The man who invented the worldwide web

[Ringo]

It could be argued that I am here, in snowy Boston, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, to meet the king of the nerds, the godfather of the geeks. But that would seem disrespectful. And Professor Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the man who invented the worldwide web, deserves respect.

He could have become a multi-billionaire by charging royalties for his invention. Instead, with Olympian selflessness, he gave it to the world for free. No charge. Help yourself. That was 15 years ago this month, not long after he moved to America from his native Britain.

But it has also helped gamblers bankrupt themselves, fraudsters prey on the gullible, and pornographers sell their virtual wares; and, of course, it has created a sinister new breed of paedophile. That's partly what I mean by characterising Sir Tim as a Dr Frankenstein. His monster could prove to be a force for good or bad. The jury is still out.

http://www.independent.ie/business/t...t-1352818.html

Interesting article. Yes it has good and evil, but thats life. Should we Ban the car because paedophiles use them? They used post before the net, should we ban that? Its hard to believe the net is so young.

[dahamsta]

If the W3C is "the nerve centre of the internet", I'm TBL, my grandad is Bob Kahn, and grandma was Jon Postel in a dress. It's an important standards body that does good work, certainly, but it's only impact on the Internet per se is how crufty the aforementioned standards have often been in the past, caused by an overreliance on consensus.

Internet != WWW

How do luddites like "Nigel Farndale" get to write about technology? Do they draw straws after elevenses? Is there a competition to find who can get their copy of Window Me trojaned the quickest?

adam

[tetsujin1979]

Doesn't he know Al Gore invented the internet??

[Ringo]

http://www.independent.ie/business/t...b-1301437.html


Just looked up the W3C & see the independent did an atricle in February with the same photo & similar story

[ken foree]

Doesn't he know Al Gore invented the internet??

i think the u.s. pentagon invented the 'net and the scientists at CERN in switzerland developed the web? but without gore's contributions as a legislator in the u.s., where he apparently provided funding for universities and other areas of society for its development and implementation then we might see a different web today. i believe his quote was something along the lines of "i gave you the internet." he was asking for it with that one alright but he contributed in his own way.

[Bluebeard]

Should we Ban the car because paedophiles use them?

Good enough an excuse for me. At last, a ludicrous suggestion that will motivate mass hysteria to act rashly and impetuously where years of studies on the car's environmental impact have failed.

[John83]

If the W3C is "the nerve centre of the internet", I'm TBL, my grandad is Bob Kahn, and grandma was Jon Postel in a dress. It's an important standards body that does good work, certainly, but it's only impact on the Internet per se is how crufty the aforementioned standards have often been in the past, caused by an overreliance on consensus.

Internet != WWW

How do luddites like "Nigel Farndale" get to write about technology? Do they draw straws after elevenses? Is there a competition to find who can get their copy of Window Me trojaned the quickest?

adam

I know a technology journalists. He has explained to me that technology journos come in two flavours: those who can write decent copy fast, and those who know technology. Guess which one gets hired. Go on. I dare you.

I've given up reading comedy websites. Technology sites are more consistently funny.

[dahamsta]

There's only 3 tech journos with any sort of talent in Ireland, maybe 4. Fergus Cassidy gets it but I'm not even sure what he's doing these days; Karlin Lillington gets it but sets her level at the lowest common denominator; Jamie Smyth gets it but steadfastly refuses to express an opinion; and Damien Mulley gets it but he won't shut his hole about blogging. Doesn't really inspire confidence to be honest with you.

adam