Learning Journal Post #1

Although I had assumed that no specific person owned the internet, DIG110 showed that there is no single person who owns the internet. I learned that many people helped in the growth of internet technology and that ARPANET was the first established network. I went into this course thinking that it would be like a lot of other classes I have taken. My thoughts were that the course would be more of a book and exam based course. I found out that I was completely wrong and that we are required to be part of social networks, blogs (such as this), and other web technologies to learn about the internet while being a part of newer web technologies. I came into this class without having a facebook/google account and I never once wrote a blog. I learned a lot of new technologies in the works for 2011 from CourseCast episode 186 that we listened to for the first discussion. I also learned about a few important names from the presentations we gave in class on Google Docs. My presentation was on Vincent Cerf and Robert Kahn who designed the TCP/IP internet protocol network.

I am putting my best effort into this semester and course. I aced the first test and I have actually been reading the book and staying awake/alert in class. 

5 definitions:

Gopher System - protocol that formed a hierarchical directory-based system to deliver information across the Internet. Invented by Paul Lindner and Mark McCahill.

World Wide Web - section of the internet that has a collection of documents such as text, picture, sound, animation and video. Tim Berners-Lee originated the World Wide Web at the same time period the Gopher System was created. He envisioned the use of hyperlinks to share ideas on a network.

Circuit Switching - allows a caller to dial a number to establish and maintain a private circuit across the wires from the time the receiver is lifted until one of the parties hangs up. http://cnx.org/content/m13383/latest/

Packet Switching - separates data from a sending computer into small units known as "packets". Basically.. the packets are broken up as they are sent and reassembled as they reach the receiving computer. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-packet-switching.htm

Fiber-Optic Loop - a dedicated, high-speed telephone line that uses fiber-optic cable T1(type of fiber-optic line) or other fiber-optic technology.

Here is a comical video on the history of the internet.