Operating Systems

1. An Operating System is a type of software

True, an OS runs the computer and tells the software and hardware of a computer what to do

2. Operating Systems control the loading of software applications onto a computer

True, if the CPU has too many software applications, the OS will choose whichever one to load first

3. All Operating Systems offer user preferences allowing you to customize your computer

True, OS offer customizable options

4. An Operating System prioritizes the tasks that a CPU does

True, if the CPU has too many tasks, the OS will choose which is important

5. The following devices have an OS: Apple Ipod, Dell Laptop, and a Nintendo Wii.

True, the Nintendo Wii does have an OS

Communicating on the Internet

Email Clients and Servers
Emails use client/server technology. Whether you use software made solely for email (such as Outlook) or a web-based service (such as Gmail) the client is what lets you perform the tasks like reading or sending emails and downloading attachments. The email client also communicates with email servers. When using programs like Outlook, you must give them information that allows it to connect to the email server that you use. Once it has the information, it streamlines the process, making it easier and simpler for you.

How Email is Delivered over the Internet
Once the message is sent, the email client connects to a Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) server for the email domain (the part of the email after @). The email client tells the server who the emails from and sent to who. The SMTP asks the DNS server to ask for the IP address of the domain in question. The SMTP connects to the domain and gives the message to its SMTP server. POP3 and IMAP are two types of incoming-mail servers. When receiving a message from POP3, you download it from the server onto the computer. When getting a message from IMAP servers, the email stays on the server until you delete it. You can access the message from any computer.

How Instant Messaging Works
(IM) Instant Messaging has been around since the early 1990s. Its an alternative chat room online. Today, you can send and receive files, create chat rooms, and send messages from your phone as well. The client sends the server your IP address and any information about your contacts.

How the Internet Works

1. What is the Internet? 

The internet is the world's largest WAN. Made up of millions of smaller networks, users can find everything online such as web pages, email, IM, FTP sites, online games, and more. Rooted in the early 1960s, the Internet was limited only to the government. It was first thought of by ARPA, advanced research project agency. The Internet was first used by the three computers, two in California, one in Boston.

2. What is a protocol?

Rules for how computers in a network communicate with each other are called network protocols. They control or enable the connection, communication, and data transfer between two computer endpoints. HTTP, hypertext transfer protocol, at the beginning of every URL is an example of a protocol the computer uses. There is also FTP, file transfer protocol, and TCP transmission control protocol. Internet Protocol (IP) is the rules used to send and receive messages using the Internet.

3. What is DNS?

Domain Name Service. It translates addresses/domain names into the IP address to locate computer services online. DNS is like a phone book. It looks up a host name and returns an IP address, also vice versa. DNS servers only have limited information and if it doesn't have information on the requested domain, it looks to other DNS's servers