The Internet! Boon or Detriment to Society?

There is no doubt the Internet is a wondrous creation. The entire world is rapidly becoming obsessed with it. Everywhere you look you’re bound to see something related to the Internet. Here is the Internet growth summary.

* 9.5 million Hosts on the Internet in January 1996, up from
* 4.9 million In 1995,
* 2.2 million In 1994, and 
* 1.3 million In 1993, by the first definition above.
* 1.7 million Hosts on the Internet in January 1996, up from 1.0 million in 1995,
* 0.6 Million in 1994, and less than 0.4 million in 1993, by the second definition above

When television exploded onto the scene in the 1940-50s, it provided much the same things the Internet is providing people today: entertainment and information. However, the Internet has certain advantages over television and, most importantly, it provides instant access to specific information. It is interactive, whereas television is not.

Avid proponents of the Internet claim it could feasibly replace print media. The cost of publishing a newspaper or magazine online is far less than the cost of printing one.

There is no need to purchase bulk paper and ink, which in itself makes publishing on the Internet more attractive. Moreover, not as many hired hands are required to publish online.

The Web, as the World Wide Web (WWW) is commonly referred to, is witnessing a massive growth. Many people confuse the Internet with the Web, thinking they are the same thing. Most major online services and internet providers shoot users straight to the web, so the confusion is somewhat justified.

Adding to the confusion is the outpouring of “Web TV”, a product created and designed to allow non-computer owners to surf the web/internet from their television sets. Why they didn’t call it “Internet TV” will only cause more and more people to believe the Web IS the internet.

Adults aren’t safe from the attractive lure of what the internet can bring them. IBM and Dennis Leary challenge web users to “work the web.” The Internet can be used to make money and it’s not hard to do, depending on how advanced you want to get.

Many of the main forces of the Internet, such as the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), were (and still remain) very informal organizations from a legal perspective. There was a growing need for financial support and organization structure. The Internet Society was incorporated as a non-profit educational organization which could provide that support structure, as well as promoting other activities that were important for the development of the Internet.

Advanced technology always has dramatic effects on society. With the ability to work at home, a lot of people are leaving their offices for the greener grass that allows them to set their own hours, spend quality time with family and not have to deal with the often hassle some commute to and from work.