? What ethical responsibilities do they have?
Self review- What are the primary services offered by ISPs?
- How do VOIP services differ from traditional phone calls?
- What are the potential negative impacts of network services on society?
The World Wide Web
World Wide Web (WWW)
A system of interlinked hypertext documents and multimedia content that is accessed via the internet using a web browser.
- The World Wide Web (WWW) is often confused with the internet, but they are not the same thing.
- A global network of interconnected computers and servers that enables the exchange of data and information using standardized communication protocols.
- The WWW is a service that operates on the internet, using web browsers to access interlinked documents and multimedia content.
The internet is like a road network, while the WWW is like the web of destinations (websites) you can visit using that network.
URL, HTTP, Browser
The World Wide Web relies on three key technologies:
- URL (Uniform Resource Locator): The unique textual address for a resource on the web.
- HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): The protocol that defines how data is transmitted over the web.
- Browsers: Software applications that retrieve, interpret, and display web content.
When you enter a URL in a browser, the browser uses HTTP to request the webpage from a server, which is then displayed on your screen.
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is an organization that develops standards for the web to ensure its long-term growth and interoperability.
NoteThe W3C promotes open standards to ensure that the web remains accessible and usable for everyone, regardless of device or location.
Self review- How does the World Wide Web differ from the internet?
- What role do URLs, HTTP, and browsers play in accessing the web?
- Why is the W3C important for the development of the web?
How do the concepts of the World Wide Web and the internet illustrate the importance of standards and protocols in technology?
