The Internet Identified

Sometimes the most basic questions are the hardest to answer.

For example: What is the Internet?

Um ... it’s that thing we can’t imagine living without. It’s how we work, buy stuff, watch videos, communicate, share memories, conduct research, tell jokes, catch up with friends, etc.

In 1995, 15 percent of adults were online. Now, it’s above 75 percent, and for certain demographics (adolescents, educated adults, rich folk), the percentage is over 95 percent, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project.  

We’re all on Internet. But what IS it exactly?

Lucky for us, learning about the Internet is just a quick Internet search away. But before you go down the Wikipedia wormhole, we suggest starting with Business Insider’s handy guide: ‘What The Heck Is The Internet?’

Or, since remixing information is a hallmark of the Internet age, you can just stay here and read our synopsis of Business Insider’s (BI) primer on the Internet. Ready? Okay!

The Internet to put it briefly, according to Business Insider (BI):

  • The Internet is an interconnected network, or network of networks.
  • The Internet is the aggregate of the computers (servers, desktops, laptops, etc.) that share information via telephone wires and satellite links; these computers are all connected by a common software standard called Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP).
  • Most us connect to the Internet via an Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) network. The three largest ISPs in the U.S. are AT&T, Comcast, and Road Runner. BI: “When you connect to an ISP, your computer becomes a part of its network. That network is already connected to another larger network, and that network is connected to yet another network, and so on and so forth across the globe.”
  • The two basic components of the Internet are servers and clients. Servers are machines that provide services (get it?) to other machines. Clients (desktops, laptops, smartphones, etc.) use these services. BI: “So when you sign online at work, your computer becomes a client that’s accessing a Web server.”
  • Every device that connects to the Internet has a unique numerical IP address
  • The World Wide Web, or web, is just one ‘layer’ of the Internet. There are other layers. For example, POP and IMAP are distinct layers that govern the transmission of email across the Internet. The web layer (officially known as HTTP) of the Internet was invented in the late 1980s by American Tim Berners-Lee. BI: “The net is all the pages that can be accessed using Web browsers [e.g. Explorer, Firefox].” Often used interchangeably, the Internet and the Web aren’t the same thing. The web is a small slice of the larger Internet pie.
  • All domain names have a corresponding numerical IP address. Example (courtesy of Wikipedia): the domain name www.example.com translates to the IP address 192.0.32.10. The Domain Name System was created to make the Internet more user-friendly (domain names are easier to remember than long strings of numbers).

Why is consumer-based technology important

Technological growth is now motivated by consumer trends. Companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft are all growing because of the innovations being made in line with consumer demands. These consumer-based technologies are providing fantastic advancements and creating deeper levels of practical implication. A great example of this is the Google search engine. At the core of Google’s success is its ability to develop technology in response to consumer trends. It is obvious that most modern technology is consumer-based, but how has this trend affected technology as a whole? Here are some examples:


User-Generated Content


Consumer trends have shown a high profit in enabling more integrated content to be developed by a greater number of third party institutions. Essentially, this means that more independent developers can make programs that run well on advanced devices, like the iPhone. Apple has designed the iPhone with this level of customization in mind and in doing so, expanded the use and practicality of their devices. User-generated content is a direct byproduct of consumer-based technology.

User-Friendly Applications

Because consumers drive the technological market, technology has been developed with user friendliness in mind. Remember Windows 97? Had Microsoft not updated each version of its operating system with more user-friendly features, they may not have maintained their status as a leading OS developer. Consumer-based technology has motivated developers to design easy-to-use products, which has affected the direction of technological innovation.

User Involvement

Consumer-based technology is now a normal part of growing up. Believe it or not, video games have been a large motivator for technological advancement. Game creators are always looking for new ways to involve and include users with their technology; a perfect example of this is the Xbobx Kinect. The Kinect is the latest in motion-capture technology that allows the player to interact with a game by moving without being connected to any device. This technology has found other applications; with your motions you can now search for a movie on Netflix, visit your favorite website, and send a voice-dictated email.

Because consumers supply the demand for technology, consumers will direct the growth of technology. Many of these advancements may seem trite or simple, but the key to determining their worth is looking to the future of how they will be implemented.  What would it mean if doctors could customize body scans from patient to patient, or if writing program code were so easy that anyone could do it, or if motion capture technology could help you assess your workout routine? Consumer-based technological advancement isn’t a bad thing, it’s the future.

