February 8, 2002 marked the sixth birthday of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which forced open the local markets previously monopolized by the Regional Bell Operating Companies. The anniversary has sparked criticism from many in the local exchange arena who believe the RBOCs continue to monopolize their regions, violating federal law by deliberately putting up obstacles to competitors and offering inconsistent access to the network elements necessary for service provisioning.
"Clearly, the most unanticipated consequence of the 1996 Act is that the RBOCs have been able to flout the law so frequently," said John Windhausen Jr., president of the Association for Local Telecommunications Services. "If the federal government really wants to speed broadband deployment, its first task should be to enforce the 1996 Telecom Act and significantly increase the level of penalties for non-compliance."
Those non-compliance penalties have been assessed against the Bells by the FCC and various courts to the tune of $1.84 billion, according to a new database compiled by Voices for Choices. The group recently made public its new catalog of more than 130 fines, judgments and settlements levied against the four RBOCs (and their predecessors) for "poor service and anti-consumer practices" since the Act was passed.
Voice for Choices noted that during the six-year period in which the Bells were fined $1.84 billion, they reported more than $851 billion in revenue, meaning the fines represented about two-tenths of a percent of the Bells' total revenue.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IGP/is_2_5/ai_84017813
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
eMarketer: Internet population increased nearly 20 percent in 2001 - Market Intelligence - Brief Article
Despite the events of Sept 11th and the global economic downturn, the number of Internet users worldwide will rise from 445.9 million in 2001 to 709.1 million in 2004, according to a new eMarketer report, eGlobal: Demographics and Usage.
"The recession hasn't stanched the desire to stay in touch. If anything, the events of 9/11 highlighted the value of e-mail and instant messaging applications," said Dr. Nevin Cohen, eMarketer analyst. "More people, from more places around the world, are communicating with one another and accessing information quickly, easily and economically. Why? Because now -- with the Internet -- they can."
According to the eGlobal Report, while growth in the most advanced markets is slowing, the largest increases in new Internet users are coming from regions that have been laggards. The number of users in Latin America will grow by an annual rate of nearly 40 percent between 2000 and 2004, while North America, with a saturated market, will experience a comparatively tepid growth rate of 14.3 percent.
The eGlobal Report confirms that as the Internet user population swells, it more closely mirrors the demographic characteristics of the population at large. "Marketing professionals should note that Internet users are no longer the stereotypical early adopters -- young, educated, well-to-do computer nerds," added Dr. Cohen. "Increasing numbers of minorities, elderly and working-class people are now online."
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IGP/is_2_5/ai_84017818
"The recession hasn't stanched the desire to stay in touch. If anything, the events of 9/11 highlighted the value of e-mail and instant messaging applications," said Dr. Nevin Cohen, eMarketer analyst. "More people, from more places around the world, are communicating with one another and accessing information quickly, easily and economically. Why? Because now -- with the Internet -- they can."
According to the eGlobal Report, while growth in the most advanced markets is slowing, the largest increases in new Internet users are coming from regions that have been laggards. The number of users in Latin America will grow by an annual rate of nearly 40 percent between 2000 and 2004, while North America, with a saturated market, will experience a comparatively tepid growth rate of 14.3 percent.
The eGlobal Report confirms that as the Internet user population swells, it more closely mirrors the demographic characteristics of the population at large. "Marketing professionals should note that Internet users are no longer the stereotypical early adopters -- young, educated, well-to-do computer nerds," added Dr. Cohen. "Increasing numbers of minorities, elderly and working-class people are now online."
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IGP/is_2_5/ai_84017818
FCC says broadband access up - Market Intelligence - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included
Nearly 10 million Americans now have high-speed connections to the Internet, according to the FCC's third report to Congress about advanced telecommunications.
The report said high-speed subscribers (including those with advanced services) numbered about 9.6 million as of June 2001, a 36 percent increase since the first half of the year and about a 250 percent increase since December 1999.
In addition, roughly 7.8 million of those subscribers are residential or small business customers, which is about a 51 percent increase from the nearly 5.2 million it counted during the first half of 2001.
The report is mandated by Congress in order to track whether "advanced telecommunications capability" such as high-speed, switched, broadband communications -- is being deployed in a "reasonable and timely manner."
The FCC defines "advanced telecommunications capability" as services and facilities with an upstream (customer-to-provider) and downstream (provider-to-customer) transmission speed exceeding 200 Kbps.
Of the 7.8 million residential or small business subscribers, the FCC said about 4.3 million are advanced services subscribers, which is a 54 percent increase during the first half of 2001.
The report's data also show that cable systems are the preferred delivery method compared to high-speed asymmetric DSL (ADSL) subscribers.
High-speed connections using coaxial cable systems numbered 5.2 million, up 45 percent during the first half of 2001, and DSL subscribers numbered 2.7 million, up 36 percent. Although high-speed access using satellite or fixed wireless technologies was the smallest group at nearly 200,000, the growth of that group was the fastest at 73 percent since the first half of 2001.
The report said high-speed subscribers were reported in 97 percent of the most densely populated zip codes and in 49 percent of the zip codes with the lowest population densities.
In a statement about the report, FCC chairman Michael Powell supported its findings and agreed with its conclusion that broadband deployment is proceeding as federal telecommunications policy mandates.
"Our demonstrated commitment to spurring broadband deployment is as varied as it is pervasive. It is one of our highest priorities and is never far from our thoughts as we decide communications policy," he said.
Commissioner Michael Copps, however, politely dissented in supporting the report because he was "unable to determine whether the deployment of advanced telecommunications capability to all Americans is or is not reasonable and timely."
