Abstract

The World Wide Web has captured the public's interest like no other computer application or tool. In response, businesses have attempted to capitalize on the Web's popularity. As a result propaganda, assumption, and unfounded theories have taken the place of facts, scientific analysis, and well-reasoned theories. As with all things, the Web's popularity comes with a price for the first time the computer industry must satisfy exponentially increasing demand. As the World Wide Web becomes the "World Wide Wait" and the Internet changes from the "Information Superhighway" to a "Giant Traffic Jam," the public demands improvements in Web performance. The lack of cogent scientific analysis prevents true improvement in Web conditions. Nobody knows the source of the bottlenecks. Some assert that the server must be the problem. Others blame Internet congestion. Still others place the blame on modems or slow Local Area Networks. The Web's massive size and growth have made research difficult, but ...

Citations