Possible Implications

The future of the Internet remains uncertain. The traditional ideals may prevail, allowing for the development of an utopian online society. Or the Internet may be transformed into a society purely based on capitalism, disregarding the original ideal of a pure, democratic society. The deciding factor may lie on the intentions of Microsoft and Bill Gates.

If Microsoft follows the course that they claim to be following and uses their influential power to create an optimistic future, positive implications will result. These include:

• Computer access for all educational programs
• Equal access to the Internet for all social classes
• Closing the gap between social class and educational level
• Increased technology for underdeveloped countries
• Effortless use for both the computer savvy and inexperienced users

However, if Microsoft pursues what many claim to be monopolistic activities there will only be negative implications. These include:

• Decreased innovation and technology growth due to absence of competition
• Conversion of online super highway into a toll road
• Control of online content
• Threat to anarchic freedom of the online experience
• Transformation into a closed system
• Control of future standards
• Decreased access
• Carry over into everyday life and social values

The question that needs to be answered is whether the World Wide Web will remain as it is, or will it turn into Bill’s Web?

For a complete overview:

 Positive Implications                     Negative Implications