"I impugn no colleague's commitment to broadband deployment and no bureau's enthusiasm and hard work for bringing the wonders of broadband technologies to the American people. I just happen to have a different perspective," he said. The report said of the 5.9 million subscribers to advanced services, 3.3 million subscribed to cable-based services and one million subscribed to asymmetric DSL, with the remaining balance subscribed to other technologies.
Of the 9.6 million high-speed subscribers overall, 5.9 million are described as advanced services subscribers, the FCC said. In general, approximately 7 percent of all American households now subscribe to high-speed Internet services, which is up 4.7 percent since January 2001 and up by 1.6 percent since the FCC's second report to Congress which was in August of 2000.
The FCC gathered the data from high-speed access providers such as wireline telephone companies, cable, wireless and satellite companies, as well as any other facilities-based providers of 250 or more high-speed service lines (or wireless channels) in a given state.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IGP/is_2_5/ai_84017819
VESN's hosted e-mail service - New Products & Services - Brief Article
Virtual B-Services Network (VESN) announced its first product: a hosted e-mail service with built-in antivirus protection. The service is available at a per-mailbox monthly fee, with volume discounts available starting at 5,000 mailboxes.
The company says that its data center in Providence, RI, is less than 50 yards from the network access points of such major carriers as Qwest, MetroMedia Fiber Networks, IXC, and NEON (Northeast Fiber Optic Networks), and is also within one mile of Bell Atlantic, MCI, Sprint, and Nortel. The facility has standby power and a battery backup, as well as other standard carrier-class goodies such as fire suppression.
VESN hopes to eventually build a suite of Web services for ISPs. The company says, "VESN prides itself on focusing exclusively on delivering the level of service required to maintain a highly available, always-on and always secure status for your e-mail systems."
Burke Anderson of North Atlantic Internet Inc. (NAII), a mid-sized ISP serving over 500 T-l lines to businesses in the Northeast, said, "this is a value-add, a good customer retention tool for our T-1 customers."
He noted that e-mail, as a product, involves a lot of calls between the customer and the ISP to handle problems such as reassigned employees, forgotten passwords, and vacation autoresponders. "None of these are emergencies," Anderson notes, "but they do take up time, both the customer's time and ours." The VESN product allows customers to check and reassign e-mail addresses and passwords. Anderson said, "both I and my customers appreciate the instant gratification."
VESN also touts a feature that reports delivery problems to both sender and receiver. The company says, "The way that a failed communication is reported is very important in a business environment. VESN's policy is to notify both sides of a communication failure. For example, when a mail user exceeds their file allocation, we send messages to both mail recipient and sender so that the failure to complete a message delivery is understood and can be re-negotiated for future delivery. The goal is to close the communications loop, not leave one side hanging like other products do."
The product is available from the VESN Web site. Pricing starts at $4.50 per mailbox per month suggested retail, with a cheaper wholesale price for ISPs, and volume discounts after the first 5,000 mailboxes.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IGP/is_2_5/ai_84017820
The company says that its data center in Providence, RI, is less than 50 yards from the network access points of such major carriers as Qwest, MetroMedia Fiber Networks, IXC, and NEON (Northeast Fiber Optic Networks), and is also within one mile of Bell Atlantic, MCI, Sprint, and Nortel. The facility has standby power and a battery backup, as well as other standard carrier-class goodies such as fire suppression.
VESN hopes to eventually build a suite of Web services for ISPs. The company says, "VESN prides itself on focusing exclusively on delivering the level of service required to maintain a highly available, always-on and always secure status for your e-mail systems."
Burke Anderson of North Atlantic Internet Inc. (NAII), a mid-sized ISP serving over 500 T-l lines to businesses in the Northeast, said, "this is a value-add, a good customer retention tool for our T-1 customers."
He noted that e-mail, as a product, involves a lot of calls between the customer and the ISP to handle problems such as reassigned employees, forgotten passwords, and vacation autoresponders. "None of these are emergencies," Anderson notes, "but they do take up time, both the customer's time and ours." The VESN product allows customers to check and reassign e-mail addresses and passwords. Anderson said, "both I and my customers appreciate the instant gratification."
VESN also touts a feature that reports delivery problems to both sender and receiver. The company says, "The way that a failed communication is reported is very important in a business environment. VESN's policy is to notify both sides of a communication failure. For example, when a mail user exceeds their file allocation, we send messages to both mail recipient and sender so that the failure to complete a message delivery is understood and can be re-negotiated for future delivery. The goal is to close the communications loop, not leave one side hanging like other products do."
The product is available from the VESN Web site. Pricing starts at $4.50 per mailbox per month suggested retail, with a cheaper wholesale price for ISPs, and volume discounts after the first 5,000 mailboxes.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IGP/is_2_5/ai_84017820
Internet Service Tutorials
Tutorial 1 — How To Use The Internet
For those of you who are new to the Internet, you'll soon find out that it's a fascinating place to spend some time. And, it may soon become part of your daily routine as it is with millions of others all over the world.
The Internet has a variety of features and tools that can help you to stay in touch with family and friends through Electronic Mail (e-mail) and Instant Messaging (IM or 'chat') or search for information on just about any subject through the World Wide Web (www) by using one of several search engines
In this group of tutorials, I'll explain in simple terms what the Internet is, how it works and how it can become a valuable part of your life. This guide is broken into 8 tutorials.
What is the Internet?
