Andrew Treloar, School of Computing and Mathematics, Deakin University, Rusden Campus, 662 Blackburn Road, Clayton, 3168, Australia. Andrew.Treloar@deakin.edu.au
World Wide Web; Innovation; Technology life-cycles; Browser; Predictions
The Web is a relatively new technology, having only been available since 1993. At the same time, it sits on top of other technologies that have been around for much longer: GUI APIs, operating systems, computer and networking hardware. The development of each of these technologies follows predictable curves as it moves from innovation through to maturity. The adoption rate by consumers also follows predictable curves and tracks the technology itself. This paper examines the position of the Web browser in this process of development and considers some of the future implications for the browser and by extension the Web itself.
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