Living in The I.T Era.
Living in The I.T Era.
Living in The I.T Era.
Upon its release in 1983 the Apple "Lisa" computer — named for
one of its developers daughters — was supposed to revolutionize
personal computing. But interest in "Lisa" was minimal due to its
nearly $10,000 price tag and the introduction of the much more
affordable "Macintosh" a year later.
The INTERNET was developed during the 1970s by the
Department of Defense. In the case of an attack, military
advisers suggested the advantage of being able to operate one
computer from another terminal. In the early days, the Internet
was used mainly by scientists to communicate with other
scientists. The Internet remained under government control until
1984.
One early problem faced by Internet users was speed. Phone
lines could only transmit information at a limited rate. The
development of FIBER-OPTIC cables allowed for billions of bits
of information to be received every minute. Companies like
INTEL developed faster microprocessors, so personal computers
could process the incoming signals at a more rapid rate.
In the early 1990s, the WORLD WIDE WEB was developed, in
large part, for commercial purposes. Corporations created home
pages where they could place text and graphics to sell products.
Soon airline tickets, hotel reservations, books, and even cars and
homes could be purchased online. Colleges and universities
posted research data on the Internet, so students could find
valuable information without leaving their dormitories. Companies
soon discovered that work could be done at home and submitted
online, so a whole new class of telecommuters began to earn a
living from home offices unshaven and wearing pajamas.
New forms of communication were introduced. ELECTRONIC
MAIL, or EMAIL, was a convenient way to send a message to
associates or friends. Messages could be sent and received at the
convenience of the individual. A letter that took several days to
arrive could be read in minutes. Internet service providers like
America Online and CompuServe set up electronic chat rooms.
These were open areas of cyberspace where interested parties
could join in a conversation with perfect strangers.
This map shows just how "wired" the world had become as of
mid-1995.
Advocates of the Internet cited its many advantages. The
commercial possibilities were limitless. Convenience was greatly
improved. Chat rooms and email allowed individuals to converse
who may never have had the opportunity in the past. Educational
opportunities were greatly enhanced because of the wealth of
knowledge now placed at the fingertips of any wired individual.
"SURFING THE 'NET" became a pastime in and of itself.
Critics charged that the Internet created a technological divide
that increased the gap between the haves and have-nots. Those
who could not afford a computer or a monthly access fee were
denied these possibilities. Many decried the impersonal nature of
electronic communication compared to a telephone call or a
handwritten letter. Hate groups were using the Internet to
expand their bases and recruit new members. The unregulated
nature of the Internet allowed pornography to be broadcast to
millions of homes. Protecting children from these influences, or
even from meeting violent predators would prove to be difficult.