Describe social networking, forums, newsletters, blogs, podcasts, RSS feeds, Webinars, mailing lists, Web-based discussion groups, chat rooms, and instant messaging. How can these tools be used in Internet research?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Students can refer to Figure D-12 for a recap of Internet resources that can assist a systems analyst in Internet research tasks. A description of each resource follows:
? Social networking. Social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn have gained enormous popularity in recent years. Many people use these communication channels along with more traditional choices, such as e-mail, blogs, chat rooms, and instant messaging.
? Newsgroups. Newsgroups offer online discussion forums that address every conceivable subject and interest area. A newsgroup can put you in touch with the knowledge, experience, and opinions of a large online community. Newsgroups are part of the Usenet, which is a discussion system that consists of Internet-based bulletin boards. The Usenet was designed to allow users to communicate quickly and effectively in the early days of the Internet. Many newsgroups are open to the public; others are closed and can be accessed only with a username and password.
? Newsletters. Newsletters are published by numerous commercial and non-profit groups that offer membership subscriptions to users who are interested in specific topics. Some newsletters are published daily, others weekly. Although newsletters are not interactive, they can provide a convenient way to keep current on subjects of interest and developments of interest to the subscriber.
? Blogs. A blog is a Web-based log, or journal. Computer-related blogs can provide valuable information for a systems analyst. Also, many vendors offer Web-based training options, including podcasts.
? Podcasts. A podcast refers to a Web-based broadcast that allows a user to receive audio or multimedia files using music player software such as iTunes®, and either listen to them or download them to an iPod®, iPad®, smartphone, or other portable MP3 player. Podcasts can be pre-scheduled, made available on demand, or delivered as automatic updates, depending on a user’s preference.
? RSS feeds. The term RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. RSS is a format for publishing frequently-updated content to users who subscribe to a RSS download, also called a feed, an RSS feed, or a Web feed. Web publishers such as Yahoo!, Google, CNN, MSNBC, and many other newspapers, magazines, vendors, and blogs use RSS feeds to distribute news and updates to subscribers, who can read the content with software called an RSS reader, a feed reader, or an aggregator.
? Webinars. A Webinar, which combines the words Web and seminar, is an Internet-based training session that provides an interactive experience. Most Webinars are scheduled events with a group of pre-registered users and an on-line presenter, or instructor. A pre-recorded Webinar session also can be delivered as a Webcast, which is a one-way transmission, whenever a user wants or needs training support.
? Mailing lists. A mailing list, also called a listserv, is similar to a newsgroup in that it provides a forum for people who want to exchange information about specific topics. Like a newsgroup, users can post messages and view postings made by others. Instead of a bulletin board approach, however, a mailing list uses e-mail to communicate with users. A computer called a list server directs e-mail to people who subscribe to, or join, the mailing list. When a person subscribes to a list, he or she can receive e-mail messages as they are posted.
? Web-based discussion groups. A Web-based discussion group is an online community that combines features of mailing lists and newsgroups. Most Web-based discussion groups can be accessed through a portal, such as Yahoo!. Group members can receive messages either individually, or in digest form like a mailing list, and they can browse messages stored on the group’s Web site. In addition to text messages, group Web sites often include membership lists and contact information, photo galleries, and links of interest to members. Web-based discussion groups are popular because they offer a convenient and free meeting place with a graphical interface that makes it easy for users to access information and exchange messages.
? Chat rooms. A chat room, also called a channel, is an online meeting place where users can interact and converse in real time. The chat room concept originated with IRC, or Internet Relay Chat. IRC is a multichannel system supported by servers that enable conversations, group or individual, on a worldwide basis.
? Instant messaging. Instant messaging allows online users to exchange messages immediately, even while they are working in another program or application. Users are alerted that other members of their group are available online, and users can send and receive messages or enter into a chat with other users.