9/30 Review Questions

1) Why is it hard to determine how big the internet is today?
The internet is a large connection of networks.Theres many different kinds i=of networks out there, some being national, some statewide, some local, and some international. With so many networks and different kinds of websites, its difficult to comprehend how large the internet is. Its even more unfathomable when one considers the fact that almost everyone has access to the internet, more than one billion people.Besides all the commercial sites that we are all aware of, more than half the internet is not made of commercial based websites. blogs, personal webpages, and so on. The internet is growing very quickly, and theres no official record of how many websites are added daily and theres new connections made every minute. The internet isn't centralized. Anyone can access it and add what they would like..theres no power controlling it. It also has no hard boundaries, so anyone can access it in whatever way they like and can do as they please.

2)Why are TCP/IP protocols so important to the functioning of the internet? What do they do?
These protocols are seen as the sort of language of the internet. They allow for networks to easily connect with each other. They are key to communication between networks and computer systems. They also make this process even easier by defining how information can be transferred, and by making the location of information easier through IP addresses.

Domains....

Different domains:
www.harvard.edu
www.google.com
www.whitehouse.gov
www.defenselink.mil
www.comcast.net
www.amnestyusa.org
www.nic.aero
www.billboard.biz
www.ica.coop
www.germany.info
annfrank.house.museum
www.cartonnetwork.co.uk
www.cartoonnetwork.com.au

Arqam House Party! =P

Chapter 1 Objectives

1) Computers play very critical trole in modern life. Most people have their own PCs which they use for personal reason,s including the utilization of various softwares, word processing, and using the internet for communication,, expression, and research. They are also used in any transactions we do in stores, banks, or online. They are also used to store data for various organizations.

2)The computer was at first just an idea and people would rely on others to perform calculations, or simple machines. The computer came about first when it had to be developed for more difficult calculations. It was first primarioly utilized by the army. Developments were made as World War 2 came, and the SPace race further advanced the competition to create smaller more efficient computers. As computers became more and more small and inexpensive to produce with newer technologies such as the microprocessor, companies such as IBM started to produce Personal computers by the 1970s. Developmensts continues and still continuue to today, creating faster, more portable and efficient computers.

3)

4)Five Major Types of Computers:

>>Main frame computers: These are large, room-sized computers used by large organizations for big computing jobs, such as bank or airline transactions

>>Supercomputers: These are the fastest, most powerful comupters available, used by researchers who need more power than that available by mainframe computers.

>>Desktop Computers: Personal computers that aren't portable, they are usually placed on desks or tables and are stationary.

>>Laptop Computers: These are Personal computers that are portable and can run off of batteries. They can be used eaily anywhere, making them good for students who would like to use them in class, or anyone who may need it on the go.

>>Persoanl Digital Computers: These are personal computers with limited capabilties that are protable and can be carried anywhere, usually small enoguh to fit into a pocket.

5)The internaet is widely used and continues to be used by anyone who can access it. There is usually some way for anyone around the world to access it and use it for whatever reasons they please. They can be used for socializing and communication, sharing information and expression, as well as research. The wide use of the internet is simply making life easier, but at the same time, it raises various social and ethical issues.

6)Today's technology makes it so easy to access information and share information that it makes the worls a smaller place. Compared to other times, people can nowadays access information very easily, with the click of the mouse. However, since anyone can also share information and people can also post opinions, the power of the internet can be abused and people can be manipulated.

Tech Article Summary: How Web Servers Work

Article: How Web Servers Work

Link: http://www.howstuffworks.com/web-server.htm/printable

Summary:

This article explains the basics of how web servers work; how the web pages we read are delivered to us. At the very basic level, every time we type in the url to a page, our computer sends a request to a server for the webpage, the server processes it, and sends the page over.

The process can be further broken down,

1) The web page breaks down the web address into three parts: the protocal, server name, and file name.

2) The browser communicates with the name server, which translates the server name into an IP address.

3) The browser then makes a connection with a server at the IP address, and sends a request for the specific file.

4) The server then sends the HTML code for the page to your browser, which formats the page accordingly and displays it to your screen.

The entire process utilizes the internet, which is basicaly a large network of computers linked together through ISP (Internet Service Providers) Networks. Servers, which get the request for the page and send the HTML code are machines conncected via internet that provide services to us clients. When we request a page we type in the wesite which has the domain name in it This is basically the website name that we can easily remember and type in. In order to communicate with a server, the address sent to it must be converted to an IP address, which is an address that consists of digits,and is difficult to remember, which is why the server does the converting. The request is sent to the server through the appropriate port; each server has numbered ports that are used for diferetn services the server offers. Once one is connected t a server, it uses a protocol (ie. http) to access the service needed. The protocal is basically the code used to communicate with the service the client is trying to access.

