You are now on the Net. Look around the system. See if there are any help files for you to read. If it’s a menu-based host system, choose different options just to see what happens (and if all you see is a simple prompt, try typing ‘help’ or read on). Remember: You can’t break anything. The more you play, the more comfortable you’ll be.
What follows are lists of public-access Internet sites, which are computer systems that offer access to the Net. The first list is for North America; the second for the rest of the world. All offer international e-mail and Usenet (international conferences). In addition, they offer:
- FTP: File-transfer protocol — access to hundreds of file libraries (everything from computer software to historical documents to song lyrics). You’ll be able to transfer these files from the Net to your own computer.
- Telnet: Access to databases, computerized library card catalogs, weather reports and other information services, as well as live, online games that let you compete with players from around the world.
Additional services that may be offered include:
- Lynx: An easy-to-use interface for the World-Wide Web information resource.
- WAIS: Wide-area Information Server; a program that can search dozens of databases in one search.
- Gopher: A program that gives you easy access to dozens of other online databases and services by making selections on a menu. You’ll also be able to use these to copy text files and some programs to your mailbox.
- IRC: Internet Relay Chat, a CB simulator that lets you have live keyboard chats with people around the world.
SLIP/PPP service. you’ll need this if you want to interact with the internet directly on your own computer. will often cost more than standard dial-up service.
However, even on systems that do not provide all these services directly, you will be able to use a number of them through telnet (see Chapter 6).
In the lists that follow, systems that let you access services through menus are noted; otherwise assume that when you connect, you’ll be dumped right into Unix (a.k.a. MS-DOS with a college degree). Several of these sites are available nationwide through national data networks such as the CompuServe Packet Network and SprintNet.
Please note that all listed charges are subject to change. Many sites require new or prospective users to log on a particular way on their first call; this list provides the name you’ll use in such cases.
1.4 NORTH AMERICAN PROVIDERS
ALABAMA
Huntsville. Nuance. Call voice number for modem number. $35 setup; $25 a month. Voice: (205) 533-4296.
ALASKA
Anchorage. University of Alaska Southeast, Tundra Services, (907) 789-1314; has local dial-in service in several other cities. $20 a month. Voice: (907) 465-6453.
ALBERTA
Edmonton. PUCNet Computer Connections, (403) 484-5640. Log on as: guest. $10 setup fee; $25 for 20 hours a month plus $6.25 an hour for access to ftp and telnet. Voice: (403)448-1901.
ARIZONA
Tucson. Data Basics, (602) 721-5887. $25 a month or $180 a year. Voice: (602) 721-1988.
Phoenix/Tucson. Internet Direct, (602) 274-9600 (Phoenix); (602) 321-9600 (Tucson). Log on as: guest. $20 a month. Voice: (602) 274-0100 (Phoenix); (602) 324-0100 (Tucson).
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Victoria Victoria Free-Net, (604) 595-2300. Menus. Access to all features requires completion of a written form. Users can “link” to other Free-Net systems in Canada and the United States. Free. Log on as: guest Voice: (604) 389-6026.
CALIFORNIA
Berkeley. Community ConneXion, (510) 549-1383. Log in as: guest. $10 a month. Voice: (510) 841-2014.
Berkeley. Holonet. Menus. For free trial, modem number is (510) 704-1058. For information or local numbers, call the voice number. $60 a year for local access, $2 an hour during offpeak hours. Voice: (510) 704-0160.
Concord/Walnut Creek. CCnet. Unix and menu. Modem number (510) 988-7140. $15 setup. Flat fee of $18 a month for unlimited usage with credit card billing. Voice: (510) 988-0680.
Cupertino. Portal. Unix and menus. (408) 725-0561 (2400 bps); (408) 973-8091 (9600/14,400 bps). $19.95 setup fee, $19.95 a month. Voice: (408) 973-9111.