“The Internet,…” as defined by Wikipedia.org “… is a worldwide, publicly accessible network of interconnected computer networks that transmit data by packet switching using the standard Internet Protocol (IP). It is a “network of networks” that consists of millions of smaller domestic, academic, business, and government networks, which together carry various information and services, such as electronic mail, online chat, file transfer, and the interlinked Web pages and other documents of the World Wide Web.”
In more simple terms, the Internet is a group of computers that communicate with each other. When one or more computers communicate with each other, it is called a network and there are tens-of-thousands of networks all over the world. These networks are either part of a business, the government or a university. It might also be privately owned and in someone's home. No one knows exactly how many computers are part of the Internet, but we know there are millions of computers around the world that make up the Internet and that this number is growing each and every day.
Each computer on the Internet uses a special language that allows it to 'talk' to other computers on the Internet. This language is known as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Your computer can translate the TCP/IP language into a language you understand (let's say English) and then back into TCP/IP. For example, let's say you want to bake a chocolate cake but you don't have a good recipe. You can ask your computer “find me a chocolate cake recipe”. Your computer then translates this into TCP/IP, goes out to the Internet and asks all the other computers if they know a chocolate cake recipe. Once the computer finds what you're looking for, it translates the TCP/IP into English and displays the recipe on your computer screen. Sounds easy, right? Well, it is actually.
As an Internet user, you will have access to a variety of Internet tools that will help you make the best use of the Internet. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to use e-mail, how to use a browser, how to use a search engine. Plus, you'll learn about News and User groups, file transfer, chat and instant messaging.
Contrary to what is popularly believed, the Internet and the World Wide Web are not one in the same. The Internet is a group of computers all connected to each other through either telephone line, fiber optic, or satellite. The World Wide Web is a collection of interconnected documents that you can access once you have an Internet connection. The World Wide Web, like e-mail and instant messaging, is just one way of using the Internet.
No one person or organization owns the Internet but there are several groups of individuals and companies that help to make the Internet experience better for you, the end-user. There are people who are constantly working to improve the Internet by making it faster, with better and more reliable information. There are also new products (applications) being developed that will use the Internet and most likely make its way onto your computer if you choose.
http://www.internetservicedeals.com/tutorials/how-to-use-the-internet.htm
For those of you who are new to the Internet, you'll soon find out that it's a fascinating place to spend some time. And, it may soon become part of your daily routine as it is with millions of others all over the world.
The Internet has a variety of features and tools that can help you to stay in touch with family and friends through Electronic Mail (e-mail) and Instant Messaging (IM or 'chat') or search for information on just about any subject through the World Wide Web (www) by using one of several search engines
In this group of tutorials, I'll explain in simple terms what the Internet is, how it works and how it can become a valuable part of your life. This guide is broken into 8 tutorials.
What is the Internet?
“The Internet,…” as defined by Wikipedia.org “… is a worldwide, publicly accessible network of interconnected computer networks that transmit data by packet switching using the standard Internet Protocol (IP). It is a “network of networks” that consists of millions of smaller domestic, academic, business, and government networks, which together carry various information and services, such as electronic mail, online chat, file transfer, and the interlinked Web pages and other documents of the World Wide Web.”
In more simple terms, the Internet is a group of computers that communicate with each other. When one or more computers communicate with each other, it is called a network and there are tens-of-thousands of networks all over the world. These networks are either part of a business, the government or a university. It might also be privately owned and in someone's home. No one knows exactly how many computers are part of the Internet, but we know there are millions of computers around the world that make up the Internet and that this number is growing each and every day.
Each computer on the Internet uses a special language that allows it to 'talk' to other computers on the Internet. This language is known as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). Your computer can translate the TCP/IP language into a language you understand (let's say English) and then back into TCP/IP. For example, let's say you want to bake a chocolate cake but you don't have a good recipe. You can ask your computer “find me a chocolate cake recipe”. Your computer then translates this into TCP/IP, goes out to the Internet and asks all the other computers if they know a chocolate cake recipe. Once the computer finds what you're looking for, it translates the TCP/IP into English and displays the recipe on your computer screen. Sounds easy, right? Well, it is actually.
As an Internet user, you will have access to a variety of Internet tools that will help you make the best use of the Internet. In this tutorial, you'll learn how to use e-mail, how to use a browser, how to use a search engine. Plus, you'll learn about News and User groups, file transfer, chat and instant messaging.
Contrary to what is popularly believed, the Internet and the World Wide Web are not one in the same. The Internet is a group of computers all connected to each other through either telephone line, fiber optic, or satellite. The World Wide Web is a collection of interconnected documents that you can access once you have an Internet connection. The World Wide Web, like e-mail and instant messaging, is just one way of using the Internet.
No one person or organization owns the Internet but there are several groups of individuals and companies that help to make the Internet experience better for you, the end-user. There are people who are constantly working to improve the Internet by making it faster, with better and more reliable information. There are also new products (applications) being developed that will use the Internet and most likely make its way onto your computer if you choose.
http://www.internetservicedeals.com/tutorials/how-to-use-the-internet.htm
History Of The Internet
When And Where The Internet Began
The history of the Internet depends upon whose version of history you read. Many have written stories of what they believe to be the origins of this revolutionary tool. I've read and researched a variety of articles over the last few years, and summarized a few of the major turning points. Here's my version of "The History of the Internet."
When The Internet Began
The Internet we know today had a very different objective from the original internet designed back in 1969. Initially, the Internet was intended to be a research test bed for network computing, communication protocols that would allow networked computers to communicate, and computer and data resource sharing. Makes sense, that groups of people wanted to share files and information. Credit for the first generation of the Internet is given to ARPANET — Advanced Research Project Agency Network — and was the result of defense department funding working together with dedicated computer scientists. Because of the dedication of these computer scientists, we now have the TCP/IP protocol suite.
