WS 3371 Fall 2007

I started using computers when I was in 6th grade. Back then we had bulky macs that we used to play Numbers Munchers and Oregon Trail. Word processing was a bit hard to say the least. In 7th grade we got macs with actual graphic user interface. Finally, in 8th grade we got macs with internet. I must have spent half of school time on a mac in chat rooms and “Lycosing” cheats for games. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world to be able to access information online without having to buy a magazine that had all the information I needed. Today, I can’t imagine not having access to the internet. Most of my communication with my professors and school mates is through the e mail. In high school when we had to do a project with some partners most of us didn’t use e mail so we met in person. I remember meeting a lot more people back then and having a lot more face to face interactions. I sort of miss that, but at the same time now that I am in college I really don’t have time for stuff like that anymore. Where it would take me 2 hours out of my day to meet with a professor (planning, driving, walking, waiting) with internet I can just correspond with him via e mail in mater of minutes. For me, internet has made my life simpler even though there is more technology in my life.

I didn’t realize that the internet has only been around since the 95 illumination by netscape, how is it possible for it to have grown this much over such a small amount of time? It has changed the way that people interact and go about their everyday lives, and there is no denying it. I like the fact that intellectual sources such as Time magazine and Newsweek just scoffed at the internet as a little runt that would never become anything, also the bit about abc not registering their domain name or finding the need to. I wonder if someone cashed in on the domain once abc finally wanted that domain? I’m surprised that there was never any real attention given to companies such as AOL that were once a powerful forerunner of getting people linked up to the internet, but then fizzled and have since disappeared into the history of the web. I have bought and sold things on ebay, and I also find it a good place to make some quick money off seemingly useless junk that’s laying around. Does anyone run a blog? I’ve actually been thinking about starting one for the high school kids that I tutor chemistry for... it would be fun I believe.
As far as the second article goes, I really enjoyed the comparison with a slowly developing brain, and how they seem to match up in a scary sort of way. What if the “anticipation” machine actually begins to function on its own? Doesn’t that seem like a scary Frankenstein-esque type of situation? Because it may one day be able to take the most private of information we place on our computers and trade it to others for a price (that is if it’s corrupted)... We store so much information on the web that if it were to gain a conscience it would have everything at its disposal, from secret documents and plans to pictures of people that have been tagged with a label on flickr. In the end however, I don’t think it could ever stop us from pulling its umbilical chord from the wall.

It seems kind of strange that something that’s so integral in everyday life was essentially disregarded and scoffed at when it was first introduced. But then again, the internet serves many functions that probably would have been really hard to predict and honestly, how the internet actually works is pretty hard to grasp. I honestly don’t really know how the internet works, but then again I don’t know if I really want to know, it’s like electricity, I just want to plug my thing into the wall and use it. I think the first article explained why the big corporations had very little faith in the internet at first; it’s basically summed up in the quote from David Quinn, “I’m not sure how you’d make money out of it.” For one, it can be argued that making money from the internet is easy, subscription services, advertising space, etc. But then again the internet is just full of free stuff. If you look hard enough and/or know where to look you can find anything on the internet for free. I mean, come on that’s what piracy is all about. Without the internet, there wouldn’t have been such a big issue regarding copyright infringement because piracy wouldn’t have been so easy.

The articles about the internet were interesting. The first article “We are the Web” talks about how the internet came to be and how as consumers and viewers we are also providing the internet with information and content. Without the general people viewing, responding and adding their own thoughts the internet would not have become what it is today. People didn’t think that the internet was feasible. A big corporate run commerce connection was the initial thought of many. It became much more than that. It was ten years ago when the internet was getting its roots established. Now everyone uses it. There are hundreds or billions of web pages. Thirty or even twenty years ago no one would have ever imagined such a communication system would ever exist. I just can imagine what will exist when I am 60 or 70 years old. The article mentioned that these big creations happen in streaks. A certain timeframe will forever be considered the age of the creation of internet.

I found the reason many of the media experts gave for their lack of interest in the net pretty awful... "You aren't going to turn passive consumers into active trollers on the Internet." This really shows how they view the average subscriber. Someone who sits around and allows others to determine their reality by defining what one should desire and despise. It seemed like something of a punishment when later these major companies were banned from doing their business online, at least during the initial stages of the net. Now it is amazing to see how balanced this media has become. Unlike the first users, todays target audience can hardly be described. Nearly every section of todays society uses this new technology in some way, from the "bone-creaking 41 years olds" to those who are too young to remember a time without the internet.

