On my internet travels I was drawn to a site on which you can post 
your blog and hope to gain traffic from the site. I began to think about the sea of blogs that the site must contain and the ratio of blogs to people reading them. I think it is a correct assumption to say that the ratio between blogs:readers would be many:few.
Is that not a picture of life in general? In a normal day how many adverts will we see? Whether we see an advert on the television, on the side of a bus, on a billboard, or hear an advert on the radio - they are all vying for our attention and most of them we block out.
It got me wondering then, in a world so completely saturated with information and in which people are so busy, how did something like the internet capture the minds of people all around the world? Who came up with the idea? And was there only ever one idea to spark it? This I was resolved to find out.
So is the internet the result of one lone trail-blazer with a brilliant idea? Well... no. Whilst there are key players in the creation of the internet, more than one element had to be combined so as to produce the phenomenon we see today.
I was surprised to find out that the technology on which the internet is based largely came from US military research. In 1957, whilst the cold war was at the height of tension, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik, which was the first man-made satellite. Needless to say, the United States and the Soviet Union at the time were not friendly and so the launch of Sputnik came as a shock and worry to the United States. At the time, the US President was President Eisenhower. Eisenhower instigated the Advance Research Projects Agency (ARPA, which is now renamed DARPA – D for defence) DARPA was initially purposed to concentrate on preventing technological surprise to the United States, like the launch of Sputnik.
In 1962, J.C.R Licklider was asked to lead two DARPA departments: Behavioural Sciences and Command and Control. LickLider had written a series of memos around 1960 -1962 which discussed his concept of a "Galactic Network". This concept proved to be very much like the internet we see today.
When he began working for DARPA in 1962, Licklider set up research contracts with leading research institutions in the US and before long had about a dozen universities and companies working on DARPA contracts. Licklider wanted the institutions to work together so that they could use their time and assets more efficiently. However, with the distance between the research institutions, working together was a difficult task. This is where DARPA initially added to the development of the internet as Licklider decided that he would attempt to link the institutions’ computers together in a network. The DARPA team set to work on this around 1962 and as a result, an experimental network was set up named ARPANET (ARPA – Network).
By linking these super-computers together, Licklider wanted to create a time-sharing network of computers. A time-sharing network would make it possible for the different institutions to use each other’s computer processing power to aid them when they had to do large calculations which required more power than their own computers could afford, or when the computers of another facility might do a job better than their own.
In order to create this time-sharing network, packet switching was brought onto the scene. Before packet-switching, the common method of communication was circuit switching. With circuit switching, one terminal would open a communications line in order to connect to another terminal before any communication could be transmitted. This line remained open until all the information was sent. Whilst the communication line was open, no other terminal could connect to either terminal, either the one transmitting or the one receiving data.
Circuit switching is used for telephone calls, so when someone calls your telephone, a connection is made and whilst you are on the telephone, no one else can reach you, but instead they go through to your voicemail if you have one set up. If you have no voicemail set up, they simply get the busy tone. This was the communication method of the time.
Interestingly, the concept of packet-switching was not the idea of a single person. I'll not go into too much detail here (don't worry, I don't want you to get information overload, however, I thought this was an interesting little bit of extra information). Around 1967, Lawrence G. Roberts, presented a paper on his packet switching plan for the ARPANET. At the same conference, however, a paper was presented with regard to packet switching by Donald Davies and Roger Scantlebury of NPL in the UK. Work by Paul Baran from RAND was also present at the conference in which a similar concept of packet switching was discussed. The work at RAND, NPL and MIT had all focused on similar concepts without them realising. Great minds think alike ay?
ARPANET was the first computer network to use packet-switching in communicating data. With packet switching, the aim was to enable more than one message to be sent to different terminals at any given time. Using this new network communications method, messages could be broken up into separate packages and then sent in packets to the recipient. The separate packets could find separate routes through different communication links and end up in the same destination, at which point the packets would be reassembled in the correct order. This meant that more than one message could be sent through one terminal at the same time, which meant a serious increase in network productivity.
