Guess who was there first; builders of the Internet are bemused by kids who think they own it

Article Abstract:

Older Internet founders are accepting younger users who rely on the technology for more general purposes. Computer scientists, physicists and biologists from several dozen US universities dominated the Internet well into the 1980s. Most of their communication focused on collaborative projects, but they also used it for socializing. Annual university connections cost as much as $100,000, and navigating was much more complicated. Some longtime users are resigned to the changes created by less expensive and user-friendly PCs, as well as the Web's point-and-click interface. Others believe in making it available to the public, although scientists would like to restrict their high-level academic communication from unwelcome browsers.

Author: Hafner, Katie
Industrial research, Social issue, Social conditions, Research and Development

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Can the Internet cure the common cold? No, but the vast amount of on-line medical data is changing the relationship between doctor and patient

Article Abstract:

The Internet is a useful and frequently used tool in locating medical information. Recent surveys found that close to two-thirds of the individuals accessing the Internet have sought for medical information and referrals online. Doctors are generally positive about patients researching treatments via the Internet; however, many warn against relying to heavily on what is published on the Web. People can locate information their doctors are not aware of, however the validity of that information is often questionable. Due to the amateur medicine and even chicanery that is scattered amongst the valuable data, doctors frequently are forced to disappoint patients who believe they have located an alternative treatment.

Author: Hafner, Katie
Research, Health care industry

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From a broker, concern about on-line trading

Article Abstract:

Excessive online stock trading can prove less beneficial for traders, Merrill Lynch Vice Chmn John L. Steffens said in a Jul 1998 speech at the annual Spotlight conference of computer industry executives and entrepreneurs. E-traders, or those who rely on the Internet for trading, account for 25% to 30% of retail stock trades. They are likely to trade three or four times more than counterparts who participate through traditional brokerage companies. Steffens referred to a University of California at Davis economics study of trading at 60,000 households from 1991 to 1996, which reported an annual 10% rate of return for the most active traders. By comparison, the study showed a 15% return for less active traders.

Author: Hafner, Katie
Security and Commodity Services, Securities & Commodities Services, Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities, Management, Financial services industry, Financial services, Telecommunications systems, Securities industry, Steffens, John L.

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Subjects list: Usage, Internet, Internet services, Internet/Web technology application, Technology application
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