Keywords
Citation
Rudall, B.H. (1999), "Web publishing revolution?", Kybernetes, Vol. 28 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/k.1999.06728baa.005
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
Web publishing revolution?
Keywords Automation, Cybernetics, Research and development
Abstract Presents reports and surveys of selected current research and development in systems and cybernetics. They include: Cybernetics studies in Romania; Management cybernetics; Nanofabrication; Global information access; Web publishing revolution?; Innovations in systems and cybernetics.
Web publishing revolution?
What revolution?
There are now so many questions being asked about Web publishing that any contribution that might shed some light on the future may be welcome. Unfortunately too many people are still talking about "revolutions" when they really mean that this particular form of communication and interaction is progressing. Most cyberneticians and systemists realise this, and are the first to take their time in grasping what they know is a system in itself that is changing and will change even further as more advanced technology becomes available and scientists discover more and better ways of using it.
Even so the announcement that a White Paper on Web publishing has been produced is at least encouraging.
New White Paper
The new White Paper publicised by ThomsonConsulting refers to "content-centricity" being revealed as a key force behind what they describe as "a Web publishing revolution". They take pains to say that the White Paper warns of impending catastrophe for Web illiterates as "book trade" becomes "information business".
Brief contents
The White Paper is free of charge and can be downloaded from the Web site at: www.thomsonconsulting.com (it is about 250 words).
ThomsonConsulting has launched the White Paper, which details the potential for new technology within the publishing industry and the implications for those companies unprepared to adopt it.
The paper has been developed in response to industry research, which highlights that, despite potential gains, there is resistance to technological change among publishing corporations.
In particular, it highlights the growing importance of content-centricity in Web commerce that will be brought about with the use of Internet technologies, in particular, XML. Most applications on the Web are still written in product-centric languages such as HTML, which constrains later redeployment of data.
Entitled "Forget electronic publishing!", the paper is designed to guide publishers and Web authors through the latest developments. It focuses on the most common causes of project failure, and offers advice on how publishers can minimise the financial risks of investment in this area.
It also highlights amazon.com, PowerGen and Barnes & Noble as being among the examples shown, where e-commerce has been used to significantly increase revenues and reduce costs by facilitating the "repurposing" of Web-based data.
A spokesman for ThomsonConsulting says that:
Web publishing has great revenue-generation potential and many companies are embracing the concept. However, there are pitfalls which could jeopardise the success of a company's investment in it. For instance, one of the issues is that XML is going to replace HTML as the language of choice. Companies need to be aware of this to avoid the headlong tumble into HTML-based applications which are going to have be re-written within two years.
Authors of the White Paper
ThomsonConsulting is an information technology and business solutions provider and is part of the $6 billion ThomsonCorporation. In its company brochure it says that it is:
A specialist in re-inventing the publishing process, its solutions facilitate the "source once, publish many" model for content management. This reduces production costs and time to market, and means customers receive material which is tailored closely to their needs.
The company is also a leader in XML, extensible mark-up language, which is expected to replace HTML, and has implemented one of Europe's first commercial XML applications.
Further information about this report from: ThomsonConsulting. Tel: 0171 9171400; E-mail:jenny.green@thomsonconsulting.com; Web site:www.thomsonconsulting.com