Cupertino. Aimnet. (408) 366-9000 (Cupertino); (415) 610-8625 (Belmont); (510) 227-8730 (Pleasanton); (415) 288-9720 (San Francisco). $20 set-up and $20 a month; $25 set-up and $20 a month for SLIP/PPP. Voice: (408) 257-0900.
Irvine. Dial N’ CERF. See under San Diego.
Los Angeles/Orange County. Kaiwan Public Access Internet, (714) 539-5726; (310) 527-7358. $15 signup; $11 a month (credit card). Voice: (714) 638-2139.
Los Angeles. Dial N’ CERF. See under San Diego.
Oakland. Dial N’ CERF. See under San Diego.
Pasadena. Dial N’ CERF See under San Diego.
Palo Alto. Institute for Global Communications., (415) 322-0284. Unix. Local conferences on environmental/peace issues. Log on as: new. $10 a month and $3 an hour after first hour. Voice: (415) 442-0220.
San Diego. Dial N’ CERF USA, run by the California Education and Research Federation. Provides local dial-up numbers in San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, Pasadena and Irvine. For more information, call voice (800) 876-CERF or (619) 534-5087. $50 setup fee; $20 a month plus $5 an hour ($3 on weekends). Voice: (800) 876-2373.
San Diego. CTS Network Services, (619) 637-3660. Log on as: help. $15 set-up fee, monthly fee of $10 to $23 depending on services used. Voice: (619) 637-3637.
San Diego. Cyberspace Station, (619) 634-1376. Unix. Log on as: guest. Charges: $10 sign-up fee; $15 a month or $60 for six months.
San Francisco. Pathways, call voice number for number. Menus. $25 setup fee; $8 a month and $3 an hour. Voice: (415) 346-4188.
San Jose. Netcom, (510) 865-9004 or 426-6610; (408) 241-9760; (415) 424-0131, up to 9600 bps. Unix or graphical interface. Log on as: guest. $15 startup fee and then $17.50 a month for unlimited use with credit-card billing; otherwise $19.50 a month. Voice: (408) 554-UNIX.
San Jose. A2i, (408) 293-9010. Log on as: guest. $20 a month; $45 for three months; $72 for six months.
Sausalito. The Whole Earth ‘Lectronic Link (WELL), (415) 332-6106. Uses moderately difficult Picospan software, which is sort of a cross between Unix and a menu system. New users get a PRINTED written manual. More than 200 WELL-only conferences. Log on as: newuser. $15 a month plus $2 an hour. Access through the nationwide CompuServe Packet Network available for another $4.50 an hour. Voice: (415) 332-4335. Recorded message about the system’s current status: (800) 326-8354 (continental U.S. only).
COLORADO
Colorado Springs/Denver. CNS, (719) 570-1700 (Colorado Springs); (303) 758-2656 (Denver). Local calendar listings and ski and stock reports. Users can chose between menus or Unix. Log on as: new. $35 setup fee; $2.75 an hour (minimum fee of $10 a month). Voice: (719) 592-1240.
Colorado Springs. Old Colorado City Communications, (719) 632-4111. Log on as: newuser. $25 a month. Voice: (719) 632-4848.
Denver. Denver Free-Net, (303) 270-4865. Menus. Access to all services requires completion of a written form. Users can “link” to other Free-Net systems across the country. Free. Log on as: guest.
Golden. Colorado SuperNet. Available only to Colorado residents. Local dial-in numbers available in several Colorado cities. For dial-in numbers, call the number below. $3 an hour ($1 an hour between midnight and 6 a.m.); one-time $20 sign-up fee. Voice: (303) 273-3471.
CONNECTICTUT
Middlefield. Connix, (203) 349-1176. $20 start-up fee; $2 an hour with a $10 monthly minimum or $20 a month for 20 hours a month. SLIP is $25 for 20 hours a month plus a $25 set-up fee. Voice: (203) 349-7059.
DELAWARE
Middletown. Systems Solutions, (302) 378-1881. $20 setup fee; $25 a month for full Internet access. Voice: (800) 331-1386.
