What is "cyberspace"

1982, often as two words at first, coined by science fiction writer William Gibson (best known for "Neuromancer") and used by him in a short story published in 1982, from cyber- (see cybernetics) + space (n.).

n. 1 A world of information through the Internet. 2 (context by extension English) The internet as a whole.

n. a computer network consisting of a worldwide network of computer networks that use the TCP/IP network protocols to facilitate data transmission and exchange [syn: Internet, Net]

Cyberspace is "the notional environment in which communication over computer networks occurs." The word became popular in the 1990s when the uses of the Internet, networking, and digital communication were all growing dramatically and the term "cyberspace" was able to represent the many new ideas and phenomena that were emerging.

The parent term of cyberspace is " cybernetics", derived from the Ancient Greek κυβερνήτης (kybernētēs, steersman, governor, pilot, or rudder), a word introduced by Norbert Wiener for his pioneering work in electronic communication and control science. This word first appeared in the novel Neuromancer by William Gibson (Page 4, Phantasia Press Edition, Bloomfield, MI, 1986), one of the first cyberpunk hardbacks published.

As a social experience, individuals can interact, exchange ideas, share information, provide social support, conduct business, direct actions, create artistic media, play games, engage in political discussion, and so on, using this global network. They are sometimes referred to as cybernauts. The term cyberspace has become a conventional means to describe anything associated with the Internet and the diverse Internet culture. The United States government recognizes the interconnected information technology and the interdependent network of information technology infrastructures operating across this medium as part of the US national critical infrastructure. Amongst individuals on cyberspace, there is believed to be a code of shared rules and ethics mutually beneficial for all to follow, referred to as cyberethics. Many view the right to privacy as most important to a functional code of cyberethics. Such moral responsibilities go hand in hand when working online with global networks, specifically, when opinions are involved with online social experiences.

According to Chip Morningstar and F. Randall Farmer, cyberspace is defined more by the social interactions involved rather than its technical implementation. In their view, the computational medium in cyberspace is an augmentation of the communication channel between real people; the core characteristic of cyberspace is that it offers an environment that consists of many participants with the ability to affect and influence each other. They derive this concept from the observation that people seek richness, complexity, and depth within a virtual world.

Cyberspace is the fourth album of the composer Eloy Fritsch. Nicely layered arrangements float serenely by. The emphasis is on orchestral-sounding synthesizers, with soft atmospheric touches. “Lost Paradise” includes majestic rhythms to go along with it, marching triumphantly at a steady pace. The entire work is completely electronic in nature, with a vast array of synthesizers listed in the credits, as well as displayed surrounding the artist on the cover

Cyberspace is a cyberpunk role-playing game published by Iron Crown Enterprises and using a somewhat modified version of their Spacemaster ruleset. The primary setting of Cyberspace is the urban sprawl around San Francisco in the year 2090. The game was written by Tod Foley, who also worked on a number of Iron Crown's Spacemaster supplements.

The game was out of print and unavailable for a number of years around the turn of the millennium, but is now available, with all of its supplements, from the publisher's homepage in a PDF format.

Cyberspace is a term for virtual reality coined by William Gibson.

Derivative uses of the term cyberspace include:

• Cyberspace (album), a music album by composer Eloy Fritsch
• Cyberspace (role-playing game), a cyberpunk role-playing game
• "Cyberspace", a song by AC/DC from Stiff Upper Lip Tour Edition
• Cyberspace 3000, a comic book by Marvel Comics
• Cyberspace Command, an alternate name for Air Force Cyber Command (Provisional), a United States Air Force major command
• Cyberspace Communications, a non-profit organization which agitates for free speech
• Cyberspace Electronic Security Act, a bill enacted by the US Congress

The term "cyberspace" is sometimes used to refer to the Internet, World Wide Web or virtual reality in general.