Introduction

Abstract

When you read this book, you, without doubt, already know what the World Wide Web is and have used it extensively. The World Wide Web (or the Web for short) has impacted on almost every aspect of our lives. It is the biggest and most widely known information source that is easily accessible and searchable. It consists of billions of interconnected documents (called Web pages) which are authored by millions of people. Since its inception, the Web has dramatically changed our information seeking behavior. Before the Web, finding information means asking a friend or an expert, or buying/borrowing a book to read. However, with the Web, everything is only a few clicks away from the comfort of our homes or offices. Not only can we find needed information on the Web, but we can also easily share our information and knowledge with others.