FLORIDA
Broward County. SEFLIN Free-Net, (305) 357-7318. Menus. Free. Users can “link” to other Free-Net systems. Voice: (305) 357-7318.
Clearwater. Intelligence Network Online. Call voice number for modem number. $29 set-up fee; $29 a month. Voice: (813) 442-0114.
Deerfield Beach/Miami/Tampa/Orlando. CyberGate. $17.50 a month; $29.50 a month for 25 hours of SLIP/PPP access (plus $50 set-up fee). Voice: (305) 428-GATE or (800) NET GATE outside of 305.
Southeast Florida. Satelnet, (305) 434-7340. Follow log-in prompts to set up account. $17 a month or $60 for four months.
Tallahassee. Symnet, (904) 385-8177. Menus or Unix. $15 a month or six months for $75; SLIP for $30 set-up and $30 for 30 hours a month. Voice: (904) 385-1061.
Talahassee. Talahassee Free-Net, (904) 488-5056. Menus. Full access requires completion of a registration form. Can “link” to other Free-Net systems around the country. Voice: (904) 488-5056.
GEORGIA
Atlanta. Netcom, (303) 758-0101. See under San Jose, California, for information on rates.
ILLINOIS
Champaign. Prarienet Free-Net, (217) 255-9000. Menus. Log on as: visitor. Free for Illinois residents; $25 a year for others. Voice: (217) 244-1962.
Chicago. WorldWide Access, (312) 282-8605. Charges: $19.50 a month; $25 a month for SLIP/PPP access. Voice number: (708) 367-1870.
Chicago. MCSNet, (312) 248-0900. $25/month or $65 for three months of unlimited access; $30 for three months of access at 15 hours a month. Voice: (312) 248-UNIX.
Naperville/Hoffman Estates. XNet. (708) 983-6435 (Naperville); (708) 882-1101. $45 for three months or $75 for six months. Voice: (708) 983-6064.
Peoria. Peoria Free-Net, (309) 674-1100. Similar to Cleveland Free-Net (see Ohio, below). Users can “link” to the larger Cleveland system for access to Usenet and other services. There are also Peoria Free-Net public-access terminals in numerous area libraries, other government buildings and senior-citizen centers. Contact the number below for specific locations. Full access (including access to e-mail) requires completion of a written application. Free. Voice: (309) 677-2544.
Vernon Hills. WorldWide Access, (708) 367-1871. Charges: $19.50 a month;$25/month for SLIP/PP access. Voice number: (708) 367-1870.
INDIANA
Kokomo. Holli-Com, full net access. PPP, SLIP, UNIX SHELL and SHELL by menu. 220 hours per month for $20. $10 set-up fee. 317-883-4562 voice.
MARYLAND
Baltimore. Digital Express, (410) 766-1855; (301) 220-0462; (714) 377-9784. Log on as: new. $20 setup fee; $25 a month or $250 a year. Voice: (800 969-9090.
Baltimore. Clarknet, (410) 730-9786; (410) 995-0271; (301) 596-1626; (301) 854-0446. Log on as: guest. $23 a month, $126 for six months or $228 a year. Voice: (410) 730-9765.
MASSACHUSETTS
Bedford. The Internet Access Company, (617) 275-0331. To log on, follow on-line prompts. $20 setup fee; $19.50 a month. Voice: (617) 275-2221.
Brookline. The World, (617) 739-9753. Log on as: new. $5 a month plus $2 an hour or $20 for 20 hours a month. Also has local dial-up numbers in Lowell and Westboro. Available nationwide through the CompuServe Packet Network for another $5.60 an hour. Voice: (617) 739-0202.
Lynn. North Shore Access, (617) 593-4557. Log on as: new. $10 for 10 hours a month; $1 an hour after that. Voice: (617) 593-3110.
Shrewsbury/Worcester. NovaLink, (508) 754-4009. Log on as: info. $12.95 sign-up (includes first two hours); $9.95 a month (includes five daytime hours), $1.80 an hour after that. Voice: (800) 274-2814.
