We notice that the functions of each of these servers could be provided by a W3 server, and so look forward to a single protocol which can be used by the whole community. The Archie project provides an index into the Internet archives and is an excellent example of a service which we hope to make available in the web. We can imagine such indexing being extended to cover other forms of data. W3 provides a basic infrastructure for information access. All kinds of indexing, searching, filtering and analysis tools could usefully be built using the generic W3 access mechanism, and so be applied to all the various domains of data. Their results could then be made available on the web. Many possible research projects in hypertext are enabled by the existence of a very large, linked information base … The dream is coming true.
Predictor: Berners-Lee, Tim
Prediction, in context:In a 1992 article for Electronic Networking: Research, Applications, and Policy (ENRAP), World-Wide Web originator Tim Berners-Lee and his colleagues write: ”The success of the pilot project prompted further development of W3-compliant software and information … The total amount of information available on the web is becoming very significant, especially as it includes all anonymous FTP archives, WAIS servers and Gopher servers as well as specific W3 servers. We notice that the functions of each of these servers could be provided by a W3 server, and so look forward to a single protocol which can be used by the whole community. The Archie project provides an index into the Internet archives and is an excellent example of a service which we hope to make available in the web. We can imagine such indexing being extended to cover other forms of data. W3 provides a basic infrastructure for information access. All kinds of indexing, searching, filtering and analysis tools could usefully be built using the generic W3 access mechanism, and so be applied to all the various domains of data. Their results could then be made available on the web. Many possible research projects in hypertext are enabled by the existence of a very large, linked information base. Meanwhile, the W3 team at CERN and collaborators worldwide invite any information suppliers to join the web, contributing information or software … If you use a window-oriented browser, then you will be able to read articles like this on your screen. When you do, pick up your pen, mouse or favorite pointing device and press it on a reference in this document… the dream is coming true.”
Biography:Tim Berners-Lee of CERN first released his revolutionary World-Wide Web for initial use in 1991 and with it shared his invention HTML (hypertext mark-up language). He later served as director of W3 Consortium, an open forum of companies and organizations whose goal was to find ways to help the Web reach its full potential. (Pioneer/Originator.)
Date of prediction: January 1, 1992
Topic of prediction: Information Infrastructure
Subtopic: Language/Interface/Software
Name of publication: Electronic Networking: Research, Applications and Policy (ENRAP)
Title, headline, chapter name: Wiring the Planet. Part 2
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.w3.org/History/1994/WWW/Journals/SanFranciscoExaminer/930531.html
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney