UNIVERSITY OF MINES AND

TECHNOLOGY

TARKWA, GHANA [UMaT]

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
Computer Science and Engineering Department

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

TECHNOLOGY

Course Instructor

DR MILLICENT AGANGIBA

@2022
 COURSE OVERVIEW
This course is an introduction to Computer Literacy for Pre-engineering students. In taking
In this course, the student shall gain essential knowledge and acquire basic skills relevant to
the use of computers for everyday tasks, especially in academic work in the university
environment.
The course outline includes:
• Introduction to PCs
• Operating system software
• MS Windows
• MS Application Programs
✓ MS Word
✓ MS Excel
✓ MS PowerPoint
✓ MS Access
• Computer Networks
• Internet Usage

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

COURSE OVERVIEW...............................................................................................................................ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................ iii

CHAPTER ONE ...................................................................................................................................... 5

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS (PCs) ................................................................................................. 5

1.1 Objectives and Expected Results .............................................................................................. 5

1.2 Evolution of Computers ............................................................................................................ 5

1.3 Uses of the Computer ............................................................................................................... 7

1.4 Basic Components of a Computer System................................................................................. 7

1.4.1 Computer Hardware .................................................................................................... 8

1.4.2 Computer Software ..................................................................................................... 9
1.5 Types of Computers ................................................................................................................ 10

1.6 Basic Hardware Components of a Personal Computer System ................................................ 10

1.6.1 Types of Input devices ............................................................................................... 11

1.6.2 The Processor (Central Processing Unit (CPU)) .......................................................... 12
1.6.3 Output Devices .......................................................................................................... 12
1.6.5 Types of Storage (Memory) ....................................................................................... 13
1.8 Computer Accessories ............................................................................................................ 13

1.9 Computer Software ................................................................................................................ 14

1.9.1 Operating System Software ....................................................................................... 14

1.9.2 Application software ...................................................................................................... 14
EXERCISE ............................................................................................................................................ 15

CHAPTER TWO ................................................................................................................................... 16

MICROSOFT SUITE .............................................................................................................................. 16

2.1 Objectives of the Lecture and Expected Results ...................................................................... 16

2.2 MS WORD............................................................................................................................... 16
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2.3 MS POWERPOINT ......................................................................................................................... 18

2.4 MS EXCEL ..................................................................................................................................... 19

2.5 MS ACCESS ................................................................................................................................... 20

MS WORD EXERCISES ......................................................................................................................... 22

MS EXCEL EXERCISES .......................................................................................................................... 23

MS ACCESS EXERCISE ......................................................................................................................... 25

CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................................................................. 26

COMPUTER NETWORKS AND THE INTERNET ...................................................................................... 26

3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 26

3.2 Network Topologies ............................................................................................................... 27

3.3 Types of network .................................................................................................................... 28

3.4 The Internet and the World Wide Web ................................................................................... 29

3.4.1 World Wide Web ........................................................................................................... 30

3.4.2 Internet Addresses (URLs) .............................................................................................. 31

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 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS (PCs)
1.1 Objectives and Expected Results

The objectives of this chapter are to:

• Appreciate how computers have evolved over the years.
• Present some uses of computers.
• Provide a basic understanding of computer hardware and peripherals, and the
mechanism of communication between them.
• Categorise the types of software and highlight the importance of the operating
system software.
• Let students appreciate the use of referencing and its importance
• Give students their coursework assignments.

At the end of the lecture, it is expected that the student will:

• Have a basic understanding of computer hardware and software.

• Appreciate learning Windows as a prerequisite in their journey to using the
computer to do any useful work.

1.2 Evolution of Computers

Computing started in the mid-east with the use of counting stones and channels. This was
the precursor of the ABACUS, a counting instrument invented by the Babylonians and
usually associated with the Chinese. At the beginning of the 17th Century, Napier (the
inventor of the logarithm) developed a series of rods that could be used for multiplication.
Partial products appeared on the rods and all the user had to do was add them to get the final
product.

