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

[Robert Cannon]

"Internet" is a proper noun, a name, of a particular
computer network that was initiated in Oct 1969 by DOD
ARPA and has since that time had a well defined
existence - that computer network is defined by a
single addressing scheme currently administered by
ICANN and the community that is a part of it.  People
join the network; people leave the network; but it is
one network.  On Jan 1, 1981 (or 82, I always forget),
pursuant to DOD procurement specs, the ARPANet
migrated to IPv4.

There are MANY "internets."  An internet is a network
that implements the TCP/IP network.  It is
distinguished from THE INTERNET in that it is not
interconnected with The Internet and does not share in
The Internet's singular addressing scheme.  Level3,
for example, runs an IP backbone that is not
interconnected with The Internet.  This is a private
network and it is an "internet" network.  I can
connect two computers using IP - they are not
interconnected with The Internet and therefore are an
"internet."

Note, I do not really consider Wired an authority on
this subject.  Wired is a pop magazine that writes
teaser articles to get people to read ads.  

There are many stories concerning the origin of the
name "Internet."  According to NERDS 2.0.1, p. 111,
"The protocol they [Cerf and Kahn] invented is known
by its initials, TCP/IP - standing for the mouthful
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.  It
is significant historically for originating the use of
the term *Internet*, in about 1973, as a handy
abbreviation for the "inter-networking of networks.""

For more information on "Internet" and its definition,
see
http://www.cybertelecom.org/notes/internet_definition.htm

and particularly "Will The Real Internet Please Stand
Up?"
http://www.cybertelecom.org/notes/internetreal.htm

Thanks


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