Global Village, a general description of what the internet is.

Essay by Anonymous UserCollege, UndergraduateA, April 1997

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Imagine a place where people interact in business situations, shop, play video games, do research, or study and get tutoring. Now imagine that there are no office buildings, no shopping centers, no arcades, no libraries, and no schools. These places all exist in a location called the Internet - 'an anarchic eyetem (to use an oxymoron) of public and private computer networks that span the globe.' (Clark 3). This technological advance not only benefits people of the present, but also brings forth future innovations. People use the Internet for many purposes, yet there are three popular reasons. First, there is the sending and receiving of messages through the electronic mail. Second, there are discussion groups with a wide range of topics in which people can join. Finally, people are free to browse into vast collection of resources (or databases) of the World Wide Web.

Electronic mail (e-mail) brings a unique perception into the way of communication.

Although, it did not replace the traditional means of communication such as letters and telephone calls, it has created a new method of transmitting information in a more efficient way. E-mail saves time between the interval of sending and receiving a message. Sending an e-mail message halfway around the world can arrive at its destination within a minute or two. In comparison, a letter can take from a few days to a couple of weeks, according to the distance it travels. Furthermore, e-mail is inexpensive. The cost of connection to the Internet is relatively cheaper than that of cable television. Evidently e-mail is both time-saving and cost-effective.

Discussion groups are a great way to interact with others in the world and to expand the knowledge of one's horizon. The response is instantaneuos just like the telephone except it is non-verbal (typed). Discussion groups...