Digital Ecommerce

The Internet and the Web offer a wide range of services and features that enhance
communication, information retrieval, media consumption, and online interaction. Below is a
detailed explanation of these features:

1. E-mail (Electronic Mail)

E-mail is one of the oldest and most widely used services on the Internet. It allows users to
send and receive digital messages, often including attachments like images, documents, and
videos.

Features of E-mail:

 Messaging – Allows users to exchange text-based messages.

 Attachments – Users can send files, images, and documents along with messages.
 Folders and Filters – Organize emails into different folders (e.g., Inbox, Spam,
Drafts).
 Security Features – Includes spam filters, encryption, and two-factor authentication.
 Web-based and Client-based Access – Available via webmail (e.g., Gmail, Outlook)
and desktop clients (e.g., Thunderbird).

Examples of E-mail Services:

 Gmail (Google)
 Outlook (Microsoft)
 Yahoo Mail
 ProtonMail (for encrypted emails)

2. Instant Messaging (IM)

Instant messaging allows users to communicate in real-time using text, voice, and video
messages. It is commonly used in personal and business communication.

Features of Instant Messaging:

 Real-time Messaging – Messages are sent and received instantly.

 Multimedia Sharing – Users can send images, videos, documents, and voice notes.
 Group Chats – Enables multiple users to communicate in a single chat.
 End-to-End Encryption – Ensures secure communication (e.g., WhatsApp).
 Cross-Platform Support – Works on multiple devices like smartphones, tablets, and
PCs.

Examples of Instant Messaging Apps:

 WhatsApp
 Digital Ecommerce

 Telegram
 Facebook Messenger
 Slack (for business communication)
 Microsoft Teams

3. Search Engines
A search engine is an online tool that helps users find information on the web by entering
keywords or queries.

How Search Engines Work:

1. Web Crawling – Bots (like Googlebot) scan and index web pages.
2. Indexing – Information is stored in a massive database.
3. Ranking – Search results are ranked based on relevance using algorithms.

Features of Search Engines:

 Keyword-based Search – Finds results based on entered keywords.

 Filters and Advanced Search – Narrow down search results by date, file type, etc.
 Voice Search – Allows users to search using voice commands (e.g., Google
Assistant).
 Personalization – Results are tailored based on browsing history and preferences.

Examples of Search Engines:

 Google
 Bing
 Yahoo
 DuckDuckGo (privacy-focused)
 Baidu (China)

4. Intelligent Agents (Bots)

An Intelligent Agent (Bot) is a software program that can perform automated tasks on the
internet, such as retrieving information, assisting users, or performing repetitive functions.

Types of Intelligent Agents:

 Chatbots – AI-powered bots that assist users in customer service (e.g., ChatGPT,
Alexa).
 Search Engine Bots – Used by Google and Bing to index web pages (e.g.,
Googlebot).
 Digital Ecommerce

 Trading Bots – Automated software that trades stocks or cryptocurrencies (e.g.,

Binance bot).
 Gaming Bots – AI players in video games that simulate human-like behavior.
 Cybersecurity Bots – Detect fraud, monitor threats, and secure networks.

Examples of Intelligent Agents:

 Google Assistant
 Amazon Alexa
 Siri (Apple)
 IBM Watson (AI for businesses)
 OpenAI’s ChatGPT

5. Online Forums and Chat

Online forums are platforms where users can participate in discussions, ask questions, and
share knowledge on various topics.

Features of Online Forums:

 Threaded Discussions – Posts and replies are organized into threads.

 User Profiles – Users create accounts to participate in discussions.
 Moderation – Forum admins and moderators enforce rules and remove spam.
 Upvotes/Downvotes – Helps highlight useful answers.

Examples of Online Forums:

 Reddit
 Quora
 Stack Overflow (for programming discussions)
 Discord (real-time chat and communities)

6. Streaming Media
Streaming allows users to watch videos or listen to music online without downloading the
entire file.

Features of Streaming Media:

 On-Demand Content – Watch or listen anytime (e.g., Netflix, YouTube).

 Live Streaming – Broadcast events in real-time (e.g., Twitch, Facebook Live).
 Adaptive Streaming – Adjusts video quality based on internet speed.
 Subscription Models – Free or paid streaming services.
 Digital Ecommerce

Examples of Streaming Platforms:

 Video Streaming: YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+

 Music Streaming: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music
 Live Streaming: Twitch, Facebook Live, Instagram Live

7. Cookies
Cookies are small text files stored on a user's device by websites. They help in tracking user
activities and preferences.

Types of Cookies:

1. Session Cookies – Temporary and deleted when the browser is closed.

2. Persistent Cookies – Stored on the device for a long time to remember user settings.
3. Third-Party Cookies – Used by advertisers to track user behavior across different
sites.

Functions of Cookies:

 Remember Login Details – Saves usernames and passwords.

 Personalized Content – Customizes website experience based on browsing history.
 Targeted Advertising – Tracks user behavior for better ad recommendations.
 Shopping Carts – Retains items added to an online shopping cart.

Managing Cookies:

 Users can clear cookies from browser settings.

 Many websites offer cookie consent options for privacy.

Conclusion

The Internet and Web provide a variety of features that make communication, information
access, and entertainment more efficient. From email and instant messaging to intelligent bots
and streaming services, these tools have transformed the way we interact online.