The vision of networked computers began much earlier, when a series of articles was published by Dr. J.C.R. Licklider of MIT in 1962. The articles talked about a 'Galactic Network.' This Galactic Network was a concept where Licklider envisioned a globally interconnected community where the time sharing of programs, data, and information was commonplace. Later on, Licklider went on to become the first head of computer research at DARPA — Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. While there, he was successful at convincing his successors, Ivan Sutherland, Bob Taylor and MIT researcher Lawrence P. Roberts of the importance of this vision and work began to develop a time shared computer network.
The Timing Of The Internet
Certainly the timing of the Internet had come. Packet network technology was now more than a theory and in fact packet development conducted by MIT (1961-1967) the RAND Group (1962-1965) and by the NPL in the UK (1964-1967) had all been done simultaneously without the researchers knowing of each others work, or so it is said.
Leonard Klein at MIT published the first paper on packet switching theory in 1961 and later authored the first book on the subject in 1964. Due to his early development of packet switching theory, his Network Measurement Center at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) was selected as the first node in ARPANET. Not long after, Stanford Research Institute (SRI) was selected as the second node because of Doug Englebart's project on "Augmentation of Human Intellect" which included oNLine System (NLS) an early hypertext system. Shortly thereafter, the first host-to-host message was sent from UCLA. Later, two more nodes were added: UC Santa Barbara and the University of Utah.
Much to the surprise of those developing ARPANET, their computer network turned out to be something more than a means for computer to computer communication, and the most common use of ARPANET became human to human communication using electronic mail and discussion lists.
By 1971, ARPANET grew to 15 nodes including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), RAND, Bolt Beranek and Newman, Inc. (BNN), Systems Development Corporation, Harvard, Lincoln Lab, UIU (C), CWRU, Carnegie-Mellon University and NASA/Ames.
ARPANET continued on as a means for computer scientist and academics to conduct research, and share research data. And in 1973, ARPANET made its first international connection to the University College of London and the Royal Establishment in Norway.
CSNet Is Introduced
ARPANET wasn't by any means a public network and many Computer Science departments didn't have the privilege of access. So, a new computer network was created by the U.S. National Science Foundation in the early 1980s as an alternative to ARPANET. This new network was the Computer Science Network (CSNet), and CSNet linked the Computer Science departments of any university or research institution together.
The two networks still were private and in 1986 the National Science Foundation funded yet another network (NSFNet). NSFNet launched with the intention of being an "open" network that would allow academic researchers' access to university and research institute supercomputers. NSFNet went online in 1986 and was the fastest network with a 56kbit/s backbone and NSFNet used the TCP/IP protocols. NSFNet was quickly popularized and in 1988 the network upgraded to a 1.5Mbit/s then again to 45Mbit/s in 1991.
Private Sector Networks
ARPANET and CSNet, although restricted, were however revolutionary and inspirational in their making. They led the private sector to develop and create similar type private networks and quickly Local Area Networks (LANs) were everywhere and shortly thereafter, Wide Area Networks (WANs) were common for large businesses until finally the reality of an 'Internet' or 'Galactic Network' emerged. And, with TCP/IP protocols used, many commercial networks were joined together in the US and Europe.
I'm not sure if the pioneers of the Internet had envisioned then how quickly the Internet would evolve, and now with the growing need for information in real time, enhancements continue to improve our 'galactic network'. Perhaps this was all part of Licklider's vision, but unfortunately, he passed away in 1990 and only witnessed the brink of the Internet age. Those of us who entered college in the early 1990's can remember how basic campus computer labs were at this time, and remember how fast computers, email and file sharing gained in popularity and function.
The Internet At Home
In the early 1990s, once the Internet became available to the masses, homes and small businesses were only a phone call away from becoming part of the Internet, through the use of dial up Internet access. At that time, the Internet was considered lightening fast when the 28.8 modem hit store shelves. The Internet had begun its migration from an academic resource pool to the commercial multimedia giant of today.
The Global Internet
Now, only a decade or so later, high speed Internet access is in nearly every corner of the globe. The need for an instant response from the Internet is increasingly important in the information age. It seems no one can resist the compelling urge to 'logon' and meander through the Internet searching for that special recipe or the latest book that can be delivered to your door. Shopping is much easier and the Internet even lets you travel to destinations like the Smithsonian and the Louver for a virtual tour or have groceries delivered to you home.
Licklider's 'galactic network' has reduced the distance of where we can go in the world today. With ever increasing resources available for students and the explosion of global virtual shopping centers, our 'galactic network' drives us to desire and expect more from our computers. Faster, safer and more reliable Internet service connections with high speed DSL, Cable broadband or satellite connections are readily available. Dial-up Internet service connections are still very popular, and today's Web Accelerators help speed up transfer rates for those who can't obtain broadband Internet access.
Today's Internet
The future of the Internet is anyone's guess. Now that we can deliver important e-mails to cellular phones or Personal Digital Assistant (PDAs), there's no telling just how far technology will take us. And the number of applications used on the Internet keeps expanding. With products like Voice over IP (VoIP) Internet Phone Calls, Internet Call Waiting and Caller ID, and Internet Faxing Services, our professional lives have become more automated and more 'instant' releasing us to become productive in other ways.
All the work and dedication that went into developing the Internet age has enabled us to live far differently, and some might think even better, than our forefathers expected. Telephony and Internet transport speeds are bound to be enhanced to provide even faster connections for dial up Internet access and home users. Already, with DS3 and fiber optic technology, our businesses have dedicated instant access to virtually anything they want to know.
