Networks and Communication Studies NETCOM, vol. 15, n° 1-2, 2001

p. 61-80

The Structure of the Internet Flows In Cyberspace

George A. Barnett, Bum-Soo Chon, Devan Rosen1

Introduction

Fundamental changes in communication technologies have led to striking transformations in the social structure. Their diffusion represents significant social changes. Many scholars have studied the social effects of modem communication technologies such as printing (Eisenstein, 1979 ; Kaufer & Carley, 1993), the telephone (de Sola Pool, 1977) and television (Barnett, Cho & Choi, 1993 ; Williams. 1975) which have contributed to the social process of information dissemination and exchange.

The Internet has again revolutionized the dissemination of information. It is a cost effective communication technology for individuals, organizations and nations to exchange and distribute information. It allows for the synchronization and multiple access communication among nodes through a complex matrix of telecommunication infrastructure (Press, 1997 ; Wheeler & O’Kelly, 1999). Further¬ more, as a hybrid network, the Internet combines a variety of network technolo¬ gies, including wireless, telephone and data networks.