conceived in 1969 when the Department of Defense began funding the research of computer networking. In the mid 1980's, the introduction of the ATM card was the newest addition to electronic commerce. The Internet did not really start to become a way of commerce until the 1990's. Before this time, it was mainly used in the Army. It grew popular when it proved to become a fast and efficient way to make long distance transactions, as well as an effective way to distribute information.
             E-commerce will change the face of business forever. Companies that are thousands of miles away can make business transactions in a matter of seconds, and also exchange information. As one online article explained:
             Dell Computers sells more than $14 million worth of computer equipment a day from its web site. By taking their customer service department to the web Federal Express began saving $10,000 a day. The Internet provides businesses with the opportunity to sell their products to millions of people, 24 hours a day (Baxton, 1999).
             "Without a doubt, the Internet is ushering in an era of sweeping change that will leave no business or industry untouched. In just three years, the Net has gone from a playground for nerds into a vast communications and trading center where some 90 million people swap information or do deals around the world. Imagine: It took radio more than 30 years to reach 60 million people, and television 15 years. Never has a technology caught fire so fast." (Edwards, 1998)
             The number one advantage that e-commerce possesses is speed. The Internet and World Wide Web give businesses a chance to exchange messages or complet
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