IMPORTANT ADVICE FOR STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS

One of the most important attributes of the Internet is of course that it is open to all. Individuals and organizations no longer have to persuade publishers, go through rigorous peer-review, or invest large amounts of money to get books published and, thereby, their views communicated to the masses. Instead, anyone can create a website visible to most of the world.

However, with this great advantage comes great danger: there is no organization responsible for monitoring the veracity of information and correcting mistakes when found. i.e. there is a danger that the ultimate democracy becomes the ultimate anarchy.

Ironically, in our research we have found that one of the topics about which information on the Internet is often found to be misleading or inaccurate is the history of the Internet itself. Students and researchers are therefore advised to be vigilant and always check purported facts with multiple, reputable sources.