Conclusions: Recurring Themes
May 24, 1999
WWW8 was a rewarding conference with plenty of opportunity to learn about key Web technology.
I only wish I could have attended more of the talks and viewed more of the
poster presentations.
It seems clear that there are a number of common themes at the heart of current and near future Web development:
- The second generation web will be a Semantic Web.
- XML is key to numerous other specifications and is the enabling technology for the Semantic Web.
- RDF is the basis for semantics and intelligent searching.
- DOM is the way to access parts of an XML document, especially for client-side applications.
- CSS will not be replaced by XSL; CSS 3 and CSS Object Model work has begun.
- XSL Transformations and Formatting Objects Working Drafts are considered "feature complete".
XSLT will be finalized this summer and XSL-FO in the fall of 1999.
- All web developers must be aware of the Web Accessibility Guidelines and should strive to comply.
- Scalable Vector Graphics is a near term reality.
- Consumer products will soon be Web-enabled, which increases the need for modularization of HTML
and targeting stylesheets for different devices.
- Modularization of HTML (XHTML) and CSS is becoming increasingly important so that vendors can pick
and choose various levels of support in web-enabled consumer devices.
- Portals will become more focused; queries will become easier and searching will be far more rewarding.
While researching this article, I found Tim Bray's April 1999 presentation to XML Europe '99,
entitled Expected from the W3C in 1999.
It's certainly worth a look if you're interested in gazing into the W3C Crystal Ball.
And the Awards Go To...
WWWhat Happened at WWW8?
W3C Track
|
