Personal History of the Internet.docx

Personal History of the Internet

I grew up (mostly) in a small town in rural Idaho called Pocatello. I don’t remember using the internet much until my family bought a home computer when I was around the 5th grade. Then, I was allowed an email address, which I used to talk to my friends. It was supervised. I believe that we had a cable connection. I asked one of my friends, Katy Hopkins, who still lives there, about her experience.

Katy Jo Hopkins | age: 27 | Pocatello ID

  1. What internet service do you currently have? I recently got Fiber, about a year ago. Previously I had Sparklite (cable), and my household was really excited about the switch. This is the first time fiber has been offered in the area.
  2. Tell me about the first time you remember ever using the internet: I remember that we had dial-up. I had to use the phone to dial in for the internet. But we didn’t get internet at home until I was like 15 years old. Then, I was only allowed to use it for school projects. Occasionally we listened to music.
  3. How do you use the internet/web communication now? As an elementary school teacher, I still don’t use the internet that much. Sometimes, I use Canva for presentations. For myself, sometimes I make signs for home tasks. I also use reddit/ other social media in my free time.

Then, I reached out to the oldest person I know. He happens to be my father. My parents moved to a town north of Salt Lake City after my sister and I moved there for college.

Leigh Wilson | age 72 | North Ogden, UT

  1. What internet service do you currently have? I have cable. There is a new company installing fiber in the neighborhood, but we don’t have it yet.
  2. Tell me about the first time you remember ever using the internet: He remembers using it around 1987. Used it to keep up with job listings for technical writers. He had a personal computer (that he built!) he also used it to pay bills. Remembered the name of the start-up (Check-free) he used. He was living in Little Rock and did not want to spend time at the public library. Does not remember how he used the internet before that.
  3. How do you use the internet/web communication now? I mostly use it to keep up with the news. Sometimes to watch TV. But mostly the news.

Next, I talked to someone who lives in and is a part of my community now. They also happen to be the youngest person that I know :P

Avery Freeman | age 23 | Durham, NC

  1. What internet service do you currently have? I have Spectrum, high-speed. Which I believe is cable.
  2. Tell me about the first time you remember ever using the internet: I remember playing games on the internet from when I was a young kid, probably around 8 or 9 years old. I played a lot of Webkinz. Later that transitioned to using it for school.
  3. How do you use the internet/web communication now? Now I still mainly use it for school. For work, I use it to communicate with clients. As a Coach at Orange Theory, I use some prefab web design templates for social media.

The internet functions as a tool for me and my community. We use it to connect, to learn, and to stay informed. In my field, the internet is an important way to learn about what is going on in other places, and who is saying what about it. It’s clear to me that this sample leaves out anyone without higher education. The “normal” technology obligate is highly engaged with the internet, both professionally and personally.