The Internet, The Web and Electronic Commerce

URL

A Uniform Resource Locator , usually pronounced URL, is define as a route to a file on an Internet server (Web server, FTP server, mail server, etc.). The first part of the address is called a protocol identifier and it indicates what protocol to use. The second part is called a resource name. it specifies the IP address or the domain name where the resource is located. The protocol identifier and the resource name are separated by a colon and two forward slashes. For example, if you want to access a home page on a Web site, only the protocol and domain name are required.

HTML


HTML, also known as Hyper Text Markup Language, is the basic building-blocks of webpages. HTML is a markup language used to structure text and multimedia documents. It is also to set up hypertext links between documents, used extensively on the World Wide Web. Other than that, HTML allows images and objects to be embedded and can be used to create interactive forms. For example, the code one uses to create a Web page is called HTML.

JAVASCRIPT



Like Java, this is a programming lanuguage designed by Sun Microsystems, in conjuction with Netscape, that can be integrated into standard HTML pages. While JavaScript is based on the Java syntax, it is a scripting language, and therefore cannot be used to create stand-alone programs. Instead, it is used mainly to create dynamic, interactive Web pages. For example, Web developers can use JavaScript to validate form input, create image rollovers, and to open those annoying pop-up windows.

APPLETS

Applets is somehow lie a Java program that can be embedded in a Web site. The difference between a standard Java application and a Java applet is that an applet can't access system resources on the local computer. System files and serial devices can't be called or used by the applet. This is because of security reasons to which nobody wants their system wiped out by a malicious applet. Applets have helped many in making the Web more dynamic and entertaining . It have given a helpful boost to the Java programming language.

BLOGS

"Web Log" which is short for blog, is the term that refers to a list of journal entries posted on a Web page. Basically it's for people who knows how to create and publish a Web page can publish their own blog. It is the best place for an individual to express themselves more as it is like "freedom of speech". Instead of writing entries in a book or a journal, people now can share their personal feelings and experiences with thousands of people around the world who maybe they could relate to. Some Web hosts have made it even easier by creating an interface where users can simply type a text entry and hit "publish" to publish their post or blog.

WIKIS

Wiki is a Web site that allows an individual to add and update content on the site using their own Web browser. This is made possible by Wiki software that runs on the Web server. Wikis is created mainly by a collaborative effort of the site visitors. The term "wiki" comes from the Hawaiian phrase, "wiki wiki," which means "super fast." An example of a large wiki is, Wikipedia, a free encyclopedia that offers many languages in which anyone can edit.

FTP

FTP which stands for "File Transfer Protocol" is a common method of transferring files via the Internet from one computer to another. Some common FTP programs are "Fetch" for the Mac, and "WS_FTP" for Windows. However, you can also use a Web browser like Netscape or Internet Explorer to access FTP servers. To use this "application", you need to type the URL of the server into the location field of the browser.

PLUG-IN

A software plug-in is an add-on for a program that adds functionality to it. For example, a Photoshop plug-in (such as Eye Candy) may add extra filters that you can use to manipulate images. A browser plug-in (such as Macromedia Flash or Apple QuickTime) allows you to play certain multimedia files within your Web browser. Other than that, VST plug-ins add effects for audio recording and sequencing programs such as Cubase and Logic Audio. Most graphics and audio programs today support plug-ins since they are a convenient way to expand the capabilities of the program.

FILTERS

Filters is a software routine that deletes incoming spam or diverts it to a "junk" mailbox. It is also called "spam blockers," spam filters are built into a user's e-mail program. They are built into or added onto a mail server, in which case the spam never reaches the user's mailbox. Spam filtering can be configured to trap messages based on a variety of criteria, including sender's e-mail address, specific words in the subject or message body or by the type of attachment that accompanies the message.

INTERNET SECURITY SUITE

A suite of utilities for maintaining the security of a Windows PC. An internet security suite includes more than a dozen utilities such as antivirus, personal firewall, spam blocker and popup blocker. Example of some internet security suite are, McAfee, AVG, Kaspersky and etc.