This packet switching method can be illustrated by the way text messages are sent today in that, when your message hits the maximum size set by the network, it is separated into two or more messages and then sent separately. When the text messages reach the recipient, they are reassembled and viewed in the correct order.
The development of this time-sharing, packet switching network was important to technological development, as packet switching is used in local area networks and throughout the internet today.
ARPANET in time became a "backbone" network to an emerging world of smaller local area networks (LANs). This meant that smaller local networks could connect to ARPANET. By being connected to the ARPANET "backbone" network, they were in effect also connected to each other.
By 1972 there were 37 of these host computers connected to ARPANET and in 1973, ARPANET blazed a trail beyond the United States by making its first international connections to England and Norway.
Around 1973, Bob Kahn and Vinton Cerf developed the basic concepts of TCP/ IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) which later became the root for many of the internet protocols we see today such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol), SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), p2p (Peer to Peer).
Another interesting development in 1983 was the reforming of ARPANET into two networks, one remaining ARPANET and a new one named MILNET (Military Network). Since ARPANET was gaining such popularity, it was no longer deemed safe to have military information on it. Therefore, MILNET was created to keep military information safely top secret.
1983 proved to be a continuously interesting time as it was in this year that the first desktop computers began to appear. This began making networked information increasingly available to the general public, and so as desktop computers progressed and became more and more affordable, the internet grew.
In 1987, there were ten thousand hosts on the Internet. Interestingly, the internet grew exponentially, as two years later there were around one hundred thousand hosts on the internet.
By 2002, there were over two million hosts and eight hundred and forty million users on the internet.
The internet has now grown into such proportions that no one can stake a claim of ownership over it, in the same way as the creator of the first phone wire cannot stake a claim over all telephone communications technology today.
In the early days, the internet simply provided screens of text, information from other computers, but it was not visually stimulating.
This change was largely due to the World Wide Web which made the internet user-friendly, meaning that more people began to see the positive benefits of the internet, which in turn meant increased growth.
Of course, as with many things, the creation of the internet can be a controversial subject.
If you would like to share your opinion, feel free to send an email to
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Services
This section is here to give you a brief overview of a few different packages and programmes.
Absence Management - Learn how to measure, monitor and benchmark absence, understand the disciplinary and legal framework of absence management, handle interviews, and identify the causes of absence. Absence Management courses in the North East >>
Access - Microsoft Access enables you to create and manage databases, from the very simple to the very complex. We provide Access courses levels 1-3 which cover advanced use of Access.
Acrobat - Adobe Acrobat is part of the Adobe Suit, designed to view, create manipulate and manage documents in Portable Document Format (PDF). Using PDF allows you to present information electronically in a fixed format, allowing the information to be viewed independent of the program in which it was created. Click here to view an Acrobat course outline.
ArcView - ArcView is full-featured geographic information system (GIS) software which enables you to visualize, manage, create, and analyse geographic data. Using ArcView, you can understand the geographic context of your data, enabling you to see relationships and identify patterns in new ways. View ArcView Introduction >> View ArcView Advanced >>
ASP - ASP enables you to create dynamic web applications, anything from small websites to large, enterprise-class web applications. Click here to view our ASP course outline.
Bullying and Harassment Counselling- More details.
Business Writing Skills - More details
Captivate - Adobe Captivate 3 software is an eLearning authoring tool that enables you to create simulations, software demonstrations, scenario-based training, and quizzes without programming or multimedia skills. Based on the industry-leading Adobe Flash platform, Adobe Captivate 3 automatically generates interactive Adobe Flash Player compatible content without requiring you to learn the Flash authoring tool. Click here to view our Captivate course outline.
ColdFusion Adobe ColdFusion solves the day-to-day challenges of Internet application development, enabling you to create and deliver engaging online applications. ColdFusion can be used for everything from small departmental applications to highly scalable, reliable implementations of your most important business applications. Click here to view the ColdFusion course outline.
