
 WindoWatch                  The Electronic Windows Magazine of the Internet
 Volume 1  No. 9                                               December 1995


 VRML, Netscape and Java-Java Jing-Jing!

 1995 witnessed the extraordinary explosion of the Internet with the promise
 of much more of the same.  With the coming of year's end, it becomes more
 difficult to pass off with a so-what shrug the formidable march  of
 computer power and versatility onto our desktops. It's  hard to believe
 that this enormous resource is so readily available, and even more
 astounding, -- so relatively cheap!  The reality of the information age
 becomes so mind boggling that we must wonder aloud about new possibilities
 conflicting with ingrained habits, entrenched priorities of gatekeepers
 and raw corporate competitiveness.

 The Internet, using very mundane tools like desktop computers, telephone
 technology, and modems have thrown open the gates to almost any idea, any
 place, and any possibility.  But sadly, some things never seem to change.

 Our curiosity keeps recycling us to the same place. We're  still seeking a
 perfection on our desktops of speed, efficiency, and versatility while
 scarcely taking the time to learn or understand that which has already
 been delivered. Most of us work long hours trying to stay on top of the
 torrent of information pulling us into a whirlpool - only to find ourselves
 standing in exactly the same place.

 Microsoft has delivered a fine 32 bit operating system in Win95, .. not
 perfect but a monster step forward for the DOS/Windows world.  The carping
 about system warts and black holes of  disaster seem to be abating, - but
 we sense the need to refocus on a new target. It's strange that we have
 great tolerance and expectation from the new players... Netscape, Java,
 and VRML. As online publishing evolves into a completely unique standard,
 the OS wars are but an early sniff of controversy yet to come.

 As we've all noticed, the new applications are huge.  After finishing up
 this issue of  WW, I wondered if I should grovel to our readership because
 of  its size -almost 1800k.  Nope! I am however, going to simplify the
 life of the entire editorial staff (both of us) and announce the end of
 both the ascii and Readroom editions.  Many of  our articles are laced
 with pictures and to edit out all references to the graphics is just more
 work than we are prepared to do. As an aside the raw Word7 files toted up
 to almost fourteen Meg. Issue #9 will be the last of the ascii  and
 Readroom editions unless one of the readers of this edition volunteers
 for the task.


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