MICHIGAN
Ann Arbor. MSEN. Call voice number for dial-in number. Unix. Charges: $20 setup; $20 a month. Voice: (313) 998-4562.
Ann Arbor. Michnet. Has local dial-in numbers in several Michigan numbers. For local numbers, call voice number below. $35 a month plus one-time $40 sign-up fee. Additional network fees for access through non-Michnet numbers. Voice: (313) 764-9430.
MISSOURI
Springfield. Ozarks Regional Information Online Network, (417) 864-6100. Log on as: guest. Local conferences and information, access to many Internet resources and to other Free-Net sites in the U.S. and Canada.Complete access requires completion of written registration form. Free. Voice: (417) 837-5050, ext. 15.
NEVADA
Las Vegas. Evergreen Internet Express. For modem number, call voice number below. $240 a year unlimited access; $360 a year for unlimited SLIP/PPP access. Voice: (702) 361-2258.
Las Vegas. @wizard.com, (702) 871-3102. Menus or Unix. $14.95 set-up fee, $25 a month. Voice: (702) 871-4461.
NEWFOUNDLAND
St.John’s. Compusult Limited. Call voice number for modem number. $24.95 a month for 25 hours access; $3 an hour for each additional hour. SLIP/PPP access: $50 set-up fee; $24.95 a month. Voice (709) 745-7914; Fax: (709) 745-7927.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Manchester. MV Communications, Inc. For local dial-up numbers call voice line below. $5 a month mininum plus variable hourly rates depending on services used. Voice: (603) 429-2223.
NEW JERSEY
New Brunswick. Digital Express, (908) 937-9481. Log on as: new. $20 setup fee; $25 a month or $250 a year. Voice: (800) 969-9090.
Wyckoff. NIC. Call voice number for modem number. Menus or Unix. $10 set-up fee, $10 a month for 20 hours or $20 a month for 60 hours. Voice: (201) 934-1445.
NEW YORK
Buffalo. Buffalo Free-Net, (716) 645-3085. Log on as: visitor. Local conferences and information, access to many Internet resources and to other Free-Net sites in the U.S. and Canada. Complete access requires completion of written registration form. Free.
New York. Panix, (212) 787-3100. Unix or menus. Log on as: newuser. $40 setup fee; $19 a month or $208 a year. Voice: (212) 877-4854.
New York. Echo, (212) 989-8411. Unix, but with local conferencing software. Log on as: newuser. $19.95 ($13.75 students and seniors) a month. Voice: (212) 255-3839.
New York.. MindVox, (212) 989-4141. Local conferences. Log on as: guest. $10 setup fee for non-credit-card accounts; $15 a month. Voice: (212) 989-2418.
New York. Pipeline, (212) 267-8606 (9600 bps and higher); (212) 267-7341 (2400 bps). Offers graphical interface for Windows for $90. Log on as: guest. $20 a month and $2 an hour after first 20 hours or $35 a month unlimited hours. Voice: (212) 267-3636.
New York. Maestro, (212) 240-9700. Log on as: newuser. $12 a month or $140 a year. Voice: (212) 240-9600.
New York. Interport Communications, (212) 989-1258. Log on as: newuser. $25 a month for 60 hours a month. Voice: (212) 989-1128.
Rockland County. TZ-Link, (914) 353-4618, Menus or Unix. Log in as guest with a password of: guest. $36 a quarter. Voice: (914) 353-5443.
Rye. WestNet Internet Services, (914) 967-7802. Log in as: new. $45 a quarter; $150 a year. Voice: (914) 967-7816.
White Plains. Cloud 9 Internet, (914) 682-0384. Menus or Unix. $45 a quarter or $180 a year; #90 a quarter or $360 a year for SLIP. Voice: (914)682-0626.
NORTH CAROLINA
Charlotte. Vnet Internet Access, (704) 347-8839; (919) 406-1544. Log on as: new. $25 a month. Voice: (704) 374-0779.
