Several brokers have pointed out, however, that the financing that was once available to new economy companies seems to be drying up.
As a result, features that were created to appeal to connoisseurs, and that were once available only on large, unwieldy and expensive laser discs, are now routinely enjoyed by mass-market film fans.
The nice thing is that many of the components that were once available only on the higher-end models, such as mega-pixel resolution, LCD monitors, memory cards are now standard.
Another advantage to Internet phone service is that customers have access to a wide range of business services that were once available only to large corporations.
"Things that were once available only to the biggest customers are made available to the masses.
The sort of specialized treatment that was once available only in the capital is increasingly not offered any more.
With radio stations in most major markets, Mr. Mays can deliver audiences that were once available only on prime-time television.
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association, which represents nonprescription drug manufacturers, says consumers save nearly $13 billion a year by using over-the-counter medicines that were once available by prescription only.
Listeners worldwide can use the major CD outlets online (HMV, for example, at hmv.com) to obtain recordings that were once available only in Japan.
As people move into a valley, the food source that was once available becomes difficult to get to, and a piece of the survival puzzle is taken away.
