Akademik

n.

The buying and selling of goods and services online.

"e-commerce," as it's known among those in the know, involves completing transactions on the Web; displaying detailed information on products and services; processing orders and credit-card purchases; and delivering confirmation and follow-up service.

—Art Harrison & Janet Gellici, "Net firm hopes to zoom into 'e-commerce' zone," The Denver Post, November 18, 1996

Unlike other pilot projects to create the "information superhighway," the CommerceNet proposal is not primarily geared to installing new infrastructure, such as high-capacity fiber-optic cable.

Instead, the idea is to turn the existing Internet, which was created by the Pentagon in the 1960s to allow defense contractors and universities to share data, into a viable electronic marketplace.

The proposal envisions low-cost "industrial strength" Internet connections between customers and suppliers and between designers and contractors. CommerceNet will add service enhancements such as easy-to-use directories, security and billing systems "to jump-start e-Commerce in our region."

—David Bank, "Smart Valley to get $8 million," San Jose Mercury News, November 24, 1993

E-commerce