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Is
the internet part of the e-commerce infrastructure?
The Internet has become the primary network
in e-commerce. It is a “networks of networks,” which provides a link
between and among computers worldwide. It is short for “internetwork.”
In its physical form, it
is made up of wires, routers, and communication links similar to a
telephone system. The primary medium for conveying information is
leased lines from telephone companies, which connect to computers
called routers. These routers direct coded data to their
destinations.
You can also picture the
Internet as a cluster of networks composed of computers using
different operating systems with varied types of content. Information
content on the Internet is housed in independently owned, high
capacity computers called “servers” that connect to regional networks,
which in turn link to the Internet “backbone.”
What is the web?
The World Wide Web (www) or Web is what
makes the Internet easy and fun to use. It has become the standard
for navigating, publishing information, and executing transactions
across the Internet. It all started in 1986 with a set of simple
protocols and formats. Now, it is a venue for various sophisticated
multimedia, publishing, and retrieval concepts.
Most of us are commonly
acquainted with the Web as a collection of distributed documents
called “pages” posted on computers (or servers) all over the world.
These servers store hypertext markup language (HTML) files and respond
to requests. With a browser, PC users are able to find and view
server-based documents.
It is difficult to
imagine e-commerce growing as rapidly as it did without the Web.
Who provides internet access?
They are commonly called
the Internet Access Providers or IAPs. There are also Internet
Service Providers or ISPs. The different types of IAPs/ISPs are the
following:
Telco Companies, such as
long-distance telephone companies (e.g., AT&T,MCI) and regional
telephone companies.
Cable companies,
which in the advent of cable modems are reinventing themselves as
access providers for home users. Cable companies are developing
modems which connect personal computers with the Internet via coaxial
cable at speeds much higher than conventional telephone modems.
Online companies,
such as America Online, Compuserve, Prodigy, and Microsoft Network.
Such companies package a range of information and Internet access
services through a modem called via a local telephone number.
If one imagines the
Internet as the information superhighway, IAPs provide the ramps that
allow one to get on and off the information highways, ISPs provide
maps and other navigation tools to the infobahm. Some ISPs provide
their own ramhs; others rely on IAPs to give customers access to the
Internet.
Of course, from a
consumers’s point of view, it doesn’t really matter whether they are
IAPs or ISPs so long as he gets quick, reliable, fast and cheap access
to the Internet.
In the Philippines,
there are over 150 ISPs catering to a market of 300,000 subscribers.
Only 15 of these ISPs can be considered top-tier (with their own
leased lines connecting them directly to the Internet), and even this
number is considered too big for the Philippine market. Expert
believe that our market would only support 2-3 ISPs.
A web guide for
beginners
by Gazelle Malacaman
email: info@kapihan.net
What you will need to
start browsing on the web:
Computer Hardware:
A personal or office computer with a modem connected to a phone line
or internet cable. It is preferable that you get a fast computer and
modem in order to take advantage of your internet connection.
Computer Software:
A web browser, such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator.
Internet Service
Providers:
These are the companies that provide you access on the net. Examples
of ISPs in the Philippines are: Infocom, Mozcom, Pacific Internet,
Destiny, SkyInternet, and Zpdee cable internet.
You can also try using
the Internet, if you don't have your own system, by going to internet
cafes located in the malls or in your nearest commercial center. You
can use their computers and internet services for a fee, usually at
around P1.00 per minute.
Getting Started
There are two ways to
start.
1. Go directly to the website you want by typing the address of the
site you want on the address portion of your browser.
example: www.cnn.com
2. Go to a web portal.
These are websites that can guide you to other websites. From these
web portals, you can choose from different categories like business,
arts, entertainment, sports, shopping etc. or go directly to specific
news or articles displayed on the portal's home pages.
Web portals also provide
a search box (engine). You can type the topic or subject you want and
then click the search button. The search engine portal will then list
the sites that contain the topic you typed.
Examples of web portals
are:
www.yahoo.com and
www.yehey.com
What you can get on
the web
The web is for everyone.
It is for anyone who needs anything or is interested at something.
Some people use the web for business. A lot of people surf the web as
a pastime or form of recreation similar to watching TV or listening to
the radio.
The web provides a
variety of things. You can get news, pictures, sounds, movie clips,
music, free software and information on practically any topic or
subject you might want.
You can make
reservations, do your research, chat with other people, and buy
products from anywhere in the world and have these delivered to you.
Skills you need
Some kids as young as 8
or 10 yrs of age not only surf the web, but have their own websites.
So you don't need to have a computer degree, or spend a lot of time
learning how to use the web to benefit from it. It is advisable to
have someone help you at first in order to guide you in the basics.
Costs and Rewards
Aside from the cost of
your computer, you will have to pay your Internet Service Provider
(ISP) for the time you use the Internet. Prices of the services vary
depending on the ISP. Some ISPs provide faster internet connection
than others, so it is important that you learn how they differ from
one another so that you can maximize your internet time. Ask and
compare prices and capabilities before you sign up with an ISP.
What you get from the
Internet will depend on you. A lot of people use email as a main tool
for communication. There are a lot of free stuffs on the web that you
can get. Statistics, reports, and various data are available on the
net. You can save time and money by using the web instead of having to
travel just to get the information you need.
You can buy hard to find
books, CDs, and rare collectibles. Order pizza for delivery or buy
your groceries. From staple wires, plant seeds, or buttons... to
purchasing buildings, farms, or an entire designer collection. You can
get all of these on the web.
Philippine websites
Although you can go to
any website in the world, check these Philippine sites just to see
where the Philippine e-business is compared to what are available
elsewhere.
www.rustans.com
Buy groceries from the Rustan's supermarket.
www.magoos.com
Order pizza
www.abs-cbn.com
See the latest news, schedule of programs, pictures of celebrities,
etc. |
