Components of the Internet

Components of the Internet

• World Wide Web
• Internet Service Providers (AOL Time Warner; Sympatico,Telus, Shaw@Home, AT&T)
• Portals ( MSN)
• Browsers: Explorer, Netscape
• Search Engines and directories ( Google, etc)

Rate of Diffusion

• Each generation of technology ( telegraph, telephone,radio, satellite to cable TV, VCRs) had an increasingly rapid rate of diffusion
• Key is where it reaches ‘mass’ or majority ( 60% or more) of consumers.
• Internet has done so within one decade: only other technology to do so, but not quite as fast were the VCR and cell phones
• Now well over 75% of Canadians have access: that number rises to 100% under 25
• The Internet the fastest techology in rate of social adaption