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Chapter 3 E-business infrastructure 187

Exercises Self-assessment questions
1 What is the difference between the Internet and the World Wide Web?
2 Describe the two main functions of an Internet service provider (ISP). How do they
differ from applications service providers?
3 Distinguish between intranets, extranets and the Internet.
4 Describe the standards involved when a web page is served from a web server to
a user’s web browser.
5 What are the management issues involved with enabling staff access to a web site?
6 Explain the following terms: HTML, HTTP, XML, FTP.
7 What is the difference between static web content written in HTML and dynamic
content developed using a scripting language such as JavaScript?
8 What software and hardware are required to access the Internet from home?

Essay and discussion questions
1 ‘Without the development of the World Wide Web by Tim Berners-Lee, the Internet
is unlikely to have become a commercial medium.’ Discuss.
2 ‘In the future the distinction between intranets, extranets and the Internet for marketing
purposes is likely to disappear.’ Discuss.
3 Discuss the merits and disadvantages of locating company e-business services
inside a company, in comparison with outsourcing to an ISP or ASP.
4 You are consultant to a small retailer interested in setting up a transactional
e-commerce site. Create a summary guide for the company about the stages that
are necessary in the creation of a web site and the management issues involved.

Examination questions

1 You have been tasked with arranging Internet access for other employees in your
company. Summarize the hardware and software needed.
2 How would you explain to a friend what they need to purchase to access the World
Wide Web using the Internet? Explain the hardware and software needed.
3 Explain the term ‘electronic data interchange’. Is it still relevant to companies?
4 Describe how the following tools would be used by a company hosting a web site:
HTML, FTP, RSS
5 The existence of standards such as HTML and HTTP has been vital to the success
and increased use of the World Wide Web. Explain why.
6 What benefits to a business-to-business company does the XML standard offer
beyond those of HTML?
7 Explain why the e-business coordinator of a company might investigate the use of
applications service providers.
8 Explain the differences between intranet, extranet and the Internet from an e-busi-
ness perspective.