Page 209 - Business Principles and Management

Unit 3

USING THE INTERNET
To get onto the Internet, you need a modem, an electronic device inside or outside
the computer that enables it to send data over phone lines or cable. You also need
an Internet Service Provider, or ISP, a service that provides access to the Internet
through its large computers. Examples of ISPs include AOL, NetZero, and many
regional telephone companies or cable TV companies. ISPs usually charge a
monthly fee.
To use the Web, you also need a browser. This is a program that permits
you to navigate and view Web pages. Most computers come already equipped
with a browser, or your ISP will provide one. The two most popular browsers
are Microsoft Internet Explorer and Firefox.
Once you are on the Net, you can go directly to a Web address, or you may
have to search for information. A search engine is a program that assists in locat-
ing information on the Net. After you type in one or more key words, the search
engine will display a list of sites that contain information matching those key
words. Some of these sites may have the information you want, but others may
be way off target. A mouse click will take you to the Web sites that look promis-
ing. For example, assume you wish to buy a notebook computer. To use a search
engine such as Google (www.google.com), key in “notebook computer” and wait
for Google to provide a list of Web sites that you could visit.

CHECKPOINT
Explain the difference between the Internet and the World
Wide Web.

8.1 Assessment

UNDERSTAND MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS
Circle the best answer for each of the following questions.
1. An individual who wishes to access the World Wide Web needs
a. an ISP
b. a browser
c. a computing device
d. all of the above
2. The original facts and figures that businesses generate are called
a. data
b. information
c. figures
d. information points

THINK CRITICALLY
Answer the following questions as completely as possible.
3. Describe the type of information that can be processed with
a PDA.
4. Explain why Moore’s Law is an important idea.

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