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It is reported that the 1st World War and its concomitant secret code-breaking spree were
the spurs of modern computer development, and the first ‘commercial computer’ was the
LEO 1, produced by Manchester University. This computer is reported to have been so big
that it spanned three floors, with the input device on the top floor, the processor on the first,
and the output device on the ground floor. Elsewhere, the UNIVAC is reported to have been
the first computer.
These First Generation type computers used:
• Vacuum tubes
• Punched cards
• Machine languages
They were slow and inefficient, yet they were so expensive that they could be accommodated
in military budgets. Since then, we have had Second Generation computers, using Transistors,
and Low-Level Languages. We have had the Third Generation computers, using Integrated
Circuits, Compilers and High-Level Languages.
Modern-day computers are the Fourth Generation computers; using sophisticated electronic
gadgets and the MICROCHIP invented by INTEL in 1971 (This is just around the time
when TEXAS CALCULATOR appeared on the market). The computer of today is an
electronic device that processes data according to a set of instructions given to it, i.e.
according to a program.
The major manufacturers of modern day computers, which have found wide applications in
industries, are IBM, WANG, HEWLETT PACKARD, DCD, NEC, EPHSON, CALCOMP,
APPLE, Toshiba, ZENITH, COMPAQ, BELINEA, DELL, MAXDATA, OLIVETTI,
APOLLO, DEC, ASUS, SONY and VAX .
Obviously, there are other manufacturers and new ones are emerging day after day.

Definition: A computer is an electronic device that takes input (data) and processes
it to obtain an output (information) for decision making

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1.3 Uses of the Computer

Many things can be done with a computer. Presently computers are widely used in offices,
Banking, Education, Health, Commerce, Science, Agriculture, Transport, Communication
and other industries. Computers are used for typing documents, keeping and retrieval of
information, analysis of data, designing work, sending and receiving information over long
distances, control of plants, and many more purposes.
In the earth sciences, computers are now widely used to produce maps, and contours, process
huge amounts of drill hole data, ore body modelling, and plan and design mines. The reasons
for the increasing popularity of the use of computers are:
• Computers can do work very fast, thus increasing productivity.
• Computers are more accurate in performing repetitive work.
• Work performed with a computer can be neat and beautifully presented.
• Information can be stored safely and in a small space with a computer.
• Information can be retrieved more easily with a computer.
• Computers are now less expensive to purchase and use.

Despite the increasing popularity of computers, those with the requisite skills use them.

1.4 Basic Components of a Computer System

A computer is defined as an electronic device that accepts data in one form and processes it
to produce data in another form. It is a counting device and contrary to a common
misconception that computers can do anything, they are quite limited. Most computers are
limited to four mathematical operations and three comparison operations.

Addition +
Subtraction –
Multiplication *
Division /
Equal to =

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Less than <
Greater than >

Everything the computer does is done with one or a combination of the four mathematical
operations and three comparisons. Programming ingenuity makes the computer seems
"intelligent".
A computer can also be defined as an electronic device, which uses programs to perform a
specific task. From this definition it can be said that the computer has two main components;
the machine component called Computer Hardware and the program component called
Computer Software.
All computer systems consist of computer Hardware and Computer Software.

1.4.1 Computer Hardware

These are the internal and external physical, tangible parts of the computer system. They
are the parts of the computer system that we can touch and feel. The term also refers to all
the mechanical and electronic components of the computer system as well as other devices
(accessories used with the computer). E.g. Electronic circuitry, the keyboard, screen, etc.

The computer system consists of the following hardware components:

1. Central Processing Unit (CPU);
2. Primary Storage or Main Memory;
3. Secondary Storage; and
4. Input and Output Peripherals.

