Welcome to Chapter 10: Communication!

Hello IGCSE student! This chapter is all about how we use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems every single day to talk, share, and connect. Whether you’re sending an email or browsing the web for homework, you are using complex ICT applications that form the core of modern communication.

Why is this important? Understanding these systems doesn't just help you ace the exam; it helps you navigate the digital world safely, securely, and effectively. Let's dive into emails and the internet!

10.1 Communication with other ICT users using email

What is Email?

Email (Electronic Mail) is one of the most fundamental ICT applications used globally for quick, asynchronous communication (meaning the sender and receiver don't have to be online at the same time).

Key Characteristics and Features of Email
  • Asynchronous: Send now, read later.
  • Cost-Effective: Generally free or low-cost, especially compared to physical mail.
  • Attachments: Files (documents, images, videos) can be sent along with the message.
  • Email Groups: A single address that represents multiple users, allowing you to send an email to many people simultaneously (e.g., sending an update to "Class-A@school.com").
Understanding CC and BCC (The Copying Game)

These features are essential for managing who receives an email and who knows about it.

  • Carbon Copy (CC): Used when you want to send a copy to someone who needs to be informed, but is not the main recipient.
    Example: You email your teacher (To) but CC your parent so they know you sent it. Everyone can see the CC list.
  • Blind Carbon Copy (BCC): Used when you want to send a copy to someone secretly. The primary recipients (TO and CC) will not see the names of people listed in the BCC field.
    Example: You send an email update to 50 customers (To). You BCC your manager so they have a copy, but none of the 50 customers know the manager received it. This is useful for protecting privacy.

💡 Memory Aid: BCC = Blind / But nobody knows.

Constraints and Guidelines (Netiquette)

Using email effectively requires following guidelines, often referred to as Netiquette (Internet etiquette).

1. Acceptable Language and Tone:

  • Always be polite and professional, especially in a work or school environment.
  • Avoid using ALL CAPS, as this is interpreted as shouting.
  • Use clear subject lines so recipients know what the email is about immediately.

2. Security and Confidentiality:

  • Do not send sensitive personal identifiable data (like passwords or bank details) via unsecured email.
  • Be careful when opening attachments from unknown senders, as they could contain malware or viruses.

3. Employer Guidelines:

  • If you work for a company, they often have rules about email usage, such as not using work email for personal matters or avoiding large attachments that clog up the network.

The Problem of Spam Email

Spam refers to unsolicited (unwanted) bulk electronic messages, usually commercial in nature.

Characteristics and Effects of Spam:
  • Often contains dubious or fraudulent content (scams).
  • Wastes bandwidth and storage space.
  • Wastes user time sorting and deleting messages.
  • Can slow down network performance.
Methods to Help Prevent Spam:
  • Use spam filters (software that checks emails and moves suspicious ones to a separate folder).
  • Do not publish your primary email address widely online.
  • Never reply to spam emails, as this confirms your address is active.
  • Use a secondary, disposable email address for signing up to online services.

Key Takeaway for Email: Email is fast and cheap, but remember the rules: use CC/BCC correctly, follow netiquette, and protect yourself from spam using filters.

10.2 Effective Use of the Internet

The Big Four Definitions

The syllabus requires you to know the differences between the Internet, the WWW, Intranets, and Extranets.

1. The Internet:

This is the vast, global network of interconnected computer networks. It is the physical infrastructure (cables, routers, servers).
Analogy: The entire network of roads, railways, and telephone lines covering the whole world.

2. World Wide Web (WWW):

This is the collection of documents and resources (web pages, images, videos) that are accessible via the Internet using HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP). The WWW is only one part of the Internet (other parts include email and FTP).
Analogy: The traffic (cars, lorries, buses) that travel on the global road network.

3. Intranet:

A private network used within a single organisation (like a school or company). It uses the same technology as the Internet (TCP/IP protocols) but is restricted to authorised internal users only.
Example: A school system where teachers can access shared curriculum documents but students cannot access payroll data.

4. Extranet:

A private network that extends an intranet to allow controlled access by specific external users (like suppliers or trusted customers).
Example: A car manufacturer allowing their tire supplier to log in and check current stock levels.

Common Online Tools (Web Applications)
  • Blog (Web Log): An online journal or diary, usually run by an individual or small group, featuring regular entries (posts). Uses include personal commentary or marketing.
  • Forum: An online discussion site where people can hold conversations in the form of posted messages (threads). Uses include technical support or community interaction.
  • Wiki: A website that allows collaborative editing of its content and structure by its users. The most famous example is Wikipedia.
  • Social Networking: Platforms that allow users to build public or semi-public profiles and connect with others (e.g., sharing photos, status updates).

Internet Functionality and Structure

Core Components:
  • Internet Service Provider (ISP): The company that provides you with access to the Internet (e.g., your phone company or broadband provider).
  • Web Browser: The software application used to view and navigate the WWW (e.g., Chrome, Firefox).
  • Uniform Resource Locator (URL): The full address used to locate a resource on the web, including the protocol (like HTTP) and the domain name.
    Example: https://www.example.com/page.html
  • Hyperlink: An element (text or image) in a document that, when clicked, jumps to another document or web resource.

Finding and Evaluating Information

Using Search Engines

A search engine is an essential tool for navigating the vastness of the internet.

Advantages and disadvantages of using search engines often relate to:

  • Speed of searching: Usually very fast.
  • Amount of information: Provides massive quantities of data (Advantage).
  • Speed of finding relevant information: Can be difficult, as filters and keywords must be precise (Disadvantage).
  • Ease of finding reliable information: Highly variable. Many results may be untrustworthy (Disadvantage).
Evaluating Information Reliability

You must critically assess the information you find online. Ask these four key questions (Remember: URBV):

1. Up to date: When was the page last updated? Is the information still current? (Crucial for things like medical advice or scientific data.)
2. Reliable: Is the source trustworthy? Is it a university, a government body, or a known expert? Avoid anonymous sources.
3. Biased: Does the source have a reason to show only one side of an argument? (e.g., a company reviewing its own product will be biased).
4. Valid: Can the information be checked against other reliable sources? Is it based on facts or just opinion?

Internet Protocols and Security

Key Protocols:

Protocols are the rules governing how data is transmitted.

  • HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP): The fundamental protocol used to transmit web pages over the internet.
  • HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS): The secure version of HTTP. It uses SSL (Secure Socket Layer) or TLS to encrypt the data transmitted between the web server and your browser.
    If you see HTTPS, it means your connection is encrypted and more secure (e.g., for online shopping or banking).
  • File Transfer Protocol (FTP): A standard protocol used to transfer files from one computer to another over the internet (often used for uploading websites to a server).
  • Secure Socket Layer (SSL): A layer of encryption technology that creates an encrypted link between a server and a client (your web browser). This is what makes HTTPS secure.
Risks and Restriction Methods

Using the internet carries risks, particularly exposure to inappropriate or criminal material.

Methods for restricting access and protecting children:

  • Parental Control Software: Software installed on a home computer that filters content, blocks specific sites, or limits screen time.
  • Educational Filters: Networks in schools or libraries often use filtering software to block content deemed unsuitable for students, enforcing Acceptable Use Policies.
  • ISP Control: Internet Service Providers (ISPs) often offer family safety settings or controls that filter inappropriate content at the network level before it even reaches the home router.

Key Takeaway for Internet Use: The Internet is the infrastructure, the WWW is the content. Know the difference between internal (Intranet) and controlled external (Extranet) networks. Always check if a website is secure (HTTPS/SSL) and evaluate its information carefully (URBV).