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Table 3.3 Applications of different Internet tools

Internet tool Summary
Blogs Web-based publishing of regularly updated information in an online diary-type format
using tools such as Blogger.com, Typepad or WordPress.
Electronic mail or e-mail Sending messages or documents, such as news about a new product or sales
promotion between individuals is a key Internet capability. In a 2007 report on global
e-mail volume, IDC predicted that a staggering 97 billion e-mails would be sent daily
in 2007, over 40 billion of which were spam (which we discuss in Chapter 4).
Feeds Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is a well-known XML-based content distribution
format commonly used for syndicating and accessing blog information. Standard XML
feed formats are also used by merchants updating price comparison sites.
FTP file transfer The File Transfer Protocol is used as a standard for moving files across the Internet.
Commonly used to upload HTML and other files to web servers. FTP is still used for
e-business applications such as downloading files such as product price lists or
specifications.
Gophers, Archie and WAIS These tools were important before the advent of the web for storing and searching
documents on the Internet. They have largely been superseded by the web and
search engines
Instant Messaging (IM) and These are synchronous communications tools for text-based ‘chat’ between different
Internet Relay Chat (IRC) users who are logged on at the same time. IM, from providers such as Yahoo and
MSN and Twitter (described in Mini Case Study 3.4), has largely replaced IRC and pro-
vides opportunities for advertising to users.
IPTV Digital TV channels are made available via broadband Internet either as streamed live
broadcasts or as archived broadcasts of TV programmes. This is discussed towards
the end of this chapter.
Usenet newsgroups Forums to discuss a particular topic such as a sport, hobby or business area.
Traditionally accessed by special newsreader software, but now typically accessed via
a web browser from http://groups.google.com.
Secure Shell (SSH) and Telnet These allow remote command-line access to computer systems. SSH is a more
secure replacement for Telnet. For example, a retailer could check to see whether an
item was in stock in a warehouse using SSH.
Peer-to-peer file sharing Peer-to-peer file-sharing technology used to enable sharing of large audio and video
files in BitTorrent or approaches such as Kontiki.

Podcasting A method of downloading and playing audio or video clips (webcasts), targeting
portable devices such as the iPod or MP3 players or fixed devices.
Voice over Internet Protocol Technology for digitally transmitting voice over a LAN or Internet.
(VOIP)
Widget A badge or button incorporated into a site or social network space by its owner, with
content or services typically served from another site, making widgets effectively a
mini-software application or web service. Content can be updated in real time since
the widget interacts with the server each time it loads.
World Wide Web Widely used for publishing information and running business applications over the
Internet accessed through web browsers.

Blogs and blogging

Blog ‘Blogs’ (web logs) give an easy method of regularly publishing web pages which are best
An online diary or news described as online journals, diaries or news or events listings. Many blogs provide com-
source prepared by an
individual or a group of mentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A
people. From ‘web log’. typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media