For an excellent first hand history of the Web - and a linked data proposal which seems to share many of the simple, scalable properties of his original invention - see Tim Berners-Lee's Feb 2009 TED Talk on the 20th anniversary of the Web:
Some comments on this talk's comment thread suggest that it's inappropriate for TBL to take credit for inventing the Web. I replied:
I believe that TBL is typically modest and accurate in saying he invented the Web. http, the SGML-based definition of HTML, the URL protocol were quite literally his individual invention - in concept and reduction to practice. Almost every concept of value on the Web: search engines, browsers, notification is built over this simple, open, highly scalable structure.
TBL does NOT claim to have invented hypertext or the underlying and pre-existing internet protocols which he used very effectively. He quite intentionally made an inspired set of tradeoffs. I suggest paying very careful attention to his linked data proposal.
Marji McClure writes: "Most companies don't want to inhibit the collaborative flow that Web 2.0 has brought to the marketplace; don't want it to hinder their overall operations and they want to continue to build on their Web 2.0 platforms. Yet as the use of these collaborative applications becomes integrated into business processes, the need for them to be secure becomes imperative. [The problem as, Traction Software's Jordan] Frank points out is that some people trust such systems just because their friends do, and because sites such as Facebook haven’t let people down—yet. He cautions that a breach could cause a backlash against such networks. 'Ensuring success in Web 2.0 means that trust doesn’t get broken,' says Frank." » Read Full Story at EContent. Subscription is required for on-line access. Another version of the story is published at CIO Today.
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