The document discusses various digital communication protocols, methods and devices. It provides information on HTTP, WAP, GSM, 3G, 4G, GPRS, Bluetooth, broadband, VoIP, forums, blogs, wikis, email, IM, SMS, MMS, and video conferencing. For each topic, it describes what it is, provides an example, and lists advantages and disadvantages. The document serves as an overview of key digital communication standards and methods.

1. Digital
Communication
Protocols, Methods
and Devices
Kevin Craig

2. COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS

3. HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer
Protocol)
• An application protocol for distributed, collaborative,
hypermedia information systems. HTTP is the foundation of
data communication for the World Wide Web.
• Hyper Text is structured text that uses logical links between
nodes containing text. HTTP is the protocol to exchange or
transfer hyper text.

4. WAP (Wireless Application
Protocol)
• A technical standard for accessing information over a mobile
wireless network. A WAP browser is a web browser for mobile
devices such as mobile phones that use the protocol.
• As of 2013, WAP use has largely disappeared in Europe and
the United States. Most modern handset internet browsers
now support full HTML and do not need to use WAP markup
for webpage compatibility.

5. GSM (Global System for
Mobile)
• A standard developed by the European Telecommunications
Standards Institute to describe protocols for second
generation digital cellular networks used by mobile phones.
• The GSM standard was developed as a replacement for first
generation analog cellular networks, and originally described a
digital circuit-switched network optimized for full duplex voice
telephony.

6. 3G (3rd Generation Protocol)
• Is the third generation of mobile telecommunications
technology. This is based on a set of standards used for mobile
devices and mobile telecommunication use services and
networks that comply with the International Mobile
Telecommunications-2000 specifications by the International
Telecommunication Union.
• 3G finds application in wireless voice telephony, mobile
internet access, fixed wireless internet access, video calls and
mobile TV.

7. 4G (4th Generation Protocol)
• Is the fourth generation of mobile telecommunications
technology succeeding 3G. A 4G system, in addition to usual
voice and other services of 3G system, provides mobile ultra-
broadband internet access, for example to laptops with USB
wireless modems, to smartphones and to other mobile
devices.
• Even though 4G is a successor technology of 3G, there can be
signification issues on 3G network upgrade to 4G as many of
them were not built on forward compatibility.

8. GPRS (General Packet Radio
Service)
• Is a packet oriented mobile data service on the 2G and 3G
cellular communication system’s global system for mobile
communications. GPRS was originally standardized by
European Telecommunications Standards Institute in response
to earlier CDPD and i-mode packet-switched cellular
technologies.
• GPRS usage is typically charged based on volume of data
transferred, contrasting with circuit switched data, which is
usually billed per minute of connection time. Usage above the
bundle cap is either charged per megabyte or disallowed.

9. Bluetooth
• Is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over
short distances from fixed and mobile devices, and building
personal area networks.
• Invented by telecom vendor Ericsson in 1994, it was originally
conceived as a wireless alternative to RS-232 data cables. It
can connect to several devices, overcoming problems of
synchronization.

10. Broadband (ADSL)
• Refers to the wide bandwidth characteristics of a transmission
medium and its ability to transport multiple signals and traffic
types simultaneously. The medium can be coax, optical fiber,
twisted pair, DSL local telephone networks or wireless.
• In contrast, baseband describes a communication system in
which information is transported across a single channel.

11. VoIP (Voiceover Internet
Protocol)
• Is a methodology and group of technologies for the delivery of
voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet
Protocol networks, such as the Internet.
• The term Internet telephony specifically refers to the
provisioning of communications services (voice, fax, SMS) over
the public Internet, rather than via the public switched
telephone network. Instead of being transmitted over a
circuit-switched network, however, the digital information is
packetized, and transmission occurs as Internet Protocol
packets over a packet-switched network.

12. METHODS

13. Forums
• An Internet forum or message board is an online discussion site
where people can hold conversations in the form of posted
messages. They differ from chat rooms in that messages are often
longer than one line of text, and can be archived, if only temporarily.
• Example: The Sims forum, can be accessed on computers, tablets
and smartphones although there is no specific mobile version or
app. It would be accessed through the mobile’s internet.
• Advantages: A forum is usually about one specific topic e.g. music or
film and all users will be interested in subjects surrounding those
topics so any information is likely to be reliable.
• Disadvantages: A forum is not a form of instant messaging so any
replies to topics will not be done in real time.

14. Weblogs (Blogs)
• A blog is a discussion or informational site published online and
consisting of discrete entries typically displayed in reverse
chronological order, showing the most recent post first. A majority
are interactive, allowing visitors to leave comments and even
message each other via GUI widgets on the blogs, and it is this
interactivity that distinguishes them from other static websites. In
that sense, blogging can be seen as a form of social networking.
• Example: Perez-Hilton.com, can be accessed on computers, tablets
and smartphones.
• Advantages: If you are the owner of the blog, you can do whatever
you desire with your blog. You decide what to blog about, when to
post and manage what topics to discuss.
• Disadvantages: Since blogs are usually run by one specific person,
they are usually bias in their views.

