In broad terms, the World Wide Web is an innovation that can be likened to the introduction of the printing press in the 15th century. Allowing citizens and organizations to distribute their own information at a relatively low cost, the Web has promoted a process of "information democratisation". Many of us use the World Wide Web daily in both work and personal life.

Advances resulting from the World Wide Web

• Low-cost information distribution and exchange for both organizations and private citizens
• An enhanced ability to obtain information
• Support for transparency and democracy
• Opportunities to create new types of social networks
• Novel avenues for information management and business development