Will java based network computers or NCs replace the memory and storage laden desktop computers? There's lots of hype about this and Microsoft wouldn't like to see their os become obsolete. Waht do you think?

I heard a great deal a few years ago about holograms being the storage used on the internet... perhaps the desktop will go?

I think the future of Internet is just like handphone or pager some years ago. Internet will be the way of life, and every new pc in the future will have built-in web access. .

As will every tv, every toaster, every blender . . .

UP TO THIS MOMENT THE INTERNET HAS FOUND A BIG EXPLOTION ON IT USE DUE TO THE NOVELTY OF IT USE BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE REAL USEFULLNESS OF IT HAS NOT BEEN REALLY USED EXTENSIVELY.THERE IS A GREAT POTENTIAL IN THE AREA OF POLITICAL SERVICES, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE IT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO EXPOSE THE CLEAR INTENTIONS OF PEOPLE IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE MAKING THEM OPEN FOR HONEST CRITISM AND LEAVING THEM VULNERABLE TO BE DENOUNCED AS FAKE WITH REAL INFORMATION OBTAINED IN AN OPEN FORUM.LET ME BE MORE SPECIFIC.IF SOMONE TRY TO ASSERT HIS INTEREST ON SOMETHING (PROJECT OR SERVICE) AND ANOTHER PERSON KNOWS THAT HIS OR HER REAL VESTED INTEREST ON THIS OR THAT IS DUE TO POSSIBLE DIRECT OR INDIRECT BENEFITS ON THE EVOLVEMENT OF THE SAME PROJECT, HE OR SHE CAN BE OPENLY BE EXPOSED AND CONSECUENTLY UNMASKED OF HIS OR HER REAL INTENTIONS. OBSTACLES EXIST LIKE THE QUALITY OF THE VIDEO, AUDIO AND INTERACTIVE COMUNICATIONS BUT LITTLE BY LITTLE EACH ONE OF THEM ARE BEING WORKED OUT POSITIVELY.

Check out our politics conference if you get a chance, COMTRON. ALL CAPS is a bit hard to read though.

