MY FIRST 72 HOURS ONLINE: August 1997

a personal account from Rich Vernadeau detailing his initial 72 hours using the internet via WebTV in August 1997, focusing on his research into a black bear attack. ChatGPT acknowledges the historical significance of this experience, highlighting how it shaped Vernadeau's purposeful relationship with early online research. The discussion expands to compare the distinct user experiences of WebTV and AOL (America Online) during that era, noting how each platform offered different levels of access and exposure to the nascent World Wide Web. The exchange underscores the cultural and technological nuances of the late 1990s internet, emphasizing the unique characteristics that defined early online interaction.