Internet in Our Life

It’s hard to imagine our lives without Internet nowadays. It has become an important part of every person’s life. It seems that Internet has created a whole new history. It has drastically changed everything around.

Computers were also an important invention, but Internet is better than any other type of information. Besides, it’s not only used for information, but also for global communication. Originally, Internet was a military experiment in the USA of 60-s. But soon it became clear that everyone in the world can use it. Since the time of Internet appearance, many other media sources became unnecessary.

On the one hand, it’s great to have everything right here online, on the other hand, it’s a shame that people have stopped reading paper books and newspapers. That’s because all books or prints can be found online, as well as all films and programs. One of the obvious advantages of Internet is its efficiency. You can find the information you’re looking for in 5 seconds. Just Google it and here is the answer. It is very convenient for students, professionals, experts and all other people. In spite of all the good sides that Internet has, there are some drawbacks.

First of all, they are viruses, which can be very dangerous for any computer. That’s why it’s good to have reliable anti-virus software installed. Other minus is the violent content. As well as on TV, there is a lot of violence and cruelty online. Nevertheless, every day millions of people turn on their computers and start surfing the worldwide net, because it’s the easiest and quickest way to stay informed. Nowadays the most popular Internet service is e-mail. Most of the people use the network only for sending and receiving e-mail messages. They can do it either they are at home or in the internet clubs or at work.

Other popular services are available on the Internet too. It is reading news, available on some dedicated news servers. However, there are some problems. The most important problem is security. When you send an e-mail, your message can travel through many different networks and computers. Another big and serious problem of the net is control. Yes, there is no effective control in the Internet, because a huge amount of information circulating through the net. It is like a tremendous library and market together.

In the future, the situation might change, but now we have what we have. It could be expressed in two words – an anarchist's dream.

Exercise 7. Answer the following questions:

1. What is the Internet?

2. When and where did the history of Internet begin?

3. Why was the Internet designed?

4. What is the most popular Internet service today?

5. What are other popular services available on the Internet?

6. What is the most important problem of the Internet?

7. Why is there no effective control in the Internet today?

8. Is there a commercial use of the network today?

*Exercise 8. Read the text below. Use the words from the list below to fill in the gaps. Making necessary changes:

Attachments, Internet Service, Provider, text file, open attachments, image file, download (email messages), modem, access (the Internet), computer, sound file, e-mail program, e-mail messages, e-mail address

Cindy Lewis is a journalist. She works for Gender, a weekly magazine on the (a)_________.Cindy writes the problem page for the magazine. Cindy has two young children so she doesn’t work in the magazine office every day, she works at home using her (b)_________. Every morning she checks her (c)_________. She switches on her computer and her (d)_________. She starts Outlook Express. This is the (e)_________ which Cindy uses. She (f)_________ her e-mail messages. She usually receives about 35 messages every day. Most of the messages come from the Gender office, but she also gets messages from friends and colleagues around the world. They send messages to her (g)_________. Sometimes they just send messages with (h)_________. Some friends send longer pieces of writing in a (i)_________, or photographs in an (j)_________, or even music in a (k)_________. Cindy can (l)_________ these _________ and see the texts, pictures or listen to the recordings. Cindy’s e-mail address is cindylewis@demon.co.uk. Demon is a company which Cindy uses to (m)_________ her e-mail and the Internet. Demon is an ISP, an (n)_________.

Exercise 9. Translate into English: