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Download: The True Story of the Internet is a four-part documentary series about the people and companies behind the early commercial and social web, hosted by technology journalist John Heilemann. Its episodes cover browser competition, search, the dot-com crash and e-commerce, and the growth of peer-to-peer technology and social networking.
What is Download: The True Story of the Internet about?
The 2008 Science Channel series tells the story of the internet’s technological, commercial, cultural, and social changes through accounts of founders and other early internet figures. Its four episodes follow key developments from the browser era through search and the dot-com bubble to Web 2.0 and social networking. TV Guide lists each episode as 44 minutes; runtime is listing-specific metadata.
Episode guide
| Episode | Original date | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Browser Wars | March 3, 2008 | Netscape’s rise and fall and its competition with Microsoft. |
| Search | March 3, 2008 | The development of web search, including Yahoo and Google. |
| Bubble | March 4, 2008 | The dot-com crash and the growth of Amazon and eBay. |
| People Power | March 4, 2008 | Peer-to-peer technology, Web 2.0, and social networking. |
Episode titles, dates, and descriptions are listed by TheTVDB. TV Guide supplies the 44-minute listing metadata.
Where can I watch the series?
Availability depends on location and can change. TV Guide currently describes the series as unavailable to stream. Google Play has a catalog page, but that page alone does not confirm that the series can be bought or watched in every country. Check the current listing in your territory before relying on a service.
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Is there a DVD edition?
Yes. The University of Miami Libraries catalogs a 2009 set of four DVDs, and WorldCat records a 2009 English-language DVD edition of Browser Wars distributed by Discovery Education. These records confirm that DVD editions existed; they do not establish current stock or prove that a present-day listing includes all four episodes.
If searching for a copy, try “Download: The True Story of the Internet DVD.” Before purchasing, verify the edition, included episodes, disc condition, region and playback compatibility, and current price and availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Who hosts Download: The True Story of the Internet?
Technology journalist John Heilemann hosts the series, according to catalog descriptions from TV Guide and Rotten Tomatoes.
How many episodes are there?
The series has four episodes: “Browser Wars,” “Search,” “Bubble,” and “People Power.”
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TV Guide currently says it is unavailable to stream. A catalog page on another service does not confirm availability in your country, so check the live listing for your location.
Does the DVD include all four episodes?
A University of Miami Libraries record describes a four-DVD set, while WorldCat also records a separate DVD of “Browser Wars.” Check the details of any specific listing to confirm which episodes it contains.
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