In this era of modernization, we cannot be separated from the internet, which is a network system that connects one device to another. The internet is basically one proof of the technological sophistication that has become the main component supporting the activities of modern society today.
The existence of the internet allows an individual to browse the information that they want, e.g., looking for trending news or accessing streaming services to watch their favorite series. However, the internet could give us either positive or negative impacts, depending on how much we can control it.
Both literally and technically, the internet is not only a computer network, but it has a variety of definitions beyond that. If you want to know more about the internet, you can dive into our post since we will show you what the internet is and what the history of it is. We found information about it from some sources, e.g., katadata.co.id. Let’s check it out!
What Is the Internet?
Literally, the internet is a collection of computers across the world that are connected to a network. The Internet could also be analogized as a large library that contains various kinds of information that people need.
According to the Indonesia Dictionary, the internet is an electronic communication network that connects computer networks with computer facilities around the world. The network is structured and organized via telephone or satellite.
While an Indonesian information technology expert, i.e., Onno W. Purbo, states that the internet is a medium that allows a communication process to run effectively by connecting the device to a variety of applications.
Quoted from Qubisa.com, Allan states that the internet is a computer network that has the ability to read and decipher Internet Protocol (IP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP).
Another definition of the internet is also contained in a book authored by “Wahana Komputer” entitled “Cara Mudah Membangun Jaringan Komputer & Internet“, i.e., the internet network is a system consisting of components, devices, or other networks that work together for a common purpose. For example; when a computer can be connected to other electronic devices simultaneously, such as printers, photocopiers, etc.
In a book entitled “Teknologi Informasi dan Komunikasi” authored by Hamdan Husein Batubara, the term “Internet” comes from the Latin inter, meaning “inter-net” as inter-rete. Etymologically, the internet is a network between or liaison. In simple terms, the internet is a network of millions of computers around the world connected using the TCP/IP protocol.
Today, we find that the internet provides all kinds of information that can be accessed by everyone. The information available on the internet comes in the form of writing, images, and other multimedia formats.
That said, the existence of the internet cannot also be separated from the historical development of computers, since all the components of computers inspired the birth of the internet, from the first generation of computers until now.
From all the opinions about the internet from some experts, we can conclude that the internet is a network that can connect computer devices across the world. Through the internet, people can find information about various things they want.
What Is the History of the Internet?
Basically, the internet functions to connect one computer to another computer with a network coverage that is so wide it reaches various parts of the world. Known as the world’s largest technology network, everyone can send and access various kinds of information using the Internet Protocol (IP) standard. Well, it is made easier by the presence of the world wide web (www) network service.
The Internet has a very long history associated with the occurrence of the Cold War, involving the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1950s and 60s. The history of the internet can be traced to the formation of the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), an agency of the US Department of Defense.
In 1969, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) created an internet network called ARPANET. That said, the evolution of the internet continued from here. The first computers communicated over ARPANET from UCLA to SRI in California in 1969.
At that time, the ARPANET network was continuously being developed. Until the 1980s, the ARPANET network connected well-known universities in the United States, though only a limited number of people had access to it.
After the launch of the standard TCP/IP Protocol, the United States then formed a research agency in 1986 that replaced the role of ARPANET called the National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET). At that time, a number of international networks from several countries started to be connected through the NSFNET service.
According to the explanation contained in a book entitled “Teknologi Informasi dan Komunikasi“, a software called Viola was released by Pei Wei in 1992 that can access the service “www”.
In 1993, a computer system which is connected directly to the internet network must have a domain name and an IP address in the form of a numeric symbol and a certain format as an identifier. On that basis, InterNIC was founded to run domain name registration services.
From that time until now, the internet network continues to progress, which not only connects computers, but now the internet network is part of a means of communication to connect various kinds of devices with advanced technology.
What Are the Advantages of the Internet?
We all know that the internet is one of the greatest creations that provides people with instant access to an endless supply of knowledge, resources, and entertainment. According to katadata.co.id, there are four main advantages of the internet that people can get. Here are they:
1) Resources
Since the internet connects a number of devices across the world that support the exchange of data and information, the internet actually provides various types of information that people need. With the use of the internet, an individual can get information by browsing on the internet. People only have to enter keywords into a search engine to find the information.
2) Entertainment
Another advantage of the internet is that it can be used as a means of entertainment. Of course, the internet supports a variety of forms of files, ranging from text, photos, videos, and audio files to upload and share. It’s no surprise that most people enjoy spending a lot of time on their smartphones, laptops, and tablets watching videos, listening to music, and playing games online.
3) Economic activity supports
Today’s economic activity is not only carried out conventionally, the existence of the internet has opened up opportunities for everyone to carry out economic activities instead. We take the example that e-commerce has come to make it easier for people to shop online. Moreover, e-commerce allows people in the United States to buy things in Africa, Asia, or other areas of the world with a few simple clicks.
4) Education and culture
We cannot deny that the internet can be a means to get information that has educational value since people can find a variety of research journals, books, or other things shared on the internet. They can also download and use it as a reference that supports their education. Since they’re connected, the internet is very helpful for human activities in almost all fields.
Thus, the information about the definition of the internet, the history of the internet, and the advantages of the internet that you have to know.
AUTHOR BIO
On my daily job, I am a software engineer, programmer & computer technician. My passion is assembling PC hardware, studying Operating System and all things related to computers technology. I also love to make short films for YouTube as a producer. More at about me…
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