The main role of computer hardware is to do computation. The computation is done by

executing a set of instructions (which is normally called a computer program) onto a set of
data. Instruction and data are stored in the primary storage of the computer system. During
the process of computation, the instruction will be taken by the CPU from the primary
storage one by one. If an instruction requires data, then the data will also be taken from the
primary storage. Since the CPU is made up of a digital electronic circuit, instructions and
data are given in the form of binary codes. So the primary storage must store these
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instructions and data in this form. Since this type of computer is based on digital technology,
it is normally called the digital computer. One binary digit is called a bit and eight bits are
called a byte. A binary code that can be processed at a time by a CPU is called a word. A
word length is the number of bits in a binary code. Different CPUs will have different word
lengths. For example, a CPU with a word length of 8 can process 8 bits at a time. This type
of CPU is called an 8-bit CPU.

1.4.2 Computer Software

These are the programs, which supply the computer with specific instructions for performing
a given task. Computer programs are systematic instructions for the computer to carry out a
given task. Programs are written by programmers. A programmer's job is to convert a user's
need into a set of instructions for the computer to execute. Computer software can be divided
into two classes as shown in Figure 1.1:
Application software: A set of computer software to perform a specific task or a business
process. Examples of application software include word processing software, computer-aided
design software, students’ Information system, payroll system and games software.

System software: This is the type of software that acts as an intermediary between the
hardware and the application software. System software includes operating systems,
language translators, utility programs and performance monitors.

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 Figure 1.1 Computer Software

1.5 Types of Computers

Computer systems vary widely in how the hardware is configured; what that hardware does
is similar in all systems. The most basic differences between computer systems are size and
use. Below are four different sizes and their descriptions.

1. Microcomputers: smallest computer (e.g. desktop or personal computer, workstations,

Thin-client systems, Laptop, Notebook Computers).
2. Minicomputer: Moderate-sized computer. Used when a desktop computer is not
powerful enough to do the job. One minicomputer can be used by more than one person
at a time.
3. Mainframe: Large computer with fast processing speeds and can process billions of
data per second. Several people can use one mainframe computer at a time.
4. Supercomputer: Computer built to minimize the distance between points for very fast
operation. It is used for extremely complicated computations.

1.6 Basic Hardware Components of a Personal Computer System

The basic hardware components of a personal computer system comprise the following:
• Input Devices
They are devices used to send data, information or instructions to the computer. E.g.
Keyboard, mouse, etc
• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The CPU performs all the instructions given to the computer (processes the data). CPU is
divided into two sections, or two units, which are:
1. Control Unit, and
2. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU).

• Output Devices
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These are the devices or equipment that display the processed data. E.g. monitor.
• Storage Unit (Memory, Hard Drives)
The storage unit stores data.
The CPU and the Storage unit are contained in a rectangular-shaped box called the system unit.

1.6.1 Types of Input devices

• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Digitizer
• Scanner
• Modem

Keyboard
The keyboard is the most widely used input device. The enhanced PC keyboard consists of
four sections, broadly described below:

Mouse
The mouse is another widely used input device. The body of this device contains a ball which,
when rolled along a desktop or other flat objects transmits position information to the
computer. Buttons on the mouse activate various functions.

Figure 1.2 Mouse showing the right-hand configuration

Digitizer
The Digitizer is used to input maps, diagrams etc. into the computer. It consists of an
electronic board with a pointing device for tracing the outline of diagrams.

Scanner
Scanners are used to input pictures, diagrams, and maps into the computer.

Modem
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Modems are used to convert data in analogue form (voice) into digital form and vice versa. A
modem can help you to be connected to the INTERNET or to receive and send e-mail.

1.6.2 The Processor (Central Processing Unit (CPU))

The term central processing unit is used loosely to refer to a computer’s processor, whether
the latter is a set of circuit boards or a single microprocessor. CPU is divided into two sections,
or two units, which are:
1. Control Unit, and
2. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU).

Figure 1.3 Control Unit

Figure 1.4 Arithmetic Logic Unit

1.6.3 Output Devices

• Monitor (sometimes called screen, Visual display Unit or Video Display Unit (VDU)).
• Printer
• Plotter

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 • Modem

1.6.5 Types of Storage (Memory)

The computer has two main types of memory and they are:

• Temporary Memory
• Permanent Memory

Temporary Memory and Permanent Memory

The temporary memory is also called RAM (Random Access Memory). The RAM holds the
data and information, which are currently being processed by the computer. RAM is
temporary and volatile. The contents in RAM will be lost if the electrical supply is turned
off. Unlike RAM, ROM (Read Only Memory) is a type of primary storage that can retain
instructions and data even when the power to the computer is turned off. It is normally used
to store instructions that are needed for starting a computer after it has been shut off. The
RAM is built into the electronic circuitry of the computer. The chip comes in the sizes of 1,
4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512 Megabyte (MB).

