RQ2. Describe in two paragraphs the origins of HTML. Explain how markup tags work in HTML, and describe the role of at least one person involved with HTML’s development.
Hypertext was first introduced by Ted Nelson in the 1960's to describe a page-linking system. The concept of his system would allow one page to link text to other pages. In doing this, pages of information could connect from different storage locations. However, it was not until Tim Berners-Lee that Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) was actually developed.
Berners-Lee created a set of codes that could connect to the hypertext server, which stored written HTML files. These set of codes, also known as tags defined the relationship between text and elements, allowing the creation of web pages. For example, one set of tags can designate text for a header element while another can designate text for a footer element, thus, allowing the server to extract those text into the header and footer of the visible web page.
RQ3. In about 200 words, compare the POP e- mail protocol to the IMAP e- mail protocol. Describe situations in which you would prefer to use one protocol over the other and explain the reasons for your preference.
Both POP and IMAP e-mail protocols allow clients to send and receive e-mail as well as support Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME), which are attachments such as documents, photos, and music. The Post Office Protocol (POP) runs on an email program, which connects to a server, while the Interactive Mail Access Protocol (IMAP) runs directly on the server.
With POP, the email program such as Outlook or Entourage acts as a post office where mail is delivered and sent out, while the server acts as the postman. However, without the postman (server), mail cannot be sent or received. Also, a client can only access and edit email by downloading it through the program as oppose to IMAP, which can be visible and worked on from any computer by accessing the online server.
For me, I prefer POP email when it comes to work because the only place I really need to view my email would be at work, therefore having it accessible to one computer is not an issue. Also, with the amount and importance of my correspondence, POP allows me to control storage space and location. However, I prefer IMAP email when it comes to school because it’s something I would want access to anywhere without having to download it to a program.
RQ4. In about 400 words, describe the similarities and differences between XML and HTML. Provide examples of at least two situations in which you would use XML and two situations in which you would use HTML.
Like HTML, Extensible Markup Language (XML) derived from the original Standard Generalized Markup (SGML). Both languages are currently managed by W3C and can be written in any general text editor or word processor. However, while HTML is a markup language with defined tags, XML is a framework with custom tags making it a meta language.
For me, I prefer POP email when it comes to work because the only place I really need to view my email would be at work, therefore having it accessible to one computer is not an issue. Also, with the amount and importance of my correspondence, POP allows me to control storage space and location. However, I prefer IMAP email when it comes to school because it’s something I would want access to anywhere without having to download it to a program.
RQ4. In about 400 words, describe the similarities and differences between XML and HTML. Provide examples of at least two situations in which you would use XML and two situations in which you would use HTML.
Like HTML, Extensible Markup Language (XML) derived from the original Standard Generalized Markup (SGML). Both languages are currently managed by W3C and can be written in any general text editor or word processor. However, while HTML is a markup language with defined tags, XML is a framework with custom tags making it a meta language.
This custom markup was designed primarily for companies needing to share information online. With ecommerce growing among companies, data such as inventory and price lists needed more support than HTML. Issues with HTML unable to handle large amounts of data lead to the creation of XML. With XML, data lists are visibly more organized and data management capabilities can easily maintain product information.
XML uses a database format by pairing start and stop tags to record data, but unlike HTML, XML tags are visible when seen on a browser. However, while HTML files can directly display on a browser through a server, XML files must be converted by passing through another file, such as embedding it to an HTML file or other program in order to become visible.
Another big difference between XML and HTML is that while HTML defines the format and style of text, XML does not. Instead, XML provides the semantics or meaning of the text. An example of this is best shown when designing a list such as a contact list:
<Contacts>
<Name = “Al”>
<Address>123 A Street</Address>
<Phone>123-456-7890</Phone>
</Contacts>
The root element of XML is “Contacts.” This describes the purpose of the contained tags. The contained tags are child elements, which relate to the root element. The child elements to “Contacts” are “Name,” “Address”, and “Phone.” In using this example, we see that XML defines relationships between elements rather than manipulate it. Also, the tags used are custom and not regular HTML specified tags such as header tags. However, to avoid similar XML tags, companies have created tag standards such as DTD (data-type definitions), XML schemas, ebXML, XBRL, LegalXML, MathML, RosettaNet.
