STEVE LOHR reports that a group of researchers have launched the Web Sciences Research Initiative (WSRI). Tim Berners-Lee, who invented the Web’s basic software, is leading the program of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Southampton.

Commenting on the new initiative, Berners-Lee said, "As the web celebrates its first decade of widespread use, we still know surprisingly little about how it evolved, and we have only scratched the surface of what could be realized with deeper scientific investigation into its design, operation and impact on society.

"The Web Science Research Initiative will allow researchers to take the web seriously as an object of scientific inquiry, with the goal of helping to foster the web's growth and fulfill its great potential as a powerful tool for humanity."

Professor Wendy Hall, head of Southampton University School of Electronics and Computer Science and also a founding director of WSRI, said: "As the web continues to evolve, it is becoming increasingly clear that a new type of graduate will be required (bold added) to meet the needs of science and industry. Already we are seeing evidence of this, with major Internet companies and research institutions lamenting the fact that there are simply not enough people with the right mix of skills to meet current and future employment demands. In launching WSRI, one of our ultimate aims is to address this issue."

The WSR Initiative arguably supports the increasing use by educators of wireless Tablet PCs and Ultra-Mobile PCs in schools.


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