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BBS (Bulletin Board System)
The Bulletin Board System was the first site with the option to "login" for interaction. -
Usenet
Usenet began as a small communication network used to trade information, news, and research results between a few universities in the United States. The network coined the terms SPAM and FAQ, acronyms which we still use today. http://www.usenet.org/ -
CompuServe
First major commercial online service provider in the United States. Known for its online chat system, message forums, software libraries, online games (most popularly MegaWars 3 and Island of Kesmai). CompuServe is also known for creating GIF format for pictures. -
ARPANET
Advanced Research Agency Network first connected universities on a pronto-net. The first message sent across the platform was "LO", which was transmitted from UCLA to the Stanford Research Institute in 1962 but the system crashed. They were finally able to connect academic users at research institutions across the world in 1982. -
Internet Relay Chat Introduced
With IRC, users were now able to file share, link share, and keep in touch with other users. -
ICQ Online Chatting
ICQ provided multi-user messaging, multi-player games, created famous emoticons and abbreviations such as LOL and BRB. -
AOL Instant Messenger
AOL was a very popular messenger service, reaching 18 million users simultaneously at its peak. Users were able to have a profile, buddy list, voice chat, and even file transfer. AND, who could forget the sound of AOL's dial up? -
Six Degrees
Six Degrees was the first social media site where you were able to upload a profile and make friends with other users in a user-friendly, more visually pleasing format than simply a chat log. Six Degree's slogan was "meet new people through your friends." -
Live Journal
Live Journal was among the first blogging sites to be created, introducing dynamic content on an online forum where users were able to create groups and interact with each other, expressing ideas and opinions. Live Journal hit 5 million years in 2004, dominating the market for blogging. The site won a Webby Award in 2004 in community category. -
Napster Created
The first MP3 specific peer to peer sharing, which became an enormous platform for music distribution. -
Wikipedia, the Online Encyclopedia was Developed
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Napster Files for Bankruptcy
Music artists did not like the loss of control as fans exchanged bootleg performances and leaked album exclusives. Napster was forced to restrict access to copyrighted material on its servers after a district court found that Napster directly violated the plaintiff's copyright in A&M Records, Inc. v. Napster, Inc.. It filed for bankruptcy in 2002. -
Linked'In Introduced
A resource for business professionals to network and make "connections" with other professionals. There are about 297 million users on Linked'In. 89% of recruiters who use social media for hiring have hired someone on Linked'In. -
Myspace
Myspace was once a favorite social media website before Facebook came into play. The site was more advanced than friendster, the social media website at the time, connecting people through profiles, chatting, and picture sharing. Now the website is geared towards bands and musicians. -
Skype Released
Skype changed the way we chat by adding video chat and conference calls. -
The Facebook Opened for Harvard University Students Only
The website was launched by Mark Zuckerberg, along with fellow Harvard College students and roommates, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes. -
YouTube was Created
The first organized video streaming and video sharing platform. -
Facebook (as we know it) Evolved
Facebook is the best performing social media platform to date with 1.44 billion active users and counting. -
Twitter was Developed
Microblogging Platform with a question and answer format, bringing in about 328 million active users at its last count. -
Whatsapp
IOS, Android, Windows based application for personal and group chats. Run off of wi-fi or internet, users are able to chat from all over the world! This is useful when traveling without cell service. -
Snapchat Emerged
Still popular, Snapchat is a platform for chatting and starting conversation using pictures and videos. -
Tinder Developed
Tinder is a social discovery application for IOS and Android, used as an online dating platform. Since its birth, many other online dating platforms have also developed such as Match.com. "Match. Chat. Meet. Modern Dating." -
Instagram Hits IOS Market
A mobile, desktop, and Internet-based photo-sharing application and service that allows users to share pictures and videos either publicly or privately. Instagram opened for IOS users in 2010, Android in 2012, and finally Windows users (website) in 2016.
