A person with access to any one of these computer networks can readily share information with others, with similar access, anywhere in the world. A vast array of information is available on the Internet in the form of text, graphics, sound, video or multimedia files. Information can be as diverse as medical imagery, previews of the latest movie releases, government policy, poetry, scientific data, library catalogues or someone's favourite recipes. The Internet was created in the early 1960s by the Department of Defense in the United States of America. In Australia, access to the Internet is provided through the telecommunications infrastructure which connects users in all states and territories to overseas cable and satellite Internet links.
Subscribers usually gain access through a modem connected to a standard telephone line.
No one owns or controls the Internet, and because its purpose is the sharing of information and research, this remains a strong feature of Internet culture. This information is an extract from connect.edu Internet in teaching and learning which is available for purchase by non-government schools from the Department Sales. Network for Education is a resource developed by the New South Wales Department. It provides education-related information and activities accessible through the Internet. It is designed as a resource for the New South Wales Government school students, staff, community members and other educational organisations.