Reports of the death of the Internet have been greatly exaggerated
Article Abstract:
Many observers claim that the Internet is on the verge of collapse, but it is actually developing and will evolve to suit the needs of its users. The naysayers contend that large-scale public activity on the Internet is causing blackouts and brownouts, lost packets and long waits to access Web servers. Proponents point out that the Internet accommodates video, voice, graphics and rich-data traffic. These supporters point to the national telephone and highway networks as examples of systems that expanded to meet users' needs.Instead of the government backing that these systems received, the Internet's growth will be driven by capitalism. As more companies use the Internet as a critical communication tool, they will require reliable, fast Internet services, for which they will likely pay a premium. Some observers claim that commmunications systems always operate more economically when they carry heavy loads.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1996
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New estimates in old debate on Internet use. (Nielsen Media Research survey) (Internet
Article Abstract:
Nielsen Media Research revises the results of its study of Internet use in response to criticism by academic advisors that claim it miscalculated in its first report. The initial report claimed that there were 22 million US adults using the Internet in Aug 1995, but Donna L. Hoffman of Vanderbilt University, who along with Thomas P. Novak served as advisor to the survey, stated that there were actually only 16.4 million Internet users. Nielsen has applied a more sophisticated weighting system to the analysis of its raw data and finds that in Aug 1995, 19.4 million US adults used the Internet, 14.6 million used the Web and 1.9 million had made a purchase over the Internet. Internet-based companies claim the survey makes little difference to them and they continue to see increasing numbers of visitors to their sites.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1996
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