Web Likely To Undergo Major Changes In Future

The Internet has become a cultural icon faster than a 56K modem, but a new report says that only one in 20 adults worldwide are active Internet users.

About 230 million people age 14 and over actively use the Internet, according to the eGlobal Report released by eMarketer, which compiles Internet statistics. The report defines “active” Internet users as people who spend at least one hour per week online.

The number of active users is expected to reach 640.2 million by 2004 as Internet access improves throughout the world, the report says.

Here are some other findings:

* Future growth of e-commerce will be driven by the business-to-business (B2B) segment, not retail business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions. The B2B sector now accounts for 79.2 percent of total e-commerce activity, but will grow to 87 percent by 2004.

* The popularity of wireless connections to the Internet has altered the concept of surfing.

* The days of U.S. Internet hegemony are numbered as the language and content of the Internet are rapidly changing.

If you haven’t reached the threshold of active Internet user, fire up the computer and check out these new, useful or entertaining Web sites:

* Beam me up, Scotty: A Web site with “mothership” in its address just has to focus on the paranormal, and this one does.

Mothership.com touts itself as a site for “fans of science fiction, fantasy and horror.”

You’ll find everything from a gaming center, calendar of events and TV episode guide to the obligatory science fiction store.

http://www.mothership.com

* Santa’s gift: Weather permitting, Santa will deliver an extra gift today to residents of the northern hemisphere.

A partial solar eclipse should be visible to millions of people across North America. Beginning at sunrise on the West Coast, the moon will cover up to 72 percent of the sun as the partial shadow sweeps across the continent by midafternoon. Locations farther north will get the most dramatic view.

For details about the rare Christmas eclipse and how to view it safely, visit a Web site created under the direction of Bryan Brewer, author of the book ECLIPSE.

http://www.santaseclipse.com

* R-E-L-I-E-F for parents: Choosing a day care for their kids is often an agonizing experience for parents.

The Washington state Department of Social and Health Services has launched a Licensed Childcare Information System to make the process less stressful. You can access the information at the DSHS Web site.

Here, parents can evaluate whether a child-care facility is right for their children, research the licensing history of a particular child-care facility, report an issue or concern they may have with a child-care facility, learn to recognize the signs of child abuse and what to do if someone suspects child abuse or neglect, and locate potential sources for child-care subsidies.

http://www.wa.gov/dshs/childcareinfo