COM410 INTERNET PART 1

Summary

This video explores the evolution of the Internet and World Wide Web, from its early beginnings with Charles Babbage’s computing concepts to the rise of personal computers and key milestones like ARPANET, email, and social media platforms. It delves into the profound impact of the Internet on communication, social interaction, and media consumption, highlighting the challenges of privacy, freedom of expression, and regulation. The video also reviews global trends, showing the rapid growth of mobile devices and social media, offering insights into the digital world’s evolving landscape and its implications for society.

Takeaways

• 😀 The internet's history begins with Charles Babbage's 1834 invention of the Babbage engine, which laid the foundation for modern computing.
• 😀 The creation of ARPANET in the 1960s by the U.S. Department of Defense marked the first steps toward the internet we use today.
• 😀 Key developments in early internet technology include the introduction of email (1972) and the rise of Usenet and Bitnet (1979).
• 😀 The personal computer revolution was fueled by Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, who founded Microsoft and Apple, respectively, in the 1970s and 1980s.
• 😀 In the 1990s, the internet rapidly expanded with the creation of the Domain Name System (1984), dial-up internet (1989), and the rise of platforms like Yahoo and Google.
• 😀 The internet has transformed communication by enabling global connectivity, allowing people from all over the world to access information, entertainment, and stay in touch.
• 😀 Social media has dramatically impacted society, with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok becoming central to online interaction.
• 😀 In 2020, over 4.5 billion people were internet users, and 3.8 billion were social media users, with a significant majority using mobile devices.
• 😀 The internet has raised important issues around freedom of expression, including concerns about censorship, privacy, and the regulation of online content.
• 😀 Malaysia’s internet journey began in the 1990s with the launch of Jaring, and government initiatives like the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) have played a key role in advancing internet technology in the country.

Q & A

What was the main purpose behind the creation of ARPANET?

ARPANET was created by the U.S. Department of Defense in the 1960s to provide a secure and survivable communication network, particularly in response to the Soviet Union's growing scientific capabilities during the Cold War, especially after the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957.

How did Charles Babbage contribute to the development of modern computing?

Charles Babbage is considered the 'father of computing' due to his design of the Babbage Engine, a digital computer concept that included elements like memory and a calculating unit, which laid the groundwork for modern computers.

What was the significance of the ENIAC computer introduced in 1946?

ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Calculator) was the first full-service electronic computer, marking a major milestone in computing. It was developed to perform complex calculations for the U.S. military during World War II.

How did the launch of Sputnik 1 impact the development of the internet?

The Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 led to concerns in the U.S. about national security, prompting the creation of ARPANET by the U.S. Department of Defense to develop secure communication systems, which ultimately contributed to the development of the modern internet.

What were the key milestones in the development of personal computers in the 1970s?

In the 1970s, Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft, while Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak developed Apple, which became a highly successful personal computer. These developments marked the beginning of the personal computer revolution, emphasizing low-cost, user-friendly designs for individual use.

What role did Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn play in the development of the internet?

Vinton Cerf and Robert Kahn played a pivotal role in the development of the internet by designing the TCP/IP protocols in 1974, which are still the foundation of internet communications today.

How did the Domain Name System (DNS) introduced in 1984 affect the growth of the internet?

The introduction of the Domain Name System (DNS) in 1984 made it easier to navigate the internet by creating human-readable addresses (like .edu, .com) instead of complex numerical IP addresses, greatly improving the usability of the web.

What were some key technological advancements in the 1990s that shaped the internet as we know it today?

In the 1990s, key advancements included the development of dial-up internet, the creation of web portals like Yahoo!, the launch of Microsoft's MSN and Google, and the introduction of online services like YouTube and early social media platforms, which helped popularize internet access and usage.

How has social media usage evolved with the growth of smartphones?

With the rise of smartphones, social media usage has exploded, with nearly 99% of users accessing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok via mobile devices. Smartphones have made the internet more accessible, contributing to the rapid growth of social media globally.

What were some key takeaways from the report on internet and social media usage in 2020?

The report highlighted that by January 2020, 4.54 billion people were using the internet, 3.80 billion were on social media, and 5.19 billion were using mobile phones. It also emphasized the dominance of mobile internet usage and the continued growth of social media platforms, particularly messaging apps like WhatsApp and WeChat.