I found the reason many of the media experts gave for their lack of interest in the net pretty awful... "You aren't going to turn passive consumers into active trollers on the Internet." This really shows how they view the average subscriber. Someone who sits around and allows others to determine their reality by defining what one should desire and despise. It seemed like something of a punishment when later these major companies were banned from doing their business online, at least during the initial stages of the net. Now it is amazing to see how balanced this media has become. Unlike the first users, todays target audience can hardly be described. Nearly every section of todays society uses this new technology in some way, from the "bone-creaking 41 years olds" to those who are too young to remember a time without the internet.

I found it very strange and almost unbelievable that the Internet was totally disregarded when it was first introduced. I guess I never really thought about the Internet being controversial or a big deal I just remember the Internet appearing when I was in fifth grade. I remember hating the internet when I had to start using it in school; I thought it would just be easier to look things up in books at library instead. Little did I know that 11 years later the internet would make many tasks including researching for school work a lot easier. I can not begin to imagine what we will be able to do on the internet in the coming years.

To me, the internet seems like another one of those "good ideas gone wrong." Of course there are some benefits to the internet - easily accessible information, improved long-distance communication, and instantaneous news updates, but I feel like the original plan for the internet has been compromised. It is virtually impossible to visit a website that does not feature an advertisement or a pop-up on it. Unless one is visiting a government site or the site of a non-profit organization, there is likely an advertisement commanding your attention. I think that the initial design of the internet, a place where people can communicate over long distances and access large pieces of information, is absolutely brilliant. However, it only takes one person to exploit this idea for a return of a quick buck. Once advertisers realized that they could advertise their products and services on other organization's websites, the race was on. The result is, of course, an abundance of advertisements almost everywhere we look. To me, this acts as a type of deterrent for some websites. I find the internet to be extremely useful, even entertaining, to me on a daily basis. Some days, however, I just want to avoid it and its ads at all costs.

I never think about how the internet has only just became popular in my lifetime. Probably because it was already popular when I started using a computer on a regular basis. I am glad that the internet turned out to be completely opposite of what it was originally thought to be. However, it the internet was controlled by private corperations it wouldn't have been able to become what it is. Everyone would have turned away from it. As for "How much does the Internet Wiegh?" I guess I would rather not know. It works and I am glad and I don't care how or why.

I remember in middle school when I started using the internet and really didn’t know what to think about it. I guess I took it for granted because I assumed it had always been there, or something like that; however, the internet has greatly changed since the time I used AOL. The internet I use today is full of the constant unnecessary advertisements and pop-ups, giving me the feeling it is becoming polluted with a bunch of crap. I remember when I would try to type in a URL address, and if I got it wrong, it would say “Page could not be found.” Now, when I mistype a URL, I am usually re-directed to some junk site filled with nonsense and a bunch of pop-ups. It will be very interesting to see where the internet goes from here, but if pop-ups ever appear on my cell phone or something like that, I will be very disappointed.

I also thought it was very interesting how the internet was originally disregarded and criticized when it was first introduced. The internet has become such a huge part of many people’s lives that it is almost impossible to imagine life without it. I remember when it first was becoming mainstreamed and how hesitant I felt. I was still young when it was first becoming popular but I remember learning how to use it. When I think back on when I was first starting to use this new technology and compare it to how important it has become today it is almost hard to comprehend. I rely on the internet so much today that I can’t really imagine life without it. I use it to do research for school, post my responses for this class, keep in touch with my family and friends in Colorado, shop, and so many other things that I can’t imagine reverting to my life before the internet. I think this mimics many other new technologies. People are generally hesitant when a new innovative technology is created because people fear the unfamiliar, but once they adapt to it and learn how to use it they begin to rely on it more than they thought possible. This reliance makes me wonder what’s next in regards to the internet. You can find practically anything on the web which makes me wonder where it will all have to end, how much is too much?

It is unbelieveable what we are capable of doing with the internet today. It is fascinating to think that all the things we use the internet for can be sent through some tiny cable and more recently through signals.
I found it rather interesting that when the internet was first brought about it was not received well by people. There were many who doubted its capabilities and never thought it would have accomplished what it has today. I guess my biggest question is has the internet made the computer what it is today? Would the computer be in as big of use today if the internet would not exist?

