This paper charts the transformation of the Internet from its military
and academic origins to its current status as a global network for mu
ltimedia information publishing and retrieval. It explains the basic t
echnologies that have enabled this transformation and introduces the a
dvances that will underpin its future development. These include secur
ity and electronic commerce, network computing and three-dimensional w
orlds, and the development of an integrated service platform for the d
elivery of real-time audio and video services.