Conference representatives said 1997 will be the year of the Internet, in which cyberspace becomes more lifelike though advanced graphics and such features as three-dimensional chat rooms where users can communicate using animated characters.

CNN: Internet World '96 forecasts a brave, new cyberworld

The distribution of my friends reflects the distribution of the network and of the advanced technology needed to post on a blog, chat online or maintain a profile on one of the social sites, but it is already changing as the technology spreads further.

BBC: NEWS | Technology | Social net offers new perspective