nging people closer together. Since geography is no longer a problem, people from different countries and varied backgrounds are able to join together by common interests and projects. The Internet is responsible for an untold number of associations between people and groups (Cox. 2000.). This kind of interaction on such a wide scale without a computer network is impossible.The concept of digital colonies and online civilizations is fairly new, but it is quickly becoming a way of life for many Internet users. In this hectic world building communities of interest within a school, neighborhood, or city can be difficult. The problems with this include a lack of involvement, geography, and inflexible schedules. The Internet transcends these barriers (Hill. 1998.). It is a lot easier to join an ongoing discussion with people who share a common interest when you are available, no matter where you are or what time of day it is.DIFFERENCES BETWEEN NETWORKSTrying to understand the differences between the Internet and other online services can be quite confusing. It is especially difficult if you have had experience with one but not the others. There are literally thousands of different networks that you can access. What makes the Internet different from all the others? Companies like Prodigy and CompuServe are not really networks, they are commercial providers of information services. To get access, you call up the company, provide your credit card number, and set up an account. You can then use your computer and modem to dial a local or 800 number and get access to the service. Customer support is available and the pricing structure is well defined. Each of these services is owned, controlled, and run by a business. Support, quality, and pricing for Internet connections and services are not regulated or defined as a whole. There are many ways to get access from local, national, and international Internet providers.This flexibil...