Raleigh. NandO Net. Call voice number for modem number. Menus. Access to archives of the Raleigh News and Observer. $30 a month, for up to five accounts per household. Voice: (919) 836-2808.
Triangle Research Park. Rock Concert Net. Call number below for local modem numbers in various North Carolina cities. $30 a month; one-time $50 sign-up fee. Voice: (919) 248-1999.
OHIO
Cleveland. Cleveland Free-Net, (216) 368-3888. Ohio and US Supreme Court decisions, historical documents, many local conferences. Full access (including access to e-mail) requires completion of a written application. Free. Voice: (216) 368-8737.
Cleveland. Wariat, (216) 481-9436. Unix or menus. $20 setup fee; $35 a month. Voice: (216) 481-9428.
Dayton. Freelance Systems Programming, (513) 258-7745. $20 setup fee; $1 an hour. Voice: (513) 254-7246.
Lorain. Lorain County Free-Net, (216) 233-5929. Users can “link” to the larger Cleveland Free-Net for additional services. Full access (including access to e-mail) requires completion of a written application. Free. Voice: (216) 366-4200.
Medina. Medina Free-Net, (216) 723-6732, 225-6732 or 335-6732. Users can “link” to the larger Cleveland Free-Net for additional services. Full access (including access to e-mail) requires completion of a written application. Free.
Youngstown. Youngstown Free-Net, (216) 742-3072. Users can “link” to the Cleveland system for services not found locally. Full access (including access to e-mail) requires completion of a written application. Free.
ONTARIO
Ottawa. National Capital Freenet, (613) 564-3600. Menus. Free, but requires completion of a written form for access to all services. Voice: (613) 788-3947.
Toronto. Internex Online, (416) 363-3783. Both Unix and menus. $40 a year for one hour a day. Voice: (416) 363-8676.
Toronto. The Wire. Graphical interface. Call (416) 214-WIRE for rates and dial-in number.
OREGON
Portland. Agora, (503) 293-1772 (2400 bps), (503) 293-2059 (9600 bps or higher). Log on as: apply. $6 a month for one hour per day.
Portland. Teleport, (503) 220-0636 (2400 bps); (503) 220-1016 (9600 and higher). Log on as: new. $10 a month for one hour per day. Voice: (503) 223-4245.
PENNSYLVANIA
Pittsburgh. Telerama, (412) 481-5302. $6 for 10 hours a month, 60 cents for each additional hour. Voice: (412) 481-3505.
QUEBEC
Montreal. Communications Accessibles Montreal. To start account, call voice number. $25 month plus tax for 10 hours a week. Voice: (514) 288-2581.
RHODE ISLAND
East Greenwich. IDS World Network, (401) 884-9002. In addition to Usenet, has conferences from the Fidonet and RIME networks. $10 a month; $50 for six months; $100 for a year.
Providence/Seekonk. Anomaly, (401) 331-3706. $125 for six months or $200 a year. Educational rate of $75 for six months or $125 a year. Voice: (401) 273-4669.
TEXAS
Austin. RealTime Communications, (512) 459-4391. Log on as: new. $80 for six months. Voice: (512) 206-3800.
Dallas. Texas Metronet, (214) 705-2901; (817) 261-1127. Log on as: info or signup. $10 to $35 setup fee, depending on service; $10 to $45 a month, depending on service. Voice: (214) 705-2900 or (817) 543-8756.
Houston. The Black Box, (713) 480-2686. $21.65 a month. Voice: (713) 480-2684.
UTAH
Salt Lake City. XMission, (801) 539-0900 Voice: (801) 539-0852. Menu and Unix. CSLIP/PPP usage no extra charge. $5 for the first month; $19 a month after that; $102 for six months.
VIRGINIA
Norfolk/Peninsula. Wyvern Technologies, (804) 627-1828 (Norfolk); (804) 886-0662 (Peninsula). $10 startup fee; $15 a month or $144 a year. Voice: (804) 622-4289.