When reading these two articles it is pretty obvious that the most important part of the internet is the information that it contains. The Stephen Cass article refers to the weight of the internet also being the weight of information. The Keven Kelly article has a great qoute by Ted Nelson about the future of the internet, "It was going to save the world from stupidity". This qoute really got me thinking about the internet. I think it is a great thing to have, but did it really save the world from stupitiy? I think the internet helped, but it also has helped cause many problems. I think about how easy it is to get an answer on the internet, but then how credible is the source that you got that information from? I think that the internet has been a wonderful way to learn and spread information, but it also has been the source of misleading information and crime. I wonder what the quality of the internet would be like if there were more laws and regulation of internet information?

I don't really remember exactly what I thought when the internet first made its appearance in 1995 but when I read how large companies like abc didn't want to register their own demain, I actually laughed knowing how large and important the internet is now. I remember using netscape and being taught how to use a computer and the internet in my late elementary years. One thing I remember from that class is the librarian telling our class to not wonder off and click on random advertisements (just do what you need to do on the internet). If she thought advertisements were bad when it first came out, I wonder what she thinks now. Even I get annoyed when a random ad just pops up on my screen. But I guess I can live with some of the internet's annoyances since it gives so much back to me anyway.

When a few inspired people began talking about the idea of the internet and its development the majority of people must have considered what they were proposing as completely impossible, probably crazy. I can definitely understand their skepticism. Even reading over the articles assigned for this week I was amazed at the fact that this kind of communication is actually possible. I don't usually think about what is actually happening when I send someone an email or when I look something up on google- It's AMAZING! and it is something that most of us take for granted.

I think that the pros and cons of the internet balance each other to a certain degree. There are plenty of dangers that flourish on the net in such forms as predators and identity theft, but there are also positives that come from its existence. These positives include access to a vast pool of knowledge and fast,easy communication. Just like any of the other technologies we have discussed, I think it just needs to be used wisely.

It was interesting how the article put it that as Internet users we are both producers and consumers at the same time. We do it on our own will because we know that what ever is on the web it will be found and looked at by someone. It’s sort of like a lazy way to advertise. Lazy being that basically the only cost is time and the small fee to buy web space. You can produce whatever you want and put it on the web in the comfort of your own home. Computers and Internet access is one of the few things you can access from anywhere at constant efficiency levels. You can’t access a fitness club/gym in your living room or a top rated restaurant. With almost anything, but the Internet, you have to relocate your self and take a lot more effort to get to them.

It’s amazing how computers can anticipate our moves after a while. I don’t know programming that well but its crazy think of all you can program a computer to do. When I read ‘We are the web’ I thought of the matrix and how they were perfecting the ‘system’ over and over and it was the seventh (?) matrix and they were now able to predict what was going to happen.

We are the Web was a dynamic article. I was amazed at the history of how people laughed at the idea of the World Wide Web coming into existence. It blew my mind that Newsweek wrote the article of doubt in 1995! The internet is such a huge resource for so many people that it’s hard to believe that it was conceived in the nineties. This technology is so dynamic that it seems that it’s been around our whole lives.

How Much Does the Internet Weigh? had me confused the entire read. Trying to decipher the difference between bits, bytes, electrons, atoms, etc. had me quite baffled. I can’t believe I wanted to work in computer information systems once upon a lifetime. There was something that stuck out to me in the article: we as users never think about the “labor” of sending an email, sharing a file, etc. I found it extremely amazing to see how the Internet traffic had been broken down. While I thought music sharing would take up the most traffic, it was actually video sharing.

In ten years, we [as users] have done quite a bit to make the Internet a grand entity. Kevin Kelley’s quote blew my mind: “The total number of Web pages, including those that are dynamically created upon request and document files available through links, exceeds 600 billion. That's 100 pages per person alive.” Is this not amazing or what?! This is one technology that has truly been expanded upon by everyone who wanted to. What an awesome thing.

I remember when my Aunt Pam told me that she wanted to surf the "Information Super highway" (exact wording by the way) and thinking she was nuts. I was of course only about 10 years old. I can understand why people would think, as the Wired article stated, that the Internet would never take off. It is such an intangible and awesome thing. I can't say that I can really wrap my head around the entire thing. Considering that the internet is still relatively new I wonder when they are going to start regulating it? It is going to happen sooner or later in some form or the other.

I liked the "How much does the Internet Weigh?" article. It put the internet into tangible terms that I don't think a lot of people think of.

