Define Internet Revolution and Role of Internet

The internet has expanded faster than any other communications medium in history. The way in which computers and the internet are developed will determine how we live in the next century. From since the Internet started taking roots in our society, our Life. Now almost everyone is dependent on Internet and its services for every corner of our life. Thus Internet plays a prominent role in reaching the targeted customers in many ways. Studying about how the Internet started its roots so deeper in our life gives a little edge in reaching customers. The uses of Internet, Intranet and Extranet in the Marketing will give us the idea of involving Internet in our Business Planning.

Internet Revolution

The marvels created by the combination of computing and the internet enable us to link and communicate as never before. The capitalists were extremely slow to adapt to the new technology, even though it would create massive new markets and make their operations more efficient. In the mid 1990s they did an about turn and threw hundreds of billions of dollars into various electronic commerce ventures. However, most of them are kings with no clothes. The sale of stocks was all the capitalists cared about and ridiculous money was poured into hopeless lossmakers like the British internet company “Freeserve”, which cannot and will not ever make money. Freeserve was recently valued at £1.5 billion or £1500 for every user, so how they are supposed to make this money remains a mystery.

In 1957 the Advanced Research Projects Agency ARPA was formed by the US Department of Defence to develop technology for military usage to combat the threat posed by the Soviet Union‘s satellite launch, Sputnik.

The problem of how to keep in regular contact led to the creation of ARPANET, which linked the computer systems together in a way that sent data in multiple tiny packets (packet switching). This allowed data to reach its destination via diverse routes, which would find their way to their destination even if a nuclear bomb destroyed parts of the network.

Communications

The Internet-working Working Group (INWG) was formed in 1972 introducing standardised protocols, which had to be the core of such data transfers. From 1973 the internet became international developing gradually until 1991, when the world wide web was publicly released. Since that time the internet has expanded faster than any other communications medium.

Although the internet started as a military project, the core of the internet has been maintained and developed by various co-operative organisations where the work of the collaborators is voluntary. This is a fact barely mentioned in the mass media. The most influential group is the internet society (ISOC) formed in 1992. The motivation for their collective work is purely to assist the development of the internet.

High-Speed

The internet has challenged all this though. Through being able to transfer data from remote computers onto your own, distribution costs have effectively disappeared. Eventually when high-speed communications systems are introduced, no one will buy a CD-ROM and every programme will be downloaded from the internet. Microsoft’s method of distribution by CD-ROM is like selling TV programmes on video tapes. But to make the internet the means of distribution for large computer programmes, video and three- dimensional moving imagery, requires high-speed communications systems to the home.

The entire global telecommunications system is being held back by narrow profit motivation.

In early September it was announced that technology that could provide high speed internet access through the electricity supply had been shelved. British Telecom have sat on fast speed access “ADSL” technology for over two years because it makes such huge profits out of the outdated phone system and the ISDN system. To this day they are touting ISDN to business and home users as a communications “revolution”.

The reason for their sloth-like behaviour is that ADSL will eventually replace the phone system and that may eat into BT’s vast profits.

Finally after years of delay BT have announced they will introduce ADSL from next March and Cable companies will introduce similar speed Cable modems in Spring 2000. The Labour government should immediately renationalise BT, provide free access to the internet from every home and inject massive financial support into Linux programming and internet content providers. This would break the stranglehold that the multinationals hold over mass communications. Linux

In computer programming, the real challenger is co-operative work such as we are seeing with the Linux computer system. The concept behind Linux is that information belongs to the public domain under General Public License, this is the exact opposite of capitalist “Intellectual Property Rights”, which hold that ideas are personal property and the owner has a right to payment for every copy of their programme.

Linux is an operating system that works by providing the “source codes” for all programmes that run on it, so there are no secrets, errors can be corrected immediately and development has no limits, unlike private copyrighted source codes of commercial companies. Linux can be made to run any computer operation you can imagine, and an infinite variety you cannot yet think of - and it is free.

According to the UN Human Development Report, the Linux “Apache” programme now runs over 50% of all web servers world-wide, and the Financial Times reports 70% of e-mail is sent on Linux’s “Send Mail” programme. In other words the internet is being run by co-operative endeavour.

The largest 200 multinationals dominate the world economy, but when they are publicly owned, all their operations knowledge will be available through the internet. This will enable the consumers and producers to democratically plan human development for peace, freedom and plenty.

Internet Marketing Services

There are many companies that offer Internet marketing services for getting the most out of website and digital marketing campaigns.A team of experienced consultants, designers, web editors and SEO specialists will lend a hand. Pay Per Click services and Search Engine Optimization services are also offered.

Popular Uses of the Internet

Usage of the Internet is becoming more common due to rapid advancement of technology and the power of globalization. Societies are becoming more inter- connected. Thoughts from different cultures are shared through the use of Internet chat rooms and web postings. Study results also track the most popular uses of the Internet “this year’s study shows that e-mail is the top task conducted online, followed by general surfing, reading News, shopping, and seeking entertainment News.” It can be summarized that the Internet is now being used for common, everyday tasks that would have normally taken more time to complete.

