Syllabus Focus: Unit 1 Module 1 Content 9

Specific Objective 10: justify the tools used in Information Technology.

Content: Hardware, (for example modem) software and communication tools; advantages
and disadvantages; tools associated with the Internet including on- line services; search
engines; VoIP, SMS Discussion Forum/Board telnet, ftp (upload/download), message board,
mailing list, social media tools, web-conferencing tools, cross-platform messaging tools.

Examples of Computer Hardware

Hardware is the physical aspect of a computer comprising of the mechanical, electronic, and
electrical components of a computer system. Computer hardware includes the central processing
unit, motherboard, microchips as well as computer peripherals like input-output and storage
devices that are added to a host computer to enhance its abilities.

Some fundamental units of a computer along with a list of media devices, networking hardware
components, and computer peripherals are below. Together they form the set of hardware
components of computers.

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 1

 Bus

A Bus is a subsystem that transfers data within and between computers. The computer bus
provides a logical connection between the different computer peripherals. CPUs use the control
bus to communicate with other devices in the computer. The address bus is used to specify a
physical address. A processor specifies the memory location it wants to read from or write to, on
the address bus. The value that it needs to read or write is sent to the data bus. Thus, the data bus
carries the data being processed. A parallel bus is capable of carrying multiple data in parallel
while a serial bus carries data in a bit-serial form. An internal bus connects the internal
components of a computer to the motherboard while an external bus connects the external
computer peripherals to the__motherboard.

AGP: Short for Accelerated Graphics Port, AGP is a high-speed point-to-point channel that
enables the attachment of a graphics card to the computer's motherboard.

HyperTransport: It is a low-latency point-to-point link that uses high bandwidth and acts in a
bi-directional manner. It facilitates power management.

PCI: The Peripheral Component Interconnect standard refers to the computer bus connecting
peripheral devices to a motherboard.

PCI Express: It is a computer expansion card interface format.

USB: Universal Serial Bus, acts as an interface to a host computer. It enhances the plug-and-
play capabilities of a computer.

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 2

QuickPath: Also known as the Common System Interface, QuickPath is a point-to-point
processor interconnect that stands in close competition with HyperTransport.
Serial ATA: It is a computer bus that enables the transfer of data between mass storage devices
and the motherboard.

Serial Attached SCSI: It enables the transfer of data from computer storage devices like hard
drives and tape drives. It is a point-to-point serial protocol.

Central Processing Unit:

is a set of logic machines that can execute computer programs. The fundamental function of a
CPU is to execute sequences of stored instructions called programs. During its first step of
operation, the processor retrieves instructions from program memory. This step is known as the
'fetch' step. In the 'decode' step, the processor breaks up the instructions after which they are
executed. During the fourth step of writeback, the CPU writes back results of the processed
instructions into memory.

Computer fan
It is attached to the CPU and is used to lower the temperature of
a computer. Fans in the computer case help maintain a constant
flow of air to the computer system. Preventing overheating.

Firmware
It is a computer program that is embedded in a hardware device. It is midway between hardware
and software. Being a piece of computer program, it is similar to software, while being tightly
bound to hardware makes it close to being a hardware component.

Motherboard and Power Supply

Motherboard is the central printed circuit board, forms the complex electronic system of a
computer. A motherboard provides the computer system with all the electrical connections, the
basic circuitry, and components required for its functioning.

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 3

Computer power supply is the component responsible for supplying power to the computer. It
converts the AC power from the mains to low
voltage DC power for the internal components of a
computer.

RAM and Hard Drive

Random
Access
Memory (RAM) is the physical memory of a computer.
It is used to store the currently running programs and is
attached to the motherboard.

Hard Disc is a non-volatile storage device that stores

digital data on magnetic surfaces. It is used for medium-term storage of data.

Sound and Graphics Cards

Sound card is a computer expansion card that enables the input and
output of audio signals to and from a computer. Sound cards provide
multimedia applications with the audio components.
Video card that is also known as a graphics card is a hardware component which generates and
outputs the images to a display.

Storage Controllers
They are located on the motherboard or on the expansion cards. Storage controllers include
controllers for the hard disc, CD-ROM, and other drives.

Media Devices

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 4

Devices such as CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs, and USB flash drives are some of the popular
removable storage media that can store digital data. Tape drives and zip drives are less
commonly used while the floppy disks are obsolete. Hard discs and solid-state drives are used for
internal storage.