For me, I would prefer using XML if I were to post up my business card online or create an event. I could format the business card just like the contact list example. When creating an event, I could specify child elements such as Date, Place, and Time. With HTML, I prefer it when it comes to blogs or online newsletters because there is more formatting and styling required for article-style text.
Exercise:
E3. Bridgewater Engineering Company ( BECO), a privately held machine shop, makes industrial- quality, heavy- duty machinery for assembly lines in other factories. It sells its presses, grinders, and milling equipment using a few inside salespeople and telephones. This traditional approach worked well during the company’s start- up years in the early 1990s, but BECO is getting a lot of competition from abroad. Because you worked for the company during the summers of your college years, BECO’s president, Tom Dalton, knows you and realizes that you are Web savvy. He wants to form close relationships with the steel companies and small- parts manufacturers that are BECO’s suppliers so that he can tap into their ordering systems and request supplies when he needs them. Tom wants you to investi-gate how he can use the Internet to set up such electronic relationships. Use the Web and the links in the Online Companion to locate information about extranets and VPNs. Write a report that briefly describes how companies use extranets to link their systems with those of their suppliers, then write an evaluation of at least two companies ( using information you have gathered in your Web searches) that could help develop an extranet that would work for Tom. Close the report with an overview of how BECO could use VPN technologies in this type of extranet. The three parts of your report should total about 500 words.
BECO Extranet Analysis
Objective: Establish extranet system in order to enhance business relations
Analysis
In understanding an extranet, we must first understand an intranet. An intranet is an internally connected network limited to one organization. Meaning, only the organization establishing the intranet can use that system in that location. However, an extranet is a network that can connect with other organizations beyond the established location.
Two extranet options to consider is a private network or virtual private network (VPN). A private network is established by a leased line, which connects two organizations by a telephone connection. In short, it physically connects one intranet to the other. While this makes for a more secure system because access to the connection is limited to the leased parties, it can be costly. Since BECO expects to connect with multiple businesses, a leased line would have to be established between each business. In considering BECO's growing factor, I would not suggest a private network because of the high expense, which will eventually be faced.
BECO's best option would be to use a VPN. A VPN uses a public network such as the internet to share data through a system called IP tunneling or encapsulation. It has the same capabilities as a private network except that rather than have physical connections between two companies, a virtual connection can be made between multiple companies. This connection runs through a secure passageway (IP tunneling) that allows companies to send and receive encrypted data in packets (encapsulation). However, in order to access a VPN, VPN software must be setup on BECO’s computers and any business’ computers BECO wishes to network with.
Although the software can be set up by any individual, I suggest that the software be set up by a specialist to ensure security and proper installation. In doing this, BECO should also consider creating a user list of every individual who will have access to the VPN. With this list, BECO can manage user login information as well as maintain control of who can access the VPN.
I believe a VPN extranet system would be beneficial in BECO's goal because of the ability to share information directly with its partners in an instant. BECO can process orders, receive supplies, and update client information much quicker. This capability can maximize profits due to faster processing, thus being able to take on more projects at once. It can also decrease production time because of less wait for supplies. Finally, BECO can easily manage client information making it easier to consistently market towards those clients. However, those are just a few of the benefits of an extranet system. The benefits increase as we build more and more business relationships.
Suggested Vendors:
Verizon is a popular network service who offers three (3) VPN options: Dedicated, Broadband, and Remote. Dedicated option allows VPN access worldwide to more than 34 countries and can support a large network. Broadband option is more cost-effective because it is not on a global network, but can still support large networks on T-1 speeds. Last, Remote option is a basic VPN connection with IP-sec or SSL security. The benefit of Verizon is that they provide on-site installation as well as give options, which relates to our progression. BECO can start with the basic Remote option, but as it grows and perhaps become global, BECO can upgrade to a Dedicated option.
OverPlay is specifically a VPN provider, who have high reviews in www.vpnreviews.com. OverPlay provides access to worldwide VPN servers at a low cost and can connect to many different platforms such as Windows, Mac, Linux, and even mobile platforms such as iPhone and Android. Installation is easy with step-by-step procedures, which unfortunately is not installed by them. Instead, BECO would have to handle the installation. The benefits of using this service is the low-cost, compatibility, and knowing that OverPlay's main expertise is on VPNs.
