"Historical Development"

1. Why is broadband service the key for the success of online communication? What are the social effects of broadband service? How does the broadband service make digital convergence possible?

Internet users with broadband are more likely to create and distribute media content than dial-up users. This is because broadband service allows information to be sent in shorter periods of time. With broadband Internet, people can easily watch videos made by others in distant places and learn about global issues. Broadband connections make it possible to get large amounts of information from a variety of sources. In modern times, we have access to information through almost any medium.

2. Why does the use of World Wide Web open the door of the Internet communication to a much wider audience? In what way does the Web with graphical web browsers move the online communication to “acoustic world” discussed in the previous class?

The invention of the World Wide Web made the most fundamental shift in human communication possible. This hasn't happened since the advent of the printing press.  The WWW allowed easier many-to-many communications over distance and time.  Also, anybody can create and publish on the Web for very little cost and with little expertise. Graphical browsers appeal to the senses more than browsers with little to no text.

3. How might telecommunication change if the government supported the development of broadband Internet for everyone?

People would have to censor themselves or even refrain from expressing themselves because of the constant surveillance. The rise of cost of telecommunications might also change the usage rates of broadband Internet.

4. News organizations were changed by the telegraph, and a whole new business of news, that of the wire services, was created because of the telegraph. Discuss other industries that could benefit from rapid dissemination of information and how and why they would benefit from it.

The sales industry could benefit from rapid dissemination of information. A rapid distribution of information could lead to quicker advertisement and promotion, thus helping businesses' audiences grow and sales skyrocket.

5. Choose one of the common methods of online communication and think of how it could be improved in terms of facilitating communication between people, ensuring quality communication, and enabling the greatest number of users to distribute information.

Twitter is one of the most common methods of online communication. People can interact with one another in the blink of an eye, as well as stay up to date with news, discover new interests and follow current trends. This is an example of an excellent medium and it is the most modern form of communication in terms of speed and convenience.