IN THE WORLD OF COMPUTING AND NETWORKING, game-changing technologies continue to emerge. Some new technologies replace existing ones, some make existing technologies better, as in more efficient, more effective, and perhaps, even more affordable, and others introduce capabilities not seen before. The cycle of advancement and improvement is ongoing and is likely to continue for a long time to come.
This chapter provides a brief look back on the developments and events in data processing, computing, and networking that have led to the emergence of the internet and the World Wide Web. We look at the internet, its origins, technologies, and the myriad ways it has become a part of our daily lives.