To see some specific ways consumer technology is being implemented practically, take a look at this article.

How technology has changed the resume

The classic resume is a standard of professionalism that has been agreed upon between prospective employees and prospective employers since the dawn of the barter system. The traditional resume typically consists of a white piece of paper, size 12 font, and an easy to read list of skills and accomplishments designed to convince any reader that the author is a talented and skilled worker. However, recent years and economic stress have driven applicants to generally be more creative when formatting their resumes, resulting in some truly ingenious creations. The new technological market has developed a need for creative thinkers. Whether you are creating a resume or reviewing one, here are a few things to consider.

When Creating a Resume

Make your resume as professional as it is creative. Don’t forget that this is a representation of your ability to perform well in the job you are applying for. If you err on the side of being too creative, you might run the risk of leaving out important information about your relevant skills. However, don’t shy away from presenting that information creatively. Here are a few tips to start you off.

  1. Be multidimensional. Designing your resume as an infographic will help you stand out as well as represent the many layers of your personality. Check out this example: Infographic
  2. Let your style match your personality. If you work best by yourself, let that be represented in your design. If you work best in a group, let that be represented as well. Take a look at this example: Design and style
  3.  Add some flair. Many businesses take PDF files in place of a hard copy resume. Formatting your resume in new ways allows you to show off your skills and, if applying for a tech-savvy job, could help you land the gig. Here is a great example: Flair

When Reading a Creative Resume

If you’re in the position of reading resumes, especially at a small business, be open to accepting those that are creative and not just a simple list of talent and accomplishment.  A creatively designed resume may seem silly and unprofessional, but it tells you a lot about the applicant. It shows that they have the ability to think outside the box, aren’t afraid of taking risks and are clever. These qualities are ones that might be left unrepresented in a classic resume but are also paramount to the success of any business, large or small. Keep in mind that if someone submits a creatively designed resume, they could be an invaluable asset.

As social evolution and technological advancement progress, applicants will find more and more creative ways to present their talents. Being open to exploring these avenues as both creator and audience will allow you to improve your business or career. As in most things in life, keeping an open mind can never hurt.

Internet news: The Web just got bigger

In the not too distant future, you might start to see websites that end in .food or .microsoft.

After years of looking at the implications, haggling over the details, and browsing through public comments, ICANN, the Internet’s governing body, has voted 13-1 to radically expand the quantity and character of domain endings.

In a release, ICANN called it “one of the most significant changes ever to the Internet's Domain Name System.”

ICANN, if you’re unfamiliar, stands for Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers. It is a non-profit organization based in California that oversees Internet-related issues on behalf of the U.S. government. The bulk of the organization’s work focuses on the management and allocation of top-level domains (TLDs) and IP addresses (those things that look a bit like phone numbers).

Peter Dengate Thrush, chairman of ICANN's board of directors said the change “will usher in a new Internet age,” adding, “we have provided a platform for the next generation of creativity and inspiration."
Currently there are 22 TLDs, such as .com, .org, and .net. Now, in theory, the sky is the limit: Internet address names will be able to end with almost any word in any language.
But before you decide to rush out to secure www.awesome.dude, check your bank account balance, and get ready to make a good argument for your awesomeness, because there’s some fine print with this new change:

  • It will set you back a hefty $185,000 just to apply for a new general top-level domain name
  • The approval process will take months and may involve governments and other agencies
  • Individuals or organizations will have to show a legitimate claim to the name they are buying

Get more
information: http://www.icann.org/

How to use video for your business

Web video is a very simple and effective way to convey information about a business, yet many businesses still aren’t utilizing it. If you’ve been wondering how you can use videos for your business, take a look at these great examples.


Testimonials

Sharing your business’ success stories is a great way to grow your business through word of mouth. In order to do this, many companies ask for testimonials – which satisfied customers are often happy to give. Requesting a video testimonial can make that success story more effective than ever.

Chances are, your clients know how to create a video and have a webcam built-in to their computers. If you are able to get a video testimonial, instead of a written one, it really brings the story alive to prospective clients.

Replace written content

Most business websites are text-heavy and don’t offer much excitement. Throwing a video or two into the mix can make your site easier for your clients and prospects to find their way through.

Try replacing some standard, informational text with a video that describes your company in order to liven up your site a little and intrigue your site’s visitors.

Educate!


How to” and demo videos are great ways to educate your clients and prospective clients about your business. Although you may not actually sell products that you can demo, there are still plenty of ways to educate clients about something relating to your business.

