Professor and Chairman Emeritus, Recreation and Tourism Programme, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
H.E. Dunsmore
Department of Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
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William Theobald Professor and Chairman Emeritus, Recreation and Tourism Programme, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA H.E. Dunsmore Department of Computer Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA |
Pages 15-16: The paragraphs beginning at the bottom of page 15 and continuing through page 16 (including Table 1.1) should be replaced by the following:
So, estimates of Internet usage are likely to be wrong, but the best information we have available at this moment (based on June, 2001 estimates) is that there are currently about 476 million Internet users. Furthermore, it seems very realistic based on current numbers and projections that by the year 2005 approximately 1.2 billion people will use the Internet.
| Year | Internet users |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 15,000 |
| 1989 | 245,000 |
| 1991 | 900,000 |
| 1993 | 3 million |
| 1994 | 7 million |
| 1995 | 16 million |
| 1996 | 31 million |
| 1997 | 63 million |
| 1998 | 100 million |
| 1999 | 200 million |
| 2000 | 300 million |
| 2001 | 400 million |
| 2002 | 600 million |
| 2005 | 1.2 billion |
The growth of the Internet from its earliest origins was gradual at first, went through an extremely rapid ascent for a while, and is now becoming less astronomical (as certain parts of the world reach Internet saturation). The figures in the table are all estimates (certainly the ones for years that have not yet arrived!). Notice that after 7-10 years (in 1985), there were only about 15,000 of us using the Internet. Four years later (in 1989) this number had multiplied by a factor of 16 to 245,000 Internet users. The growth rate was nothing short of phenomenal from 1989 to 1999 -- increasing from 245,000 to 200 million -- a factor of 816!.
Is there any limit to this growth? The obvious answer is that the entire population of the Earth is about 6 billion people. When there are 6 billion Internet users, then the growth will stop. Or will it?! This assumes that every Internet user is a person, which is approximately correct right now. But, what if your Videocassette Recorder (VCR) has an Internet connection so that it can peruse the Television Guide on the Web in order to tape exactly those television programs which you request? Then, your VCR will likely be an Internet user. Maybe also your automobile, your heating and air conditioning system, your watch, your refrigerator, and your heart monitor computer implanted behind your left shoulder blade. It is not impossible that in a world of 6 billion people, there could 250 billion Internet users ... or more!
Some Interesting Links
Overview of the Internet and the World-Wide Web
How Web Servers and the Internet Work
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
IPng -- Internet Protocol: The Next Generation