VANs also did not easily offer interactivity, data interchange among different file formats, multimedia capabilities, synchronous communication, and world wide connectivity for exchange of time sensitive data. In the early 1960s, the Internet was primarily the domain of military, research, and educational institutions. The regional networks connected various other networks in universities, corporations, and research institutes. The Internet became a commercial network with main Network Access Points being located at Chicago, New York, Bay Area, and Washington, D.C. being served by Ameritech and Bellcore, Sprint, Pacific Bell and MFS Datanet respectively. The Web has undergone tremendous growth in the past five years.
Access can be over phone lines, dedicated leased lines, and more recently available cable modems.
Access charges vary according to the services subscribed to. Businesses have the option of renting virtual server space from Web service providers or installing their own server if dedicated connection is available to keep the server on-line. Unless companies have their own information systems department and are willing to put in the time, cost, and personnel resources for upkeep of the server, it is better to consider a virtual setup using a Web hosting service. Since businesses have been quick to recognize the potential offered by the Web and have put up Web Sites as electronic storefronts, consumers have started accessing these sites in record numbers. The general public has become more comfortable using technology because of newer generation software that provides easy to use graphical user interfaces requiring minimum user training beyond initial setup of hardware and connectivity parameters on desktop personal computers.