CDs and DVDs

Compact Discs (CDs) are storage devices for storing digital data. Standard CDs can store around
80 minutes of audio. CD-ROMs contain data that is accessible for reading and is not modifiable.
CD-ROMs are used for distribution of computer software and multimedia applications. A CD
Writer is an optical disc drive that uses laser radiation or electromagnetic waves for reading from
and writing data onto discs.

Digital Video Disc (DVD) or Digital Versatile Disc is one of the very popular optical disc
storage media. With physical dimensions similar to those of a compact disc, DVDs can store data
as much as six times more than a CD. A DVD-ROM drive is used for reading data from a DVD.
A DVD Writer is used for reading from and writing data to a DVD. DVD-RAM drives allow
data to be read and written rapidly from specific types of DVDs. HD DVD is a high-density
optical disc format that succeeded DVD.

Disc Array Controller

It manages physical disc drives and brings them to the form of logical units. It provides a disc
cache and implements hardware RAID.

Floppy and Data Tape

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 5

 Floppy disk is a disc of a thin magnetic storage
medium covered by a plastic shell. With the
advent of flash and optical storage devices,
floppies have become obsolete.

Tape drive is a data storage device that reads and

writes data stored on a magnetic tape. Tape drives
have storage capacities ranging from a few megabytes to multiple gigabytes. They are mainly
used for archival storage of data.

Solid-state Drive
This storage device uses solid-state memory to store persistent data. It can replace the hard disc
drive in many applications.

Blu ray Discs and USB Flash Drive

Blu ray disc is an optical disc storage media format. It obtains its name from the blue laser that is
used to read and write this type of disc. Owing to its shorter wavelength, blu-ray discs can store
large amounts of data. BD-ROM drive is used for reading data from a blu-ray disc and a BD
writer can be used for both reading from and writing to a blu-ray disc.

USB flash drive is a small-sized removable and rewritable storage device with a storage capacity
ranging from 64 MB to 64 GB (2TB). Due to their high storage capacity, durability, and compact
structure, they have gained immense popularity in the modern times.

Zip Drive
Iomega came up with this medium-capacity storage media in 1994. It had a capacity of about
100 MB. Zip drives could never become standardized and were replaced by rewritable CDs.

Networking Hardware Components

Network Card

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 6

It is one of the most important pieces of hardware as it allows a computer to communicate with
other computers over a network. It serves as a networking medium and provides the computers
with a MAC address system. A network card is also known as a network adapter, a LAN card
and is better known as an NIC.

Modem and Router

Modem is used for dial-up connections. It modulates

analog carrier signals to encode digital information and
demodulates it to decode the information transmitted.
Routers are devices that are used to join multiple wired or
wireless computer networks.

Computer Peripherals
There are many external devices that are equally important. Keyboard, mouse, and the visual
display of a computer form its basic input and output devices. Joysticks, game controllers, and
other pointing devices are commonly used for the gaming applications on a computer.
Headphones, speakers, microphones, and webcams are popularly used for running multimedia
applications.

Keyboard and Monitor

Keyboard is an input device, which derives its design from a typewriter. A keyboard consists of
multiple keys laid out in a specific way. Each key acts as an electronic switch either producing a
letter, number, or a symbol that is typed into a word processor, or performing a certain computer
operation.
Known as a monitor, the visual display unit is an electrical device that displays images produced
as a result of video outputs from computers.

Mouse and Trackball

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 7

A computer mouse is a pointing device that detects two-dimensional motion. The motion of a
mouse translates into the motion of a pointer on the computer display, enabling the user to
control a graphical user interface.

Trackball is a pointing device that comprises a mouse along with a ball with sensors to sense
rotational motion. Trackballs find utility in special-purpose workstations and video games.

Headphones and Microphone

Headphones consist of a pair of small loud speakers, which can be held close to the ears. They
can be connected to an audio-frequency source such as an amplifier.

A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer that converts sound signals to electrical ones.

Commonly, mikes consist of a membrane that vibrates in response to sound. The vibrations are
translated to electrical signals.
Printer and Scanner
A printer is a peripheral device produces hard copies of electronic documents. It is attached to a
computer by means of a peripheral cable or a USB cable. A printer is sometimes combined with
a scanner that serves as a photocopier.

