E-Commerce

1.0 Introduction

E-commerce, e-business and m-commerce is the most visible examples of the way in which information and communication technologies (ICT) can contribute to economic growth. It helps countries improve trade efficiency and facilitates the integration of developing countries into the global economy. It allows businesses and entrepreneurs to become more competitive. And it provides jobs, thereby creating wealth.

The IT industry provides essential instruments that make e-business, e-commerce and m-business possible, including not only computer hardware and software but also fixed telephones, mobile telephones, telecommunication equipment and wireless transmission equipment. Even though e-business, ecommerce or m-business impinges on IT goods, this does not necessarily imply that having a local IT producing industry would be an advantage for the local business sector when it moves into e-business or e-commerce. However, when the business sector starts adopting new information and communications technologies in its operations, it relies heavily on local or locally available IT expertise in order to fully realize all the efficiency gains that the Internet makes possible at the level of a single firm as well as at the level of the industry and of the country’s economy as a whole.

There are two objectives of this sector which are it tries to present some long-term trends in the industry that produces the tools necessary for conducting ’e-business’, in its widest possible meaning. On the other hand, it attempts to present evidence about whether the conditions outlined above are realized, or in other words, whether the IT industry can contribute to development and growth by enhancing a country’s capacity to engage in e-business

Firefox

2.0 Purpose

Firefox is a free, open source Web browser for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. It is based on the Mozilla code base and offers customization options and features such as its capability to block pop-up windows, tabbed browsing, privacy and security measures, smart searching, and RSS live bookmarks. It also organizes Web viewing history by day and allows the user to keep pages visible as tabs, the latter known as "tabbed browsing."

Image 2.0.1: Firefox

2.1 Advantages

The reason why the Firefox browser is getting famous is because of its advantages. The advantages are stated in the points below:

a) Popup Blocking - An internet browser without a popup blocker is like having a broadband connection without a fireball. Popup blocker is a really good blocking software which stops ads and never interferes with your browser navigation. If we want to get rid of the problem of popup ads, without introducing disturbing side affects, then Firefox is the best site we can choose. Trying this with internet explorer would probably bring our pc above your head. We can also easily access the list of websites that the popup blocker blocks, and altering its state by a simple mouse click.

b) Security - Security is often quoted as the chief reason for users swapping from Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE) to Firefox. Security is of supreme importance for software that networks with far-flung computers, in an epoch of high security risk actions such as online banking. Firefox has less security holes and a taut agenda of revealing them. The improved security in Firefox is due to a large number of issues. Firefox has raced ahead of MSIE with enhanced provision for typical web protocols, such as its superior style sheet compatibility.

c) Multiple Operating System Platforms - Firefox can be used in multiple operating system platforms like Windows (Windows 98 through to Windows XP), Mac OS X, all the primary versions of Linux, as well as some lesser-used operating systems.

d) Time-saving Browser Innovations - Competent use of web browser time results in improved profits, so modernization to help workers to deliver their responsibilities quicker is always welcome. Firefox has innovative features such as integrated Google search in the toolbar, placing the find-within-page box at the base of the browser window so as not to make the text ambiguous, and various other features.

Image 2.2.1: The website that open with firefox

2.2 Disadvantages

There are several disadvantages in using Firefox that are:

a) Incomplete Migration - In a business with Windows computers, if the change from MSIE to Firefox is not complete, it can cost more to proffer technical support for both browsers. This case would only be relevant to shops whose Windows computers are all Windows XP. Since the new MSIE is only available for Windows XP, if there are diverse Windows adaptation (such as Windows NT or 2000), then the technical support group needs to provide service for different types of MSIE browsers.

b) Retraining - Any switch of software incurs a retraining cost. However, a switch from MSIE to Firefox requires only a mild amount of retraining.

ADSL

3.0 Purpose

ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, a new technology that allows more data to be sent over existing copper telephone lines (POTS). ADSL supports data rates of from 1.5 to 9 Mbps when receiving data (known as the downstream rate) and from 16 to 640 Kbps when sending data (known as the upstream rate). ADSL requires a special ADSL modem. Getting data to and from the local telephone exchange is not in itself of much use. The purpose of ADSL services is to enable high-speed access to the Internet, so discussions of ADSL (including this one) generally include how the data connection is extended to an Internet Service Provider, and therefore, to the Internet.

Image 3.0.1: A modem router is commonly used to connect to an ADSL

3.1 Advantages

ADSL broadband service is comparatively inexpensive, dependable and provides sufficiently fast Internet access. The distance from the telephone exchange to the subscriber's computer must, however, be less than 5.5 kilometers. Much faster connection speeds are possible. Because speed to download