A special thanks to those responsible for creating this newer 'galactic network' we call the Internet. To those of you researching the history of the Internet, I hope this article helps guide you to when and where the Internet began. As a final note, a cliff hanger of sorts, the Internet runs several applications. One of which we commonly refer to as the Web. The Web or "World Wide Web" was developed much later and is a principal feature of the Internet. The two however, are distinctly different.
http://www.internetservicedeals.com/articles/history-of-internet.htm
The history of the Internet depends upon whose version of history you read. Many have written stories of what they believe to be the origins of this revolutionary tool. I've read and researched a variety of articles over the last few years, and summarized a few of the major turning points. Here's my version of "The History of the Internet."
When The Internet Began
The Internet we know today had a very different objective from the original internet designed back in 1969. Initially, the Internet was intended to be a research test bed for network computing, communication protocols that would allow networked computers to communicate, and computer and data resource sharing. Makes sense, that groups of people wanted to share files and information. Credit for the first generation of the Internet is given to ARPANET — Advanced Research Project Agency Network — and was the result of defense department funding working together with dedicated computer scientists. Because of the dedication of these computer scientists, we now have the TCP/IP protocol suite.
The vision of networked computers began much earlier, when a series of articles was published by Dr. J.C.R. Licklider of MIT in 1962. The articles talked about a 'Galactic Network.' This Galactic Network was a concept where Licklider envisioned a globally interconnected community where the time sharing of programs, data, and information was commonplace. Later on, Licklider went on to become the first head of computer research at DARPA — Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. While there, he was successful at convincing his successors, Ivan Sutherland, Bob Taylor and MIT researcher Lawrence P. Roberts of the importance of this vision and work began to develop a time shared computer network.
The Timing Of The Internet
Certainly the timing of the Internet had come. Packet network technology was now more than a theory and in fact packet development conducted by MIT (1961-1967) the RAND Group (1962-1965) and by the NPL in the UK (1964-1967) had all been done simultaneously without the researchers knowing of each others work, or so it is said.
Leonard Klein at MIT published the first paper on packet switching theory in 1961 and later authored the first book on the subject in 1964. Due to his early development of packet switching theory, his Network Measurement Center at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) was selected as the first node in ARPANET. Not long after, Stanford Research Institute (SRI) was selected as the second node because of Doug Englebart's project on "Augmentation of Human Intellect" which included oNLine System (NLS) an early hypertext system. Shortly thereafter, the first host-to-host message was sent from UCLA. Later, two more nodes were added: UC Santa Barbara and the University of Utah.
Much to the surprise of those developing ARPANET, their computer network turned out to be something more than a means for computer to computer communication, and the most common use of ARPANET became human to human communication using electronic mail and discussion lists.
By 1971, ARPANET grew to 15 nodes including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), RAND, Bolt Beranek and Newman, Inc. (BNN), Systems Development Corporation, Harvard, Lincoln Lab, UIU (C), CWRU, Carnegie-Mellon University and NASA/Ames.
ARPANET continued on as a means for computer scientist and academics to conduct research, and share research data. And in 1973, ARPANET made its first international connection to the University College of London and the Royal Establishment in Norway.
CSNet Is Introduced
ARPANET wasn't by any means a public network and many Computer Science departments didn't have the privilege of access. So, a new computer network was created by the U.S. National Science Foundation in the early 1980s as an alternative to ARPANET. This new network was the Computer Science Network (CSNet), and CSNet linked the Computer Science departments of any university or research institution together.
The two networks still were private and in 1986 the National Science Foundation funded yet another network (NSFNet). NSFNet launched with the intention of being an "open" network that would allow academic researchers' access to university and research institute supercomputers. NSFNet went online in 1986 and was the fastest network with a 56kbit/s backbone and NSFNet used the TCP/IP protocols. NSFNet was quickly popularized and in 1988 the network upgraded to a 1.5Mbit/s then again to 45Mbit/s in 1991.
Private Sector Networks
ARPANET and CSNet, although restricted, were however revolutionary and inspirational in their making. They led the private sector to develop and create similar type private networks and quickly Local Area Networks (LANs) were everywhere and shortly thereafter, Wide Area Networks (WANs) were common for large businesses until finally the reality of an 'Internet' or 'Galactic Network' emerged. And, with TCP/IP protocols used, many commercial networks were joined together in the US and Europe.
I'm not sure if the pioneers of the Internet had envisioned then how quickly the Internet would evolve, and now with the growing need for information in real time, enhancements continue to improve our 'galactic network'. Perhaps this was all part of Licklider's vision, but unfortunately, he passed away in 1990 and only witnessed the brink of the Internet age. Those of us who entered college in the early 1990's can remember how basic campus computer labs were at this time, and remember how fast computers, email and file sharing gained in popularity and function.
The Internet At Home
In the early 1990s, once the Internet became available to the masses, homes and small businesses were only a phone call away from becoming part of the Internet, through the use of dial up Internet access. At that time, the Internet was considered lightening fast when the 28.8 modem hit store shelves. The Internet had begun its migration from an academic resource pool to the commercial multimedia giant of today.
The Global Internet
Now, only a decade or so later, high speed Internet access is in nearly every corner of the globe. The need for an instant response from the Internet is increasingly important in the information age. It seems no one can resist the compelling urge to 'logon' and meander through the Internet searching for that special recipe or the latest book that can be delivered to your door. Shopping is much easier and the Internet even lets you travel to destinations like the Smithsonian and the Louver for a virtual tour or have groceries delivered to you home.
