Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
spaced to fix it, the other could see it. Of course,
this type of communication had some advantages,
but did not allow for more than two people to
talk, as it was much like a private point-to-point
telephone call.
The concept of a virtual space where groups
of people could join in synchronous discussions
of mutual interest is quite complex. Probably the
most important protocol was the Internet Relay
Chat, or IRC. During its heyday, there were liter-
ally hundreds of servers running on a dozen or
more networks. Originally developed by Jarkko
Oikarinen of Finland in 19998, it is defined as
a multi-user real-time chat system. Much of the
functionality of IRC was replaced by other pro-
tocols and services. ICQ was introduced in 1996,
and differed from IRC in that each user could be
assigned a name and address when they regis-
tered. There were issues surrounding reliability
and security, as ICQ did not guarantee that any
message would arrive, and many users found that
their unique ICQ IDs were targeted by SPAM.
In 1998, America Online (AOL) purchased the
original developer, Israeli company Mirabilis,
and as of this date, has incorporated many of
the features into their proprietary AOL Instant
Messenger (AIM) system. The user interface has
been continuously upgraded and in 2008, several
changes were implemented including a forced up-
grade to the newest version: older client versions
would no longer activate on launch.
obtain information. While it is true that social
networking and interpersonal communication
rapidly achieved primacy, the services expanded
our use of the internet for private, individualized,
self-directed and self-paced learning.
AOL, also known as America OnLine, was
founded in 1983 as Quantum Computer Services.
Touted as the largest international provider of
online services, it had achieved an unprecedented
level of popularity, and some notoriety as well
in the late 1990s and into the 21
st
century. AOL
regularly sends out snail mail packages containing
a free diskette in the mail, offering internet con-
nectivity. Eventually, the application ballooned in
size so that a CD was needed. AOL users could
select a screen name, and had access to permanent
chat areas. Users could also set up 'rooms' (ac-
commodating up to 23 people) with descriptive
names. It is interesting to note that the room size of
23 is the same size that many proponents of online
learning claim is the largest for an online class,
allowing the maximum functionality. AOL chat
rooms were by and large unmoderated, although
there were roving moderators who could pop in
to ensure that there were no problems.
CompuServe, founded in 1979 as CompuServe
Information Service, was strictly text-based at
first, and was the first of the major commercial
enterprises that offered online services. Subscrip-
tions were billed by the hour. Eventually, AOL
absorbed CompuServe.
Prodigy, founded in 1984 as Prodigy Com-
munications Corporation, was one of the largest
online content providers, rivaling CompuServe in
size. Prodigy offered access to news and games
of all sorts, was an online shopping outlet, and
featured bulletin boards and live chat on a large
number of topics, all aimed at consumers rather
than at businesses. It differed from CompuServe
in that it featured a graphical interface, albeit
rudimentary by today's' standards. By the early
90s, Prodigy supported access via cable in addi-
tion to local dialup. Prodigy was best known for
its message boards and vibrant user base.
AOL and Other Services
With more ubiquitous distribution of personal
computers after 1984, many subscription-based
services emerged. AOL, CompuServe, Prodigy,
and GEnie were early content providers, along with
numerous other smaller players (Shefski, 1994).
A common misconception is that gatway service
providers were primarily for social networking.
Each service provided a gateway to the internet,
and usually supported GOPHER, FTP and other
search protocols that allowed a subscriber to
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