LECTURE SESSION 9

INTERNET
Lecture Outline
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Learning outcomes
9.3 Organization of the Internet
9.4 Web browsers
9.4.1 Components of web browsers
9.4.2 Types of web browsers
9.5 Online databases
9.5.1 Institutional repositories
9.5.2 Subject databases
9.5.3 Open and subscribed e-books and e-journals
9.6 Summary
9.7 Review Activity
9.11 References and Further Reading

9.1 Introduction
In the previous lecture we learnt that there are some information sources that are found
on the Internet. In this lecture, we shall learn more about the Internet. We will begin by
first understanding what the Internet is and how it is organized. We shall then look at
the components and types of web browsers after which we shall have a look at online
databases, institutional repositories, subject databases. Lastly, we shall learn about open
and subscribed e-books and e-journals.

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 9.2 Learning Outcomes

At the end of this lecture, you should be able to:

1. Describe the "Internet" as a source of information

2. Search for information from the Internet
3. Explain how the Internet is organized.
4. Distinguish between subject directories and search engines.

9.3 Organization of the Internet

Internet is an international or global network of computer servers that are connected to
each other through an Internet Protocol. An Internet Protocol (IP) slices information
into packets (i.e. chunks of data) to be transmitted separately and then routed to their
destination. The computers are ideally permanently connected to one another through
the telecommunication channels: wired and wireless. Every host computer in the
network has its own unique name (domain name) and unique numeric address e.g.
172.160.2.250 that defines its official location on the net.

The domain name consists of several parts separated by dots. The last part is the
zone and it identifies the type of organization and/or the country. For example, a
commercial organization has .com or .co element whereas an educational institution
has .edu or .ac and so on. For domain names that identify a country, a two letter
code is used e.g. .ke for Kenya, .ug for Uganda, etc. It thus follows that from the last
part of the domain name, one can decipher the type of organization and/or the
country where the website is hosted.

9.4 Web browsers

In order to be able to use the Internet, your computer must be connected and must
have the right software e.g. a web browser.

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A web browser is an application used to access and view websites. Common web
browsers include Microsoft Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and
Apple Safari.

9.4.1 Components of web browsers

A typical browser will have the following basic components:

1. Back and forward -Web browsers remember the pages that have been
viewed. Back and Forward buttons are used to move between recent pages.

2. Stop-Cancels a page request - particularly useful if a page is taking a long

time to load.

3. Refresh or reload - Occasionally a page doesn't load completely and some

parts are missing. Sometimes a user may want the latest version of a page
that is constantly updated. In either case, this button reloads the page.

4. Home- Takes you to your 'home page'. This is the page that loads first
when you start your browser.

5. Address bar- This is the area where you type a web address.

6. Go button- The Go button is used to load the page.

7. Scroll bar -The scroll bar appears when a web page is longer than the
screen. Use the scroll bar to move up and down within a web page.

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9.4.2 Types of web browsers

A web browser is an interface that helps a computer user to access websites on the
Internet or any other html files that may be held in the hard disk of a computer. A
browser can view text documents, images, audio and video files, etc. The following
are some of the common web browsers:

(a) Mozilla Firefox

Released in 2004, Mozilla Firefox is a free and open-source web browser developed
and offered by the Mozilla Foundation and Mozilla Corporation. Firefox can be
downloaded and used by anyone, free-of-charge. Its source code is also available to the
public.

(b) Google Chrome

This web browser was developed by Google. Its beta and commercial versions were
released in September 2008 for Microsoft Windows.

(c) Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer (IE) is a product from Microsoft which was introduced in 1995. It is
the most commonly used browser

(d) Safari

Safari is a web browser developed by Apple Inc. and was first released as a public beta
in January 2003. Safari has very good support for latest technologies like XHTML, CSS2
etc.

(e) Opera

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Opera is smaller and faster than most other browsers, yet it is full- featured. Fast, user-
friendly, with keyboard interface, multiple windows, zoom functions, and more.

9.5 Online Databases

Before we discuss online databases, it is important to understand what a database is. A

database is defined as an organized collection of structured information, or data,
typically stored electronically in a computer system. A database is usually controlled by
a database management system (DBMS). Together, the data and the DBMS, along with
the applications that are associated with them, are referred to as a database system,
often shortened to just database.