Restaurants, for example, can create a video on how to properly prepare an artichoke, or something along those lines, that anybody could find useful. Videos of this sort are great because they make you look like an expert in your field.

Web video is a growing medium and a great way to share your stories and ideas with your audience. For even more ideas on using web video, check out this article.

How to Have the Right Attitude at Work

Succeeding in business is difficult to do without the right kind of attitude. It takes a special mix of ambition and personality, and the ability to be both forward thinking and conscious of those working around you. Business is built around a foundation of interacting with other people. Whether you’re working with a coworker on the job or with a prospective client, having a good attitude is paramount to getting things done. Here are a few important character traits for you to consider when evaluating your business attitude.


1.    Be positive


Staying positive is at the core of any good attitude. Studies show that praising your coworkers often, setting reasonable goals and consistently showing gratitude are all traits common in successful businesspeople. Thinking pessimistically fosters a negative attitude that makes seeing the positives difficult and, in turn, decreases your ability to succeed. Thinking positively lets you see the good things around you and allows you to build off of them, creating an attitude beneficial to advancement. If you’d like more tips on staying positive, take a look at this article.

2.    Act assertively, not aggressively

Assertiveness is probably the top traits of those successful in business, however it is often coupled with aggressiveness. The most important thing when attempting to be assertive without being aggressive is communication. When asserting yourself in the office, allow other people as much time to describe their needs as you’ve allowed yourself. When they are expressing their needs, try not to devalue their perspectives; doing so will allow you to stay open to meeting them halfway.

Practicing these tips will make you a member of the team and create an environment that allows for your career advancement. If you’d like additional tips, please consider this article.

3.    Approach conflict with compassion

Interpersonal conflict is an unavoidable part of every work culture. Try approaching resolution with compassion if and when you find yourself at odds with a coworker. Stepping into conflict resolution with an open mind instead of defensiveness will often result in a more positive outcome. Adding compassion to your business attitude will improve your skills at resolving conflict. If you’d like to read more about being compassionate at work, take a look at this article.

No matter your experience or career, people will always be challenging to deal with. Having a fresh and positive attitude when dealing with them will allow you to advance and flourish in the work place. Remembering these simple tips are the first steps in cultivating a good business attitude, and having a good business attitude is the first step to advancing your career.

IPv6 - what does it mean?

There has been plenty of talk over the last few weeks about some big changes that are happening to the Internet: mainly, the transition to IPv6. Exactly what IPv6 means is still a mystery to most people. Luckily, we have a simple explanation that can help you to better understand it.


What it is

IPv6 is the latest version of IP, or Internet Protocol, which is the method by which data is sent over the Internet. IPv4 is the version of IP that has been used up until this point, but it is running out of addresses. This is where IPv6 comes into play.


The prior version of IP, IPv4, used 32-bit addresses, which allowed for a total of 4 billion unique addresses. IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses, making it possible to create many more unique addresses. 

How the transition may affect you

Most likely, you will encounter most of your problems with IPv6, if any, during the initial migration from IPv4. The potential problems will likely depend on the browser you use and the Web server that is hosting the domain you wish to access. Some potential issues include:

  • If you’re using IPv6 and you attempt to access an IPv4 site, you may receive a “404” error.
  • If you are using a network that only supports IPv4, you may not be able to access IPv6 sites – you can reconfigure your network in order to fix this.

Despite these minor problems, many people agree that you will most likely still be able to access any site. 

How to avoid IPv6-related problems

If you’re encountering connectivity problems, there are a few sites you can go to that will help you determine whether or not they are related to IPv6. Try going to http://omgipv6day.com/ or http://test-ipv6.com/ which will both tell you what problems you may experience, if any, and what changes you need to make in order to fix them.


Although the transition to IPv6 may be confusing at first, it likely won’t cause too many major problems. For more insight into the IPv6 change, check out this PCWorld article.

Is a Computer Tablet Right for You?

The tablet industry has seen an impressive amount of growth after Apple introduced their signature iPad in 2010. Subsequently, the tablet market has diversified with various iPad alternatives offered by competitors such as Android, Microsoft and also Motorola. However, tablet computers may not be right for everyone. Despite its recent popularity, who’s to say that the iPad won’t go the way of the 8-track? Of course, the choice of whether or not a tablet is right for you is one that should be educated. Before you decide to purchase one of these expensive machines, or even if you are already an owner, think about these pros and cons.