Units of Information
The units of information are the byte and approximately:

1 000 bytes = One Kilo byte (1KB)

1 000 000 bytes = One Megabyte (1MB)
1 000 000 000 Bytes= One Giga byte (1 GB)
1000 000 000 000 Bytes = Tera Byte (1TB)

1.8 Computer Accessories

Other hardware gadgets enhance the use of the computer system. These are called Computer
Accessories. Examples are Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), Connecting cables, Mouse
pad, Diskettes/Disk boxes, Interface selector switches, etc.
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1.9 Computer Software

As mentioned earlier, computer software is a program, which supplies the computer with
specific instructions to perform a given task. Computer software can be categorized into two
groups:

• Operating System Software

• Applications Software

1.9.1 Operating System Software

An Operating System Software is a collection of programs that provide recurring services to
computer users. These services include disk and file management, memory management and
device (input and output) management.
It can also be said that an operating system is a special class of software, which provides a
link between the hardware, the user, and/ or application software.
There are several operating system software. Examples are as follows:
• MS-DOS
• Windows
• UNIX/Linux
• XENIX
• Apple Macintosh, etc.

1.9.2 Application software

Application system software is a set of programs, which instruct the computer to perform
specific useful tasks. Applications software can be categorized into:
• Word processors e.g., Word Perfect, AmiPro, Word Star, MS Word etc.
• Spreadsheet e.g. LOTUS 123, Aseasy, MS Excel etc
• Database e.g. Dbase III Plus, Dbase IV, MS Access etc.
• Graphic e.g. Corel Draw, Canvass, MS PowerPoint, MS Publisher etc
• Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) e.g. AutoCAD etc
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 • Specialized software e.g. Surpac, Datamine etc

EXERCISE

1. What is a computer?
2. Computers can be classified into two components; what are they?
3. Mention 4 input devices
4. List 5 output devices
5. Computer software can be categorized into two groups; name them
6. Define the function of the CPU
7. Differentiate between System software and Application Software
8. Differentiate between ROM and RAM
9. Mention 3 types of computers
10. Mention 3 computer accessories

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 CHAPTER TWO
MICROSOFT SUITE

2.1 Objectives of the Lecture and Expected Results

The objectives of this chapter are to:

• Introduce students to MS WORD processing and document formatting
• Teach students how to solve mathematical problems using MS EXCEL
• Teach students how to prepare presentations using MS POWERPOINT
• Make students appreciate the value of database using MS ACCESS

2.2 MS WORD

Word processing software such as MS word is used to create, edit, format, and print
documents. MS word is the most widely used and recognized computer application. Word
processing software lets you create letters, reports, and many other documents on a
computer.

Figure 2.1 is an illustration of a typical MS word interface. A key advantage of the word
processing software is that users easily can make changes in documents, such as correcting
spelling; changing margins; and adding, deleting, or relocating words, sentences, or entire
paragraphs.

The key functions of the word processor can be divided into the following categorizations:

✓ Page Layout: These functions let the user decide how each page will be set out.
✓ Text Presentation: The appearance of text can be easily altered. Different fonts and
styles can be used and the size of text can be varied.
✓ Editing of Text: These functions are used to revise and change the text.
✓ Blocks of Text: The style and position of selected blocks of text can be changed.

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✓ Text Analysis: The word processor can try to highlight any errors such as spelling or
grammatical mistakes in documents.
✓ Templates: Template files lets the user save favourite document layouts that have
been created so that they can be used over and over again.

Figure 2.1 An illustration of a typical MS word interface.

