January 1, 1983 marks one of the key milestones of the Internet: On that day
about 400 computers connected to the ARPAnet (a network sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense) were made to communicate with each other using a set of protocols called TCP/IP. This set, which stands for Transmission or Transport) Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, is the set of standards upon which today's Internet still runs.

The open architecture of TCP/IP enables computers of all different makes to communicate with each other smoothly (well, most of the time, anyway).

January 1, 2008 marks the 25th anniversary of the January 1, 1983 milestone. So raise a cup of new year spirits in honor of TCP/IP. Happy 25th anniversary, TCP/IP!