Appendix A Summary

        Appendix A was a very informative read for me, and that information provided context for the very virtual world I live in. For example, I had used coaxial cables to transmit information to my router, and TV for decades, not knowing what that cable is even called. I learned that routers and modems are actually small computers with a specific purpose. I came to understand that the internet isn’t some magical and mysterious force that is impossible to understand, but merely the result of networking nearly every computer in the world. These facts fascinated me, as my main barrier to learning is failing to understand the “why.” And in an environment where there is so much yet for me to learn, I am genuinely excited to demystify myself of more of these concepts. 

        I also could relate some of the information on electrical interference to my studies of music recording. Many of the same techniques used to prevent electrical interference in computer networks are also used to reduce noise when playing and amplifying musical instruments. That is because AC signals are being used to transmit sound information in much the same way they are used to transmit digital information through computer networks. It was satisfying to make that mental connection. 

        I also had no idea of the history of the internet before performing this reading. If you had asked me when computer networks were first implemented and for what reason, I would not have had the slightest idea. The fact that ARPANET gradually, yet quickly grew and developed, combining with other WANs to form a worldwide network was very interesting. The more I learn about networks and why they are formed, the more they just make sense; I’ll admit it’s hard to explain. The idea that while surfing to the web, I am actually typing in a domain name that is a proxy for the IP address of a server that hosts the webpage is liberating, as it puts into perspective how easy it could be to make my own website. Of course, I am eager to be humbled further by the great many things I do not yet know, all in time.