Internet Case

Today, Most Americans use the Internet as one of their main resources for communication, data searching, making purchases, and even to make a living. For some, life without the Internet seems impossible. There are currently bills in Congress that threaten to limit and censor the many resources the internet offers. These bills are SOPA and PIPA. If passed, they will violate rights by censoring and invading privacy, and will also effect the economy and the everyday lives of not only the people of the United States of America, but the entire internet-using world. The Internet is a vital and growing part of the present world's culture and should not be censored by the government.

Over 25% of the people on Earth use the internet, and about 5 billion people access the internet each day. The internet has many uses, these include browsing for information, communicating with others, running a business, and for entertaining oneself as well.

Data searching is one of the most common reason why people use the internet, and the the internet is today's most widely and commonly used source to find information or to perform research (Cherry, p.1). Well-known terms for using the internet for this reason are browsing and "surfing." In order to find information, a person uses a search engine unless the exact URL address belonging to the website is known. A search engine is an online database that provides pictures, videos, and links that belong to other websites which correspond with the information one is searching for. Some of todays popular search engines are Google, Yahoo, and Bing, with Google being the most popular (eBizMBA Inc., p.1). Another type of website extremely useful when data searching or researching is Wikipedia. Wikipedia is a full online encyclopedia offering an enormous variety of information from the Revolutionary War, to Michael Jackson. Wikipedia is known as a "wiki" site which means it can be edited by users, but is monitored by website officials. These types of websites, search engines and online databases, will be affected the most by the passing of SOPA and PIPA because of the immeasurable amount of links they offer. The internet also offers many news websites that offer information on sports and other current events. Some of these websites include ESPN, New York Times, and CNN. Even the American government owns websites dedicated to certain states, politicians, organizations, parties, and branches of the government.

The second frequent reason someone uses the internet is for communication. With the Unites States Postal Service struggling, the internet is sure to be a main source of communication. Someone who wishes to communicate can do so by visiting social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Formspring. On these websites one can widely share information about themselves, meet people, or connect with friends. Online Dating and Matchmaking websites are also similar to social networking websites. Online Dating websites are for those interested in finding someone to engage into a relationship with. People also commonly use email or instant messaging (IM) to communicate by electronically sending messages. Some of these websites consist of Gmail, Yahoo Mail, AOL, and Skype, which is used to video chat in real-time over the internet. Another form of communication via the internet is advertising. Business owners can create websites to advertise their business or products. Some web pages have advertisements on them for other companies on them because the company paid the website owner to allow them very much like television or radio advertisements. Advertisements for political campaigns, organizations etc. can also be found on the internet.

Many business are also run through the internet, and a large population of the world uses the internet to make money. An online business is exactly what it sounds like, a business where services or purchases take place via the internet. One of todays popular online business is iTunes, which sells music that can be downloaded onto electronic storage devices such as a CD or an MP3/MP4. Many websites also sell and have products shipped, even some restaurants have been modernized and allow customers to place orders for delivery and pick-up online. The stock market has also taken residence on the world wide web. One who wishes to invest in stock can simply visit the specific website and make a transaction. Also, bank transactions can be made online as well. Another way to make money using the internet is application design and encrypting. This is the creation of programs used on the computer or downloadable by other electronic devices. An application is a electronic tool such as Microsoft Office. Applications also consist of games and other types of programs that can all be sold for download on the internet. Some of today's youth use the internet to play online games in which one can interact and play with another user. These games are called MMO or Mass Multiplayer Online games, such as Blizzard Entertainment's "World of Warcraft," or Bioware's "Star Wars: The Old Republic." These games require a monthly fee to play the game which is how these companies and producers make money.

Entertainment is another service offered by the internet. One can browse the internet for music, TV shows, movies, and other types of media. "YouTube" is a popular international website which allows users to upload videos, and also watch videos uploaded by other users. YouTube would also be a major target of SOPA and PIPA because of it's many copyright infringements. A user can video or record their favorite [copyrighted] song and upload it to YouTube for everyone to see and hear, thus giving that youtube account a "copyright strike." This is when media is removed because it violates YouTube's policy (YouTube Help, General Policy Enforcement, p.1). Three of these strikes will result in the deactivation of the YouTube account. Many websites are also used for smaller bands or producers to share their own music or art online for free. MMO games are also an online source of entertainment, along with iTunes. Websites with free to play games can also be found on the internet.

Lastly, the internet can also be used to for educational purposes. The internet houses many educational websites for kids in their early child years to adulthood. Classes can be taken online, and one can even earn a degree on the internet. Simple online tutorials can be found on the world wide web that teaches someone how to tie a tie, or play their favorite song on the piano just by watching a video.

Many people are probably wondering what SOPA and PIPA are, in fact, most people are not aware of these potentially harmful bills. SOPA, or "Stop Online Piracy Act," was introduced by Republican congressman Lamar