What is the internet?

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Internet

What is the Internet?

The Internet is the large group of millions of computers around the world that are all connected to one another. The Internet is one of the most important changes that has happened to the way we live and work in the last fifteen years.

It began life in a small American laboratory; its inventors could never have foreseen how it would develop over time. The Internet now spans the world, connecting billions of people in their everyday lives.

 How do you connect to it?                

These computers are connected by phone lines, fiber optic lines, coaxial cable, satellites, and wireless connections. When you log on to the Internet you are given access to many of the other computers that are connected around the world.  

Some common ways of connecting to the Internet include:

  • Internet service provider (ISP) by modem
  • Internet ready cable
  • digital subscriber line (DSL)

Internet service providers are a company that provides internet access. For a monthly fee they will offer you a broadband connection to the internet, without this service most individuals and businesses would not be able to use the internet. Depending on this type of connection, a computer may be permanently connected to their ISP or will dial up over the phone line when the computer needs access to the Internet. Often, they also  provide other services as well such as e-mail, web site building and web site hosting. Examples of ISPs are BTinternet, AOL, Tiscali etc.

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Cable Internet allows you to connect to the Internet using your cable line. Cable is capable of sending more data in a shorter amount of time than a standard phone line, so cable Internet is much faster than both dial-up and DSL connections. Other forms of high-speed internet like FIOS and T-1 lines, are not as widely available as cable and are prohibitively expensive for most home users. If you need to transfer large amounts of data quickly or have multiple computers that will frequently be connected to the Internet, cable Internet is the best choice.

Digital Subscriber Line gives ...

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Here's what a star student thought of this essay

The opening sentence doesn't make sense, as it states 'The Internet is the large group of millions of computers around the world that are all connected to one another.' This should be correct to something on the lines of 'The Internet is an network which joins a number of computer devices together'. Throughout the report, there are a number grammar issues, which need to be correct. This requires a simple read and the student to re-word some of the content written.

The report mentions a number of ISP's such as 'BT Internet', however for Distinction the report may need to give examples of the prices and the amount of data that the ISP allows the user to consume. The student could discuss how an increased amount of data usage would lead to an increased price. In addition the student could mention how the UK compares in terms of speed with a number of other countries. The section 'Internet Misuse' is lacking some detail and the student shows a basic understanding of how people may abuse the internet. The student could place a real example of what artists within the music market think regrading the issue of music piracy. Using examples would enhance the report, and back the background research that the student has written.

In summary, I would grade the report as a 'Merit'. This is the second highest grade in ICT. The report shows a clear understanding of how the internet was created and how consumer's connect to the internet. The report is a little weak on the Internet Misuse section which is lacking detail. In addition the section 'Future Of The Internet' is in-complete. The report states three main different methods to connect to the internet, these are well explained. The report does mention a fourth which is though a wireless connection. However this is lacking detail and this is a major form of internet usage which is extended to grow in the near future. The student could give more detail on how a user is able to connect using an wireless connection. In addition, there is a clear difference between 'Public' and 'Private' wireless connections, and this would be high level to discuss and evaluate each option and mention a small number of security issues with both of these options. I've noticed that there's a section named 'Future Of The Internet' at the bottom of the report, however this is blank. This section would need to be completed before the work is submitted.