CHAPTER 7 Going Online: The Net, Information Services, and More
Merger Mania
Recently, content and online delivery were married in a $350 billion merger that has combined AOL and Time Warner. The new company, called AOL Time Warner, combines the world's largest online information service (AOL) with a large media-production company that has extensive cable network operations (capable of digital communications, too). The merger is controversial in that AOL is one of the primary forces behind the United States governmentÕs antitrust suit against Microsoft, yet AOL is the dominant information service provider in the world and it continues to grow rapidly during the protracted trial.
E-commerce Squeezes the U.S. Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is traditionally labor intensive, physically moving billions of pieces of mail to their destinations. The Postal Service remains economically feasible as long as the mail volume supports the enormous infrastructure required to deliver mail to every address six days each week. However, more people and businesses are opting to send their mail electronically, thus decreasing the volume of surface mail. Not only has e-mail replaced the letter and memo, but also electronic notices and transfers are replacing the invoice and payment. Information that used to be in newsletters is posted to Web sites. To counter this electronic offensive, the postmaster general has suggested that each physical address be assigned an electronic Internet address too. Electronic mail can be sent to these addresses and the Postal Service will print and deliver printed information to the physical address. The Postal Service also hopes to provide an electronic bill payment service, a service that is available commercially, as well. If the Postal Service is to survive in its current format, it is clear that they will need to extend their services to accommodate digital convergence.
There Are Only So Many Words
A popular phrase with real estate brokers has always been, "they aren't making any more land." Well, they aren't making any more words either and all about three percent of the words in the dictionary have been registered as domain names for the Internet. They're just aren't any realistically usable words left at the low initial registration fee. However, if you have a few million dollars you can purchase rights to some of the more recognizable words from the opportunist who registered them several years ago. The asking price for America.com is $10 million.
Electronic Book Gets the Microsoft Stamp of Approval
Microsoft, arguably the dominant force in the technology industry, has aligned itself with Barnes and Noble to create and market electronic books. They call the alliance the eBook Initiative. Ultimately, the alliance hopes to make thousands of books available in digital format. The books can be viewed on any PC as well as handheld palm and pocket PCs. MicrosoftÕs investment in the technology is sure to give a big boost to what many consider the inevitable transition to dynamic, linked e-books. The software used to present the digital books will enable users to hear recorded versions of the books, as well.
One Billion Web Pages and Counting
The size and scope of the Internet has reached a major milestone. Several search engine companies including Inktomi are estimating that the number of Web pages has now surpassed the one billion mark. That's an increase of about 25 percent in the past six months.
APPENDIX: The Windows Environment
Windows Platform Update
The PC-compatible platforms of the modern era are the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me), Windows 2000, Windows NT, and Windows CE. Windows Me is announced but will not be released until later in 2000. Each member of the Windows family of operating systems plays an important role in Microsoft's strategy for the future of personal computing. Windows 9x/Me are operating systems designed to bridge the technology gap between the original Windows and Windows NT/2000. The Windows 9x (and eventually Windows Me) operating systems are widely used in the home and in both small and large business; however, their features make them more appropriate for the consumer and small businesses. Microsoft had hoped that Windows 9x users would migrate (move to) directly to Windows 2000, but the company soon recognized a need to continue offering operating systems for the consumer market. They are creating Windows Me specifically with the home user in mind. It will give those who do not need the added sophistication of the business-oriented Windows 2000 an opportunity to continue to grow with a consumer-oriented operating system. The recently released Windows 2000 is the future of the PC/Windows family of operating systems. Windows 2000 replaces Windows NT and reflects a push for Windows 9x/Me users to migrate to Windows 2000. Windows NT has been Microsoft's high-end operating system, used primarily in networked businesses. Ultimately, Microsoft would like all Windows users to move to the Windows 2000 environment (or its successor). Windows 2000 is a powerful client/server operating system that is emerging as the choice for businesses doing client/server computing. Windows 2000 has two main components: Windows 2000 Professional, the client-side operating system, and Windows 2000 Server, the server-side portion of the operating system (which runs on the server computer). The two work together to make client/server computing possible. Windows 2000 Professional has the look and feel of Windows 9x/Me, but it has a number of additional features, most of which have to do with security and networking. The Windows CE operating system is designed for handheld and pocket PCs.