The Internet was once limited to the sharing of technological information by academics and government employees, but it has grown explosively in the number of users and the type of information available; The Internet today connects approximately 10 million people from over 50 countries. Its popularity is due in part to the fact that access requires only a personal computer with the correct software and modem plus a service provider, an online business channel such as America Online, Compuserve, Microsoft Network or Prodigy, or a direct provider such as Netcom.Many Internet users browse the World Wide Web. In a period of about ten years, the number of Web sites has grown from fewer than 100 to more than 215,000, and continues to increase at a rate of more than 200 per week. In fact, the growth rate of this technology has surpassed that of any other communications media or consumer electronic technology, including personal electronics.