Internet- the millennium hero

Internet sprawls over the world with its spell bound presence. The world as a whole is today brought into your drawing room. Today, crores and crores of people all over the world are connected together through the internet. The internet is primarily a global net work of computers connected over telephone lines. These computers enable its users to exchange information, communicate, entertain and conduct business. If you indeed have something for the whole world to know, then of course, you must post it on the internet. The internet is a revoulution in both computers and communications. The speed, accuracy and efficiency in collection and delivery of information is the hallmark of internet.

History has it that the internet originated at the US defence department in 1969. It was then known as Aparnet, used mainly to communicate between various military and academic institutions. Gradually its usage and popularity extended and crossed the border of the United States.

To get connected to the internet

There are three main requirements to get connected to the internet.
i. A personal computer
ii. A telephone connection
iii. A modem.

The modem converts the information which is typed on a key board into telephonic signals and vice versa.

Once the above - mentioned items are in place, one needs to apply for the internet registration, with any of the internet service providers (ISP). In India we have Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. ( VSNL), MTNL, Satyam infoway, Bharathi telecom, etc, who are Internet Service Providers.

Now let us see how the internet functions. The back bone of the internet are big computers which are permanently connected to the global telecom network. These are known as servers. These servers carry loads of information in their memory. An internet user can access this information with the help of a software called the browser.

The server stores information on behalf of serveral people, organisations or institutions in what is commonly referred to as web sites. The success of a website is measured by the frequency with which people access information from it.

E-Commerce

Electronic commerce or E- Commerce is an offshoot of the internet revolution. Business worth crores of rupees are today transacted without the parties ever having to move out of their seats. And the transaction could be between parties sitting thousands of miles apart in various parts of the globe.

It is possible through the internet to pictorially describe your products, give detailed description, negotiate the price and make deals. What is more, with the proliferation of credit cards, even payments are now made via electronic transmission.

Internet shopping is very common in the developed countries, though countries like India have a long way to go before e- commerce and electronic shopping become  part of our daily lives.