Williamsburg. Global Connect. For modem number, call voice number below. Menus or Unix. $15 a month or $150 a year for 40 hours per month; $40 a month or $400 a year for 70 hours of SLIP/PPP access a month. Voice: (804) 229-4484.
WASHINGTON, DC
The Meta Network. Call voice number below for local dial-in numbers. Caucus conferencing, menus. $15 setup fee; $20 a month. Voice: (703) 243-6622.
CapAccess, (202), 785-1523. Log on as guest with a password of visitor. A Free-Net system (see under Cleveland, Ohio, for information). Free. Voice: (202) 994-4245. See also: listing under Baltimore, MD for Digital Express and Clarknet, both of which have Washington, DC numbers.
WASHINGTON STATE
Seattle. Halcyon, (206) 382-6245. Users can choose between menus and Unix. Log on as: new. $10 setup fee; $60 a quarter or $200 a year. Voice: (206) 955-1050.
Seattle. Eskimo North, (206) 367-3837 (all speeds), (206) 362-6731 (9600/14.4K bps). $10 a month or $96 a year. Voice: (206) 367-7457.
Seattle. Seattle Community Network, (206) 386-4140. Log on as: visitor. Local conferences and information, access to many Internet resources and to other Free-Net sites in the U.S. and Canada. Complete access requires completion of written registration form. Free.
GERMANY
Erlangen-Nuernburg. Free-Net Erlangen-Nuernburg, 09131-85-8111. Log on as: guest. Local conferences and information, access to many Internet resources and to other Free-Net sites in the U.S. and Canada. German and English menus. Complete access requires completion of written registration form, 2DM registration fee. Voice: 09131-85-2693.
ITALY
Milan. Galactica, 02/29.00.60.58 (up to 2400 bps); 02/29.00.60.91 (up to 14.4 Kbps). 24.000 lire/month; 71.400/three months; 178.500/year, including IVA. Voice: 02/29.00.61.50
Milan. Agora, (02) 48403680 (see under Rome).
Pavia. Telnet, 0382 529121. Voice: 0382 529751.
Rome. Agora, (06) 69920412, (06) 6990532 and (06) 69200112. Also available via ITAPAC: NUA 26430303, 26420265 (1200 bps). Voice: 06 6991742/3
Rome. MC-link Technimedia Srl, (06) 4180440 and (06) 4513900.ITAPAC: NUA 26410420. 216.000 lire per year or 72.000 lire per quarter. Voice: 06 418921.
UNITED KINGDOM
London. Demon Internet Systems, 44 (0)81 343 4848. 12.50 pounds setup fee; 10 a month or 132.50 a year. Voice: 44 (0)81 349 0063.
1.6 IF YOUR TOWN HAS NO DIRECT ACCESS
If you don’t live in an area with a public-access site, you’ll still be able to connect to the Net. Several services offer access through national data networks such as the CompuServe Packet Network and SprintNet, which have dozens, even hundreds of local dial-in numbers across the country. These include Holonet in Berkeley, Calf., Portal in Cupertino, Calf., the WELL in Sausalito, Calf., Dial ‘N CERF in San Diego, Calf., the World in Brookline, Mass., and Michnet in Ann Arbor, Mich. Dial ‘N CERF offers access through an 800 number. Expect to pay from $2 to $12 an hour to use these networks, above each provider’s basic charges. The exact amount depends on the network, time of day and type of modem you use. For more information, contact the above services.
Four other providers deliver Net access to users across the country:
Delphi, based in Cambridge, Mass., is a consumer-oriented network much like CompuServe or America Online — only it now offers subscribers access to Internet services. Delphi charges $3 a month for Internet access, in addition to standard charges. These are $10 a month for four hours of off-peak (non-working hours) access a month and $4 an hour for each additional hour or $20 for 20 hours of access a month and $1.80 an hour for each additional hour. For more information, call (800) 695-4005.
