
The internet is a key player in the Information Age. Some people regard it
as being an essential service on a par with water and electricity! You will
need to find out about the types of online services available, including:
• communication, eg email, instant messaging, newsgroups, online
conferencing, blogs
• real time information, eg train timetables, news services, traffic
reports, weather
• commerce, eg shopping, banking, auctions
• government, eg online tax returns,

services/grants, revenue collection
• education, eg online learning/training, VLEs
• business, eg videoconferencing, collaborative working, business
networks
• entertainment, eg multi-user games, radio players
• download services, eg music, film, upgrades, software
• archiving, eg ‘x drives’.
You will be expected to explore and evaluate a range of different types of
services available online, considering factors such as target audience,
benefits and drawbacks, fitness for purpose, possible enhancements, noninternet
alternatives etc.
From your investigation of different types of online services, you will be
able to assess the current scope and limitations of the internet as a whole.