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2.3 MS POWERPOINT

Presentation software such as MS PowerPoint is application software that allows users to

create visual aids for presentations to communicate ideas, messages, and other information
to a group. This category of the program turns ideas into professional and convincing
presentations that can be viewed as slides, sometimes called slide show, that is displayed on
a large monitor or a projection screen. A presentation program lets you create slides that
include text, graphics, charts, and even digital movies. Figure 2.2 is an illustration of a
typical MS PowerPoint interface.

Figure 2.2 An illustration of a typical MS PowerPoint interface

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 2.4 MS EXCEL

MS Excel allows users to organize data in rows and columns and perform calculations on the
data. These rows and columns collectively are called a worksheet. Excel has basic features to
help users create, edit, and format worksheets. You can also analyse data and make it into
charts with a spreadsheet. Some of the major functions of the spreadsheet program are as
follows:
✓ Perform calculations
✓ Manage and organize information in grids (columns and rows)
✓ Format and present information using various fonts, typefaces, borders, shading, etc.
✓ Create charts which are graphical representations of data, relationships, trends etc.
Figure 2.3 is an illustration of an MS Excel interface. In the spreadsheet, an intersection of a
row and column is called a cell. Each cell is identified by a unique name called cell reference.
The cell reference is formed by the letter of the column of the cell followed by the row number.
Three types of information can be entered into a cell namely numbers, labels and formulas.

Figure 2.3 An illustration of an MS Excel interface

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 2.5 MS ACCESS

ACCESS is a Database Management Software System (DBMS) that helps to create a

database. A database is a collection of data organized in a manner that allows access,
retrieval, and use of that data. Similarly, MS access is application software that allows users
to create, access, and manage a database. Using Access, you can add, change, and delete data
in a database; sort and retrieve data from the database, and create forms and reports using
the data in the database. Some of the major functions of ACCESS are as follows:
✓ Information Storage: enables users to store information consisting of data that are
related to a particular subject or meant for specific purposes e.g. a list of hundreds
of thousands of customers. A database program also makes it easy to add, update,
organize, and delete information.
✓ Information Retrieval: enables easy and instant retrieval of information stored in
databases e.g. _nding all the customers with the last name Johnson.
✓ Information Management: make it easy to work with and manage huge amounts
of information. For example, with a few keystrokes, you can change the area code
for hundreds of customers in the (612) area code to a new (817) area code.
✓ Information Sharing: Database programs allow more than one user to view and
work with the same information at once. Such databases are called multi-user
databases.
✓ Analysis of Information: Database programs allow uses to perform calculations on
information in a database. For example, you could calculate what percentage of
your total sales comes from the whole of the Western region.
You can also present information in a professional-looking printed report.

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Figure 2.4 An illustration of an MS Access interface

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MS WORD EXERCISES

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MS EXCEL EXERCISES

Enter the data given below into a worksheet.

Stationery Supplies Ltd

Date SalesPerson Item Receipt No Amount

1 21-Nov Carl Toys 1238 1,782.10
2 26-Nov Carl Stationery 1255 4,853.55
3 26-Nov Carl Toys 1395 51.35
Carl’s Total
4 21-Nov John Cards 1141 91.15
5 24-Nov John Books 1982 442.60
6 21-Nov John Toys 1885 561.50
7 26-Nov John Toys 1875 62.75
John’s Total
8 22-Nov Judy Books 1032 234.50
9 26-Nov Judy Sports goods 1920 472.60
Mary’s Total
10 22-Nov Susan Electronics 1160 52.95
11 23-Nov Susan Cards 1075 81.60
12 23-Nov Susan Others 1745 132.95
13 24-Nov Susan Sports goods 1662 2,580.10
Susan’s Total
23
24 Grand Total
i. Calculate the totals for each salesperson and get the grand total.:
ii. Format the worksheet as follows:
Make all the Totals bold, two decimal places, comma, center the title across
columns A-E and make it size 16, bold and Italic.
iii. Put a double border round the whole table.
iv. Save the worksheet as Stationery Analysis.

