The new frontier is of course cyberspace, which for the time being means the Internet. The most startling application to appear in networked computing since e-mail has been the World Wide Web, which essentially makes any user an international publisher for the price of a network connection. Companies and individuals alike are clamoring to put up their web sites but one has to wonder - why?
If browsing the web is to be compared with drinking from a fire hose, then putting up a web site must be like tossing a pamphlet into a black hole. I mean, who could possibly be interested in the mission statement of the Division of Surface Science, and a list of its members? What could the Division have to say to the world which anybody would want to hear?
There are a few ways in which, one would hope, a web site might be of use to surface scientists. A manufacturers directory would be an obvious boon, if one could, for example, browse the company catalog on-line and place an order without the hassle of having to wait for the regional salesman to return from his latest junket. A few companies, such as Kurt. J. Lesker, are trying to move (albeit jerkily) in this direction. However, most of the equipment suppliers use their web sites as a kind of fishing hook, enticing the potential customer to surrender to the tender mercies of their marketing personnel in the traditional manner.
Another function that a web site could usefully fulfill is that of a readily accessible data base of meetings announcements. A great deal of information (for example the complete program of the meeting) can be thereby distributed directly to those who want it at minimal cost. But for this idea to work, it requires that the meeting organizers inform the maintainer of the web site of their plans (or that the webmaster acquire psychic powers.) The divisional web site must be a collaborative venture at heart, and not the plaything of one computer geek with too much time on his hands.
Finally, how may laboratory web sites serve our individual needs? In this age of funding cuts and the need to find industrial partners, one would like to think that a web site might serve as a means to establish contacts with Canadian industry and to generate additional sources of funding such as contracts and research partnerships. At INRS we have been "on the web" for well over two years, since the days when 50 new sites per day at Yahoo seemed like a lot, and we have no evidence yet that our web site has served such a purpose. It may be that there is something horribly wrong with our site, but my feeling is that there is probably a great deal of hype in hypertext.
EDITOR'S ADDENDUM: Roy's ruminations are well-founded. His fundamental concern, I think, is that, as a division, we could be much more effective individually if we supported and interacted with each other collectively. His efforts to set-up and maintain a divisional Web Site was an attempt to bring us closer together. I think that it is the right direction. But it has not even started to fulfill that goal. Visits to the site are rare and infrequent. In spite of all the enthusiasm and in spite of the fact that we, as a scientific society, are supposedly on the "cutting edge" of science and technology, we still approach change and innovation with skepticism. It is not hard to find examples of Web activity which can support such skepticism. But with a little vision we can also find examples that hint at its potential as an important and useful tool. As Roy points out, a "divisional web site must be a collaborative venture at heart, and not the plaything of one computer geek with too much time on his hands." I'm convinced that the Web will be useful, but it will become such only when we are all involved in its creation, maintenance, and use. I'll work harder to put together these newsletters. I'm gratified that about half of you have indicated your preference to receive the newsletter via the Web, saving the division significant production and mailing costs - money that is already being set aside for more student awards and travel grants to improve the effectiveness and visibility of our meetings. I hope that fraction will grow so that I only have to put together one newsletter semiannually rather than two (the electronic and the paper version). I would also like help in assembling information for a suppliers directory. We all know the big players in the field (I'll put them in anyway), but what about the little suppliers of exotic items? Would you know where to get some ACME threaded rod? What about copper-beryllium leaf spring fingers? If you would send me your favorite not-so-well known suppliers, address and product information, I'll start putting together a searchable index.
With matters such as this, I believe the problem is one of critical mass. There has to be enough material present to make it worthwhile to visit. Also, the material needs to grow and evolve regularly. That is a big challenge for an individual but manageable if we do it collectively. If you will help by adding information to the division's Web Site, we will all soon find that our work-a-day lives are more productive because of the synergism it produces. Keep in touch.