A scanner is a peripheral device that can scan images, handwriting, or objects and convert them
to digital images.
Game Controller and Joystick

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 8

 The game controller is an input device used to
control the operations of a video game. It is
connected to video game consoles or personal
computers. Gamepad, also known as a joypad
or a control pad, is a game controller with
digits and action buttons. Most video game
consoles use gamepads as input devices.

Joystick is an input device that consists of a

stick that is pivoted on a base and indicates its direction to the device it controls. Joysticks are
used in video games and mobile phones. (controller for claw machines?)

Speakers and Webcam

Computer speakers are external audio devices that enable computer users to listen to audio
media. Multimedia speakers consist of an internal amplifier. A speaker has a jack connecting it
to the sound card.

A web camera is a small camera that is widely used with video conferencing and instant
messaging services. They are digital cameras which can upload images to a web server.

Taken from: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/examples-of-computer-hardware.html, on July 7,

2016

Types of Computer Software

System Software
System software coordinates the complete system hardware and provides an environment or
platform for all the other types of software to work in. It is the most basic type of software in any
computer system, which is essential for other programs, applications and indeed for the whole

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 9

computer system to function. (System software examples - Microsoft Windows XP, Mac OS,
Linux, Windows Vista, Ubuntu, device drivers, etc.)

Application Software
Application software are those that help the user perform the (specific) tasks of his/her choice.
They are non-essential software which are installed and run depending upon the requirements, in
the environment provided by the system software. Application software examples - MS Office,
OpenOffice, Media Players, MS Access, educational software, media development software,
Antivirus software, etc.

Programming Software
Programming software are used to write, test, debug and develop other software programs and
applications. The various programming language editors such as Eclipse- a Java language editor,
come under this category. They are used for creating both the system as well as application
software. Programming software examples - Turbo C, Xilinx, Kiel, compilers, debuggers,
Integrated Development Environment (IDE), etc.

Sub-types of Computer Software

Apart from the above major types of software, there are many other sub-types such as the ones
mentioned below.
Freeware- Freeware are a type of software that anyone can download from the Internet and use
for free. (Examples - Google Talk, Yahoo Messenger, uTorrent, etc.)
Shareware- Shareware are usually distributed for free on a trial basis. It can be shared without
violation of any laws. They usually stop working or prompt the user to purchase the full version,
once the trial period expires. (Examples - BearShare, Kazaa, Winzip, etc.)
Registry Cleaners- are used to clean up or delete all the invalid registry entries which has the
benefit of ensuring the computer runs faster. (Examples- TuneUp Utilities, Eusing, etc.)
Content Control Software- controls the content that can be accessed by a user on a computer.
They are mostly used for restricting access over the Internet.
(Example- K9 Web Protection, PGSurfer, etc.)

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 10

Project Management Software- is a software package that helps multiple users to work on a
project simultaneously. It allows them to schedule events, network with the other users, allocate
resources, etc. (Example- Microsoft Office Project Server, HyperOffice, 24SevenOffice, etc.)
Utility Software- They are usually small programs that help in the management of the hardware
and the application software, installed on a computer.
(Example- Disk defragmenters, Disk cleaners, etc.)
Open Source Software- This is a type of software the source code for which is available to all
users (open). As such, anyone can make changes to it and release their own new version.
(Example- Android OS, OpenOffice, etc.)
Browsers- Browsers are software that allows users to surf or browse the Internet.
(Example- Internet Explorer, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, etc.)

With constant advancements in the field of software engineering, several new software and
applications are being developed every day. Hence, the list provided above shouldn't be
considered definitive, as in the coming years, many more newer types of software would have
been developed.
Taken from: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/computer-software-examples.html, on July 7, 2016

Communication Tools
Types of Communications
External and Internal Communication
Communication is key to any business’s success. Unless potential clients and customers are
aware of your business, they will not have the information to contact you or to purchase your
products. When they are aware of your business, they must be able to contact it easily.

Two types of communication are essential - external and internal.

● External communication reaches out to the customer to make him/her aware of product or
service and to give the customer a reason to buy. This type of communication includes
brochures, various forms of advertising, contact letters, telephone calls, Web sites and
anything else that makes the public aware of what you do.

