GRADE 9 NOTES

NETWORKS AND THE INTERNET

THE INTERNET
INTRANET
An Intranet is an internal or a private network that uses internet technologies to facilitate
communication and data sharing among employees of an organization. An intranet is set
up to store information specific to the employee's and company’s needs and is accessed
only to the employees.
The set up similar to the internet in the form data posted on the web pages and accessed
with a web browser. Internet contents can be accessed via a variety of devices.
The company intranet may also include a connection to the internet. More advanced uses
of intranets include groupware applications such as project management, chat rooms,
group scheduling and video conferencing.
EXTRANETS
Extranet is a controlled private network that allows access to authorized set of users.
Extranet provides limited access to outsiders such as customers and suppliers of the
organization
The company provides a secure physical connection to the company’s network.
Customers or suppliers can access the company’s intranet to retrieve statements or make
electronic payments.
Extranet improve efficiency by replacing the postal service, faxes and telephone calls as
the communication medium of choice

WORLD WIDE WEB AND THE INTERNET.

The www is an information – sharing method used to access information on the internet.
World Wide Web is also known as the Web, WWW or W3.
It uses protocols such as HTTP and applications such as bowers to give internet users
access to information and enables them to communicate with one another.
It is one of the services offered by the Internet.
The www serves as a global library of information to anyone connected to the internet

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 A collection of web page is known as a website. These web pages contain information
on a wide range of topics and include text, pictures, sound, video clips as interactive
programs
Hypertext documents contains hyperlinks to other documents on the same computer or on
another computer in any part of the world. These hyperlinks enables you to move easily
from one document to another.
For uses to retrieve, send, store, and display media on the websites, a special software
application is needed, called a web browser.
The Internet on the other hand, is a worldwide collection of interconnected networks.
It connects institutions such as schools, business, government agencies as well as private
individuals.
The internet is the largest computer network in the world with billions of users logging
onto it daily.
 The services that are offered by the internet include :
 (1) Electronic mail ( E-mail)
 (2) World Wide Web (WWW)
 (3) Instance Messaging
 (4) File sharing
 (5) Online services such as banking, news, reservations and shopping.
 (6) Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
COMMUNICTION DEVICES
Specialised communication devices are used to connect to the internet. These include the
modem and the router.
Modem can be either dial-up or digital
A dial-up modem coverts digital signals to analogue signals and analogue signals to
digital signals so that data can travel on analogue telephone line.
A digital modem uses a digital line such as ADSL, which is a permanent connection.
Home users use a dial-up or digital modem. Whereas small offices users digital modems.
Router is a device that is used to connect networks to other networks and computers on a
network to the Internet.

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 Router can be wired or wireless. When a router links computers on a network to the
internet, users can share the connection.
Routers receive data and forward it to its intended destination by choosing the best and
quickest path for the information to travel.
Multiple computers can be connected to a single router
TYPES OF CONNECTION
Internet connectivity can be either wired (cable) or wireless.
WIRED CONNECTION
The following wired internet connection can be used:
 DIAL-UP CONNECTION- Is a connection in which you connect a regular voice
telephone line to a computer. The computer then calls a phone number provided
by the ISP to connect to the internet. The telephone line is unavailable for making
or receiving calls while connected to the internet.
External dial-up modems are available, but most computers have an internal dial-up
modem.
Connection to dial –up line is not permanent because the user disconnects after use.
 ADSL CONNECTION (Asymmetric digital subscriber line) is a high speed
internet connection using regular telephone lines. The connection works by
splitting your phone line into two separate channels, one for data (internet) and
one for voice (phone calls).You need an ADSL digital modem or router and a
special network card to connect to an ADSL line. ADSL support faster transfer
rates when downloading data than when uploading data, ADSL serves cannot be
supplied unless the local telephone company or line is able to support ADSL
technology. However, ADSL technology is available in major cities, such as
Lusaka, Ndola and Kitwe.
WIRELESS CONNECTION
In addition to Wi-Fi hotspots we have discussed, the following Internet wireless
connection can be used:
 WIMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), Portable
satellite terminal, Portable and mobile 3G and 4G and Cellular data service.
WIMAX system transmits data wirelessly to and from WIMAX antennas
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 mounted on towers like cellphone towers. WIMAX works in a similar way to Wi-
Fi but covers vast distances, offers high-speed Internet access and supports many
more users. WMAX technology secures constant allocation broadband access for
each user. Each WIMAX access point has a limit on the number of users it can
accommodate. WIMAX is useful and cost effective in geographical areas where it
is difficult to lay cables or where cable service is unavailable

