Before the AOL users came along, the early internet was mainly the domain of universities, research institutions, government labs, and a relatively small number of hobbyists. One of the first major online discussion networks was Usenet—launched in 1980. "Major" at that time, however, still only meant tens of thousands of users, rather than millions. Wired journalist Kevin Kelly said that the early network was like "a village connected by long wires" where people were very much aware of the rules and often even recognized the names of the people in the discussions . The members of this group also had shared understanding of the expected behavior, writing style, discussion relevance, and the level of expertise. Access to usage was, in most cases, through academic programs, employment at research institutions, or pure technical interest. The knowledge-base of such a community was naturally protected by gatekeeping.
The early internet depended heavily on self-regulation. Since there were no corporate moderators or integrated platforms establishing rules, each community maintained its own traditions and norms. Common expectations included: -Reading FAQs before posting -Avoiding cross-posting to unrelated newsgroups -Keeping discussions on topic -Respecting thread structure and quoting rules -Not asking questions that had been answered before Bryan Pfaffenberger emphasizes that early online behavior was shaped by a culture of “mutual obligation and shared expertise,” where newcomers were expected to learn quietly before participating (Pfaffenberger 158). This environment depended on slow, predictable growth to remain stable.
Self-regulation was very much a part of the early internet. Due to the absence of corporate moderators or integrated platforms that facilitate rules, every community was in charge of its own traditions and norms. Among the common expectations were: Consulting FAQs before posting. Not cross-posting to unrelated newsgroups. Ensuring discussion was kept on the topic. Thread structure and quoting rules conformity. Not asking questions, answers to which had already been given. Early online conduct, according to Bryan Pfaffenberger, was influenced by the culture of “mutual obligation and shared expertise,” where newcomers were expected to observe and learn silently before taking part (Pfaffenberger 158). The setting was reliant on a slow and steady growth pattern for stability.
“Netiquette” guides circulated among universities. Senior users correcting newer ones. Social pressure and public calling-out Shared understanding of group purpose. Since the communities were of a small size, these methods were effective. Users got acquainted with the norms through seeing, being corrected, and by technical literacy. There was nothing within that system that would have prepared them for AOL's scale.