The Internet: Has it Changed the World?

WikipediA describes the Internet as follows:
"The Internet 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."

WikipediA differentiates between the Internet and the World Wide Web, for which it says:
"The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked, hypertext documents accessed via the Internet. With a web browser, a user views web pages that may contain text, images, and other multimedia and navigates between them using hyperlinks.

The World Wide Web was created in 1989 by the Englishman Sir Tim Berners-Lee and the Belgian Robert Cailliau working at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. Since then, Berners-Lee has played an active role in guiding the development of web standards (such as the markup languages in which Web pages are composed), and in recent years has advocated his vision of a Semantic Web."

The Internet has certainly been one of the most "world-changing" phenomena to come along...without a doubt! What began as a method for scientists in CERN to communicate with other scientists around the world has ultimately become what we know today as the Internet.

The Internet has changed the world in so many ways that I know I could not begin to list them all, but I thought I would try to describe a few of the biggest impacts the Internet has had.

What immediately comes to my mind is the way the Internet has brought general information much closer and much sooner, to all of us. No longer does one have to visit a public library to learn about new things, or to do research on a particular subject. Now, with the Internet, one can learn much more and much quicker, with just a few clicks of the mouse...in the comfort of home!

Likewise, no longer does one have to wait for the 6:00 News for updates on current events; now, one can get information AT ANY TIME, ABOUT ANY THING...even as it is happening (i.e., "real-time") on the Internet!

Also, the Internet has changed the way we shop! Now, we can research, evaluate, compare and select many products and services we wish to purchase. Indeed, one can literally shop at dozens of stores within a matter of minutes on the Internet...and can even see side-by-side comparisons in one view! Try doing that at any Mall or shopping center!

Furthermore, if you decide to purchase online, your product will be delivered to your door...no need to drive somewhere to find, evaluate and pick up items anymore...if you so choose...because the Internet has changed all that!

The Internet has also opened up whole new worlds of communication tools, including a myriad of forums, chat-rooms, clubs, social networks, and the like...which has allowed people from all around the world to come together to share information, knowledge, cultures, even hopes, fears, dreams...and more.

Moreover, the Internet has forever changed the way business and industry operates. No longer is it even necessary (in some cases) for employees of many companies to report (in person) to a particular place of business...many employees now work from home via Internet links and online Internet-based programs for companies all around the globe.

The Internet has also provided some not-so-wonderful things, as we all know, but I'm sure that is how these things work. When something as powerful as the Internet comes along, everyone wants a piece of the action, including those with devious and otherwise unwelcome intentions or attributes. It becomes our own personal decision as to how we utilize the Internet...just like most things in life! Discretion and caution are the keywords for safe Internet use, I guess.

I know the Internet has certainly changed MY life! And, I really do not know anyone who would be able to say different...even if they do not actively participate on the Internet, or otherwise access the Internet themselves. After all, virtually everything has been touched in some way by the Internet, so it is impossible to escape it! Might as well learn to enjoy it!

Now for a few words about what may be in store for the future of the Internet, in my opinion.

Internet2:
Internet2 was started in 1999; Internet2 is a consortium of advanced networking, led by the research and education community. Internet2 will further enhance Internet information and program capabilities.

WikipediA says: "Internet2 or UCAID (University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development) is a non-profit consortium which develops and deploys advanced network applications and technologies, for education and high-speed data transfer purposes. It is led by 212 universities and partners with 60 companies in areas from the networking (Cisco Systems), publishing (Prous Science) and technology industries such as Comcast, Intel and Sun Microsystems. "Internet2" is a registered trademark".

Other improvements and advances to the Internet will undoubtedly involve many of the following:
-Higher Internet data transmission speeds
-Greater Internet privacy controls
-Advanced Internet anti-hacking controls
-Advanced Internet anti-"anything-else-bad" controls
-More advanced Internet video and interactivity
-Advanced Internet capability for user input, interface
-And certainly much more Internet advances will come...after all, the Internet is still very young!

Hang on for the ride! The road to the future of the Internet promises to be a real thrill!