BIX (the Byte Information Exchange) offers FTP, Telnet and e-mail access to the Internet as part of their basic service. Owned by the same company as Delphi, it also offers 20 hours of access a month for $20. For more information, call (800) 695-4775.
PSI, based in Reston, Va., provides nationwide access to Internet services through scores of local dial-in numbers to owners of IBM and compatible computers. PSILink. which includes access to e-mail, Usenet and ftp, costs $29 a month, plus a one-time $19 registration fee. Special software is required, but is available free from PSI. PSI’s Global Dialup Service provides access to telnet for $39 a month plus a one-time $39 set-up fee. For more information, call (800) 82PSI82 or (703) 620-6651.
NovX Systems Integration, based in Seattle, Washington, offers full Internet access through an 800 number reachable across the United States. There is a $24.95 setup fee, in addition to a monthly fee of $19.95 and a $10.5 hourly charge. For more information, call (206) 447-0800.
Editors Note: Since this article was writen, Compuserve, America On-Line and Prodigy have offered expanded access to the Internet.
1.7 NET ORIGINS
In the 1960s, researchers began experimenting with linking computers to each other and to people through telephone hook-ups, using funds from the U.S Defense Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA).
ARPA wanted to see if computers in different locations could be linked using a new technology known as packet switching. This technology, in which data meant for another location is broken up into little pieces, each with its own “forwarding address” had the promise of letting several users share just one communications line. Just as important, from ARPA’s viewpoint, was that this allowed for creation of networks that could automatically route data around downed circuits or computers. ARPA’s goal was not the creation of today’s international computer-using community, but development of a data network that could survive a nuclear attack.
Previous computer networking efforts had required a line between each computer on the network, sort of like a one-track train route. The packet system allowed for creation of a data highway, in which large numbers of vehicles could essentially share the same lane. Each packet was given the computer equivalent of a map and a time stamp, so that it could be sent to the right destination, where it would then be reassembled into a message the computer or a human could use.
This system allowed computers to share data and the researchers to exchange electronic mail, or e-mail. In itself, e-mail was something of a revolution, offering the ability to send detailed letters at the speed of a phone call.
As this system, known as ARPANet, grew, some enterprising college students (and one in high school) developed a way to use it to conduct online conferences. These started as science-oriented discussions, but they soon branched out into virtually every other field, as people recognized the power of being able to “talk” to hundreds, or even thousands, of people around the country.
In the 1970s, ARPA helped support the development of rules, or protocols, for transferring data between different types of computer networks. These “internet” (from “internetworking”) protocols made it possible to develop the worldwide Net we have today that links all sorts of computers across national boundaries. By the close of the 1970s, links developed between ARPANet and counterparts in other countries. The world was now tied together in a computer web.
In the 1980s, this network of networks, which became known collectively as the Internet, expanded at a phenomenal rate. Hundreds, then thousands, of colleges, research companies and government agencies began to connect their computers to this worldwide Net. Some enterprising hobbyists and companies unwilling to pay the high costs of Internet access (or unable to meet stringent government regulations for access) learned how to link their own systems to the Internet, even if “only” for e-mail and conferences. Some of these systems began offering access to the public. Now anybody with a computer and modem, persistance and a small amount of money — and persistence — could tap into the world.
In the 1990s, the Net continues to grow at exponential rates. Some estimates are that the volume of messages transferred through the Net grows 20 percent a month. In response, government and other users have tried in recent years to expand the Net itself. Once, the main Net “backbone” in the U.S. moved data at 56,000 bits per second. That proved too slow for the ever increasing amounts of data being sent over it, and in recent years the maximum speed was increased to 1.5 million and then 45 million bits per second. Even before the Net was able to reach that latter speed, however, Net experts were already figuring out ways to pump data at speeds of up to 2 billion bits per second — fast enough to send the entire Encyclopedia Britannica across the country in just one or two seconds. Another major change has been the development of commercial services that provide internetworking services at speeds comparable to those of the government system. In fact, what started as a government experiment is now largely a private enterprise.