[TomGuy]

Before becoming public, the net existed as a data and information vehicle.

It went public and big business thought they could invade it and make fortunes, taking over through advertising, etc. That didn't work very well. Partly due to excessive eagerness to jump in, ignorance about the "make up" of the net, and too many other competitors doing the same thing--jumping in.

It took several years for the net to weed out the money-grubbers. Now, the net is returning more to its original design--data and information. People seeking data and information will always be net users. As with public libraries, they exist but not everyone uses them. As with public play grounds/parks, they exist but not everyone uses them. That doesn't mean they are any less important or are "dying" out.

[SamBees]

But, it does mean that initially when the public became involved in the net, it was hailed as the future of the universe, when in reality, it was a passing fad for many who experienced it.