Networks, Noise and Web Navigation: Sustaining Metcalfe's Law through Technological Innovation

Windrum, Paul and Swann, Peter (1999). Networks, Noise and Web Navigation: Sustaining Metcalfe's Law through Technological Innovation. UNU-MERIT Research Memoranda. UNU-MERIT.

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UNU-MERIT Research memoranda

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  • Sub-type Working paper
    Author Windrum, Paul
    Swann, Peter
    Title Networks, Noise and Web Navigation: Sustaining Metcalfe's Law through Technological Innovation
    Series Title UNU-MERIT Research Memoranda
    Volume/Issue No. 9
    Publication Date 1999
    Publisher UNU-MERIT
    Language eng
    Abstract The paper examines the relationship between network externalities and the value ofthe World-Wide Web. It is shown that value depends on two offsetting effects. First,as the Web grows in size, so existing users gain from the additional content providedby new users. This is the standard concept of a network externality. However, at thesame time, a large and expanding network can suffer from congestion. Congestioncan manifest itself in the time taken to download information from the Web. But anarguably more important problem is navigating the very large number of webpages onoffer and to identify the particular page containing information that is of interest.These navigation issues have serious implications for the continued growth of theWeb, as described by Metcalfe's Law.
    Copyright Year 1999
    Copyright type All rights reserved
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    Created: Fri, 13 Dec 2013, 13:02:10 JST