Summary for September 3rd, 2008

The article starts off by explaining how the internet is used as a communication medium/tool. It explains how the internet is unique in that it does not quite fit into the original categories of communication, and it can actually fit itself into many of those categories, not just one of them. For example, the internet can be used for interpersonal communication (talking to a friend on Instant Messanger or through email), or the opposite, mass media (trying to advertise a product to the general public).

The bulk of the article goes on to explain different aspects of the internet and how it works. One of the main things it discusses is the reliability, speed and distribution of the internet. Basically, the Internet should be a reliable place where people can store and share data without having to worry. Speed referes to how fast data gets from one place to another- since the 1970s it has come a long way, as most of us can probably notice as we use the internet and it gets faster and faster oh-so often). Lastly, it discusses the distribution, meaning who uses the internet, from where do they use it, and other questions that make us wonder just how popular the internet really is.

The article also did a good job of explaining what certain things were. For example, on page 36 there is a box that lists different plug-ins, most of which we have all heard of but are maybe not too familiar with. Such programs are Adobe Acrobat Reader, Flash/Shockwave, RealPlayer, Quicktime, etc. It also described what hypertexts are, which was interesting because I have heard of those before but never quite understood exactly what they are until I read the article (they are basically what compromises the internet and allow us to click on one thing to another to get from one site or article to another). In the very end of the article, it explains things such as MP3s, bits, etc.

I thought the article was interesting because it took a topic I was pretty familiar with in general (the Internet) and explained it more in detail. Now I have a better understanding of what makes up the Internet. It's cool to have that knowledge, because the Internet is something I use almost every single day, and while the extra information may not be exactly necessary, it definetly helps to be knowledgable in something I use that frequently.