NUA INTERNET SURVEYS NUA INTERNET SURVEYS NUA INTERNET SURVEYS Weekly free email on what's new in surveys on the Internet By Nua Email: web@nua.ie Web: http://www.nua.ie/surveys/ ******************************************************************* January 5th 1997 Published By: Nua Limited ******************************************************************* ******************************************************************* 10 PREDICTIONS FOR 1998 ******************************************************************* 1) Information overload will become a central issue for the Internet in 1997, as basic search engines begin to lose their value. 2) Ecommerce will flourish in America and will show strong growth in Europe, with business-to-business transactions leading the way. 3) The Web will stay simple in 1998: lots of content, driven by databases, with small graphics, no gee whiz, and thus fast downloads. 4) By the end of 1998, the PC will have well and truly become a mass market product, with quality PCs selling for well under USD1,000. 5) Microsoft will find that there are limits to how large and powerful it is allowed to get. 6) There will be at least 150 million Internet users worldwide by the end of 1998. 7) The Internet will force many middlemen/distributors to transform their business models or face decline/liquidation. 8) Small pockets of high-bandwidth will exist but for the average consumer bandwidth will remain scarce. 9) Driven by child abuse, hate abuse, spam abuse and taxation issues, Governments will pay a lot more attention to the Internet in 1998, and a wide range of legislation will either be prepared or enacted. 10) 1999 will be the year when the Internet becomes truly mass market. ******************************************************************* HOW MANY ONLINE? ******************************************************************* The art of estimating how many are online throughout the world is an inexact one at best. Surveys abound, using all sorts of measurement parameters. However, from observing many of the published surveys over the last two years, the Nua 'educated guess' is that there were just over 100 million online at the end of 1997. This figure can be broken down as follows: Africa - 1 million Asia/Pacific - 14 million Europe - 19.75 million Middle East - .4 million Canada & USA - 64 million South America - 1.25 million The 100 million figure relates to all those who have access to the Internet, including adults and children. It is not restricted to 'subscribers' to Internet service providers or online services, as each subscription account can have between 2-3 users. What is interesting about the 100 million figure is that at the end of 1996, Nua estimated that there were 46 million online throughout the world. Thus, in 1997, we've seen a more than doubling of Internet users worldwide. ******************************************************************* For the latest Nua Internet survey and trend information, or to search our comprehensive database, visit the Nua website at http://www.nua.ie/surveys/ If you have found Nua Internet Surveys useful, please consider telling somebody else about it. ******************************************************************* SPONSORSHIP: While Internet Surveys will always remain free to the subscriber, Nua is always willing to talk to interested parties with regard to sponsorship. Contact Annmarie: annmarieb@nua.ie ******************************************************************* NUA LIMITED Nua, a vibrant, innovative, Irish company whose focus is in helping progressive organisations adapt to the new environment created by the Internet. We have the management/marketing, design and technical skills to truly understand your unique situation, and to translate that understanding into a successful Internet presence for you. In May 1996, at the 5th International World Wide Web Conference in Paris, France, the European Commission presented Nua with the "Best Overall World Wide Web Business Achievement" award, which is the top prize for website development in Europe. SUBSCRIBING TO INTERNET SURVEYS Send an email to: surveys-request@nua.ie with the word subscribe in the body of the message. An automatic acknowledgment should be returned to you by e-mail within a few minutes. UNSUBSCRIBING Send an email to surveys-request@nua.ie with the word unsubscribe in the body of the message. TECHNICAL PROBLEMS If you are having any technical problems, please email sorcha at: sorcha@nua.ie. ******************************************************************* NEW THINKING New Thinking is a free, weekly, 500-word email column, whose objective is to contribute to a practical philosophy for The Digital Age. It is available by sending an email to newthinking-request@nua.ie with the word "subscribe" in the body of the message. http://www.nua.ie/newthinking/current.html NUA: What's New A monthly newsletter, What's New is a free monthly newsletter highlighting the new additions, happenings and changes at Nua. It is available by sending an email to whatsnew-request@nua.ie with the word "subscribe" in the body of the message. NUA MODEST PROPOSALS Modest Proposals aims to encourage new and deeper thinking on the pressing cultural issues of the day: TV shows, advertisements, music, celebrities and other consumer products. It is available by sending an email to modest-request@nua.ie with the word "subscribe" in the body of the message. http://www.nua.ie/modestproposals/current.html NUA BLATHER Blather is a weekly 500ish word article which follows the basic tenets of Fortean thinking by examining strange news stories, apparent conspiracy theories, and looks at how our belief systems and reality tunnels influence our interpretations of the 'truth' presented to us by the popular, (and even not so popular) media. To subscribe, send an email to blather-request@lists.best.com with the word "subscribe" in the body of the message. http://www.nua.ie/blather/current.html MAKING IT WORK The Internet and information technology are changing the way we work and live. Making it Work will look at the changes in technology and how these are impacting on the way business is done. 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SAN FRANCISCO, May 21 /PRNewswire/ via NewsEdge Corporation -- "The golden age of unregulated Internet is just about over," said Rachelle Chong, former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission and now a telecom partner at the international law firm Coudert Brothers in California. "Regulations governing the Internet are developing at differing speeds, in varying directions. Because the Internet does not operate within set geographic boundaries and borders, the emerging patchwork quilt of regulatory policies and laws may stifle its growth and potential as an engine for e-commerce," said Ms. Chong. "Governments will not be able to help themselves from regulating the Internet," she added. Government regulation will come because rapid upgrades of communications and data infrastructure will force governments to adopt their traditional role of mediating disputes and developing regulatory guidelines for competing players. Also, the lure of revenue from e-commerce "has the government sitting up and paying attention because government has a traditional role associated with regulating commerce and consumer protection." Many local, state and national governments want to tax e-commerce transactions that have some nexus to their jurisdictions. "Recognizing that e-commerce can bring new revenues to government coffers from worldwide sources, some jurisdictions are thinking about burdening Net transactions with taxes." Content regulation is also inevitable, according to Ms. Chong. Content related issues include copyright violations, the impact of technology-based filtering software and which type of content to regulate. Ms. Chong made her remarks at the 1999 Pacific Telecommunications Council mid-year seminar in Manila. Founded in 1853, Coudert Brothers is one of the oldest and most respected international law firms, with 27 offices in most major business and governmental centers. Coudert Brothers has offices in New York, Washington, DC, San Francisco, Palo Alto, Los Angeles, San Jose, Denver, Montreal, London, Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt, Berlin, Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing, Tokyo, Bangkok, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Sydney, Almaty, Moscow, and St. Petersburg. SOURCE Coudert Brothers CONTACT: Chris Tofalli of Broadgate Consultants, 212-232-2222, for Coudert Brothers Web site: http://www.broadgate.com/ [Copyright 1999, PR Newswire]

The Internet Law Page http://floridalawfirm.com/iplaw/index.html

Any real-life comments? Killer posts are informative, but there is nothing quite as interesting as personal comments.