Internet Services

Internet Services

Most of these Internet Services operate on the client/server model or concept. A computer is a client if it is receiving files, and is a server if it is sending files. Another way of putting it is you, your computer, and the corresponding software for each type of service are all clients. A server is a software that allows a computer to offer a service to another computer. The computer on which the server software runs is also called a server. To gain access to the Internet most people open an account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in their area. To connect they "dial-up" to their ISP's server and "log-in" with their account name and password. If you noticed, these services are loosely and interchangeably used as nouns and verbs, i.e. "please e-mail me."

Electronic Mail

E-mail, so far, is still the most popular service of the Internet. Most users get acquainted with the Internet using this service. It is better than "snail mail" by post because your message can be transmitted in seconds. It is better than telephones because the recipient doesn't have to be around to receive the message. A person also has the option to read and respond to the messages at one's convenience. Cheaper than long distance phone calls, some people are even able to send and receive e-mail wherever they go when they travel as long as they have access to a connected computer. Better than fax, through e-mail people can send forms, documents, colored pictures, etc. as attachments.

Mailing List

Listserv, a popular type of mailing list, is short for "list server"  and is based on the e-mail protocol. As an electronic mailing list it is very convenient when somebody wants to send a message or newsletter, for example, to many people at once.  There are thousands of listservs for every imaginable purpose, interest, service, and information like online newsletters, online sales or services, and class listservs. To join a listserv means to be included in the mailing list. You send an e-mail saying you want to subscribe and you will henceforth receive announcements, notices, and information through your e-mail inbox. 

Newsgroups

This is the Internet equivalent of a discussion group or an electronic bulletin board. There are newsgroups for every conceivable topic and more, from educational technology and Brazil culture to stamp collecting and mountaineering. Those with specific hobbies or unusual interests are quiet happy to have this service in the Internet when there are so few people in their area to discuss their interests with. You can usually tell a newsgroup by its name. Computer newsgroups start with comp as in comp.apps.spreadsheets. while recreational newsgroups start with rec as in rec.arts.cinema. The others are alt for alternate, soc for social, sci for science, and news for news.

Some newsgroups are moderated, others are not. If it is moderated a human moderator screens all messages and decides if these are worth posting. Discussions can be "threaded." For example, in a newsgroup for beer (alt.beer), one member might ask about good beer pubs in England and another will start discussing how to keep a beer fresh.  More than one threaded discussion can occur at the same time with different members posting their opinions and reactions to either one or more threads. 

Chat

Another popular form of communication over the Internet. Unlike e-mail, listservs, and newsgroups, chat allows people to converse in "real time." People may actually see you type your questions and responses. Chats are also organized in chat channels and chat rooms according to different factors. There are chat rooms for "techies," cat lovers, singles, etc.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol is the standard method for transferring files, whether downloading or uploading, to and from your computer with another computer on the Internet. It is fairly simple to use and is the most popular way to download software and other files from the Internet. All the files in this web site -- the HTML, graphics, etc. -- were uploaded into the Web using WS_FTP95. There are private FTP sites that require you to log-in with your account or user name and password before you are allowed to enter. There are also anonymous FTP sites that allow you to enter using "anonymous" as your user name and your e-mail address as your password. 

Telnet

Telnet is short for "terminal emulation." It is one amazing feature of the Internet that lets you use the resources of another computer in another part of the world. This is done by remotely logging to the distant computer which is called the host. Once you are connected you can operate a remote computer using your keyboard. Some systems require you to log in as a "guest" and others require your name and address, or user name and password. The telnet is most useful to access the databases of public services like library catalogs and government directories. Telnet also allows you to access your e-mail account  if you can remotely log in to your ISP's server computer. 

The World Wide Web

The World Wide Web is one the latest information service to arrive on the Internet but is arguably the technology that revolutionized the Internet. It is the fastest growing and most exciting feature. People who "surf" or "browse" are describing activities on the WWW. Other words pertaining to the Web are homepages, websites, URL, HTML, and HTTP. This section certainly deserves a page or two of its own so please click on the "Next" button to proceed.