 PORTABLE SATELLITE TERMINAL

A portable satellite terminal can be used in the rural outskirts where there is no
power or access to any other connectivity infrastructure. It is five times faster than
dial-up and is used mainly by professional reporters and travelling business
people. The more you use this facility, the more you pay. It is reliable and offers
high-quality service.
 PORTABLE AND MOBILE 3G AND 4G3G (THIRD GENERATION) AND
4G (FOURTH GENERATION) NETWORKS
It uses cellular radio technology to provide users with high speed wireless Internet
connection as long as they are within the network’s coverage area.Users access
the 3G and 4G networks using a cellphone, a 3G or 4G modem, a laptop equipped
with the appropriate 3G or 4G data card with a built- in antenna and SIM card
holder, or laptops that have inbuilt 3G or 4G radios.3G and 4G make it possible to
watch videos, surf the internet, download file, access e-mail, make voice calls and
multitask on your cellphone faster than before. To use 3G or 4G services, you
need a 3G – or 4G –capable phone, such as a smartphone. In wired networks,
there is a constant transfer data rate whereas the rate of cellular networks depends
on the number of users using it at any given time.
 CELLULAR DATA SERVICE
In many countries, cellphone coverage is extensive and you can use your cellphone
almost anywhere. Cellphone technology provides the mobility that is not possible
with wired or wireless computer networks. A data- capable cellphone, such as a
smartphone, is a cellphone that can connect to the internet. A cellphone can also be

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 used as a modem to access the internet. This can be done by connecting the cellphone to
a laptop via a cable or Bluetooth. However, to connect to the internet, you must have a
data plan for the cellphone, either on subscription or by purchasing data bundles from a
mobile service provider, such as Zamtel, Airtel or MTN.

INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER (ISP) AND ISP INTERNET

SERVICESIS
An ISP is a company that provides connection to the internet, and can be a Regional or
National ISP. A regional ISP provides internet access to a specific geographical area.
Whereas a national IPS provides internet access in cities and towns nationwide. A
wireless ISP (WISP) provides wireless internet access to the computer and mobile
devices via wireless modems. Examples of ISPs: ZAMNET, MTN, Airtel or Iway Africa.
ISP cost differ according to the type of internet service offered.
Examples of ISP services include: e-mail services and web-based e-mail access, web
hosting, online storage, news, weather and online calendars and instant messaging.
WEB BROWSERS
A web browser is a special software application which internet users use to retrieve, send,
store and display media on website. Browsers make use of Hypertext Transfer Protocol
(HTTP), a set of rules that controls the flow of data between web servers and clients.
Protocol – the rules of communication between network devices
Components of a Universal Resource Locator (URL)
Each page on the internet has a unique web address called a URL.
URL has four parts, namely, a protocol, a server, a path and a file name as in the
following.

http://www.goole.co.za

Where

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 www is the World Wide Web

Google is the domain or sit

co is the type of organization

za is the geographical location

How to refresh, move back and forward

Once on the web, you can move from one page to the next and back again. This is called
navigating. To enable you to navigate, there is forward button and aback button.
There is also a refresh button. The refresh button allows you to reload the page you are currently
viewing. The alternative key to the refresh button is the F5 function key on the keyboard. How to
stop a web page from downloading .To stop navigating or prevent a web page from downloading
all you have to do is click the stop button on the web browser. The phrase ‘surfing the web’ is
used to refer to the activity of using links to explore the web.
USING SEARCH ENGINES
A search engine is an application which you use in order to locate information quickly and easily.
The search engine uses specified words or phrases to find documents or information which you
are looking for. Each search engine has its own database of web documents. Upon completion of
a search, the search engine does the following things.
-It returns a list of documents in the key words or phrases which have been used.
- It provides information about chat rooms, newsgroups and even online shopping

