Internet in New Eden

[Vladimir_Korff]

What is the name of New Eden’s analogue of Internet? In my blog I call it simply “The Net” but I wonder if there is an accepted term.

[Teinyhr]

“The Net” is just fine if you want to keep using it, but I believe “GalNet” is the established term, used both by CCP and players.

[Vladimir_Korff]

Thank you, Teinyhr.

[Azazel_Drakonis]

Where did it come from by the way, I assume it’s short for something?

[Teinyhr]

No idea tbh, I take it most just assume it means “Galactic Net” or “Galactic Internet”.

[Samira_Kernher]

I always assumed it meant ‘Gallente Net’ and originated with the Federation. Galactic Net might be a better definition though.

[Melisma_Ramijozana]

I read somewhere that the internet that covers the entire cluster was developed by the Federation (or just by Gallente interests). Originally it was just for Fed systems, hence the name GalNet.

Where did I read that? Hek if I remember.

[Teinyhr]

Faster Than Light Communication - Real Life Science Fiction

According to that old science article, a Gallentean scientist cracked FTL communication, so the fluid router network did originate from the Gallente, so its name being “Gallente Net” or similar does have merit. But as said, I don’t think the actual reason why it is called GalNet has ever been stated.

[Annisir_Kaugan]

Seems likely. Quite an infrastructure requirement to get it all set up and running.

[Melisma_Ramijozana]

This is probably what I read.

I’m not great at telling which articles are older or more recent, though.

[Rana_Ash]

I belive Galnet is an abbrivation of the Intergalactic Summit, some are calling it The Summit as well…

[Samira_Kernher]

No, IGS/The Summit is just one forum/chat service. Galnet is the whole internet service.

[Rana_Ash]

For as long as I have been in EVE, the forum (IGS) has always been referred to as galnet

[Elsebeth_Rhiannon]

Yes, but so have other places on the supposed interwebs.

It’s just like today you could say someone said on Slack / Discord / the forums / on the internet, and not imply the place is the only Slack / Discord / forum and or the totality of internet.

[Samira_Kernher]

Found the description for what Galnet is. Bottom of this article.

GalNet

GalNet was invented and established in the Federation not long after the invention of FTL communications in 23146AD. Initially used for colonists to communicate with their homeworlds, it has since expanded to permeate almost every element of most Federation societies, most notably becoming a key pillar in the democratic process. Active efforts are made to establish telecommunications relays and/or FTL fluid routers on as many worlds as possible for maximum coverage, no matter how remote an area is, prioritizing the availability of GalNet over the provision of any other technology.

As a result, the penetration of personal communication devices and GalNet access points is higher in the Federation than anywhere else. Even in remote villages where electricity is not constantly available, most households will have a single mobile communicator, even if other electronic devices or appliances such as television sets are absent. Gallente manufacturers produce very cheap communicators for those of lesser means.

Even if connection speeds vary, the principle behind the ongoing effort to offer every single Federal citizen access to GalNet is to encourage the existence of a harmonious interstellar society that promotes cross-cultural communication and understanding. Others find that unrestricted access to the free flow of information is the only safeguard against government tyranny. Whatever the case, forms of democratic participation via GalNet range from the relatively simple matter of submitting electronic votes, all the way up to virtual environments for the purposes of popular political discussion.

Some cynics point out that the reason significant effort is made to establish GalNet access universally is to give the Federal Intelligence Office an easier time with surveillance, undermining the freedom of privacy and democracy as a whole. While this has never been proven, it is a constant point of contention from a wide array of activists. Counter-arguments point out that the Federation government has never openly regulated, restricted, or censored GalNet, which is a common occurrence in other empires.

[Teinyhr]

Great find!

[Nana_Skalski]

Shouldnt Caldari and Amarr have something like CalNet and AmarrNet then to avoid being spied and influenced by Gallante “Social Networks”?

[Samira_Kernher]

Maybe, but it’s pretty much established in lore by now that everyone uses GalNet. I think it’s just, like the RL internet, the places that are more prone to censorship just impose much higher levels of regulations and may have their own networks walled off, but it’s still called GalNet and based on GalNet infrastructure. Who knows, though, maybe there are local words for it that we don’t know about.