Communication Technology Update, 9th Edition

13

The Internet & the World Wide Web

Jim Foust, Ph.D.^*

In about a decade, the Internet has evolved from a technical curiosity to a major influence on nearly every aspect of life in developed countries. The Internet has become a social force, influencing how, when, and why people communicate; it has become an economic force, changing the way corporations operate and the way they interact with their customers; and it has become a legal force, compelling re-examination and reinterpretation of the law.

No longer merely the domain of technically advanced “geeks,” the Internet has, for many, become an indispensable tool for commerce, research, communication, and leisure. It is estimated that more than half of all Americans use the Internet, and that ...