CorelDRAW - CorelDRAW Graphics Suite is a program used to create and manipulate text and graphics which enables you turn your creative ideas into professional results.View the CorelDRAW course outline by clicking here.
Crystal Reports - Crystal Reports enables you to design, explore, visualize, and deliver reports via the web or embedded in enterprise applications. We provide Crystal Reports Level 2 training courses , equivalent to introduction and advanced, enabling even the newest user to become confident with Crystal Reports. You can also choose to be trained on Crystal Reports Server and Crystal Reports Using Visual Studio 2005, contact us to learn more information about these two courses.
Customer Service and Dealing with Aggresion on the Phone - More details
Dreamweaver - Adobe Dreamweaver enables you to build websites and internet application features without having to write any HTML code by hand. Dreamweaver is designed to be "what you see is what you get" - what you design in the Dreamweaver "document window" will be coded and placed in the document so that the browser will display the web page just as you see it in your Dreamweaver window. Dreamweaver has a large array of features and functions including some site management functions. To see the Dreamweaver courses we provide click here. Training courses available in Newcastle and throughout the North East.
Drug Awareness - Dealing with drug and alcohol problems in the workplace.
How to Develop and Implement a Business Plan - More details of this courseExcel - Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet program that can be used for storing, organising and manipulating data. Excel is part of the suite Microsoft Office programs. We provide Excel courses in Newcastle equivalent to introductory, intermediate and advanced. We also provide courses on Excel Pivot Tables.
Event Management - This hands-on course is designed for those involved or tasked with commissioning and managing corporate events and conferences.
Fireworks - Adobe Fireworks is a program used to create and manipulate text and graphics. We provide Fireworks courses level 2, equivalent to introduction and advanced.
Flash - Adobe Flash is a multimedia program most commonly used to enrich web pages with text, graphics and video. We provide Flash level 2 training courses, equivalent to introduction and advanced.
FreeHand - FreeHand MX is useful for creative design, storyboarding, document production, and editing. Freehand enables you to repurpose your designs for print, the Internet, or Adobe Flash. We provide Level 2 Freehand training courses in Newcastle and throughout the North East equivalent to introduction and advanced.
FrontPage - Microsoft FrontPage is a commercial, WYSIWYG, HTML which enables you to create, edit, manage, and upload websites. Some of the special features of FrontPage (such as a graphical counter, forms, database, etc.) require that the website be uploaded to a server which supports Microsoft FrontPage extensions. We provide Frontpage courses in Newcastle including equivalent to introduction and advanced.
Illustrator - Adobe Illustrator software enables you to create artwork for a large number of mediums. We provide Illustrator training courses in Newcastle.
Internet Marketing
This subject covers Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Google Adwords as well as blogs and social media networks. Internet marketing course details >>
Indesign - Adobe Indesign is a professional page layout software which enables you to explore creative possibilities, design pages, increase productivity and streamline repetitive tasks. We provide InDesign Indesign for Print Production.
ITIL ISEB Foundation Certificate in IT Service Management - Click here for more details on this course.
JavaScript - JavaScript is a scripting language used in web pages, enabling you to add functionality, validate forms, detect browsers, and much more. The Java courses we provide in Newcastle are: Java Programming.
Microsoft Certified IT Professional Windows 2008 Server Administrator - This MCITP course track is a combination of the following:
Windows Server 2008 : Configure and Troubleshoot a Network Infrastructure (6421), Windows Server 2008 - Configure Active Directory Domain Services (6425),
Windows Server 2008 : Planning and Administering Servers (6430) and Windows Server 2008 : Configure & Troubleshoot Identity & Access Management in Active Dir (6426)
Microsoft Dynamics CRM - Microsoft Dynamics CRM is a customer relationship management system designed to help you gain and maintain customer relationships.
