1. Now that the historical importance of the Internet is clear, many people are stepping up to claim credit. This leads to an interesting question about alternate versions of history. How do different eyewitnesses interpret how the Net began? Search the Web for different versions or go directly to the Internet Society’s History of the Internet link at www.isoc.org/internet/history/.*
Media World CD-ROM Excursion
2. View track 5, The Challenge of the Internet. Members of the magazine, newspaper, television and radio industries discuss the threats and benefits of the Internet. What shared benefits does the Internet provide to each industry? Which medium is most vulnerable to Internet competition?
PowerWeb Articles
3. Go to the Student portion of the Online Learning Center and choose Chapter 9. In the left navigation bar under News, Articles & Links, click PowerWeb Articles. On the next screen, under the topic of Internet, read the article, "The Great Wi-Fi Hope." How will wireless internet access change this industry?
In addition, scan the list for other articles of interest pertaining to this chapter.
Industry
Web Excursion
4. The Internet is growing so quickly that statistics change by the minute. If you had to guess, how many people would you say used the Net in the last 30 days? How many now have access to an ISP at home? What is the total number of URLs worldwide? How many of these are .com domain names? Search the Web for these statistics or go directly to a site dedicated to them such as www.mediamark.com* or http://www.whois.sc/internet-statistics/.* Report on your findings.
Media World CD-ROM Excursion
5. View track 5.2, Issues: Reaching an Audience. Which age group uses the Internet most? How do the various media lure this audience to their product? Describe how each medium uniquely uses the Internet to their advantage.
Weekly Update Archives
6. Go to the Student portion of the Online Learning Center and choose Chapter 9. In the left navigation bar under News, Articles & Links, click Weekly Update Archives. On the next screen, under the topic of Internet, read 11-26-01, "Pop-Ups, Banners, Interstitials, Dynamic Motion: Internet Advertising Matures." After reading this article, argue for or against the idea that advertising will remain the main source of revenue for the Internet.
In addition, scan the list for other articles of interest pertaining to this chapter.
Controversies
Web Excursion
7. What are your thoughts about censorship on the Internet? Should pornography be censored? How about hate sites or instructions on how to build bombs? Search the Web for Internet censorship issues or go directly to the UCLA Online Institute for cyberspace Law and Policy at www.gseis.ucla.edu/iclp/hp.html.* Find the links for the latest developments in cyberlaw. In your opinion, do these developments represent too much censorship or are they steps in the right direction? Explain.
Media World CD-ROM Excursion
8. View track 21, The Drudge Report (from NBC’s Today Show). Today’s Matt Lauer and Matt Drudge, creator and author of The Drudge Report discuss the validity and reputation of the Web site. While largely considered a gossip page, do you think the Drudge Report has a valid place in the media? Is it journalism or gossip? Drudge was the first to report the affair between President Bill Clinton and White House intern Monica Lewinsky even though Newsweek had leads on the story. The newsmagazine held off to do more reporting, thereby losing its scoop. For a story with such an obvious public interest, which approach is better?
Weekly Update Archives
9. Go to the Student portion of the Online Learning Center and choose Chapter 9. In the left navigation bar under News, Articles & Links, click Weekly Update Archives. On the next screen, under the topic of Regulatory Policy, read
10-21-02, "Place Your Bets: The Internet Gambling Industry." After reading this article, write a brief argument for or against making online gambling legal.
In addition, scan the list for other articles of interest pertaining to this chapter.
