[Air-l] Origin of the term "Internet" ?

[Richard Stevens]

There are other internets. Whenever you link two pre-existing 
networks, the resulting capacity for access is referred to as an 
"internet." Grammatically, I could easily say that if I can access 
the servers on two home networks (without the IP connection), I can 
perform an "internet search" that would not be an "Internet search."

-Rick

>Grammatically speaking, it should be capitalised as long as there is the
>possibility of other internets.  In other words, it is THE Internet, but
>other internets are also possible.  This is done to clarify which internet
>is being referred to. Rather like the Western (cultural) world, as opposed
>to western (geographic) places.  Nifty and often overlooked grammatical
>device.
>
>However, I'm not aware of any other internets so it seems rather redundant -
>though the possibility is always there, I suppose ... I always capitalise,
>just in case  :-)
>
>Hope this helps.
>
>Cheers,
>Hughie
>

-- 

-----------------------------

J. Richard Stevens, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Journalism
Southern Methodist University
P.O. Box 750113
Dallas, TX 75275

stevensr at smu.edu
http://jrichardstevens.com

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