Assignment 1-4 Week4

The internet café is a popular cultural phenomenon which has gained an amazing worldwide following. The internet café is generally a small public gathering place which has computer terminals for internet access. The first internet café was begun in San Francisco in 1991 (Wikipedia, 2010). It began as a small chain of coffee shops with computer terminals where those without home or business computer or internet access could go to conduct research, business or for personal use at a reasonable cost. The internet café provided web access to those who otherwise could not afford computers of their own or where internet service did not exist.
The cafes were first popular with students who already gathered at coffee shops to socialize and study. Cafes continued to gain popularity with the expansion and growth of the internet and now most provide wireless access for visitors who now carry laptop or notebook computers with them. The internet café concept has spread to other countries worldwide where they are gathering places. Businessmen in Third World countries use them for business when they can’t afford an office and don’t want to bring clients into their homes. In countries like China they provide primary access for those in areas where there would otherwise be no availability (BBC, 2010).
The cafes abound in the U.S. but popularity has begun to wane due to the almost universal availability of internet access in homes and businesses. Many have now adapted into the video and computer game arena. High speed access and gaming computers allow visitors to connect with other gamers around the globe for multiple player games. The cafes have helped introduce the world to the internet. They will continue to grow and adapt to the needs of society.

References:
BBC. (2010, January 6). Around the world by internet café.Retreived June 12, 2010 from http://www.pri.org/science/technology/around-the-world-by-internet-cafe1818.html
Wikipedia. (2010). Internet Café. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_caf%C3%A9