rticularly critical in areas where residents do not have up-to-date computers or the expertise to access the Internet. In an effort dubbed "The Library of Things," some libraries lend technology gear to families to promote computer literacy and Internet access. For example, they lend portable Wi-Fi hot spots SO that people without Wi-Fi can access the Internet from a computer and Roku set- top boxes SO people can try out streaming. Internet Pricing and Competition The cost of Internet access is a factor in increasing or lessening the digital divide. In 2017 the United States www.TechnicalPDF.com had the 12th highest average Internet speed worldwide according to speed monitoring company Ookla in the December 17, 2017, article at recode, "Global Internet Speeds Got 30% Faster in 2017," by Rani Molla. In contrast, the average cost in the United States-$66.17- was 114th highest in the world out of a total of 196 countries surveyed. Iran and the Russian Federation were among the 113 countries with lower-cost Internet access. This statistic was published in the Forbes November 22, 2017, article, "The Most and Least Expensive Countries for Broadband," by Niall McCarthy. The source for the statistic was consulting firm Statista. Because people in many areas of the United States have few or no choices for an ISP, there is little incentive for carriers to lower their prices SO that it is more affordable for lower-income people. Another factor on higher prices in rural areas is the higher cost to cable rural areas. These steep costs result from the fact that there are fewer customers per square mile in sparsely populated areas SO ISPs don't earn enough revenue from the few customers to make it worthwhile to lay fiber and charge lower prices in these areas. INTRANETS AND EXTRANETS An intranet is the use of web technology for the sole, dedicated use of single site and multisite organizations. Intranets are a way to collaborate, distribute information, software, and other services within an organization using web-like software