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===A Little History and Perspective===
:'''The concept of collaborating on-line is <u>not</u> new'''. Even the predecessor to the Internet ('''ARPAnet''') was developed by the U.S. military in the 60's using computer networking as a defensive counter-measure to discourage a Soviet nuclear "first strike". Out of this system rose the '''MAD doctrine''' (Mutually Assured Destruction). This, in turn, assisted in the reduction of nuclear arms and helped pave the way for non-proliferation treaties.
:In the 70s and 80s, there was a need for nuclear and rocket scientists to collaborate in order to advance nuclear missile research. These scientists needed a way see the "big picture" as opposed to only their own particular contribution. Since these scientists worked in research organizations (universities and colleges), other participants, such as instructors and students, had access to many of those collaboration tools such as e-mail, and non-graphical web-browsers to access the World Wide Web.