Licklider's 'galactic network' has reduced the distance of where we can go in the world today. With ever increasing resources available for students and the explosion of global virtual shopping centers, our 'galactic network' drives us to desire and expect more from our computers. Faster, safer and more reliable Internet service connections with high speed DSL, Cable broadband or satellite connections are readily available. Dial-up Internet service connections are still very popular, and today's Web Accelerators help speed up transfer rates for those who can't obtain broadband Internet access.
Today's Internet
The future of the Internet is anyone's guess. Now that we can deliver important e-mails to cellular phones or Personal Digital Assistant (PDAs), there's no telling just how far technology will take us. And the number of applications used on the Internet keeps expanding. With products like Voice over IP (VoIP) Internet Phone Calls, Internet Call Waiting and Caller ID, and Internet Faxing Services, our professional lives have become more automated and more 'instant' releasing us to become productive in other ways.
All the work and dedication that went into developing the Internet age has enabled us to live far differently, and some might think even better, than our forefathers expected. Telephony and Internet transport speeds are bound to be enhanced to provide even faster connections for dial up Internet access and home users. Already, with DS3 and fiber optic technology, our businesses have dedicated instant access to virtually anything they want to know.
A special thanks to those responsible for creating this newer 'galactic network' we call the Internet. To those of you researching the history of the Internet, I hope this article helps guide you to when and where the Internet began. As a final note, a cliff hanger of sorts, the Internet runs several applications. One of which we commonly refer to as the Web. The Web or "World Wide Web" was developed much later and is a principal feature of the Internet. The two however, are distinctly different.
http://www.internetservicedeals.com/articles/history-of-internet.htm
Free Dial Up Internet Service Providers
Choose Value Added Dial Up or DSL Internet Instead
Much like our readers, I occasionally search the Internet for truly free dial up Internet service access. If you keep coming up with irrelevant search results or can't seem to find a good free dial up Internet connection, you are not alone. Searching the major web site directories and discussion forums are equally discouraging. So I decided to take a step back and look at the big picture. This article briefly compares free dial up Internet service providers to available subscription based unlimited dial up Internet and DSL Internet service providers.
Free Dial Up Internet Service Providers - Do They Exist?
The short answer is "yes." The long answer is "yes…but very few exist, your access numbers are limited, there's little or no support, and you will more than likely experience disconnects and slow dial up Internet connection speeds."
I can recall a day when NetZero CD's where available at every computer retail outlet and how cool it was to surf the Internet for free. Somehow it felt great to pay nothing for dial up Internet service. A rebel of sorts, though at that time the Internet was nothing compared to today's multi-media rich entertainment resource. You can still access the free NetZero dial up Internet service here on the Internet Service Deals web site. Most of the other free Internet service providers I managed to scrape up have been discontinued for financial reasons, provide very few Internet access numbers, or operate on a "free trial" or "donation" basis.
In my opinion, most of the ISP's I found via search are not truly free dial up Internet service providers. The once free dial up Internet service providers have begun charging for services due to maintenance cost increases. Some ISP's still say they're free, but their free dial up Internet service has given way to a free week or month instead. Alternatively, the free dial up Internet service is no longer maintained, merely an advertising method to get you to find the ISP, then upgrade for better Internet access. I wouldn't fault any business for trying to provide free dial up Internet access. The free business model just doesn't seem to work. Here are a few cases which support my research on the elusive free dial up Internet service.
Community Based Free Dial Up Internet Access — Los Angeles Free Net
The Los Angeles Free Net is an example of what I would call communities or companies trying to help out, but falling short of expectations. Los Angeles Free Net is a volunteer operated non-profit organization whom among other services offers low cost dial up Internet access. At first glance, temptation sways towards "hey, I found one, a non-profit even!" But upon closer review, the referenced LAFN Donation Schedule implies that you must pay $50/year before being granted free dial up Internet access. Here's an excerpt from the Los Angeles Free Net website:
"The annual registration fee [donation] helps the LA Free-Net pay for connection costs, system maintenance, and Internet access. This fee also makes it possible to add equipment, telephone lines and improved services. Regular [Free] and SlipStream Dial-In sessions are limited to one hour on weekdays from 5:00 A.M. to midnight. Longer sessions are available at other times."
— LAFN.org, 9/6/06"
The above excerpt is shown in full because of a particular point that I want to make, and will continue to discuss further: It costs more money than users realize to provide acceptable dial up Internet services. On top of hardware upgrades, system maintenance and ever increasing bandwidth demands, Internet security threats and identity protection are becoming a resource drain to dial up Internet service providers. Internet users want and need more than one hour of service per day during normal usage hours. I'd like to see someone shop online, do a little price comparison research, for anything in one hour or less using the LAFN free dial up Internet service.
Let's look at the next free dial up Internet service provider I found while conducting my research.
Discontinued Free Dial Up Internet Connection— Seven Midgets
I believe that most of the so called free dial up Internet service providers initially had good intentions. Whether a young entrepreneur decided to take a risk in a field they love, or an existing business decided one day to provide free dial up Internet service to the community or employees out of the kindness of their hearts. However they rationalized the move, the examples of failure are plentiful. Seven Midgets free dial up Internet service also landed on our research list of web sites offering free dial up Internet access. Our quote from their web site sums up Seven Midgets' noble effort to date:
"We are suspending our free dialup access offering for now. Market conditions and increased costs of support and maintenance were putting undue strain on our budget. We did keep our free dialup program up and running for almost a year and we will bring it back as soon as it is economically viable.
