Effects of the Web:
The Web has many benefits in many different subjects. Within the range of personal use, the Web has become a diverse place wherein people can create their own websites and share their thoughts and opinions. It can also be used by professionals in all fields, science for example, to share their important information around the world. The article mentions specifically the ability of scientists to send a question around the world and it return with many answers. However, the author also identifies negative effects of the Web such as the threats of ISPs being able to control Web traffic, or when the Web becomes fragmented, there is a risk of the Web becoming a monopolized state, somewhere that people cannot enjoy “a single, universal information space” which can lead to echo chambers of information and political centralization.
Universality and Isolation:
Universality is the ability for computers to access all parts of the internet despite their hardware, software or network connection. Universality refers to the ability of any person to be able to use the internet. It cannot be hindered by disability, different networks or softwares, or device.
Open Standards and Closed Worlds:
Open standards are standards that allow any person to be able to use information from royalty-free sites. However, this does not mean that there can be no “paid for” services on the internet, open standards just allow the existence of both free and not free options. Open standards also refer to the ability of the Web user to be able to create their own websites without the need for approval or permission.
Closed worlds are the opposite, they are places on the Web in which the user has to fit certain qualifications in order to access the information. The example given in the text is the Apple iTunes Store, where you must be using a proprietary Apple product in order to be able to open a link that begins with “itunes:” instead of “https:”.
The Web and the Internet
The Web is an application that runs on the internet. The internet is an electronic network that sends information between computers over wires and wireless media.
Connections:
The internet and the Web are what makes it possible for all the information and data to be shared between computers today. The universality and open standards of the Web create an important place of diversity within which people are able to create and share information, leading to progress in society.
Web in the Future:
The author predicted that the Web would become more available to people with disabilities, which has become true. The author also correctly predicted the versatility of screens and Web pages. Further, there are also many options in which you can create and edit a copy of someone else’s information for easier annotating. However, there have been recent issues with the presence of billionaires and their ability to monopolize social media, changing these spaces into their own instead of looking to the public.