MapInfo - MapInfo is a mapping and geographic analysis application (GIS) which enables you to visualise information on digital maps by linking data and geography. Click here to view MapInfo Course Details
Outlook - Microsoft Outlook can be used as a stand-alone application, but can also operate in conjunction with Microsoft Exchange Server to provide enhanced functions for multiple users in an organisation, such as shared mailboxes and calendars, public folders and meeting time allocation. We provide Outlook level 2 training, equivalent to introduction and advanced.
Paint Shop Pro - Paint Shop Pro enables you to create and manipulate text and graphics. Click here to view the Paint Shop Pro training course outline.
PhotoShop - Adobe PhotoShop is a professional image and graphics editing package.
PowerPoint - Microsoft PowerPoint is a program used to create presentations. The documents designed in PowerPoint can be printed or displayed with a video or a slide projector. We provide PowerPoint Level 2 courses equivalent to introduction and advanced.
Prince2® - PRINCE2® Foundation and Practitioner Certification form the basis of the PRINCE2® accreditation program. Our courses teach the application of the PRINCE2® components, processes and techniques. In addition our courses aid delegates in reaching the PRINCE2® certification.
Project - Microsoft Project is a project management program developed and sold by Microsoft which enables you to develop plans on the computer, assigning resources to tasks, tracking progress, managing budgets and analyzing workloads. In Newcastle and Washington we provide Project Level 2 courses equivalent to introduction and advanced.
Project Management Training - This three day course goes into the theory behind project management, and enables the delegates to effectively implement the theory in their own situations
Publisher - Microsoft Publisher is an easy to use desktop publishing application that helps you create, customise, and publish materials such as newsletters, brochures, flyers, catalogues, and websites. We provide Publisher level 2 courses equivalent to introduction and advanced.
QuarkXpress - QuarkXpress enables you to create and edit complex page layouts in a WYSIWYG environment. We provide Level 2 courses, equivalent to introduction and advanced.
Sage - Sage is a flexible business management solution for small to medium sized businesses. Sage can help you manage everything from VAT returns and cash flow to management of customers and suppliers and year end accounts. View Sage courses
SharePoint - SharePoint is a web-based collaboration and document management platform from Microsoft. SharePoint enables you to host web sites that access shared workspaces and documents, as well as specialized applications like wikis and blogs from a browser. Click here to view the SharePoint User Training course.
SQL Server - Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system. Our courses for SQL Server include: SQL Server Reporting Services.
Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) - Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is an implementation of Microsoft's Visual Basic, an event driven programming language and associated integrated development environment (IDE) which is built into most Microsoft Office applications. VBA is closely related to Visual Basic. VBA it has the ability to use (ActiveX/COM) DLLs, and later versions add support for class modules. We provide a number of courses on the VBA topic including:
Visio - Microsoft Office Visio provides a Microsoft drawing environment, with a broad range of templates, shapes, and sophisticated tools designed to make creating a wide variety of business and technical diagrams easy. We provide Visio level 2 courses in Newcastle and Washington.
Word - Microsoft Word enables you to create, edit, format, and save documents. Microsoft Word is part of the Microsoft Office suite of programs. We provide Word level 3 courses in the North East including Newcastle, equivalent to introduction, intermediate and advanced. We also provide the course VBA Using Word.
Where do we train?
Some of the areas we provide training in include: Ashington, Barnard Castle, Bedale, Beverley, Birmingham, Blyth, Bradford, Bristol, Carlisle, Consett, Cramlington, Cumbria, Darlington, Doncaster, County Durham, Eaglescliffe, Gateshead, Great Ayton, Grimsby, Guisborough, Harrogate, Hull, Kirklevington, Leeds, Malton, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Morpeth, Newcastle, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, Nottingham, Pickering, Redcar, Saltburn, Scarborough, Sedgefield, Selby, Sheffield, Skipton, Stockton, Stokesley, Sunderland, Swindon, Tadcaster, Thirsk, Tynedale, Tyne and Wear, Wakefield, Washington, Whitby, Yarm and York.