After all these processes ahve been completed, the request gos through and viola!...the page you typed the address for appears in a matter of seconds. =)

Chapter 1 Review: Multiple Choice

Multiple Choice page 30

11) D

2) D

3) D

4) B

5) C

6) B

7) D

8) B

9) B

10)B

11)E

12)A

13)C

14)C

15)B

"Whither the Renaissance Man?"

Discussion Questions

1) The author suggests that people "invest in knowledge that won't wear out". What kind of knowledge do youthink he's reffering to?

I think that he is saying that we should invest in knowledege that won't die away, becasue only a few individuals have specialized in it. If we invest in some specialized field, and dedicate all of our time to it, it won't be worth it becasue the need for that knowledge may die out. We should learn things that we will always need and that we can sharem, and everyone can benefit from. If we keep a broad perspective when learning, we'll learn all kinds of information, so even if the need for a type of knowledge we gained dies out, we'll still have other knowledge to rely on.

2)How could you make your own undergraduate studies more of an exploration and less of a routine?

The idea is to keep a broad perspective when learning. In the first two years of college when I'm taking general ed, I can take different types of classes in different areas, to explore different fields, and than narrow my focus in the last two years. In doing so i'll have a background of many types of knowlegde instead of just the one i choose to specialize in.

Differences Between a Mainframe and a Microcomputer

A Microcomputer is a computer that uses a microprocessor. Mainframe computers also have a microprosessor, but the term micro computer usually refers to smaller scale computers, such as commonplace PCs, PDAs and so on. Microcomputers can be found commonly in homes, offices, schools, etc. They are used for day to day applications, and pretty much anyone has access to a microcomputer. Mainframes aren't as accessible. These room-sized machines are usually used by banks, airlines and large organizations. they are hidden in climate-controlled rooms and are used to store and process large amnounts of information and transactions. They can also communicate with sevral servers at one through a process called timesharing.

Tech Reflect 2

Contributions to the Development of the Computer BEFORE the 20th Century

Before the 20th century, the mechanical computer was simply an idea. The need for the computer grew as humans statred to perform complex calculatons. In the early civilizations and dynasties, simple tools were used for calculations,such as a the abacus, a "calculator" used by the Chinese and Babylonians. There wer also number systems developed to help calculate and give value tot higns such as the Hindu-Arabic number system. As time progressed and the 19th Century came around, the need for more advanced calculating technology grew. At the time, people who performed calculatiosn were called computers, but obviously there was room for error in their calculations. great minds of the 19th centturies envisioned the idea of a mechanical computer, but major contributions to the development of these mechanical computers weren't given until the 20th century.


NEgative and Positive aspects of the Car, TV and Computer:

Cars are huge part of our society today, and are probably the most commonly used form of transportstion. They allow us to cover long distances in quickly and effiecenty. It makes iteeasier to reach destinations, and doesn't take as much of our energy as previous modes of transportation did. They also offer us otherluxuries while traveling includig air conditioning, comfortable seats, and even entertainemnt through radio, cd players, and so on. Cars make traveling a more comfortable experience. There are however always downsides to any technology. Cars contribute to pollution and global warming, and therefroe harm the enviroment, but this is a minor setback, becasue more effiecent and hybrid carrs lessen the damage.

The television is also very improtant technology, which is very commonly used worldwide. Its uses vary. it can be used to communicate news and current events to a large audience collectively. It can also bradcast live events. The television can also teach through educational programming. its a major tool dfor advertising, through commercials. The television is also greatly used for entertainment, allowign for shows, movies, and sports to be ssn fromt he comfort of one's home. The televison also has setbacks. As all technology, it makes us lazier; peple spend more time watchign Tv then other recreational activites. It can worsen ones eyesight with excessive emounts and there can also be inappropraite programming.

The computer has many of the same benefits as the television. Through the internet, It can be used to inform, educate and entertain. It can also be used to communicate via email and instant messaging. One can also share their opinion via blogs, articles, and posting videos. Teh computer also allows for work to be easier and more effiecent. Data and files can be stored on it, making th use of paper and filing unnecessary. Various software makes it possible to do many things such asedit photos, movies, type documents, create presentations, etc. The computer also has negativ aspects to it. In excess it can harm eyesight, make one lazy, spread negative messages, and so on.

In general all technology has its positive and negative aspects, but the postive seems to outweih the negative in my opinion. All technology will better humanity and have setbakcs, but the imporvements it brings to society makes us overlook it. The setbacks can also usually be solved in one way or another.