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 11

 Image is extremely important in external communication! Your logo should represent who
you are; your letterhead should be a selling tool; your telephone message should reflect your
professionalism.

● Internal communication is essential to attracting and retaining a talented staff. You must
provide the direction for the company by consistently communicating that message; you must
motivate your staff through various forms of communication, which can include awards,
newsletters, meetings, telephone calls and formal and informal discussions. Periodic meeting
with top management groups including your board of directors and advisory board should be
planned for regular intervals over each upcoming year.

Effective communication requires tools and planning, as well as planning guidelines, to facilitate
this key element of your business, communication.

Basic Communication Tools

Specific tools that can be used for communication include landline telephones, cell phones,
smartphones, iPads and fax machines. The lines between the devices are blurring. For example,
an advanced cell phone (the smartphone) can contain many of the functions of a computer
including Internet, email, text messaging, faxing, word processing and more.

Mail
Even with all the modern methods of communication, regular postal mail is still one of the most
powerful tools for a business. It adds a personal touch, it's used for delivering secure documents,
contracts, and shipping items.

Landline Telephones
There are many types of telephones, and only you can decide which type(s) or combinations of
types are right for you. Even the standard telephone (landline) that is installed in your office has
many options. You should start with at least one line that is unique to your business. This line
should have the capability to take messages in case it is not answered personally. Here are some
telephone tips:

● It is important to treat the telephone as an important business tool. Record a voice mail
message that indicates when you will return the call and then continually check your voice
mail to return calls promptly.

● Have a separate line for your business phone and your personal phone. Don't have family
members pick up or use the business phone. Get any required extra telephone lines installed
before you start.

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 12

● A remote (voice mail) answering system is usually more desirable than using an answering
machine. Voice mail is reliable, reasonable in cost, accessible from anywhere and projects a
more business-like image.

● When leaving phone messages, clearly state your name and phone number at the beginning
and the end of the message.

● Be polite in cell phone use! Good business courtesy includes avoiding being interrupted by
telephone calls when in a meeting or during a business lunch.

Cell Phones/Mobile Phones

The cell phone is used for mobile communications over a cellular network of cell sites. There are
numerous plans and carriers. Many carriers have plans tailored for small businesses including
options that bundle popular features and usage patterns, making them very cost effective. Be sure
to ask questions about your specific needs before selecting a carrier and a plan. When your usage
or needs change, do not hesitate to request information on plans that more closely meet your new
set of requirements

Smartphones
Growth in demand for advanced mobile devices boasting powerful memory, larger screens, and
open operating systems has outpaced the rest of the mobile phone market for several years. A
smartphone is a cell phone offering advanced capabilities with computer-like functionality.

It incorporates advanced features like e-mail, Internet, and e-book reader capabilities and include
a full keyboard or an external keyboard. In other words, a smartphone is a miniature computer
that has phone capability.

Smartphones are also capable of text messaging and may include a camera and video recorder.
Outside your office, a smartphone can become a valuable tool for e-mail, web browsing and the
ability to review and edit documents.

Video and Web Conferencing

Video conferencing transmits and receives images and voice in real-time. Web conferencing
adds another dimension - it allows you to share documents and applications.

These solutions allow you to communicate as if you were face-to-face with customers anywhere
in the world. Time and money that would be spent on traveling can be used to conduct meetings.
You can share documents, make presentations and conduct meetings on short notice. For
example, without leaving your office, you can collaborate with employees who work from home
or from other company locations.

Social Networking Sites

A social network is a social structure made of individuals or organizations that are tied together
by common interests, often like a community. Internet-based social networking occurs through a
variety of websites that allow users to share content and interact with similar interests. It has

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 13

expanded to include a company's customers, celebrity's fans and a politician's constituents. This
has created a great opportunity for businesses to generate interaction with present and potential
customers through Web-based sites established for that purpose. To be successful requires a
steady effort and participation over time. With an ongoing commitment of effort, you can create
a niche market through sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. A note of caution on
Internet social networking: once you put something out there it's hard to take it back, so you have
to be careful.

