The Internet, like its former early twentieth century counterpart the radio, is quite literally, a network of networks. Both, at their primes, comprised of tens of thousands of interconnected networks spanning the globe. Millions of people worldwide use both the internet and the radio as a means of sharing information, to make new associations, and to communicate. Individuals and businesses, from students and journalists, to consultants, programmers and corporate giants are all harnessing the power of the internet. .
With the explosion of the World Wide Web several years ago, almost anyone with the proper computer knowledge was able to publish his or her ideas to the world. However, with the recent carving up of the internet domain by the corporate world, amateur internet users find themselves being forced out of a market that was intended for all. While the internet contains a wealth of knowledge that can be sent across the world almost instantly, similar to the radio in its heyday, corporations such as America Online, Netzero, Microsoft Network, and others are able to provide access to the internet while shutting out amateurs through government lobbying and legislation. Their creation of monopoly over internet access has shut out those who initially created the internet with the hope that people of like minds and interests would be able to share information with one another through electronic mail (e-mail) and chat rooms without major corporate interference.
In the 1910s, early so-called "radio hackers" were able to use crudely built silicon crystal sets to begin their venture onto radio airways. In later years, hundreds of these operators were able to apply with a nominal fee for commercial licenses, offering a variety of different commercial topics in the attempt to promote their own different personal interests. However, all concern soon changed to the fact of the commercial privatization of the radio market of the United States by companies such as RCA, Westinghouse, and General Electric.
