Happy Birthday, ICNetDelmarva's first ISP turns 1.
A year ago this weekend, on February 17, 1995,
ICNet began taking phone-calls and signing up
subscribers. The first official note made of
this even was in the newspaper article depicted
above, which appeared eleven days later in the
Daily Times.
It was a very exciting time, for everyone. And
those became involved became much involved, and
saw their lives change in substantial
ways.
Things changed most of all for the young people
in charge of the company, an we suspect the could
not have anticipated the demands such an enterprise
would generate. It has not been easy.
We would hazard to guess that the biggest suprise
to all of them was the demand that support would
place upon them. Since they are all adept and skilled
computer users, they could not imagine the baffling
time many others would have with what had become so
familiar to them.
Support is hard work, it requires both knowledge and
patience, and a certain intuition that is able to
sense a user's frustration, and to assure them that
they will, eventually, get online.
But it is demanding, so much so that when we noted
the first anniversary of the online service, we were
met with blank stares that seemed to say "Please,
don't remind me." But these looks gave way to
smiles of appreciation, eventually.
ICNet is a hit. It's a success in spite of stiff
competition from the nationals and from another
local provider, despite the demands, the need for
capital to meet growth, in spite of everything.
ICNet is a success because of one thing: they want
their users to get online, and they don't stop until
they get them online.
This isn't always easy, frankly, although it is usually
fun. It's fun to open a new world for someone, and for
a few moments, to bask in the glory of their discovery.
It feels good to know that you have helped someone find
a way to reach out to other people, to expresss themselves,
and to experience more of life.
So we wish them, and all of us, a happy birthday, and many,
many happy returns.
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