Effect of Information Highway on Business

The Information Highway has received much attention as consumers, analysts and even government officials tout it as the coming way that Americans will not only do business, but also shop, communicate and receive entertainment. Still in its infancy, the information superhighway is not the creation of any one company or organization, but rather encompasses many different offerings from a broad variety of companies. This research examines the information superhighway, the technical requirements needed to participate, the state of the technology today, and where the technology might lead to in the future. The effect of the information superhighway on business is also considered.

Although the term "information superhighway" is used by politicians, analysts and businessmen alike, there is no single definition as to what the term actually means. Vice-President Al Gore generally receives credit for coining the term, which generally connotes the interconnectivity of computers, information services and electronic mail services. From a single computer terminal or personal computer, individuals on the information superhighway are able to connect to a variety of other electronic resources for entertainment, information or to conduct business; most of these connections take place over telephone lines.

The telephone system that connects the world was originally developed to enable people to talk with people. Facsimile machines made it possible for machines

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P, and if Windows is in use, the computer must have Winsock support, as well. In return for these high hardware requirements, users have access to the entire Internet spectrum of options, including news and other servers. Costs associated with this option (which is generally used by commercial or government entities) include the cost of the connection, including data lines, and the connection-related software (TCP/IP, Winsock). The third way to connect to the Internet requires a modem and TCP/IP software, plus SLIP or PPP software. Once again, Windows users will require Winsock software. This option also requires a service provider that enables the user to dial into the SLIP/PPP server. This option also allows the user full access to all of the Internet features, but at a rate that is considerably slower than a direct network connection. The actual rate of connecting is directly related to the speed of the modem. Costs associated with this option include the modem and software, plus the service provider's charges for access to the server. There are two aspects to the Internet that help make it an attractive candidate for the global interconnectivity that is associated with an information superhighway. This is the Inter

Category: Business - E