14 June 2000
The whole world in their hands
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In the not too distant future everyone will be able to connect to the World Wide Web using portable devices such as mobile phones, according to British computer scientist Bob Hopgood. |
Professor Hopgood, recently awarded an OBE for his outstanding contributions to the development of the World Wide Web, is a member of the International World Wide Web Conference Committee whose members help plan and direct the global development of the Web.
His address exploring the future of the Web followed the opening of the Sixth Australian World Wide Web Conference (AusWeb2K) in Cairns by the Vice-Chancellor of Southern Cross University, Professor John Rickard, on Wednesday.
SCU is the host of the four-day conference that is being attended by more than 150 delegates from the technology, business, academic and legal sectors. Half of Australia's universities are represented and there are six delegates from overseas universities.
Overseas guests included Bob Futernick from Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, who has helped put more than 100,000 gallery images on the web, and Prof. Hopgood who predicted that rapid advances in programming, notably the XML language, and portable technology will result in dramatic lifestyle changes for many people in the world.
Those in technology rich countries would experience the Web being used by a range of web-enabled devices, including cell phones, TVs, PDAs, fridges and microwave ovens, he said.
"Even food packaging will come with mini disposable web browsers that can communicate with the white goods that use or store them," he explained.
"So you might have automatic re-ordering of food by fridges or smart washing machines that use exactly the right amount of detergent for clothes that come with their own tiny browsers."
Hopgood was giving the first keynote address at AusWeb2K.
"We are delighted that this high level conference has received such strong support from a broad cross-section of participants," Professor Rickard said.
"No doubt it reflects the fact that Australia has the world's sixth largest level of Internet usage, with more than 7 million people of all ages going on-line on a regular basis. With a penetration of more than 35% of the population, Australian web usage is only surpassed by the USA and Scandinavia," the Vice-Chancellor said. "In part this has resulted from the 'back room' work done at this national conference and its annual international counterpart which Bob Hopgood represents."
AusWeb2k, the Sixth Australian World Wide Web Conference, Rihga Colonial Club Resort, Cairns, 12-17 June 2000 Contact: Norsearch Conference Services +61 66 20 3932 (from outside Australia) (02) 6620 3932 (from inside Australia) Fax (02) 6622 1954
