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/ [email protected]