In the context of information search and retrieval, a database may be defined as a

collection of information that is organized so that it can be easily accessed, managed, and
updated.

An online database is therefore a database that is accessed from a local network or the
Internet. Online databases are hosted on websites, and are accessible via a web browser.
Some may be free while others may require payment or subscription. They can be
interdisciplinary (spanning several disciplines) or subject-specific (focusing on a
particular discipline, such as medicine, law, environment, etc.)

Online databases have become more and more popular as sources of information. There
are many good reasons why you as a student should use online data. Some of the
advantages of using online databases for study and research include the following:

(a) Online databases contain information which is credible and reliable as most of
them undergo a rigorous peer review process. Peer review is the process by
which independent researchers assess the quality of a manuscript before it is

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 published. The manuscript is checked for originality, validity and significance in
the relevant research area.
(b) Content in online database is up to date. You are likely to find very current
information in online databases as opposed to print resources.

(c) You will almost be certain to find relevant information on your area of research
when using online databases because online sources are always available 24/7.
They are never borrowed like print resources.

(d) Online databases offer many search features. It is possible to use a number of
different keywords or search terms in a single search to get more relevant results
by using operators such as the Boolean Operators (AND, OR, NOT).

Take Note
Boolean Operators will be discussed in more detail in the next
session.

Well, you now understand what online databases are and their advantages. Next we
shall look at specific examples of online databases especially the ones that you will
encounter as you search for information for your study and research at the University.
These examples include institutional repositories, subject databases, and open and
subscribed e-books and e-journals.

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9.5.1 Institutional Repositories
An institutional repository is an archive for collecting, preserving and disseminating
digital copies of the intellectual output of an institution, e.g. a university. A lot research
is normally carried out in the university by the faculty and even students. Some results
of research are presented in reports, others in journal articles and others publications.
These are what we call intellectual outputs.
At TUM, we have an institutional repository accessed through https://ir.tum.ac.ke .
The repository contains research papers by faculty organized according to departments.
Try the link at your convenient time and see the contents

Activity
Open the link https://ir.tum.ac.ke and list the categories of the
institutional repository.

9.5.2 Subject Databases

Subject databases or subject-specific databases focus on a single academic discipline or a
group of related disciplines e.g. geography, mathematics, computer science, etc.

9.5.3 Open and Subscribed e-books and e-journals

As we saw earlier, the Internet is rich in information. The evolution of the Internet has
made it easier for publishers and authors to disseminate knowledge in a faster and far
cheaper way than the way it was before. Nowadays, we have online books and journals.
These two types of sources are available in two modes: open access and subscribed.
Let’s look at each of these.

Open Access

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According to UNESCO, open access (OA) means free access to information and
unrestricted use of electronic resources for everyone. Any kind of digital content can be
OA, from texts and data to software, audio, video, and multi-media.
A publication is defined 'open access' when there are no financial, legal or technical
barriers to accessing it. When a publication is open access it means that anyone can
read, download, copy, distribute, print, or use in any other way within the legal
agreements.
So what are open access books and journals?
These are publications available online and can be accessed for free. They cover a range
of subject areas.

Subscribed e-Books and e-Journals

These are publications that are only accessible through payment of a fee either
individually or through an institution.
At TUM we have such publications and they can be accessed through
https://tum.remotexs.co/ . You need a password and user name to access these
resources.

As a student of TUM, how do you access e-books and e-journals?

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9.6 Summary
In this session, have looked at how the Internet is organized. We
have also looked at the components and types of web browsers
and described online databases, institutional repositories, subject
databases. Lastly, we shall have learnt about open and subscribed
e-books and e-journals.

9.7 Review Activity

1. Describe the organization of the Internet.
2. Explain the features of a typical web browser.
3. Explain how you would use the online databases that are
available at the university.

9.8 References and Further Reading

1. Sullivan, R. D., & Bartell, D. P. (Eds.). (2011). Future of the
internet : Social networks, policy issues and learning tools.
ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
2. Bakardjieva, M. (2005). Internet society : The internet in everyday
life. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
3. Kulesza, J. (2012). International internet law. ProQuest Ebook
Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com