Social SciencesCommunicationInformation TechnologyComputer NetworksDigital CommunicationMedia StudiesCommunication NetworksCommunication SystemsDigital MediaNetwork EffectsNetworked CommunicationNew MediaInternational Digital NetworkingInternet History AnalysisOnline NetworkingOverview
Over the last few years, the Internet-the Net for short-has outgrown the obscurity of its academic origins to become a worldwide network that is revolutionising inter-computer communications. The author presents a technological overview of the Internet and argues that, however tempting, dismissing the Internet as simply the latest media fad would be a serious mistake.