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1. Calculate Bonus for each worker

Bonus: 25% of Basic Salary if No. of Hrs. Worked >150 and 15% if No. of Hrs.
Worked > =120
2. Calculate Basic Salary
Basic Salary: No. of Hrs. Worked * Hourly rate
3. Find the minimum, maximum and average salary of the workers
4. Calculate Provident Fund
Provident Fund: 15% of Basic Salary
5. Calculate Income Tax
Income Tax: Basic Salary - Provident Fund
6. Calculate Gross Salary
Gross Salary: Basic Salary+ Bonus
7. Calculate Net Salary
Net Salary: Gross Salary- Provident Fund - Income Tax

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MS ACCESS EXERCISE

Create queries to do the following:

Find all female employees

Calculate the age of each employee

Find all employees below 40 years of age

Calculate the years of working

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 CHAPTER THREE
COMPUTER NETWORKS AND THE INTERNET

3.1 Introduction

Networking is the electronic linking of geographically dispersed devices required to

accomplish telecommunications. In the simplest terms, a computer network is a group of
computers and devices connected so they can exchange data. The basic foundation of a
computer network is data communication, the process of exchanging data between two
devices via some form of communication media as shown in Figure 3.1.

Components of Data Communication System

A data communication system has _ve components:
✓ Message: The piece of information to be communicated.
✓ Sender: The device that sends the message.
✓ Receiver: The device that receives the message.
✓ Medium: The transmission medium is the physical path by which a message travels
from a sender to a receiver.
✓ Protocol: A set of rules that represents an agreement between the communicating
devices. A message is a piece of information to be transmitted from the sender to the
destination. Examples of messages are files, e-mail messages and web pages. Messages
are identified through the message header.

Figure 3.1 Components of Data Communication Systems

The set of rules and procedures governing data transmission from one layer to another is
called the protocol. The International Standard Organisation (ISO) has defined an Open

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System Interconnection (OSI) model. This model has seven layers, each having its well-
defined functions and protocols.

Table 3.1 OSI Reference Model

3.2 Network Topologies

Network topology refers to the configuration or arrangement of the devices in the network.
✓ Bus: All devices are attached to one cable. Though simple to construct, it provides
Single-point failure
✓ Ring: Similar to the bus, but ends are attached and are not susceptible to a single-
point failure.
✓ Star: All nodes are attached to the central device and for that matter susceptible to
failure of the central device, but easy to
✓ Mesh: This integrates all the stipulated basic topologies. Though costly, a failure has
little impact on the network.

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 Figure 3.1 Network Topologies

3.3 Types of network

Local Area Network (LAN) is a network of computers and other devices that is confined to a
relatively small space, such as one building or even one office. IEEE developed these
Standards and termed them IEEE 802.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a computer network that is larger than a single building
local area network (LAN) but is located in a single geographic area that is smaller than a wide
area network (WAN)

Wide Area Network: A network that connects two or more geographically distinct LANs is
called a wide area network (WAN). Most organizations use WANs to connect separate offices,
whether the offices are across town or the world from each other. The Internet is an example
of a very intricate and extensive WAN that spans the globe. Because they carry data over
longer distances than LANs, WANs require slightly different technology and transmission
media.

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 Figure 3.2 WAN

3.4 The Internet and the World Wide Web

Internet, as the name conspicuously suggests can be defined as joining several networks or a
large number of networks (Geographically distributed computers) on sites and countries.
Computer networks are two or more computers linked or connected by cables (electrical),
phone lines, fibreglass cables, microwave links, radio or satellite. These computers are linked
together to provide seemingly endless amounts of information for research, education,
commerce, and entertainment purposes.

The Internet is built based on TCP/IP and it is the best known implementation of the
internetworking technology and spanning the entire world. Internet was first initiated by the
US Department of Defense in 1969 when they decided to research into joining the computers
of the defence and research centres into a network. Therefore, a network was designed that
would continue to work even if some of the cables connecting it were broken.
This resulted in the development of software which enabled each computer to be connected
to a few of its neighbours and for information to go by the shortest possible route and not to
follow a prescribed fixed path. The important part of the software implements the
standardized methods of working, which are called protocols.