Online Chat Tools

refers to any kind of communication over the Internet, but is primarily meant to refer to direct
one-on-one chat or text-based group chat using tools such as instant messengers. It is commonly
used in place of email when there is a need to communicate live. Chat tools can be used both for
internal and external communication and can be placed on a website so customers can talk to a
customer service person in real-time. Utilizing chat tools usually requires a free software
download. There are many options available including Google Hangouts and Skype. Features
can vary from simple one-on-one messaging to highly developed tools for group chat, file
transfers, video and document collaboration.

Fax Machines
The decision must be made as to whether to buy a stand alone fax machine or an "all-in-one"
model. All-in-ones function as a printer, scanner, copier and fax. If you plan on sending and
receiving lots of faxes you might consider the stand-alone. For less frequent use the all-in-one
can cost less. They are also compact and use energy efficiently. Consideration should be given to
your budget and your space constraints. Generally, the simpler the machine, the fewer problems
you will have with it. If your business will rely heavily on faxing, it is important to get as much
memory as possible to speed up the printing of documents.

Some phone vendors can provide you with a fax number that works with your e-mail system.
Receiving a fax works just like it does when the fax is being received by another machine but
you receive it as an attachment to an e-mail. This can be very handy for those who travel on a
frequent basis and are not always near a fax machine. Here are tips:

● Use a cover page that is appropriate for your company. Remember, this is an external
communication that reflects your business and your image.
● Use a separate dedicated phone line for your fax machine.

Computers

A computer is so affordable that it should be included as a key tool in your business. Computers
can be purchased for a wide range of prices. For basic word processing, e-mail, accounting, and
spreadsheet work, you will not require a top-of-the-line computer. While what you buy today
may soon become obsolete, this does not mean that the computer you purchase will not meet
your business requirements for a much longer period of time. Computer options that are
available:

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 14

 ● Desktop
● Laptop
● Notebook (or netbook)
● Tablet
● Handheld

Desktops
This is the most common type of computer. The computer system should include:
● A basic processing unit: either a PC (Personal Computer) or a Mac (Apple). PC's are more
common in usage and are lower in cost. Most businesses work in a PC format. However, for
many users and applications including graphic arts, the Mac enjoys very steadfast supporters.

● A flat-panel monitor.

● Internet connectivity, a CD/DVD drive and USB ports.

● A printer. Laser printers cost more up front but are less expensive over the long run when
taking printing costs into account. If you have a small space to work with, consider an all-in-
one printer.

● Some type of backup storage should also be considered, such as a USB Flash Drive, External
Hard Drive or a writable CD or DVD.

● An antivirus program is essential. You can purchase one or use a free program; however the
free programs will not afford you as much security as the paid versions.

Laptops
A laptop computer offers portability with many of the features offered by a desktop which make
it ideal for meetings or if you travel frequently. Drawbacks for laptops include: they are higher in
price than desktops, have smaller keyboards and monitors and are subject to theft. Traditional
and wireless printers, keyboards and even the traditional mouse are options available for laptops.
If you travel and need computing capability, it is worth the extra expense.

Notebooks and Netbooks

Since their recent appearance, netbooks have grown in size and features. At the same time,
notebooks have become smaller and lighter. The result is that for practical purposes we are going
to use the two words interchangeably since there is no longer a significant distinction between
them. They both can be described as rapidly evolving categories of small, light and inexpensive
laptop computers suited for general computing and accessing web-based applications. They are
gaining in popularity especially with students, bloggers, and even some businesses.

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 15

While generally less expensive than laptops, manufacturers are starting to beef up notebooks,
which is increasing their cost. A caution: their compact size makes them attractive for traveling
but if you are considering one to save on the cost of a laptop, you probably will be getting less
memory and many do not have full applications or compatibility with your other business
applications.

Things to keep in mind if getting a desktop, laptop or netbook:

● Get as much capability as you can afford. Laptops are not typically as easy to upgrade as
desktop computers because of the nature of their construction.

● Be sure you get all the features you need when you purchase.

● If you do not normally have access to an electrical outlet, get a laptop or netbook with
extended battery life.

● Keep all documentation, software, and accessories that come with your device.

Tablet Computers
A tablet computer is equipped with a touch screen or stylus rather than a keyboard to operate the
computer. The advantages include using when it is not convenient to use a keyboard and mouse,
recording diagrams and symbols, and easier navigation than a keyboard and mouse or touch pad.
Disadvantages include higher cost, slower input speed, and risk of damage to the tablet screen.

