Web: Staying Up-To-Date

Ian Grahamhttp://www.utoronto.ca/ian/http://www.groveware.com/

Issues 1) Important new technologies (not tools) 2) How to stay up-to-date

Technology Count (Abbrev.)

1994 HTML HTTP CGI URL

1998 HTML, HTTP, CGI,

URL, MIME, S-MIME, M-

HTML, XML, CSS, XSL, SSL, Java, Active-X,

CORBA, DCOM, d[D]-HTML, SET, DOM, LDAP, audio/video,

JavaScript, ...

Technology Predictions

CSS -- Cascading Style Sheets Significantly improved control of page

formatting, layout Not properly supported in Navigator 4 /

Internet Explorer 4 Expect good support in next versions Importance -- Late summer, 1998

Technology Predictions

Dynamic HTML Programmable control of page layout, by

letting a script control “flow” and structure. Implemented very differently on Navigator

4 and Internet Explorer 4 “Standards-based” approach based on the

W3C’s Document Object Model (DOM) Importance: fall/winter 1998

Technology Predictions

XML and XSL New “customized” markup language,

based on SGML. Wide adoption by software developers

(Netscape, Microsoft, others) Initial use -- Microsoft “push” format,

structured document management Importance -- now and growing; starting

with s/w developers.

Technology Predictions

M-HTML and S-MIME Multimedia, secure mail messages

containing HTML documents and related content (images, objects, etc.)

Mail-based alternative to “push” delivery. Already implemented in Navigator 4 mail

client, widespread interest Importance -- summer 1998, as more mail

clients implement M-HTML support.

Technology Predictions

Distributed Databases/Directories Better search tools for finding Web

resources; “knowledge mining” Directory services for distributing

directory information, such as the locations of resources, people, etc.

Importance -- mostly within Intranets, some general-purpose use,

Technology Predictions

Collaboration/Communication Tools audio (RealAudio, etc.); video (Cu-See-Me,

realVideo, MBONE, etc.) Internet relay chat (IRC), MOOs shared whiteboards Currently available; usefulness restricted

by processor speeds; bandwith Importance -- awaits better software,

network speeds

How To Stay Up-To-Date

MagazinesOnline

publicationsFriends/personal

networks

Problems Hype -- most of the

reporting is uncritical,

Accuracy -- can you believe it

Relevance -- not related to your needs

Volume -- there’s so much!

True of Almost All Information Sources

How to Stay Up-To-Date

Get support from managementMake technology “research” a part

of a job descriptionAttend industry or Government-

sponsored seminars workshops (e.g. ITRC/CITO)

Conferences like this one

Web: Staying Up-To-Date

Ian Graham http://www.utoronto.ca/ian/ http://www.groveware.com/ ian.graham@utoronto.ca