The first thing that caught my attention in the We are the web article was when the author started to talk about WIRED starting their webpage and being flooded with commercials and banners on their page. It seems that advertisements always are sneaking in some way, and I thought it was extremely interesting that they already had a handle on using the web as an advertising tool.

Another interesting point I thought brought up in the article was the idea of the audience as productive and participating in the action. That this idea of a person surfing the internet could be a producer was something that people didn't even think of. So in a way, the internet and internet technology has allowed for people to produce what they want to, rather than just being idle consumers.

And on a completely different note... all the information on the web would only weight just about nothing? When I first saw the title to this article, I immediately thought it would be some outrageous number... at least, outrageously large. I would, however, like to know how accurate their information is...

As amazing an article as "We Are the Web" is, and it is that, i have to point out a problem with the end.

To put it into context, i'm talking specifically about the parts where Kelly wrote about teaching the machine to do things like give names to pictures and link words together. The problem i find with this is that the machine isn't what is telling us to tag pictures and to cite resources in Wikipedia, the creators of the site are. The creators of Flikr and of any other site like Facebook which asks for tags in photos put that functionality there. "The Machine" is taking nothing from that unless other web developers attempting to create photo sharing sites also add that functionality. Same goes for anything else. It's all user and creator driven - "The Machine" is nowhere near close enough to thinking on its own to be described as a separate entity.

In other news, this was the first time that i had even come close to thinking of surfing the internet as being God. I thought that was a brilliant allusion and so i am very wishy-washy about this article.

The internet is quite an interesting creature. It is amazing that it has grown to epic proportions over the last few years. I can’t believe that I had a computer before the internet was introduced to the public. It has grown to amazing proportions and it is astonishing how big it is. Te capability of the internet and the possibilities are almost endless, when a person is on the net. It will be interesting to see how it will change in the future? It will be interesting to see what possibilities it will offer.

First thing that I found interesting was the internet was firsted populated in 1995!? I thought it was a way ealier. However look at how fast the technology is growing, we are currently living in a life naturally bonded with internet technology, especially colleage work like this one, which we are submitting our works online. I think internet technology have also substitue the needs for going to library, the unlimited resources online save us some time for going to library to get the information we need. This is the ultimate technology that efficients our life from the unknown world. We can simply key in something we don't know and find the answer through the browser. Internet technology speeds up the information we percieves anywhere around the world.
Another thing that surprised me through the article was I can't believe someone actually tried to count the "weight" of internet by calculating the electrons weights. I think there was no reason why we should count the "weight" of internet, because we all know the information out there on the internet weights a lot more than we can imagine, not only like 1.3*10^-8 pounds. Internet is the ultimate place where we can search for answers to our questions, these answers can't not be simply weighted by the numbers of electrons that makes up the information.

I loved “We Are the Web” and “How Much Does the Internet weigh?”! So much that, I made several of my friends and family members read them. “We Are the Web” opened my eyes to many aspects of the Internet. I am awed by how quickly it evolved, and how many people it surprised. With it explosive expansion the web took on a very unique existence, known as the “Machine”. The machine is equivocated quantitatively to a singular super computer with processing speeds approximately equal to a home computer. The whole system surpasses the human brain in synapses gates, while major likenesses in functionality and protocol are examined. My favorite concept is how a trend towards a reactive, learning system is distinctively developing. Each and every human web interaction is explained as programing an artificially intelligent entity. Even pointless surfing or tagging pictures is potentially teaching the Machine new things, like how to associate names to images. A final omnipotent view of the web is established; it takes the form of irreversibly integrated and vital component of human existence.

The entire wealth of knowledge on the web is the greatest collection of information ever to have existed. The question How much does it weigh is analyzed. The greatest informational achievement of modern society is analytically assigned the weight of .0000002 ounces (less the a single grain of sand). Wow. Now I think of how big the universe is and wonder how more or less the toils and labors of technological advancement can be summed up into an existence that is less then a grain of sand. How much information is in all the other grains of sand among the universe? Some where I stumbled upon a rhetorical that is some what fitting; it was something along the lines of “Are we just bytes in Gods’ video game?”

Growing up, my family used Macs. I only used them on the rare occasion that I needed to type a document, and that wasn't too often. Other than that, I never had any interest in using computers for anything else. If it were not for the internet, I don't think that I would have had any interest in using computers.

Growing up, my family used Macs. I only used them on the rare occasion that I needed to type a document, and that wasn't too often. Other than that, I never had any interest in using computers for anything else. If it were not for the internet, I don't think that I would have had any interest in using computers.