Handheld Devices
Handheld computers, or Personal Digital Assistants, are still popular despite the growing sales of
smartphones. There are basically two versions of these units: 1) those using the Palm Pilot
operating system and 2) those using the Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system. These
units allow synchronizing your key organizational elements with your computer. Functions of a
PDA and smartphone have become almost indistinguishable; however PDAs generally perform
faster and can synchronize data to your PC. The capabilities of PDAs are not built around a cell
phone whereas a smartphone is a cell phone with other capabilities built into the phone. More
and more features are being built into these units, integrating them as a powerful tool in the
business world.

Software
The software you purchase is key to making your computer productive. The operating system,
whether it is a PC or a Macintosh, should be preloaded onto the system. Many software packages
are often bundled with the system at the time of purchase and some in the form of trial software.
At the bare minimum, you should have the capability to do word processing, spreadsheets, and
presentations.

Additionally, you should consider financial and accounting software that is appropriate for your

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 16

business. Keep in mind that many accounting/bookkeeping software packages are not double-
entry systems and care must be taken in making the entries correctly. Keep in mind that home
and professional versions of accounting software may not be compatible or may not be
appropriate for your operating system. Be sure to read specifications before you purchase.

Auxiliary Products
Many products can be used in conjunction with your computer to enhance the functionality and
image of your business. These also require software specifically designed to facilitate its usage.

● Digital Camera - a picture taken by this type of camera can be directly loaded onto your
computer for a variety of uses. Usage ideas include pictures of properties, product catalogs,
pictures accompanying résumés and many more.
Digital cameras come in various shapes and sizes, but what really sets them apart in price is
image quality.

● Scanner - when you have a printed copy of something that you would like to include as part
of a digital document, you can create a digital image by scanning the printed copy with this
type of equipment.

● Wireless Transmission - this feature allows you to communicate with other devices equipped
with the same feature. Most office equipment is available in a wireless version and without
all the cords. Ease of set up is appealing and has many productive implications

● Don't overlook the importance of making regular external backups to the individual programs
used in your business. Backups are commonly stored on CD's DVDs, USB Flash Drives and
External Hard Drives. There are also services provided on the Web to facilitate this process.

Internet

The Internet an essential marketing and communication tool. Utilizing your ability to register on
search engines and crowd-source business review sites is an essential marking tool to
communicate with potential customers and creating leads.

Search Engines:

● Google My Business: https://www.google.com/business/

● Bing Places for Business: https://www.bingplaces.com/

Crowd-sourced business review sites (U.S. based):

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 17

 ● yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/

taken from: https://www.scu.edu/mobi/business-courses/starting-a-business/session-8-

communication-tools/, on July 7, 2016

TOOLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERNET

Online Service
A business that provides its subscribers with a wide variety of data transmitted
over telecommunications lines. Online services provide an infrastructure in which subscribers
can communicate with one another, either by exchanging e-mail messages or by participating in
online conferences (forums). In addition, the service can connect users with an almost unlimited
number of third-party information providers. Subscribers can get up-to-date stock quotes, news
stories hot off the wire, articles from many magazines and journals, in fact, almost any
information that has been put in electronic form. Of course, accessing all this data carries a price.
The difference between an online service and a bulletin board service is one of scale and profits.
Online services provide a variety of information and services, whereas BBS's normally
concentrate on a single theme. In addition, BBS's are often operated on a non-profit basis
whereas online services are always for profit. Three of the largest online services are America
Online, Compuserve and MSN.
One online service that defies classification is the Internet. In terms of users, it is the largest
service, but it is not centrally controlled by any one organization, nor is it operated for profit.
Taken from: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/O/online_service.html, on July 7, 2016

Search Engine
Search engines are programs that search documents for specified keywords and returns a list of
the documents where the keywords were found. A search engine is really a general class of
programs, however, the term is often used to specifically describe systems like Google, Bing and
Yahoo! Search that enable users to search for documents on the World Wide Web.
Web Search Engines
Typically, Web search engines work by sending out a spider to fetch as many documents as
possible. Another program, called an indexer, then reads these documents and creates
an index based on the words contained in each document. Each search engine uses
a proprietary algorithm to create its indices such that, ideally, only meaningful results are
returned for each query.
As many website owners rely on search engines to send traffic to their website, and entire
industry has grown around the idea of optimizing Web content to improve your placement in
search engine results. Learn more about search engine optimization (SEO) in this Webopedia'
definition.
Taken from: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/search_engine.html, on July 7, 2016

