1. The Internet: Success Factors
By: Jose Pablo Pinilla
In order for any tool, device or service to succeed, the range of users has to be broad. If this theory is
applied to the internet, it should then be useful for the experienced, technical user as it is for the new,
open-minded user. The internet, as seen from the eyes of the common user, is attractive and useful not
only because of the main factors like size, speed, reliability and security, but also how the reasons
behind these factors stay underneath the whole operation of the network. These reasons being:
protocols, technology, software, updates and its performance in general.
Therefore, another factor that complements size, speed, reliability and security, is how intuitive and
transparent the utilization of the internet is, which is also a factor that has been increasing with time.
This factor needs to exist in every aspect of the internet, e.g., the common users don't need to know the
protocols, communication systems and algorithms that manage the connection of a new device to the
network, and still be able to fully use the device and the network to their advantage. This characteristic
made part of the first networks when the interconnection of ARPANET was created, The IMP (Internet
Message Processors) had to be transparent.
Another aspect that reflects an intuitive interaction is the amount of different services that exist in the
internet and that still remain invisible throughout the use of different applications. To any user a
connection to the internet means having e-mail, instant messaging, web browsing, voice and video
calls, file sharing, videos, music streaming and many more.
The latest deployed advance corresponding to this factor is the operation of web applications or simply
applications that rely on a service on the internet to operate, which can work on cell phone devices that
can be carried anywhere. This kind of applications can use the internet to: synchronize personal
information, download real-time data, update website account's or depend on servers to process
information like songs or voice commands related to information on the internet.
Essay assignment CS1011 @ UWO