Futurenet : The Past, Present, and Future of the Internet As Told by Its Creators and Visionaries

An eye-opening look at the next generation of the Internet As the Internet becomes more mature, its ability to create and support new types of business models with the potential for sustained growth and profitability have captured the interest of a broad group of managers, investors, and entrepreneurs. In FutureNet, author Sally Richards introduces readers to the visionaries and companies shaping the networked world. The experiences and voices of Internet founders Vint Cerf and Len Kleinrock will take readers on a fascinating journey, revealing the power and scope of the next generation of the Internet. Powerhouse firms such as AT&T, Cisco, and MCI provide examples of how influential organizations are facilitating the next generation of the Internet, and creating solid business models that take advantage of this maturing technology. FutureNet will provide readers with an inside account of what lies ahead. "In 1945 The Atlantic Monthly published an article titled "As We May Think" by Vannevar Bush that planted the seeds for the potential uses of technology. Bush described a future device he called "memex" that enabled users to store and access all of their books, records, and communications with exceeding speed. Bush's work inspired generations of individuals to seek a boundless future where communication and knowledge flow endlessly over computer networks. Since that time, individuals, companies, and countries have put forth an effort to build the Internet and make it a viable tool of communication, commerce, and, more recently, an instrument to spread peace. Author Sally Richards takes a controversial look at what events birthed the Internet, what and who carried through the task of building the infrastructure, and its biggest technological, ethical, and moral challenges going into the future."--Jacket FutureNet delivers a unique perspective on the financial and business opportunities arising from the next generation of the Internet, its emerging technologies, and the evolving economy. It gives readers the opportunity to see where Internet founders Vint Cerf and Len Kleinrock think the Internet is going to take business and investment communities next. The new concepts, trends, and business issues arising from the evolution of the Internet should give readers an eye-opening look into what lies ahead for the Internet FutureNet: The Past, Present, and Future of the Internet as Told by Its Creators and Visionaries delivers an eye-opening account of how the Internet has evolved from a fictional concept to a communications system for national defense to an important business tool and limitless space that continues to grow at an incredible rate. Silicon Valley insider Sally Richards introduces you to the visionaries who have shaped the networked world ..

Chronicles the events that led to the formation of the internet, and examines current issues surrounding encryption, copyright, patents, and the internet corporation for assigned names and numbers (ICANN). The last two chapters consist of brief interviews with 15 technology players about the future of the internet, including a vice president at WorldCom and the chairman of Red Hat. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Details the creation and evolution of the Internet, how it has become part of everyday life, and what can be expected in the future.