Regarding John R’s question about sending telegrams: Is it still possible to send a telegram?
Does Western Union use telegraph wires to transmit the message between offices? Wouldn’t that be a kick? Since they (surely) don’t, then why is it still called a telegram? The root words still apply, I guess - and it’s still delivered on a yellow slip, I suppose. (It occurs to me that the appellation “post-it” might be more appropriate if it weren’t already taken…)
By the way, for interesting reading I recommend The Victorian Internet by Tom Standage. He chronicles the striking parallels between telegraphy and the internet in their conception, wild claims and predictions, equally wild reactions and fears, handles and chat-rooms, the condition of being “on line”, etc, etc, etc. Very good stuff for gaining perspective - especially if one has read a few to many WIRED editorials.
I’ve edited to fix the link – Dex
[Edited by C K Dexter Haven on 11-29-2001 at 03:38 PM]