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Basic and Specialised Software Application

GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (G.U.I)

Graphical User Interface (GUI) is refers to the graphical interface of a computer that allows users to click and drag objects with a mouse instead of entering text at a command line. The mouse or touch pad is used to select icons and menu options as well as move and resize windows that frame the application and elements within it. The graphical user interface was first introduced to the public by Apple with the Macintosh in 1984.



WORD PROCESSOR

A word processor, or word processing program, does exactly what the name implies. It processes words. It also processes paragraphs, pages, and entire papers. The first word processors were basically computerized typewriters, which did little more than place characters on a screen, which could then be printed by a printer. Modern word processing programs, however, include features to customize the style of the text, change the page formatting, and may be able to add headers, footers, and page numbers to each page. Some examples of word processing programs include Microsoft Word, WordPerfect (Windows only), AppleWorks (Mac only), and OpenOffice.org.

SPREADSHEET

A spreadsheet is a document that stores data in a grid of horizontal rows and vertical columns. Rows are typically labeled using numbers (1, 2, 3, etc.), while columns are labeled with letters (A, B, C, etc). Individual row/column locations, such as C3 or B12, are referred to as cells. Each cell can each store a unique instance of data. By entering data into a spreadsheet, information can be stored in a more structured way than using plain text The row/column structure also allows the data to be analyzed using formulas and calculations. However, spreadsheets are more streamlined than databases and are especially useful for processing numbers. This is why spreadsheets are commonly used in scientific and financial applications.

DBMS

 DBMS, which stands for "Database Management System."  is a database program. It is a software system that uses a standard method of cataloging, retrieving, and running queries on data. The DBMS manages incoming data, organizes it, and provides ways for the data to be modified or extracted by users or other programs. Some DBMS examples include MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft Access, SQL Server, FileMaker, Oracle, RDBMS, dBASE, Clipper, and FoxPro.

UTILITY SUITES

A group of programs that are sold as a package to solve common problems. Although there are suites for graphics, mathematics and other applications, the most popular are "office suites." Also known as "productivity suites," they are a set of basic business programs designed with a uniform user interface and common functions such as spell checking. The primary programs are word processing, spreadsheet, presentation graphics, database and e-mail, although each suite has its own mix, and a variety of other programs and utilities may also be included.

AUDIO EDITING SOFTWARE

Software used to edit audio files in the computer. Audio sections can be deleted and mixed, and the pitch, speed and tempo of the material can be modified. The dynamic range can be compressed to make loud parts softer, and special effects can also be added. Most audio editors provide support for a variety of audio formats. Contrast with video editor.

BITMAP IMAGE

The Bitmap Image (BMP)  format is a commonly used raster graphic format for saving image files. It was introduced on the Windows platform, but is now recognized by many programs on both Macs and PCs.

The BMP format stores color data for each pixel in the image without any compression. For example, a 10x10 pixel BMP image will include color data for 100 pixels. This method of storing image information allows for crisp, high-quality graphics, but also produces large file sizes.

DESKTOP PUBLISHING PROGRAM

 Desktop publishers use programs like Adobe InDesign and QuarkXpress to create page layouts for documents they want to print. These desktop publishing programs can be used to create books, magazines, newspapers, flyers, pamphlets, and many other kinds of printed documents. Publishers may also use programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create printable images. Even word processing programs like Microsoft Word can be used for basic desktop publishing purposes. Complete desktop publishing involves the combination of typesetting (choosing fonts and the text layout), graphic design, page layout (how it all fits on the page), and printing the document.

HTML EDITOR

A low-level Web site authoring tool that is essentially a text editor, specialized for writing HTML code. It assists the HTML author by cataloging all HTML tags and common structures in menus and by being able to catch certain syntax errors. It often displays tags and contents in colors so they pop out for easy reference.