— SevenMidgets.com, 9/6/06"
Is free dial up Internet service dead, or will some business or some technology come forth and revitalize the effort? Free internet access doesn't seem to make sense given the cost to provide and protect these services. At least, there has to be a way to balance advertising revenues without disrupting the Internet user's session. One possible new entry into the ISP market has some serious cash in their pockets, and a business model that makes cents…or $3.8 billion in cash and equivalents on hand as of December 31, 2005. Who is this behemoth, and why on earth would they venture to provide free Internet access to the masses you ask?
Google Free Wi-Fi Internet Service — Mountain View, California
Late in August of this year, Google Inc. announced plans to offer free high speed Internet access to everyone in it's California hometown. According to Google's press release, Mountain View, California will become the largest US city with totally free high speed Internet service. Will this service roll out to other cities? It doesn't seem possible in the short term. I like to think of what google is doing as their experiment in cutting out the middle man - telephone and cable companies alike. If the Wi-Fi system works, and if it's profitable, then I would expect Google to expand the service rapidly.
The "middle man" is any existing dial up, DSL Internet, or cable Internet service provider. Obviously Google has chosen Wi-Fi or wireless internet connections because there implies the ability to avoid laying wires of any type. No need for heated negotiations with regionalized telephone and cable telecom operations, but there's more to this story. Those who understand the Google business model know, and can read in Google's annual reports, Google's annual advertising revenues totaled over $6 billion for year ended December 31, 2005. Advertising revenue? Yes you may know Google as a cool search engine, but their business model is purely to sell advertising space. And they do it very well. From 2003 to 2004 Google's advertising revenue doubled. Then just about doubled again from 2004 to 2005. Net Income for year ended 2005 was 24% of revenues - that's quite a health business.
Let's quickly compare Google's financial results to that of United Online, Inc. the owner of both NetZero and Juno dial up Internet service brands. United Online, Inc. boasts annual revenues from dial up Internet service of approximately $520 million annually. Though United Online's revenues and net income are strong for the Internet services industry, their net income is 9% of revenues, wimpy when compared to Google's 24%. United Online's asset base is also very respectable, but much smaller than Google's. Total assets at year end 2005 were $521 million for United Online versus Google's total assets of $10.3 billion. What will Google do with all of that money?
Value Added Internet Services For Under $15/month
While we all wait and watch the Google Wi-Fi project, those in need of immediate dial up Internet access should focus on price-per-value. Do not continuously search for the lowest price or free dial up Internet service access, you will waste your time and possibly risk your privacy. Always the innovator, NetZero recently played the value card and now includes free Norton antivirus protection, plus free VoIP phone calling for up to 100 minutes per month. So that's accelerated dial up, Internet security, and Internet phone calling services together for less than $15 per month. Another recent value play is ATT Yahoo DSL. ATT Yahoo DSL (and dial up) specials currently offer high speed Internet connection speeds up to 1.5 Mbps, prices starting at under $15/month.
Conclusion - Search For Low Cost, Value Added Internet Services
The examples I've discussed paint the picture of demise for the free dial up Internet service providers in the short term. The Internet today is not the same low bandwidth, 28k, boring text based medium it once was. For the price of one movie ticket a month you can get unlimited high speed Internet access or value added dial up Internet services. Free dial up Internet service providers generally fail, and can not provide the needed security, connection time, nor customer service that we tend to expect from the industry. My advice is this - skip the movie ticket and enjoy unlimited Internet access instead. From an entertainment perspective, your $15/month will keep you smiling all month long, unlike a short lived 2 hour movie. Popcorn and soda are cheaper at home too.
http://www.internetservicedeals.com/articles/free-dial-up-internet-service.htm
Much like our readers, I occasionally search the Internet for truly free dial up Internet service access. If you keep coming up with irrelevant search results or can't seem to find a good free dial up Internet connection, you are not alone. Searching the major web site directories and discussion forums are equally discouraging. So I decided to take a step back and look at the big picture. This article briefly compares free dial up Internet service providers to available subscription based unlimited dial up Internet and DSL Internet service providers.
Free Dial Up Internet Service Providers - Do They Exist?
The short answer is "yes." The long answer is "yes…but very few exist, your access numbers are limited, there's little or no support, and you will more than likely experience disconnects and slow dial up Internet connection speeds."
I can recall a day when NetZero CD's where available at every computer retail outlet and how cool it was to surf the Internet for free. Somehow it felt great to pay nothing for dial up Internet service. A rebel of sorts, though at that time the Internet was nothing compared to today's multi-media rich entertainment resource. You can still access the free NetZero dial up Internet service here on the Internet Service Deals web site. Most of the other free Internet service providers I managed to scrape up have been discontinued for financial reasons, provide very few Internet access numbers, or operate on a "free trial" or "donation" basis.
In my opinion, most of the ISP's I found via search are not truly free dial up Internet service providers. The once free dial up Internet service providers have begun charging for services due to maintenance cost increases. Some ISP's still say they're free, but their free dial up Internet service has given way to a free week or month instead. Alternatively, the free dial up Internet service is no longer maintained, merely an advertising method to get you to find the ISP, then upgrade for better Internet access. I wouldn't fault any business for trying to provide free dial up Internet access. The free business model just doesn't seem to work. Here are a few cases which support my research on the elusive free dial up Internet service.