CAPE NOTES Unit 1 Module1 Content 9 18

USENET

A worldwide bulletin board system that can be accessed through the Internet or through
many online services. The USENET contains more than 14,000 forums, called newsgroups, that
cover every imaginable interest group. It is used daily by millions of people around the world.
Taken from: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/U/USENET.html, retrieved on July 7, 2016

IRC - Internet Relay Chat

Short for Internet Relay Chat, a chat system developed by Jarkko Oikarinen in Finland in the
late 1980s. IRC has become very popular as more people get connected to the Internet because it
enables people connected anywhere on the Internet to join in live discussions. Unlike older chat
systems, IRC is not limited to just two participants.
To join an IRC discussion, you need an IRC client and Internet access. The IRC client is
a program that runs on your computer and sends and receives messages to and from an
IRC server. The IRC server, in turn, is responsible for making sure that all messages are
broadcast to everyone participating in a discussion. There can be many discussions going on at
once; each one is assigned a unique channel.

Telnet
Telnet is a terminal emulation program for TCP/IPnetworks such as the Internet. The Telnet
program runs on your computer and connects your PC to a server on the network. You can then
enter commands through the Telnet program and they will be executed as if you were entering
them directly on the server console. This enables you to control the server and communicate with
other servers on the network. To start a Telnet session, you must log in to a server by entering a
valid username and password. Telnet is a common way to remotely control Web servers.
The Telnet Protocol
The Telnet protocol is designed to provide a bi-directional, eight-bit byte oriented
communications facility to allow for a a standard method of interfacing terminal devices and
processes.

FTP - File Transfer Protocol

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is the commonly used protocol for exchanging files over
the Internet. FTP uses the Internet's TCP/IP protocols to enable data transfer. FTP uses a client-
server architecture, often secured with SSL/TLS. FTP promotes sharing of files via remote
computers with reliable and efficient data transfer
How FTP Works
FTP works in the same way as HTTP for transferring Web pages from a server to a user's
browser and SMTP for transferring electronic mail across the Internet in that, like these
technologies.
FTP uses a client-server architecture. Users provide authentication using a sign-in protocol,
usually a username and password, however some FTP servers may be configured to
accept anonymous FTP logins where you don't need to identify yourself before accessing files.
Most often, FTP is secured with SSL/TLS.

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Newsgroup- Same as forum, an on-line discussion group. On the Internet, there are literally
thousands of newsgroups covering every conceivable interest. To view and post messages to a
newsgroup, you need a news reader, a program that runs on your computer and connects you to a
news server on the Internet.

Message Board- (known also by various other names such as discussion group, discussion
forum, and online forum) is a general term for any online "bulletin board" where you can leave
and expect to see responses to messages you have left. Or you can just read the board. The first
discussion boards were available on bulletin board systems. On the Internet, Usenet provides
thousands of discussion boards; these can now sometimes be viewed from a Web browser.

Many websites offer discussion boards so that users can share and discuss information and
opinions. Special software is available that provides discussion board capability for a website.

Source: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/discussion-board-discussion-group-message-
board-online-forum, retrieved on July 7, 2016

Mailing List
A list of e-mail addresses identified by a single name, such as [email protected]. When
an e-mail message is sent to the mailing list name, it is automatically forwarded to all the
addresses in the list.
Most e-mail clients support mailing lists, which enables you to broadcast e-mail messages to
groups that you define. In addition, there are mailing list servers that manage centralized mailing
lists for groups of users.

Internet Telephony
A category of hardware and software that enables people to use the Internet as the transmission
medium for telephone calls. For users who have free, or fixed-price Internet access, Internet
telephony software essentially provides free telephone calls anywhere in the world. To date,
however, Internet telephony does not offer the same quality of telephone service as direct
telephone connections.
There are many Internet telephony applications available. Some, like CoolTalk and NetMeeting,
come bundled with popular Web browsers. Others are stand-alone products. Internet telephony
products are sometimes called IP telephony, Voice over the Internet (VOI) or Voice over IP
(VOIP)products.
Taken from: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/I/Internet_telephony.html, on July 7, 2016

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