Japanese
Earning differentials among Internet users
(This page was made in 1995.j
"Utilizing the Internet", as an action, is to operate a terminal machine(computer) of the Internet and use applications of the Internet. Terminal machines are called host machines.
In utilizing the Internet the following earning differentials appear:
- There is a host machine in a close range, or not.
- The network to which the host machine belongs is of high line speed, or not.
- Applications one is permitted to use are many and of high-quality, or not.
In Japan, the Internet is still distant from the general public. But this does not mean that the general public are not permitted to use the Internet, but the cost of sets and communication is relatively so high that they are awkword to use.
In fact, it is possible for an individual to have a host machine. One might make a contract of the Internet connection with the agent called "provider". One usually connects his/her personal commputer to the internet via public telephone line. But in this case one might feel stress from low line speed. Digital line (ISDN) and digital exclusive line are better. But the cost becomes the problem. In the existing state it is general that one access to the Internet via a host machine set in his/her school or business office.
The reason of differences in number and quality of applications one can use is as follows:
- Applications are services that the designer or manager of the network privately offer.
- One must get a permission in order to use those services.
For example, the presence of e-mail, a system of "private mailbox", implies that there exist some people who constructed "private mail box", registered their owners and maintain the system. They are managers of the network. "E-mail user" means one whom network managers offer an e-mail service.
On the other hand, as for the WWW, one needs no requirement for usership for "browsing". These days, also in Japan, "Internet Cafe" appear gradually. Its salespoint is the setting of host machines, and anyone can browse WWW. But in the case of "homepage making", it needs that some people who serves the system construction appear as in the case of e-mail.