The Internet Revolution: A Tidal Wave of Change

As the popularity of the Internet surges, it is no longer a novelty, but a reality that is transforming industries and lives worldwide. Just like the introduction of the PC in 1981, the Internet is bringing about a significant development in the computer industry, revolutionizing the way people communicate, access information, and conduct business. The Internet is not perfect, but its potential is vast, and those who adapt to it will swim in its tidal wave, while those who don't will be left behind.

Key Takeaways:

• The Internet is the most important single development in the computer industry since the PC was introduced in 1981, with its surging popularity transforming industries and lives worldwide.
• The Internet challenges traditional assumptions about communication, including the cost of long-distance phone calls, and its price structure is determined by the size of the "on ramp" rather than usage.
• The Internet is growing quickly, with the latest technology being incorporated into it rapidly, and its World Wide Web has become popular at the right time, avoiding overwhelming the system with early adopters.
• Anyone can be a publisher on the Internet, and it has become the first global venue for publishing information, with most content being free, for now.
• Commercial online services are evolving into communities on the Internet, and it is unclear what the split will be between free and commercial sites, with consumers ultimately deciding.
• Companies are laying bets on the Internet, but only some will be winners, and those that bet against it will be losers.

Statistics:

• The Internet has grown rapidly in the past year, with the latest technology being incorporated into it as fast as possible.
• Telecommunications switches installed to keep the Internet running did not exist a year ago.
• The Internet has enough users now that it is benefiting from a positive feedback loop, where the more users it has, the more content it gets, and the more content it gets, the more users it attracts.
• Most of the content on the Internet is free, for now.
• Commercial online services, such as CompuServe and the Microsoft Network, are evolving into communities on the Internet.

Sources:

• Bill Gates, THE, "THE surging popularity of the Internet is the most important single development in the computer industry since the PC was introduced in 1981."
• Bill Gates, THE, "People often ask how Internet companies can afford to give unlimited access, even to other countries, without charging for long-distance phone calls."
• Bill Gates, THE, "The price paid for a corporation to connect to the Internet is determined by the size of its "on ramp", not by how much the connection is actually used."