Network Laws and the Future

A network is defined as "2 or more computers that are linked in order to share to share resources, exchange files, or allow electronic communications". Today networks are very valuable commodities. The ways networks are measured is very important to determine the full value of the network. The 3 main network laws each very specifically measure a different type of medium.

     Sarnoff's Law states that "the value of network increases linearly with the number of people in it. This measurement only really works for television and radio, because these mediums are very direct and much easier to measure. This measurement also does not account for the number of people who could be watching a TV or listening to the radio at a time. It leaves out some of the value of the network.

     Metcalfe's Law states that "a communication network with n members, each member can make n-1 connections, which means that the value of a communication network increases roughly to its connections." This measurement is pretty good for measuring all types of media at it's most basic level.

     Reed's Law states that "the utility of a network with n members increases exponentially or 2 to the nth power". This law is a very accurate measurement of social media. This measure doesn't quite translate to TV and radio.

     I think Metcalfe's Law is the easiest way to measure all forms of media. In the future I think people will use the Internet more and more for everything.