Popular search engine on the internet include:

o Yahoo
o Google
o Ask
o Bing
o Excite
To start using a search engine to locate information:
1. Type a key word or phrase into the search box
2. Press Enter or the search button

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 3. To refresh a search click the refresh button
4. To end or terminal a search, close the search engine tab.
E-MAIL (ELECTRONIC MAIL)
An e-mail address is a combination of a username and a domain name that uniquely identify a
user so that the user can receive and send e-mail.
The following are the examples of an e-mail address:

Patrick.Luka@gmail.com

allan1980@yahoo.com

cheelachilala@unza.co.zm

laughternkelebende@rocketmail.com

Sending and replying to an e-mail message

-To send an e-mail and reply to one, you need to use an e-mail program.
-An e-mail program is used to create, send, receive, forward, store and delete e-mail
messages.
-Popular e-mail programs include:
o yahoo
o Gmail
o Outlook and Windows Live

MULTIMEDIA FILES
A multimedia file can be any computer file that plays audio and video, audio only,
or video only
CREATING DIGITAL IMAGE USING A SCANNER
A scanner is a device with a cover and a glass platen on which you place the
document which you want to scan. Scanners come as stand-alone flatbed.
Sometimes they are part of multifunctional printers and photocopiers. It uses light
to read a document placed on it and coverts it to digital format. A scanner is usually
linked to a computer by means of a USB cable. It can also be conned wirelessly via

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 a network. Scanned digital images are either in full color or shades of grey known
as greyscale. Sometimes they are in black and white. Scanned image, are stored as
pixels. The more pixels there are in a scanned image, the higher the resolution.
Scanner resolution is measured in dots per inch (dpi). Scanning in color, black and
white or greyscale is usually done at 300dpi.
Here is how you can scan a document:
Make sure that the scanner is attached to the computer and installed.
1. Click on the scanner icon.
2. Set the size of the scan and choose the type of the document to be scanned.
3. Set the resolution to 300dpi.
4. Select the output type. This is usually a PDF file or one of the image files.
5. Proceed with the scan.
6. When the scan is complete, indicate where the image will be saved and save it.

 If you want to scan a document and would like to edit it afterwards, you
need to scan the document in black and white text. This enables you to
perform an Optical Character Recognition (OCR).
 Scan Sources options :
o Black and white Text: This option is used for normal typed pages.
o Black and White Text or Line Art: This option is used for pages with typed text
and line drawings without shading.
o Black and White Text Photo: This option is used for pages with typed text and
black -and- white photographs.
o Grayscale: This option is used for pages that have images that are in shades of
black, white and gray, not just sharp black and white.
o Full Colour Text and Photo: This option is used to scan pages with both text and
images in colour.
o Full Colour Glossy Photo: This option is used to scan a colour photography only.

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 OUTPUT IMAGE TYPES
There are usually a number of options to choose from for the final scanned images.
Here some guidelines on which one to choose for your needs.
When you are going to use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software to turn
scanned text into text that you can actually edit in a word processing application,
you need to use Black and White Text. When you choose one of the images file
types, you will not be able to edit or change the scanned text.
Use PDF file format for a document that you do not want to edit. This is useful
when you want to send the document as an e-mail attachment.