HISTORY OF INTERNET

Year Event Significance

Leonard Kleinrock (MIT) publishes a paper
1961 The concept of packet switching is born.
on “packet switching” networks.
 Digital Ecommerce

Year Event Significance

J.C.R. Licklider (MIT) writes memo calling
1962 The vision of a global computer network is born.
for an “Intergalactic Computer Network.”
BBN Technologies awarded ARPA contract The concept of a packet-switched network moves closer
1969
to build ARPANET. toward physical reality.
The communications hardware underlying the Internet is
implemented for the first time. The initial ARPANET
The first packet-switched message is sent
1969 consisted of four routers (then called Interface Message
on ARPANET from UCLA to Stanford.
Processors (IMPs)) at UCLA, Stanford, UCSB, and the
University of Utah.
E-mail is invented by Ray Tomlinson of
BBN. Larry Roberts writes the first e-mail
1972 The first “killer app” of the Internet is born.
utility program permitting listing,
forwarding, and responding to e-mails.
Client/server computing is invented. Ethernet permitted
Bob Metcalfe (XeroxParc Labs) invents the development of local area networks and client/server
1973
Ethernet and local area networks. computing, connecting thousands of desktop computers
into a network.
“Open architecture” networking and TCP/IP invented. The conceptual foundation for a
1974 TCP/IP concepts are presented in a paper by common communications protocol that could connect
Vint Cerf (Stanford) and Bob Kahn (BBN). disparate networks is born.
CSNET is a pioneering network for U.S. universities and
Lawrence Landweber envisions CSNET
1977 industrial computer research groups that could not
(Computer Science Network).
directly connect to ARPANET.
TCP/IP is officially adopted as the DoD The single largest computing organization in the world
1980
standard communications protocol. adopts TCP/IP and packet-switched network technology.
Personal computers are invented. Altair, These computers become the foundation for today’s
1980 Apple, and IBM personal desktop Internet, giving millions of people access to the Internet
computers are invented. and the Web.
Apple Computer releases the HyperCard
program as part of its graphical user The concept of “hyperlinked” documents is
1984
interface operating system called commercially introduced.
Macintosh.
DNS provides a user-friendly system for translating IP
1984 Domain Name System (DNS) introduced.
addresses into words people can understand.
Tim Berners-Lee of CERN in Switzerland
proposes a worldwide network of
The concept of the World Wide Web is born, using
1989 hyperlinked documents based on a common
HTML pages with hyperlinks.
markup language called HTML—
HyperText Markup Language.
NSF plans and assumes responsibility for a
1990 civilian Internet backbone and creates The concept of a civilian Internet open to all is realized.
NSFNET. ARPANET is decommissioned.
The first graphical Web browser called Mosaic makes it easy for users to connect to HTML
1993
Mosaic is invented by Marc Andreessen documents, and the Web takes off.
 Digital Ecommerce

Year Event Significance

and others at the National Center for
Supercomputing Applications.
Andreessen and Jim Clark form Netscape
1994 Netscape becomes the first commercial Web browser.
Corporation.
The first banner advertisements appear on
1994 The beginning of e-commerce.
Hotwired.com in October 1994.
NSF privatizes the backbone, and The fully commercial civilian Internet is born, and
1995 commercial carriers take over backbone private companies take over the operation of the
operation. backbone.
Jeff Bezos founds Amazon; Pierre Omidyar E-commerce begins with online retail stores and
1995
forms AuctionWeb (eBay). auctions.
The U.S. federal government encourages Governance over domain names and addresses passes to
1998
the founding of ICANN. a private nonprofit international organization.
The first full-service Internet-only bank,
1999 First Internet Bank of Indiana, opens for Business on the Web extends into traditional services.
business.
The Internet2 Abilene high-speed network A major milestone toward the development of ultra-
2003
is upgraded to 10 Gbps. high-speed networks is achieved.
A recognition that future Internet security and
NSF proposes the Global Environment for
2005 functionality needs may require rethinking existing
Network Innovations (GENI) initiative.
Internet technology.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, The debate grows over differential pricing that pits
2006 Science, and Transportation holds hearings backbone utility owners against online content
on “Network Neutrality.” providers.
The iPhone begins the development of a mobile platform
2007 The Apple iPhone is introduced.
that transforms how people interact with the Internet.
The Internet Society (ISOC) identifies Trust Internet policy group recognizes that security and trust
2008
and Identity as a primary design element. are threatened by breaches in the current network.
Internet capacity is sufficient to support on-demand
Internet “cloud computing” becomes a
2008 computing resources, marking a shift in computing
billion-dollar industry.
infrastructure.
Internet-enabled smartphones become a Smartphones extend the reach of the Internet and enable
2009
major new Web access platform. anytime, anywhere connectivity.
Broadband stimulus package and $7.2 billion is allocated for expanding broadband access
2009
Broadband Data Improvement Act enacted. in the United States.
ICANN agrees to expand generic top-level domain
2011 ICANN expands domain name system. names from about 300 to potentially thousands using
any word in any language.
Major ISPs and Web companies permanently enable
2012 World IPv6 Launch day.
IPv6 for their products and services.
Internet technology expands beyond computers and
The Internet of Things (IoT) starts to
2013 mobile devices to connect billions of objects with
become a reality.
sensors.
 Digital Ecommerce

Year Event Significance

Apple Pay becomes widely adopted as a mobile payment
Apple introduces Apple Pay and Apple
2014 system, and the Apple Watch signals the rise of
Watch.
wearable Internet-connected technology.
ISPs are required to treat all Internet data equally
Federal Communications Commission
2015 without discriminating based on user, content, or
adopts regulations mandating net neutrality.
platform.