Future of the Internet and Web
I have been thinking about what internet will look like in 2010. This prediction from 2000 is exactly what it won't look like ... this type of natural extrapolation will have some validity, but doesn't account for legislation, online crime, and spam.
I am starting to think the internet will have some different flavours that we haven't expected, and it won't necessarily be as easy as we expect. It will almost certainly cost the consumer more than we expect. I am not thinking of internet access, which will probably go down in price ... the cost will be in what you need to do online.
Future of the Internet and Web An Introduction to the Internet -- in 2010
(This material last modified 11/16/2000 21:51:26.)
True Mobile Computing
Internet will be faster, more easily accessible
Now standard computer connected to Internet via wire into wall or telephone connection
Will begin to give way to transmitters mounted on side of computer sending and receiving information to and from reception station
Will work like cellular telephones work now
Will allow computers to be re-positioned as necessary within office or entire building with no need for re-cabling
Will also allow Internet access while walking or driving
Better Internet Accessibility for All People
Research work proceeding at rapid pace to make Internet and World-Wide Web truly accessible to vision impaired, hearing impaired, or individuals with other impairments
Software and hardware hold great promise for solving such problems
Telephone Calls
Internet is becoming truly global communications medium
Many computers now equipped with audio and video playing and recording devices
Entirely possible that "telephone" calls of future will be transmitted over the Internet
Entire phone system as we know it (including local and long distance calls) may some day be viewed as simply one of features of the Internet
Handset could be computer peripheral, hands-free operation, access to databases, auto-dialing, video phone, conferencing, video conferencing
Merging of the Internet with Radio, Television, Newspapers, Magazines, Books
broadcast.com -> radio and TV broadcasts
World-Wide Web beginning to look a lot like television with animated images and streaming audio and video
Why not simply combine the two?
On Monday, Sept 27, 1999 abcnews.com and Sam Donaldson launched first Web-only newscast by major network
Watch television programs either "live" or at any more convenient time
No reason to use VCRs if television programs can be accessed at any time desired from the Internet
Paper versions of newspapers, magazines, books ... might have to print yourself
Digital newspapers, magazines, books with Web links
Replacing CD-ROMs and DVDs with the Web
CD-ROM (Compact Disk - Read-Only Memory) and DVD (Digital Video Disc) store tremendous amount of information and make it available quickly to computer
But, information on CD-ROM and DVD become out-of-date
CD-ROMs and DVDs are stopgap measure until bandwidths and computer speeds get so good that anything now on CD-ROM or DVD can be accessed just as quickly over the Web
Using the Web as a Book Supplement
Nothing will ever replace the satisfaction of touching, holding, and ultimately reading a good book!
But, books get out-of-date
Supplementary Website for book with information constantly updated so that combination of book and Website are as current as possible
Will allow detailed information on a Website that an author might think is not worth putting into the book because only a few people might find it interesting
Electronic books (ebooks) replicate the look and feel of a book but can use information from the Internet
The Postal Service Goes Almost Completely To Email
Why bother to carry a piece of paper from Canton, Ohio, to Paris, France?
Only information on that paper are what recipient in Paris really needs to see
Large portion of what is now sent as mail will be able to be delivered just as well, more cheaply, and much more quickly via email
Post Office and magazine publishers are already exploring this
E-Commerce
E-Commerce will become commerce
Business to Consumer (B2C) and Business to Business (B2B) continue to expand
Digital signatures become as legal as actual signatures
"Bricks and mortar" businesses will learn better how to use Internet and Web and succeed in this environment
Software and Data Files
Application Service Providers (ASPs) make services available on Web (tax preparation, calendars, home thermostat control, ....)
All your files (addresses, letters, recipes, ...) are kept on one computer -- accessible from all others -- making every computer "your computer"
Distance Learning
Teaching and learning may get turned upside down by the Internet
Internet (especially Web) permits all course material -- readings, assignments, supplementary materials, and exams -- to be available on computer network
Great advances being made in digitizing audio and video
Lectures, discussions, and even labs could be made available on the Internet
Student in rural Indiana could "attend" Purdue University via the Internet
Challenges in getting such a scenario to work
Student discussion ("chat") rooms hold tremendous promise
"Unlimited office hours"
Quality of education is terribly important and may be able to be made even better with use of Internet and Web technology
March 28, 2004 at 12:47 AM in @ My Views @ | Permalink
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