World-Wide Web
Tim Berners-Lee, Robert Cailliau
C.E.R.N.
CH - 1211 Genève 23
timbl@info.cern.ch, cailliau@cernnext.cern.ch
Abstract
The W3 project merges networked information retrieval and hypertext to make an easy
but powerful global information system. It aims to allow information sharing within
internationally dispersed groups of users, and the creation and dissemination of
information by support groups. W3’s ability to provide implementation-independent
access to data and documentation is ideal for a large HEP collaboration. W3 now defines
the state of the art in networked information retrieval, for user support, resource discovery
and collaborative work. W3 originated at CERN and is in use at CERN, FNAL, NIKHEF,
SLAC and other laboratories. This paper gives a brief overview and reports the current
status of the project.
Introduction
The World-Wide Web (W3) project allows access to the universe of online information
using two simple user interface operations. It operates without regard to where information
is, how it is stored, or what system is used to manage it. Previous papers give general [1]
and technical [2] overviews which will not be repeated here. This paper reviews the basic
operation of the system, and reports the status of W3 software and information.
Operation
The W3 world view is of documents referring to each other by links. For its likeness to a
spider’s construction, this world is called the Web. This simple view is known as the
