Lesson 10: Communicating Information Through the Internet and Other Technologies

Overview

The main point of this lesson is how important it is for today’s business people to understand, use, and adapt to technological tools of communication. The lesson emphasizes use of Internet and intranets to enhance many aspects of business communication. As you read and study this chapter, think about how each aspect of the new technologies can affect where you work, the kind of work you do, and how you do that work.

Objectives

After reading and studying Chapter 10 you will be able to:

1. discuss what individuals can do on the Internet.

2. differentiate between discussion mailing lists and news-groups.

3. explain how a search engine works.

4. differentiate between an intranet and an extranet.

5. discuss how businesses are using intranets.

6. discuss four communication issues challenging companies.

You can connect to another network using Telnet, hold a telephone conversation, send and receive e-mail, use videoconferencing software, transfer files, participate in discussion mailing lists or newsgroups, search for information and communicate via intranets and extranets.

The main difference between discussion mailing lists and newsgroups is the way you receive and post messages. Subscribers to mailing lists receive copies of all posted messages via e-mail, whereas newsgroup users post and read messages by visiting the newsgroup site.

A search engine travels the Web automatically finds new Web sites, and indexes then. Once a page has been indexed, it is available to anyone using that search engine. When a surfer enters search words, the search engine scans the current index (not the entire Web) for matches. Different search engines update their databases differently.

Both an intranet and an extranet are based on Internet Technology. An Intranet, however, restricts access to the boundaries of a company wide computer network, whereas an extranet allows certain people outside the company network to communicate and exchange information.

Businesses are using intranets to publish company newsletters, maintain and distribute company phone directories, publish policy manuals, post job openings, store company records and information such as marketing and sales materials, collaborate and work in teams, and deliver software updates.

As companies integrate new communication technologies into their operations, they must find ways to handle information overload, data security, information privacy, and employee productivity.

Assignment

Read and study Chapter 10 paying particular attention to Keeping Pace with Technology on pages 342-343 and 350-351. Complete the self-study quiz to determine if you understand the concepts presented. To reinforce the concepts learned answer the Critical Thinking Questions on page 363, email your responses to your instructor.