The Internet

• Started as a DARPA project
• Moved to a research/education project
• Now, bundled with other media and technologies
• Fastest growth is in commercial uses

What to do?

• Email: Internal/external communication
• Email: Close to your customers
• WWW: Self-directed searching
• WWW: Electronically publish
• Others: FTP, Gopher, WAIS & other databases...

Email

• Email addresses are for individuals or workgroups:
  • gbnewby@uiuc.edu
  • info@prairienet.org
• Email has no per-message charges
• Email is fast, and can be used for non-text
• "If your organization isn't reachable by email, why not?"

The Web

• Available since 1991, but not initially as popular as Gopher and WAIS
• "Mosaic" in 1993 changed everything!
• Used for graphics + text, with links (Hypermedia)
• Easy to get started
• Graphical design expertise is required for the best use

Getting connected

• Costs proportional to level of access:
  • Individual dial-in ($5-$50/month)
  • Corporate dial-in ($50-$200/month plus internal infrastructure)
  • Corporate Internet connectivity 24-hr ($1000-$5000/month plus internal infrastructure & staff)
• Rules for corporate/internal use (just like the telephone....)
• Need to keep your public info current & accurate (just like advertising)

Local options include Prairienet

• Community computing system
• Free! (but run on donations, like public TV)
• Complete Web access, email, etc.
• No transactions or prices
• Training, support etc.

Evolving your Internet presence

• Get email and Web experience
• Work internally to raise your level of corporate awareness & expertise
• Experiment with Prairienet or other low-cost options
• Grow your presence and $$$ commitment to the Internet with time

Future developments

• Convergence of media:
  • Computer networks
  • Cable networks
  • Telephone networks
• Ownership changes: centralization
• Better, faster, stronger...
• More interactive (Java...)
• Harder for author, easier to use
• More national competition for business
• Changing expectations of clients
• Clients expect your Internet presence

Gregory B. Newby (gbnewby@uiuc.edu)