Internet shopping is becoming popular amongst users in developed nations, as it is more efficient to ‘shop on the Internet’ than to go physically into the stores. The Internet provides a virtual environment where consumers’ demands are met with supplies. For example, research has shown that shopping on the Internet can result in lower search costs and better product selections. This is because the shopper has the ability to analyze prices from various stores without having to travel distances. The shopper can now shop online for goods that are for sale in a foreign nation, and rather than having to travel to the country to receive the goods, the consumer can order online and get it delivered efficiently. According to the Ernst and Young Survey (‘Internet Shopping’ 1998), prospective shoppers viewed price savings and selection as more important benefits than convenience, which was ranked third. However, using the Internet we have the capacity to achieve both, having the ability to offer shoppers convenience as well as better prices.

Not only has the Internet achieved a more equitable trading environment for consumers, it also gives us the potential to communicate more effectively and efficiently.

For example, the cost of sending an email is generally cheaper than posting a letter in the mail, especially for people wishing to communicate internationally. Furthermore, an email can be sent immediately after it is written, and does not need to go through official procedures such as the Post Office and a mail box. The recipient of the email is able to access it from anywhere, as it is a virtual communication tool, as opposed to having a physical mail box where the letters are delivered. Thus, clearly, an Internet communication tool such as the Internet is extremely valuable, especially for travelers who need to be able to be interconnected with their ‘old’ lifestyle whilst journeying to experience foreign cultures.

The power of the Internet not only extends to people who need the convenience of shopping, and to be able to easily communicate with associates and friends, but the Internet also provides an environment for News sharing and encourages people to be updated with the News.

Unfortunately, as there currently isn’t any appropriate ‘virtual filtering system’ software out there, although there are many News articles available, they are from the perspective of international media institutions. However, the Internet is constantly changing and is becoming more accommodating to the individual as opposed to just catering to international corporations. Many academics believe that the Internet is a form of communication for people who want to express their own opinions and who don’t want to be repressed by the wealthy, whom are often seen as domineering as they hold too much power in a capitalist society.

Furthermore, many teenagers would also confirm that they have had many positive experiences with the Internet as they believe it is a place for them to ‘escape’ from the pressures of reality and enjoy the entertainment that this system has the ability to provide. Computer games, although some would argue that they actually distract people from reality, provide the opportunity for individuals to express creativity and challenge themselves. Interactive computer games provide an environment where individuals are allowed to explore foreign surroundings and take risks that will result in no harm to the game player.

The Internet appeals to the younger generation not only because of entertainment purposes, but young academics have also agreed that the Internet creates convenience to research and university students. This is because many different articles can be found on a specific topic, and not only is the opinions of academics read, but people with unique experiences and in different professions are also heard and critically analyzed.

In conclusion, popular uses of the Internet have largely contributed to the advancement of society. More people are now turning to this phenomenon in order to have an efficient lifestyle where the maximum number of tasks can be achieved everyday. Although some would argue that people are becoming too reliant on the Internet, others would argue that it is a freedom of choice and it is the individuals’ choice to be able to choose how much they should be using the Internet per day, and on how dependent they want to be. Ultimately, the Internet is a tool that is effective when used appropriately and effectively and it is at the discretion of the individual. As quoted by Schipper, “the Internet is a tool that has both good and bad sides; let’s weed out the bad ones.”

Uses of Intranets

Implementation benefits

Fast, easy, low-cost to implement

Based on open standards

Connectivity with other systems

Many tools available

Scalable

Usability Benefits

Easy to learn and use

Multimedia

Hypertext links

Single interface to information resources and services

Organizational Benefits

Access to internal and external information

Improves communication

Increases collaboration and coordination

Supports links with customers and partners

Can capture and share knowledge

Uses of Extranets

An extranet is a private network that uses Internet protocols, network connec-tivity, and possibly the public telecommunication system to securely share part of an organization’s information or operations with suppliers, vendors, partners, customers or other businesses.

An extranet can be viewed as part of a company’s Intranet that is extended to users outside the company (eg normally over the Internet). It has also been described as a “state of mind” in which the Internet is perceived as a way to do business with other companies as well as to sell products to customers.

Briefly, an extranet can be understood as “a private internet over the Internet”. Another very common use of the term “extranet” is to designate the “private part” of a website, where “registered users” can navigate, enabled by authentication mechanisms on a “login page”.

Security

An extranet requires security and privacy. These can include firewalls, server management, the issuance and use of digital certificates or similar means of user authentication, encryption of messages, and the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) that tunnel through the public network.

Industry Uses

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, several industries started to use the term “extranet” to describe central repositories of shared data made accessible via the web only to authorised members of particular work groups.

There are a variety of commercial extranet applications, some of which are for pure file management, and others which include broader collaboration and project management tools.

Advantages

Extranets can improve organization productivity by automating processes that were previously done manually (eg reordering of inventory from suppliers). Automation can also reduce the margin of error of these processes.

Extranets allow organization or project information to be viewed at times convenient for business partners, customers, employees, suppliers and other stake-holders. This cuts down on meeting times and is an advantage when doing business with partners in different time zones.

Information on an extranet can be updated, edited and changed instantly. All authorised users therefore have immediate access to the most up-to- date information.

Extranets can improve relationships with key customers, providing them with accurate and updated information.

Disadvantages

Extranets can be expensive to implement and maintain within an organisation (eg hardware, software, employee training costs) - if hosted internally instead of via an ASP.

Security of extranets can be a big concern when dealing with valuable information. System access needs to be carefully controlled to avoid sensitive information falling into the wrong hands.

Extranets can reduce personal contact (face-to-face meetings) with customers and business partners. This could cause a lack of connections made between people and a company, which hurts the business when it comes to loyalty of its business partners and customers.