Today we have a quote. It is phrase I see and hear a lot when people are talking about the anonymity provided by the Internet. The quote is from a 1993 New Yorker cartoon.

In the cartoon a dog is sitting at a computer telling another dog that “On the Internet nobody knows you are a dog.”

I like this quote because it is often repeated and paraphrased by all types of writer when writing about the Internet. I noticed Brent Simmons of Inessential.com, writing in 2002 referred to the phrase as an old adage.

By the way if you are looking for a great news reader or blog client you should check out Brent’s work:

• NetNewsWire- A news reader for OS X.

• MarsEdit- A weblog editor for Mac OS X that works with various weblog systems: Blosxom, Conversant, Manila, Movable Type, Radio UserLand, TypePad, WordPress, and others.

Also Brent is really responsive to user questions and comments so his work is always getting better.

I am really impressed Peter Steiner, the cartoonist, understood and clearly articulated a fundamental truth of the Internet way back in 1993.

You can take a look at the cartoon or order a sweatshirt with the cartoon on it at cartoonbank.com. Cartoonbank.com is home to many of the cartoons found in the is the New Yorker. From it you can order posters, t-shirts and other paraphernalia emblazoned with New Yorker cartoons.