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INTERNET |
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INTERNET |
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The Internet is a global network of networks enabling computers of all kinds to connect directly with each other to communicate and share an immense amount of information and services. It is a system of information storage and retrieval which can be used by computer operators worldwide.
Computer networks are used in business and government establishments but the one we call the Internet is the largest network in the world and is accessible to anyone who has a computer connected to it. To learn what you require to get connected click "EQUIPMENT".
"The Internet" and "The World Wide Web" are often thought to be the same thing but they are not - the definitions are explained here.
When the Soviet Union launched Sputnik into space in 1957, the United States' President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, saw the need to try to gain supremacy in the "space race". He brought together America's most brilliant people and the organization they formed was called the "Advanced Research Projects Agency" (ARPA). The DoD wanted to create a computer network that would continue to function in the event of a disaster, such as a nuclear war. If part of the network were damaged or destroyed, the rest of the system still had to work. ARPA developed the United States' first successful satellite during the first 18 months of their time spent working together. During the next few years the Agency developed computer networking and communications technology. That network became known as ARPANET, which linked U.S. scientific and academic researchers. It was the forerunner of today's Internet.
During 1962 research into improving the military's use of computer technology was done by the ARPA, lead by Dr. J. C. R. Licklider. In 1966 ARPA provides funding to experiment with a computer network that would connect some of its member universities together allowing researchers to communicate by e-mail. The outcome was to move ARPA's contracts to universities and the development of ARPANET. Fifteen universities with twenty-three network sites are connected by ARPANET in 1971. The term "Internet" is used for the first time during 1974. ARPANET is split into military and civilian divisions in 1983. With the creation of the civilian side, the Internet proper is born.
It was 1987 when the first personal hypertext authoring system is introduced by Apple.
CompuServe and MCI, providers of private electronic mail services, connect to the Internet during 1989.
TimBerners-Lee writes the first version of software in 1989, called Hypetext Markup Language (HTML), which makes the World Wide Web a possibility.
In 1990 ARPANET ceases to exist. The World comes on-line (world.std.com), becoming the first commercial provider of Internet dial-up access.
Restrictions on commercial Internet use are dropped, this opens it to the public. From 1991 to 1997 Internet host computers increased rapidly, to reach more than 16 million.
During the next few years consumer use of the Internet expands and high-speed cable, wireless, optical fiber and DSL connections begin to replace dial-up.
The Internet is not owned by anyone. It is monitored and maintained in different ways. The Internet Society oversees the formation of policies and protocols that define how the Internet is used. The Society provides leadership in addressing issues that confront the future of the Internet and is the organization home for the groups responsible for Internet infrastructure standards. Two of these groups are the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the Internet Architecture Board (IAB).
If you would like to read more about the Internet please visit
http://www.zakon.org/robert/internet/timeline/ - an excellent Website.
HOW THE INTERNET DEVELOPED