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The protocols allow the various networks and computers to talk to each other without
difficulty. In particular, the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) is
still used. In 1990, the internet lost its military connections.

The network then became known as ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency
Network), whereas WAN (Wide Area Network) started. ARPANET joined computers of
different types, running various Operating Systems with different add-on modules by
implementing communication protocols common for all computers participating in the
network. The computers participating on the internet are globally or publicly identified with
a unique IP address (four eight bits) or a Uniform Resource Locator, a URL which users can
use to research them. Eg. URL for UMaT is http://www.umat.edu.gh

The complete Internet offers several tools, including:

• World Wide Web.
• E-mail.
• Chatting.
• News.
• Shopping.
• Weather

3.4.1 World Wide Web

The World Wide Web is an architectural framework for accessing linked documents spread
out over millions of machines all over the Internet. In 10 years, it went from being a way to
distribute high-energy physics data to the application that millions of people think of as
being ''The Internet.'' Its enormous popularity stems from the fact that it has a colourful
graphical interface that is easy for beginners to use, and it provides an enormous wealth of
information on almost every conceivable subject. On the internet, information is stored on
computers called servers. The World Wide Web or the web as it is often called is a system of
internet servers that supports a collection of documents that are written and formatted using
the same type of programming language, called Hypertext Mark-up Language (HTML).

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These documents, or Web Sites, can be retrieved and viewed when you enter a Web Site
address in your browser because you are sending a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
command to the Web server directing it to find and transmit the requested Web page.

Using your computer to tour the World Wide Web is called browsing or surfing the web.
Sometimes you will be looking to see what is there. At times you will be looking for something
specific.

In essence, a browser is a program that can display a Web page and catch mouse clicks to
items on the displayed page. When an item is selected, the browser follows the hyperlink and
fetches the page selected. Therefore, the embedded hyperlink needs a way to name any other
page on the Web. Pages are named using URLs (Uniform Resource Locators). A typical URL
is http://www.abcd.com/products.html

Figure 3.3 Parts of the Web model

3.4.2 Internet Addresses (URLs)

Surfing the Internet is made possible by the addresses assigned to these linked computers.
The Web address (also called the Uniform Resource Locator, URL) allows other computers
to view the information as Web pages. For example, the university’s Web site address is
http://www.umat.edu.gh. When you access this address, the university’s home page and all
associated Web pages can be viewed on your PC connected to the internet.

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To begin browsing or surfing the internet, you must have the following;

✓ A physical connection from your computer to the Internet, such as a modem through
a telephone line. A modem is hardware that your computer uses to send and receive
information on the Internet through standard telephone lines. The modem converts
digital signals to and from analogue signals.
✓ An Internet Service Provider (ISP) account - an Internet service provider serves as
your entry point to the Internet and to the Web.
✓ A Web browser is installed on your computer. A browser is a software designed to
locate and display Web pages. Browsers are designed to read HyperText Markup
Language (HTML), which is simply the authoring language that is used to write Web
pages. Microsoft Internet Explorer 5, 6, 7 and now 8, Netscape, Mozilla Firefox,
Google Chrome, Safari (for Apple Mac), CometBird, Flock and Opera are different
brands of internet browsers. If your machine is operating on any of Windows95 or
Windows 98 or higher upgrades, then your system has installed on it Microsoft
Internet Explorer.
URL has three parts: the name of the protocol (HTTP), the DNS name of the machine where
the page is located (www.abcd.com), and (usually) the name of the file containing the page
(products.html). Modern Web servers have more features, but in essence, this is what a Web
server does. There are two ways to connect to the Internet:

✓ By starting the ISP shortcut on your desktop such as America Online; and
✓ By starting the Web browser program.

Each of the browsers has a default home page, thus, the first page is displayed as the browser
launches. Note that the home page can be changed if you want to start at another Web site.
Look in the browser’s help files for instructions on resetting the default home page.

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