Community Based Free Dial Up Internet Access — Los Angeles Free Net
The Los Angeles Free Net is an example of what I would call communities or companies trying to help out, but falling short of expectations. Los Angeles Free Net is a volunteer operated non-profit organization whom among other services offers low cost dial up Internet access. At first glance, temptation sways towards "hey, I found one, a non-profit even!" But upon closer review, the referenced LAFN Donation Schedule implies that you must pay $50/year before being granted free dial up Internet access. Here's an excerpt from the Los Angeles Free Net website:
"The annual registration fee [donation] helps the LA Free-Net pay for connection costs, system maintenance, and Internet access. This fee also makes it possible to add equipment, telephone lines and improved services. Regular [Free] and SlipStream Dial-In sessions are limited to one hour on weekdays from 5:00 A.M. to midnight. Longer sessions are available at other times."
— LAFN.org, 9/6/06"
The above excerpt is shown in full because of a particular point that I want to make, and will continue to discuss further: It costs more money than users realize to provide acceptable dial up Internet services. On top of hardware upgrades, system maintenance and ever increasing bandwidth demands, Internet security threats and identity protection are becoming a resource drain to dial up Internet service providers. Internet users want and need more than one hour of service per day during normal usage hours. I'd like to see someone shop online, do a little price comparison research, for anything in one hour or less using the LAFN free dial up Internet service.
Let's look at the next free dial up Internet service provider I found while conducting my research.
Discontinued Free Dial Up Internet Connection— Seven Midgets
I believe that most of the so called free dial up Internet service providers initially had good intentions. Whether a young entrepreneur decided to take a risk in a field they love, or an existing business decided one day to provide free dial up Internet service to the community or employees out of the kindness of their hearts. However they rationalized the move, the examples of failure are plentiful. Seven Midgets free dial up Internet service also landed on our research list of web sites offering free dial up Internet access. Our quote from their web site sums up Seven Midgets' noble effort to date:
"We are suspending our free dialup access offering for now. Market conditions and increased costs of support and maintenance were putting undue strain on our budget. We did keep our free dialup program up and running for almost a year and we will bring it back as soon as it is economically viable.
— SevenMidgets.com, 9/6/06"
Is free dial up Internet service dead, or will some business or some technology come forth and revitalize the effort? Free internet access doesn't seem to make sense given the cost to provide and protect these services. At least, there has to be a way to balance advertising revenues without disrupting the Internet user's session. One possible new entry into the ISP market has some serious cash in their pockets, and a business model that makes cents…or $3.8 billion in cash and equivalents on hand as of December 31, 2005. Who is this behemoth, and why on earth would they venture to provide free Internet access to the masses you ask?
Google Free Wi-Fi Internet Service — Mountain View, California
Late in August of this year, Google Inc. announced plans to offer free high speed Internet access to everyone in it's California hometown. According to Google's press release, Mountain View, California will become the largest US city with totally free high speed Internet service. Will this service roll out to other cities? It doesn't seem possible in the short term. I like to think of what google is doing as their experiment in cutting out the middle man - telephone and cable companies alike. If the Wi-Fi system works, and if it's profitable, then I would expect Google to expand the service rapidly.
The "middle man" is any existing dial up, DSL Internet, or cable Internet service provider. Obviously Google has chosen Wi-Fi or wireless internet connections because there implies the ability to avoid laying wires of any type. No need for heated negotiations with regionalized telephone and cable telecom operations, but there's more to this story. Those who understand the Google business model know, and can read in Google's annual reports, Google's annual advertising revenues totaled over $6 billion for year ended December 31, 2005. Advertising revenue? Yes you may know Google as a cool search engine, but their business model is purely to sell advertising space. And they do it very well. From 2003 to 2004 Google's advertising revenue doubled. Then just about doubled again from 2004 to 2005. Net Income for year ended 2005 was 24% of revenues - that's quite a health business.
Let's quickly compare Google's financial results to that of United Online, Inc. the owner of both NetZero and Juno dial up Internet service brands. United Online, Inc. boasts annual revenues from dial up Internet service of approximately $520 million annually. Though United Online's revenues and net income are strong for the Internet services industry, their net income is 9% of revenues, wimpy when compared to Google's 24%. United Online's asset base is also very respectable, but much smaller than Google's. Total assets at year end 2005 were $521 million for United Online versus Google's total assets of $10.3 billion. What will Google do with all of that money?
Value Added Internet Services For Under $15/month
While we all wait and watch the Google Wi-Fi project, those in need of immediate dial up Internet access should focus on price-per-value. Do not continuously search for the lowest price or free dial up Internet service access, you will waste your time and possibly risk your privacy. Always the innovator, NetZero recently played the value card and now includes free Norton antivirus protection, plus free VoIP phone calling for up to 100 minutes per month. So that's accelerated dial up, Internet security, and Internet phone calling services together for less than $15 per month. Another recent value play is ATT Yahoo DSL. ATT Yahoo DSL (and dial up) specials currently offer high speed Internet connection speeds up to 1.5 Mbps, prices starting at under $15/month.
Conclusion - Search For Low Cost, Value Added Internet Services
The examples I've discussed paint the picture of demise for the free dial up Internet service providers in the short term. The Internet today is not the same low bandwidth, 28k, boring text based medium it once was. For the price of one movie ticket a month you can get unlimited high speed Internet access or value added dial up Internet services. Free dial up Internet service providers generally fail, and can not provide the needed security, connection time, nor customer service that we tend to expect from the industry. My advice is this - skip the movie ticket and enjoy unlimited Internet access instead. From an entertainment perspective, your $15/month will keep you smiling all month long, unlike a short lived 2 hour movie. Popcorn and soda are cheaper at home too.
http://www.internetservicedeals.com/articles/free-dial-up-internet-service.htm
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