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Opte Project
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<p>The Opte Project, created in 2003 by <a href="/facts/Barrett_Lyon/bPsM9mbh">Barrett Lyon</a>, seeks to generate an accurate representation of the breadth of the <a href="/facts/Internet/Xw1rVvJU">Internet</a> using visual graphics. Lyon believes that his <a href="/facts/Network_mapping/uAk4chJ9">network mapping</a> can help teach students more about the Internet while also acting as a gauge illustrating both overall Internet growth and the specific areas where that growth occurs. It was not the first such project; others predated it, such as the Bell Labs <a href="/facts/Internet_Mapping_Project/U76gzzjL">Internet Mapping Project</a>. </p><p>Lyon has been generating image maps using <a href="/facts/Traceroute/bV6FIdWw">traceroute</a>, and later switched to mapping using <a href="/facts/BGP/XfYgBzW3">BGP</a> routes. The generated images were published on the Opte Project website. In 2021, Lyon created different video animations, using his mapping technique: shedding light on internet growth between 1997 and 2021, the <a href="/facts/2019_Internet_blackout_in_Iran/HxH4WaHc">Iranian internet shutdown of 2019</a>, the <a href="/facts/United_States_Department_of_Defense/dWAvf7e3">United States Department of Defense</a>'s place on the internet as well as the few entry points into the <a href="/facts/Internet_in_China/Wp8RAorG">Chinese internet</a>. </p><p>The project has gathered notice worldwide having been featured by <i><a href="/facts/Time_(magazine)/N4FXc99l">Time</a>,</i> <a href="/facts/Cornell_University/FGyXuXeI">Cornell University</a>, <i><a href="/facts/New_Scientist/GE0SBrn0">New Scientist</a></i>, and <a href="/facts/Kaspersky_Lab/WWX97cMP">Kaspersky Lab</a>. In addition, Opte Project maps have found homes in at least two art galleries and exhibits such as <a href="/facts/Museum_of_Modern_Art/75lxKjfj">The Museum of Modern Art</a> and the <a href="/facts/Museum_of_Science_(Boston)/hLDyMfKf">Museum of Science's</a> <i>Mapping the World Around Us</i> permanent exhibit. </p><p>Opte images are licensed under a <a href="/facts/Creative_Commons_license/6AV3V7UJ">Creative Commons license</a> and while use of The Opte Image is free for all non-commercial applications, a license fee is required for all others. </p>