What is the Internet?
The Internet is a huge network of computers, with millions of computers linked together, spanning the globe.
A network is a link between two or more computers. The links connecting the computers may be phone lines, fiber optic cables, microwaves, cable TV or satellite. Linked computers can exchange information, share storage space (memory) and share printers.
The word internet (with a small i) means interconnected networks. When two or more computer networks are connected, a network of networks is created. The Internet (with a capital I) connects millions of computers, ranging from supercomputers to PCs and MACs, in over 100 countries and is a network of computer networks. These computer networks are administered by educational institutions, corporations, government agencies, and private organizations. No one knows exactly how many people or computers are linked to the Internet but surveys like the Internet Domain Survey provide interesting statistics.
The prototype for the Internet was originally developed, financed, and built by the United States Department
of Defense and later aided by the National Science Foundation. The original intent for the Internet was to be able to maintain communication in the event of a nuclear war. This would be possible because if information on "the net" can't get through one path (NY via Chicago to LA), it will seek another (NY via Dallas to LA). It is a decentralized, international network with alternative routes along which information and data can travel.
Scientists soon discovered that they were able to share results of their research almost instantaneously with colleagues all over the world. Since most research was being done at academic centers, students soon became involved with the net, using email and searching for information.
The World Wide Web, or Web, a section of the Internet, was officially launched in 1993, but by 1994 commercial users outnumbered research and educational users 2 to 1.