Scanned images can be saved as various images file types:

 JPG or JPEG: This is a compressed file type so some image quality may be lost.
Use this file type when you want to be able to send a file as an e-mail attachment
or for use anywhere on the Web because the file size is much smaller than the
other images types.
 BMP or bitmap: Use this type when you want to keep the image quality, but the
file size can be quite big.
 TIF or TIFF: This file type produces very large files, but has the most quality. It
is useful when you know that you are going to be editing the original picture and
want to keep as much of the original quality as possible.
 GIF: This file type supports the least depth of colour and results in images with
the least quality, but at the same time the file sizes are small.
Creating a digital image using a digital camera
Digital cameras function both as input and output devices. The most common form
of digital camera is the built –in digital camera smartphones have. The smartphone
camera takes photographs in the same way as the digital camera. The image from
the digital camera can be transferred to the computer or other output devices such as
a printer, by means of a USB cable which comes with your cell phone.
Usually this cable is a special mini –USB cable that has a smaller connector where
it’s pluged into the camera, some digital camera come with special software that

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 enables you to manage the copying of the images to your computer. Otherwise, you
simply use Windows Explorer to do this.
Photographs are usually stored in a folder named DCIM on the camera. The images
are also usually stored on the camera. The images are also usually stored on an SD
card can be removed from the camera. The SD card can be placed in a special card
reader from where the images can be accessed directly on a computer, as if they
were on a memory stick.
The same can be done with a smartphone. It is also possible to store images in
cloud storage like Dropbox and then access the images from your computer when
you connect to the Internet.
 The file size of the photo graphs taken with a camera will increase if you
choose a higher resolution. Remember this when you want to share the
photograph via e-mail or social media like Facebook.

Editing images
Image taken with digital cameras will sometimes require to be edited. It is
necessary to improve or crop parts of a digital image. There are many applications
you can use to edit and enhance a digital image. Most digital cameras (scanner as
well) come with editing platforms such as Microsoft Paint and Picture Manager.
With these you are able to perform basic editing functions such as resizing,
increasing the resolution, adjusting contrast, recoloring, red-eye removal and
cropping. An application called Adobe Photoshop is widely used to edit images,
although other more affordable applications are also available and can be
downloaded freely from the internet.

To resize an image means to change the number of pixels in the picture. Microsoft
Paint has a very basic resizing option. You can resize an image by percentage or by
setting how many pixels wide and high an image should be. It is very important to
retain the so-called aspect ratio to prevent the image from being stretched out of
proportion.
Other common adjustments available in more sophisticated editing application are;

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 Contrast: This option is used to change the difference between the lightest and the
darkest colour. It is used to sharpen an image or make it clearer.
Red eye removal: This option is used to remove the red shine you often get on
people’s eye when flash photograph is used at night.
Recolour: When you zoom into a picture you begin to see each pixel on its own.
You can set about changing a picture by recoloring it pixel by pixel using the
various colour tools, such as the colour chooser and the paint bucket.
 Crop- Is to remove the parts of a digital image outside a selected area
 Aspect Ratio- Is the proportional relationship between the width of an
image and its height.

Video and Audio Recording Videos

Videos are recorded using video cameras, but digital cameras and smartphones may
also be used for the same purpose. Tablet computers and iPads also have the
capacity to capture and record videos. Other devices that may be used to record
video footage include computer and laptops that are fitted with webcams and
microphones.
The best video footage can be obtained only by using special video cameras.
 Common video file types include:
o AVI MOV
o MP4 MPEG
o WMV
 Audio Recording Many devices can be used for audio or sound recording.
 Common ones include computers fitted with microphones,
 Computers on which sound recorders have been installed, smartphones as well as
MP3 players.
 Common audio files include WAV, WMA, MP3, MP4
SAVING VIDEO AND AUDIO FILES
Video and audio files can be very large. Therefore, care must be taken to save them in the
correct formats. MPEG or MP4 files use file compression and so video recorded in this
format will be of a much smaller file size.

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 File size is also important when video clips are meant to be uploaded to a website or
transferred by means of the internet. Care must also be taken make sure that video
and audio files are saved in formats that will play readily in other application

THE END

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL OF STUDING TO UNDERSTAND IS

REPETITION

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