Background to the Internet

Basic Function
Internet - a vast computer network linking smaller computer networks worldwide. The Internet includes commercial, educational, governmental, and other networks, all of which use the same set of communications protocols
Provides - Access to the World Wide Web, EMAIL
A mechanism for information dissemination and medium for collaboration and interaction without regard for geographic location
History
US Government support of DARPA who first developed networks with a country-wide radar system in 1958 (SAGE)
Licklider was a leader in SAGE project and recruited a team to implement a network that by 1969 they had established the first node at UCLA called ARPANET. In 1972 the first application for Electronic mail was established.
Following these breakthrough in 1978 began a swell of growth beginning first in Europe as the International Packet Switched Service. The movement swept through Asia and across the world by 1981.
The first TCP/IP-wide area network came into operation in 1983 when the United State’s National Science Foundation constructed a university network NSFnet compatible with the military’s ARPANET.
1985 this network opened up to commercial interests. Separate networks such as Usenet, BITNET, and others provided gateways into NSFNet.
The ability of the TCP/IP protocol to work over previously existing communication networks allowed for a great ease of growth and eventually led the use of the term “Internet” to describe a single global TCP/IP network.
In 1991 CERN publicized the new World Wide Web project, which followed two years after the creation of HTML and HTTP by Tim Berners-Lee.
In 1993 early forms of World Wide Web browsers came onto the market and public interest in the previously academic/technical internet exploded.
Throughout the 1990s it is estimated that the Internet grew by 100% per year creating a vast network of computer terminals and thus seemingly limitless amounts of information and communication opportunities.
Required Infrastructure for Internet Access
Electricity
Telephone Lines
Computers
Various Technologies (ISP, LAN, backbones, fiber optic cables, etc)
Human Infrastructure
Gender Issues in Kenya
Contradictory laws disallow women to inherit land or property from deceased spouses
Decreased education among women due to social barriers
Inadequate employment opportunities for women
Improving Standards of Living Through the Internet
Education through online courses
Raising Awareness
Knowledge sharing between groups in developing and developed world.
The Internet and Empowering Women
There are many websites that deal with women’s issues in Africa
Place to advocate for women’s rights and social change
Maintaining social networks
Connection to others: other points of view and moral support