Introduction
This document attempts to define the internet in terms of other services
that a MS Windows user might be familiar with, and to briefly describe
some of the differences, pros and cons.
This is a work in progress.
If you have corrections or suggested additions to this document, send them to webmaster@graphcomp.com.
What is the internet?
The internet is an informal web of interconnecting networks supporting a vast
array of computer platforms and operating systems.
The internet works by providing a unique, 4 octet, Internet Protocol (IP) address for
each internet node. A node is typically associated with a network card or a serial
internet connection - each internet network card will have an IP address.
The IP address is hardware/network/OS-independent and provides a standard
mechanism for indicating the destination of data packets that are sent through
the various neworks.
UDP defines network-independent packet headers used in transporting data
from node to node. UDP may be used to broadcast data to multiple nodes
on a network.
TCP is based on UDP and provides a guaranteed mechanism for transferring an ordered stream of
data from one node to another. Many internet protocols, such as FTP,
SMTP, POP, NNTP are based on TCP.
Through SMTP, POP and other mechanisms, the internet provides a standard
means for transporting email around the world. If you know a user's
name and host machine - and you both have access to internet email services -
you can send each other mail electronically, whether you are in the same
company building, another company across town, or on the other side of the world.
Through NNTP and other mechanisms, the internet provides a standard method
for posting messages that can be read (and responded to) by people around
the world.
FTP provides a standard mechanism for sharing data/files over the internet,
which provides a nice way to distribute shareable software.
Many other protocols and services exist to facilitate the interchange of
information, over a world-wide scope.
Internet vs Bulletin Board Systems (BBS)
If you are currently a BBS user, you may question the need for internet
access: BBSes have email, message posting and file transfer capabilities -
what's the big deal?
Internet PROs
- Typically, BBSes are limited to a single host, with whatever theme the
owner of that host chooses to promote on that BBS. The variety of services
available on the internet is enormous.
- BBS exposure is limited to whoever can afford to dial into that BBS;
internet exposure to postings and files is world-wide.
- The internet provides information standards - a single mail, news
or ftp client will work the same way regardless of what host you are connecting to.
While some BBSes are standardizing, you still need to deal with different
logon scripts and dowload protocols. A minor issue when you are dealing
with textual information; a major issue when you start dealing with online
multimedia presentations.
Internet CONs
- The overhead involved in accessing a BBS is small: a cheap terminal
emulator and modem, and you are set to go. Accessing the internet involves
a learning curve, acquiring internet clients, and paying a service provider
for internet access.
- Many internet services are not secure; it is possible on some systems
to falsify packet data or intercept transmission. Direct modem connections
are slightly more secure, which is why home banking services are provided
via modem connections, but rarely through the internet.
Internet vs Information Service Providers (ISP)
Information Service Providers, such as Compuserve, Prodigy and AOL provide
much of the same service as the internet.
Internet PROs
- At the moment, most ISPs are textual in nature; hypertext and multimedia
access to services have been readily available on the internet for a while.
- Most ISPs are fairly restricted; forming your own forum/newsgroup on an
ISP is not generally something that single individuals can do. If you
have your own internet machine, you can set up a news group, an FTP file
site or a WWW hypertext site.
Internet CONs
- Since ISPs are structured, it is generally easier to find information,
files and resources in their forums; finding information on the internet
takes a bit of practice. However Web clients are making it easier.
- Since ISPs are commercial, they generally provide access to a large stock
of information resources; many corporations provide technical support
and product upgrades through ISPs.
- Since ISPs are commercial and controlled, the culture is typically more
friendly and professional than what one might encounter in some internet
news groups. The internet is free for many people and the resulting large numbers of
neophytes can occasionally make for a unhelpful, rude and unpleasant experience.
Summary
The internet will generally cost more than accessing a BBS, and is less
structured than an ISP, however, it does provide far more:
- variety
- access
- flexibilty
- freedom
- exposure
While the internet does have some open security issues, much of the email and
information transfers over the internet are intended to be public. If
security is an issue, a number of encryption and signature schemes are
available.
The internet appears to be on the path to replacing BBSes and ISPs as the
primary source of online information. In view of this, many BBSes
now provide internet gateways - most ISPs are offering direct internet
access, in addition to internet gateways. The intenet is simply more
ubiquitous.
Lately, the internet has become the happening place when it comes to distributed
hypertext and multimedia presentations - animation, movies, sounds...
Now that the internet is becoming available to MS Windows users, it's time
to climb that learning curve and get connected where all the exciting stuff
is going on.
For more information on GraphComp's web site, email webmaster@graphcomp.com.