IMAGE EDITOR

Image editors typically deal with only bitmapped images such as GIFs, JPEGs and BMPs; however, some editors support both bitmaps and illustrations. Common functions are manually cropping and resizing the image and using "filters" to adjust brightness, contrast and colors. A myriad of filters are available for special effects. Red eye removal is included in editors specialized for photos.

MULTIMEDIA

As the name implies, multimedia is the integration of multiple forms of media. This includes text, graphics, audio, video, etc. For example, a presentation involving audio and video clips would be considered a "multimedia presentation." Educational software that involves animations, sound, and text is called "multimedia software." CDs and DVDs are often considered to be "multimedia formats" since they can store a lot of data and most forms of multimedia require a lot of disk space.

VECTER IMAGE

vector graphics are comprised of paths, which are defined by a start and end point, along with other points, curves, and angles along the way. A path can be a line, a square, a triangle, or a curvy shape. These paths can be used to create simple drawings or complex diagrams. Paths are even used to define the characters of specific typefaces. Because vector-based images are not made up of a specific number of dots, they can be scaled to a larger size and not lose any image quality. If you blow up a raster graphic, it will look blocky, or "pixelated." When you blow up a vector graphic, the edges of each object within the graphic stay smooth and clean. This makes vector graphics ideal for logos, which can be small enough to appear on a business card, but can also be scaled to fill a billboard.

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Careers in IT

WEBMASTER

Webmaster is an individual who is in charge of managing and maintaining a website. The Webmaster are  responsible of making sure that the Web server hardware and software is running properly. Other than that, the jobs of a Webmaster requires them to design, create, updating Web pages and managing the computer server and technical programming aspects of a Web site.

COMPUTER SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Computer support specialists, also known as help-desk technicians, assists users who are having problems with software, computers or peripherals such as printers or scanners. By using specialized technical knowledge, they may help users who are having technical problems such as connectivity(the user cannot reach data or gain access to it), missing data(data cannot be found), slow performance(excessive amounts of users are slowing down the system), overload(lack of space on a machine for data), or program problems(the program is not running efficiently).

TECHNICAL WRITER

Technical writer is a person who is responsible for writing hardware and software documentation. They also help via online and does technical definitions and technical product descriptions on Web pages. A technical writer is often tasked with writing documentation that explains technical issues in ways that non-technical people can understand.

SOFTWARE ENGINEER

Software engineer is often confused with a programmer, "Software Engineer" has generally replaced the term "Programmer". While a programmer creates the codes that make a program run, a software engineer creates the designs the programmer implements. A software engineer is a licensed professional engineer who designs and programs system-level software, such as operating systems, database management systems (DBMSs) and embedded systems. In addition, a software engineer is also held accountable to a specific code of ethics.

NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR

A person who manages a communications network within an organization. For example, managing a local area communications network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). A network administrator is responsible of network security, installing new hardware and applications, monitoring software upgrades and daily activity, enforcing licensing agreements, developing a storage management program and providing for routine backups, not to mention ensuring that it is up and running all the time. 

DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR

Data Administrator is an individual who is in charge for the specification, acquisition, and maintenance of data management software and the design, validation, and security of files or databases. Data Administrator is also responsible of the data dictionary and data model. Usually, they are called "database analyst."

SYSTEM ANALYST

System Analyst is a person who is responsible for the development of an information system, design and modify systems by turning user requirements into a set of functional specifications, which are the blueprint of the system. In addition, they also researches problems, plans solutions, recommends software and systems, and coordinates development to meet business or other requirements. 

PROGRAMMER

An individual who writes application programs in a user organization. Most programmers are application programmers. They are contrast with  a systems programmer. A programmer composes instructions for computer systems to refer to when performing a given action. Programmers usually have an extensive background in some form of computer coding language, which may include XML, PHP, HTML, or SQL. Programmers are essential to the development of computers because without the coding that is necessary to make a computer work properly, the machine would be useless. Programmers may specialize in one area or may write instructions for a wide range of systems or programs.

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