THE INTERNET

OUTLINE:

1. What is the internet?
2. How it works.
3. How it has revolutionised human life.
4. The main uses of the internet.
5. What is wrong with the internet.
6. Situation in Pakistan.

The inernet is fast becoming a basic feature of global civilization what has traditionally been called "civil society" is now becoming identical with information technology scociety. At present 1.133 billion people use the internet.

The internet is a massive network of networks. It connects millions of computers togeter globally, forming a network in which any computer can communicate with any other computer as long as they are both connected to the Internet. As the Internet is a distributed network comprising many voluntarily interconnected networks, it has no governing body.

       The internet allows computer users to connect to other computers wherever they may be across the world. This is, thus, an encouraging, new way of working from home or office. For Example, an accountant sitting at home can audit the books of a company based in another countr.

         Internet chat allows people to stay in touch with their friends or relatives even stranger living in other countries at any time. People also remain in touch with one another by sending and receiving electronic text messages  called E- mail. It can be sent to or received from other people living in any part of the world within seconds.

       These simple features of the Internet, over a world- wide basis, are changing the basis for the production, sale, and distribution of anything that can be reduced to a computer file for transmission. This includes all manner of ofice documents, publications, software products, music, photography, video, graphics and the other arts. Audio- material , such as songs and speeches, is first downloaded in full and then played back on a computer or shifted to a digital audio player to be listened to. These techniques using simple equipment allow anybody, with little censorship or licensing control, to broadcast audio-visual material on a worldwide basis.

       Internet users can use webcams to watch animals around an African waterhole, ships in the Arabian Sea, the trafic at a local roundabout or their own premises, live

    

            Now Internet is also being used as a telephone to make long - distance calls. It is as easy to use and as convenient as a normal telephone. The benefit is that, as the Internet carries the actual voice traffic, voice Telephony can be free or cost much less than a normal telephone call, especially over long distances . 

           The Internet has been major source of leisure. Today, may Internet forums have sections devoted to games and funny videos. Over 6 million people use blogs or message boards as a means of communication. The pornography and gambling industries have both  taken full advantage of the Internet.

          Some governments, such as those of Saudi Arabia, Iran, North Korea, the people's Republic of China and Cuba, restrict what people in their countries can access on the Internet, especially political and religious content.