Pros: 


  • Tablets are incredibly portable devices. Being able to remotely connect with your work is becoming a necessity as businesses grows more integrated with cloud computing. As a rule of thumb, the more accessible you are, the better. 
  • Tablets are very useful. The potential for productive work uses will only increase as developers release more business-related apps. In the future, tablets will likely become more practical in a business setting. 
  • Tablets express capability. In a business setting, having and using a tablet can communicate to your clients a sense of professionalism. If you use your tablet to increase your work productivity, you will appear more capable. 

Cons: 

  • Tablets haven’t reinvented the wheel. Most of the functions performed by a tablet can be performed on a laptop or desktop computer. Yes, tablets may be more convenient, but does that make them absolutely necessary? 
  • Tablets are toys. Much like smartphones, tablets are designed to serve as entertainment, making it easy to become distracted with streaming video or games. 
  • Tablets are still very new. For this reason, a tablet’s price is still high in comparison to its function. If you aren’t sure that a computer tablet is right for you now, wait a year to see how prices fluctuate. You might find the same machine at a much lower price. 

Computer tablets are often very useful tools, though at the same time they can function as nothing more than very expensive toys. Depending on your needs, a tablet may be the perfect fit, but make sure to weigh the pros and cons before making a final decision. If you are interested in reading further, please read over this article.

How you can use NFC payments

The way in which we pay for things has evolved greatly over the decades. Technologies like credit cards and PayPal make payments far less complicated than in the past. NFC, or Near Field Communication, technology hopes to simplify payments even more by allowing people to transmit data from one device to another.


How will we use it?

NFC mobile chips will be incorporated into smartphones to make it easier than ever to pay for your groceries. Most of us have our phones with us at all times anyway, so using them to pay for everything seems like the next plausible step.


Integrating NFC chips into smartphone designs allows users to store their credit card information in their phones. That way, when they’re at a business that is equipped with the technology, they can simply scan their phones at the register.


Google Wallet

Google recently announced its foray into the mobile payments world. Google Wallet, which hopes to take the place of the traditional wallet, is available on certain Android devices, but Google plans to release a sticker that will allow other devices to work with the Google Wallet. A number of retailers have already signed on to work with Google Wallet.


Because the mobile payments industry is going to be such a game-changer, it is unlikely that Apple, RIM, and other smartphone makers will be eager to open their platforms up to Google Wallet. These companies, instead, will likely be coming out with their own mobile payment systems in the near future.


Other potential uses

NFC mobile chips will likely soon be doing much more than just helping you pay for your coffee. Some of those potential uses include:

  • Replace passports and boarding passes
  • Products might have RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags on them that you can scan in order to gather information.
  • Pet tags may soon have RFID tags attached that you can scan if you find a lost puppy.
  • Replace keys – no more clunky key chains!

NFC technology is one of the biggest advancements in payments we have seen in a long time.


For more information on NFC mobile chips and how they work, check out this article.

You should know these 4 tech terms

Although technology is present in all of our daily lives, a good deal of us are still unfamiliar with the terms associated with it.  Luckily, we’re here to clear up some of the confusion. Read on for an explanation of four common technology-related terms.


Cookies

Cookies allow websites to identify you when you revisit them. By allowing cookies, you are letting your browser store your information, such as username, password and preferences, and provide it for the site you are visiting. They are a time-saver that can be very convenient for avid Internet users.


Unfortunately, cookies can also be seen as a privacy issue. Because they store your information and track your activity they make it easier for someone to access your data. Most experts agree, however, that merely limiting the amount of cookies you allow will help protect your online identity.


URL

A URL, which is short for uniform resource letter, is essentially the web address of a website. It is what you type into the address bar of a browser when you would like to be directed to a web page.

Cloud

Cloud is one of the most used terms in tech these days yet it still has quite a few people scratching their heads. The cloud is made up of web-based services that you can use on any computer without buying hardware or installing software. Google Docs and Facebook are among the most popular cloud services today.


Flash

Flash is an Adobe-owned platform that enables you to view certain things on your computer. Many people install Flash players or plug-ins in order to watch videos or animation or see dynamic displays on websites. Although Flash has been the longtime leader in its field, HTML5 is rapidly catching up with it.


Although tech terms can get quite complex at times, knowing the basics can help you to better understand the technology we’re using every day.


If you’d like to see a more in-depth description of tech terms, take a look at this glossary.