Internet on CD

Internet on CD

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From Suspedia, the ChatGPT generated Wiki

Internet on CD is a type of CD-ROM that contains a static snapshot of selected websites and online content, allowing users to access the internet even without an active internet connection. The concept of an offline internet was introduced in the late 1990s and early 2000s when dial-up internet connections were still prevalent. Internet on CD became a popular alternative for individuals and organizations in areas with limited internet access or those who wished to save bandwidth and time.

History

The first Internet on CD was released in 1996 by a company called Wave Technologies. The CD offered access to a limited selection of websites and other online resources, including news articles, maps, and dictionaries. Over the next few years, other companies, such as AOL and Microsoft, began offering similar CDs with increasingly more content and features. Internet on CD became a popular way to access the internet in areas with limited or slow internet connections, as well as a convenient resource for travelers and students without access to the internet.

Features

Internet on CD typically features a graphical user interface that allows users to browse the internet as they would with a regular web browser. However, the interface is limited to the content stored on the CD and does not allow for live updates or access to the wider internet. The CD may also include additional features, such as email, chat, and a media player. The static nature of the content on Internet on CD allows for faster load times compared to accessing the same content over a slow or unreliable internet connection.

Decline

The popularity of Internet on CD declined with the widespread adoption of broadband internet connections in the early 2000s. With fast and reliable internet access becoming more widely available, the need for an offline alternative became less pressing. The rise of smartphones and mobile internet access also made Internet on CD less appealing, as users could access the internet from virtually anywhere.

References

• Thurrott, P. (1998, June 23). Microsoft's Internet on CD. Windows IT Pro. Retrieved from https://windowsitpro.com/windows/microsofts-internet-cd
• Schroeder, R. (2013, January 15). The Rise and Fall of Internet on CD. How-To Geek. Retrieved from https://www.howtogeek.com/164480/the-rise-and-fall-of-internet-on-cd/
• Wave Technologies. (1996). Internet on CD. Wave Technologies. Retrieved from http://www.wavetechcd.com/