With the advent of the Internet, communication and information sharing has become a lot easier. The Internet is actually a global network that links computers together all across the globe. Through the Internet, individuals are able to share information and even communicate with each other from virtually anywhere using an Internet connection.
Because of its global reach, it was very difficult for the traditional industries to tap into the massive market of the Internet. This made the Internet exclusive for research and educational institutions. In order to be in business on the Internet, big companies had to develop time-share arrangements with computer networks. These time-sharing systems were very expensive since they involved large fees to Internet service providers (ISP’s) in different parts of the world.
The development of the World Wide Web led to the opening up of the Internet to smaller businesses and individuals who wanted to share information and resources. Because this new market was open to all, the IT industry gained a new field – information technology. There were already several internet workstations available in the market but they could only be accessed through large computer networks. With the advent of the Internet, smaller and more personal computers became viable choices for individuals who wanted to use the internet.
Today, the internet works just like a bigger computer network. Large corporations and small start-ups can access the internet. They can communicate with each other through e-mail and share data at the same time. The difference however is that while the internet works like a bigger computer network, it can also connect the smaller computer networks to each other through the use of satellite or cable connections.
Unlike before, when the internet was exclusively for large companies and academic institutions, today, anyone can access the internet. Even ordinary people use the internet for different purposes. Some use it to study abroad. Others use the internet to socialize with others and share information. On the other hand, some people use the internet for business purposes such as setting up an online store or blog and accepting payments using various credit and debit cards.
While the internet does not have one defining purpose, some characteristics are common among all use of the internet. For example, almost everyone uses the internet to shop. Additionally, almost everyone uses the internet to socialize with others. Some individuals use the internet for educational purposes such as studying abroad or researching different types of information. But no matter what you do to use the internet, the fact that it exists and is used by millions of people all over the world makes it one of the most powerful information tools in existence.
About Author
