Internet World

Although the World Wide Web is the most popular application, some older Internet applications are still used. For example, the Telnet application enables a user to interactively access a remote computer. Telnet gives the appearance that the user’s keyboard and monitor are connected directly to the remote computer. For example, a businessperson who is visiting a location that has Internet access can use Telnet to contact their office computer. Doing so is faster and less expensive than using a dial-up modem.
Another application, known as the File Transfer Protocol (FTP), is used to download files from an Internet site to a user’s computer. The FTP application is often automatically invoked when a user downloads an updated version of a piece of software. Applications such as FTP have been integrated with the World Wide Web, making them transparent so that they run automatically without requiring users to open them. When a Web browser encounters a URL that begins with ftp:// it automatically uses FTP to access the item.Network News discussion groups (newsgroups), originally part of the Usenet network, are another form of online discussion. Thousands of newsgroups exist, on an extremely wide range of subjects. Messages to a newsgroup are not sent directly to each user. Instead, an ordered list is disseminated to computers around the world that run news server software. Newsgroup application software allows a user to obtain a copy of selected articles from a local news server or to use e-mail to post a new message to the newsgroup. The system makes newsgroup discussions available worldwide.
A service known as Voice Over IP (VoIP) allows individuals and businesses to make phone calls over the Internet. Low-cost services (some of them free) often transfer calls via personal computers (PCs) equipped with microphones and speakers instead of the traditional telephone handset. But a growing number of services operate outside the PC, making calls via a special adapter that connects to a traditional telephone handset. The calls still travel over the Internet, but the person using the special adapter never has to turn on his or her computer. Thousands now use such VoIP services in lieu of traditional phone service. VoIP services are not subject to the same government regulation as traditional phone service. Thus, they are often less expensive.Source Microsoft Encarta 2009.