ABSTRACT
Although many of us consider e-mail, FTP, and Web-based information as common forms of communication, the use of the Internet is actually quite a new phenomenon. Until recently, written communication depended on paper-based materials, such as letters, newspapers, published journals, books, photography, painting, and drawing. Sound recordings largely involved phonograph records that depended on the mechanical pickup of audio signals and tapes that had to physically move over sensors. With either phonograph or tape technology, the quality of sound reproduction deteriorated with use. Within this context, most information for general distribution came from reasonably formal sources, such as newspapers, journals, and books-all of which entail an extensive editorial and production process. In contrast, today’s digital technology of CDs, MP3 recordings, and DVDs allows materials to be played as o¤en as desired without any decrease in quality. In many cases, the editorial and production processes also changed.