15. Wikis
• A wiki is a web application which allows people to add, modify or delete
content in collaboration with others. In a typical wiki, text is written
using a simplified markup language or a rich-text editor. While a wiki is a
type of content management system, it differs from a blog in that the
content is created without any defined owner or author.
• Example: Harry Potter Wiki, can be accessed on computers, tablets and
smartphones although there is no specific mobile version or app.
• Advantages: Wikis are very informative and you can further your
knowledge on almost any topic as they become more popular, there are
always new ones being created on different subjects.
• Disadvantages: Since Wikis are created and edited by the public, not all
information can be taken as reliable but usually a poster will include a
source.

16. Email
• Electronic mail, most commonly referred to as email, is a method of
exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more
recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other
computer networks. Email servers accept, forward, deliver and store
messages. Neither the users nor their computers are required to be
online simultaneously.
• Example: Google Mail, can be used on computers, tablets and
smartphones.
• Advantages: Large files e.g. Presentations, work and educational
resources and full music albums can be transferred more efficiently
via email, rather than done on a mobile phone.
• Disadvantages: Again, Email is not an instant messaging service and
replies can be significantly delayed.

17. IM (Instant Messaging)
• Instant Messaging is a type of online chat which offers real-time text
transmission over the Internet. A LAN messenger operates in a
similar way over a local area network. Short messages are typically
transmitted bi-directionally between two parties, when each user
chooses to complete a thought and select “send”.
• Example: MSN Messenger, can be accessed on computers only but
was discontinued in early 2013 so mobile version was developed.
• Advantages: Instant Messaging so all replies are done in real time
providing both parties are shown as online.
• Disadvantages: Instant Messaging takes away face-to-face, personal
experiences that people have when communicating with each other
and can make you feel uncertain in who you are actually talking to.

18. SMS (Short Messaging System)
• Short Message Service is a text messaging service component of
phone, Web or mobile communication systems. It uses standardized
communications protocols to allow fixed line or mobile phone
devices to exchange short text messages.
• SMS can be used on all mobile devices including smartphones
however, two users with an iPhone will automatically (providing the
service is turned on) communicate over iMessage which is an Instant
Messaging service rather than SMS.
• Advantages: It is less time-consuming to make a text message than it
is to make an email or log on to a computer to use an instant
messenger.
• Disadvantages: Unless you are on some sort monthly mobile
contract plan, it will cost you to send an SMS.

19. MMS (Multimedia Messaging
System)
• Multimedia Messaging Service is a standard way to send messages
that include multimedia content to and from mobile phones. The
most common use is to send photographs from camera-equipped
handsets, although it is popular as a method of delivering news and
entertainment content including videos, pictures, text pages and
ringtones.
• Like SMS, MMS is used on all mobile devices however some
smartphones have their own service for it’s users. For example, two
iPhone users communicating will be done through the iMessage
service rather than SMS and MMS.
• Advantages: Image and video can be transferred through MMS
whereas SMS is simple text.
• Disadvantages: You will also be charged for MMS messages.

20. Video Conferencing
• Video Conferencing is the conduct of a video conference by a set of
telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations
to communicate by simultaneous two-way video and audio
transmissions. It has also been called visual collaboration and is a
type of groupware.
• Example: Skype, can be accessed on computers, tablets and
smartphones that have a forward-facing camera.
• Advantages: Near face-to-face contact means you can be sure of
who you are talking to.
• Disadvantages: Basic features can be accessed on free versions
however premium features e.g. 3-way or more calls can only be
accessed by using a paid subscription service, particularly with
Skype.

21. Virtual Communities
• Virtual worlds are the most interactive of all virtual community
forms. In this type of virtual community, people are connected by
living as an avatar in a computer-based world. Users create their
own avatar character and control their character’s life and
interactions with other characters in the 3-D virtual world.
• Example: RuneScape, can be used on computers only. However
there are others that can be used on consoles such as Animal
Crossing.
• Advantages: Can interact with members from all over the world,
without any costs like sending an SMS message to someone from
another country.
• Disadvantages: Since members make use of an avatar or character,
you can not be sure of the identity of the person you are talking to.

22. Virtual Learning Environments
• A virtual learning environment or learning platform, is an e-learning
education system based on the web that models conventional in-
person education by providing equivalent virtual access to classes,
class content, tests, homework, grades, assessments and other
external resources such as academic or museum website links.
• Example: Moodle, can be accessed on computers. It is most likely
available on the tablet format but the files may not be
downloadable or be compatible on the tablet.
• Advantages: Most, if not all of your educational resources can be
accessed from using one of these environments.
• Disadvantages: One-to-one sessions with a tutor can be replaced by
using this platform which may not be beneficial to you or your
learning.