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The underlying technologies are rapidly being replaced by the next
generation's developments. These include the change from HTML v2.0 to
v3.0 (which supports mathematical fonts), the Java environment (which
supports real interactivity), the addition of new extensions for
browsers like Netscape, the augmentation and adaptation of software
like Maple for direct use on the Internet and other significant
evolutionary advances. The prospect for the long term of the
Proceedings is certainly obsolesence if no efforts are made to upgrade
it appropriately.
But this is true of almost any piece of software or digital resource.
It happens to be particularly so in the case of Web-related materials
at this point in the development of the Internet. Without constant
upkeep, the state-of-the-art is expected to fall to the status of
unexceptional by the summer of 1996 and to that of obsolence by late
1997. However, like FTP and gopher resources, it is anticipated to
continue to be useful and accessible (if not a bit ``antiquated") until
after the year 2000.
omp@cecm.sfu.ca