In Central America, the Web fever exploded during 1994. It is impossible to have an accurate figure of how many people use the Web: estimates go from 15 million to 40 million users. In Central America, it is estimated that there are actually 20,000 to 30,000 users, with more than 20 million potential users.

In the United States, Internet was initially a strictly academic medium, and during the last three years it became a vehicle for commercial activity. Academic users were financed with donations from international institutions, subsidized lines, and other prerogatives. Today, commercial providers have managed to negotiate their own spots with federal phone companies.

Just like a person can open an individual account, an organization can register its name as an address on Internet. This unique address is known as a domain.

Once connected to the Web, a user can read a newspaper, a weekly publication, or a magazine. These publications can transfer their written material to the electronic media and appear periodically, sponsored by advertisers.

Many companies place press releases and advertise their product directly on their websites. Individually, a user may also create his own homepage and offer any product or service.

Central America has received this new technology with great enthusiasm, and has already placed many good informational sites on line. The next step will be to start using Internet as a commercial medium, both at the business and personal level.