It's a Small Net After All: Difference between revisions

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Another is that there is exactly one instant messaging service. And everyone is a subscriber. And everyone knows everyone else's handle. You can message anyone you want at any time without having to install new software, subscribe to a new service, or even search for their screen name.

And speaking of screen names, everyone gets something short, pithy, relevant, and unique. No one is ever "JAnderson789" or "buffyfan2001". Even if you want a short, really hip handle, it will be available as if it were reserved for you. And no one names themselves after characters from other TV shows. Also, everyone has exactly one online identity, which is their email address, instant messaging handle, their handle on every bulletin board, the underground identity by which they're known in the illegal hacking community, and the name they use on Usenet (caveat: Usenet never actually exists on TV, except for [[The Simpsons|alt.nerd.obsessive]]. Or [[King of the Hill|alt.conspiracy.black.helicopters]]). You'll never run into someone who uses the same handle as you on a different service (There is, after all, only the one service. In TV Land, AOL ''is'', as they claim, the Internet). Email addresses rarely include a domain name.

And speaking of screen names, everyone gets something short, pithy, relevant, and unique. No one is ever "JAnderson789" or "buffyfan2001". Even if you want a short, really hip handle, it will be available as if it were reserved for you. And no one names themselves after characters from other TV shows. Also, everyone has exactly one online identity, which is their email address, instant messaging handle, their handle on every bulletin board, the underground identity by which they're known in the illegal hacking community, and the name they use on Usenet (caveat: Usenet never actually exists on TV, except for [[The Simpsons (animation)|alt.nerd.obsessive]]. Or [[King of the Hill|alt.conspiracy.black.helicopters]]). You'll never run into someone who uses the same handle as you on a different service (There is, after all, only the one service. In TV Land, AOL ''is'', as they claim, the Internet). Email addresses rarely include a domain name.