Myths and History of the Internet

Misconceptions of the Internet

When it comes to the internet, there are a lot of myths. People are so amazed and astonished by the internet and how it has completely changed lives that we seem to believe anything we hear. During this lecture we found out some things people are misunderstanding when it comes to the internet:

• cyberspace is a place apart, and therefore is not subject to rules that apply to the 'real world'
• the technology of the Internet makes it possible to be anonymous and therefore free to adopt a new persona
• we are currently on the verge of a new political era of computer-mediated democracy
• the development of the internet is unique and exceptional in human history. Thus it is not subject to social force that characterised the adoption of other important technologies

History of the Internet

During this lecture we also learnt about the history of the internet and how a company named 'Xerox PARC' have greatly influenced how computers are now extremely user-friendly. 

Xerox PARC have invented many components that help make up modern computing within a work place. Here is a list of some of the most successful inventions from Xerox PARC:

• Laser Printers- these produce professional text and graphics speedily
• Computer-generated bitmap graphics
• Graphical user interface (GUI) operated with a mouse- the GUI is a user interface of which allows the user to communicate with their computer using graphics rather then usual text commands
• The WYSIWYG text editor
• Interpress
• Ethernet (as a local area computer network)

Xerox PARC is a proceeding project that aims to continuously help better the way we use technology. On the company website, it states

"Since its inception, PARC has pioneered many technology platforms- from the Ethernet and laser printing to the GUI and ubiquitous computing- and has enabled the creation of many industries. Incorporated as an independent, wholly owned subsidiary of Xerox in 2002. PARC today continues the physical, computer, and social sciences research that enabled breakthroughs for our clients' businesses."

Many of Xerox PARC's creations have since been made marketable by Apple. 

Xerox PARC is situated in Palo Alto, California

During the lecture we were asked the question "Does history help me to understand my own relationship to technology?". In my opinion, history does help me to understand my own relationship to technology. It allows me to understand how far technology has adapted to the 21st century and how easy it is for us to use computers/televisions/mobile phones etc today. The first computer filled an entire room, the first television was in black and white with one channel and the first mobile phone was not very 'mobile'. The history of technology makes me have a grateful attitude to technology and therefore an all round a better relationship.

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/tech-myths/5-myths-about-the-internet.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Internet
http://www.parc.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xerox_PARC