There are a many general utilities that are useful to web authors, such as spelling checkers, and tools for the creation and manipulation of images, sound files, and movie files. Other, more specialized tools are available as well. Imagemap developers should note that there are several different internal imagemap file formats. The one we currently use on campus is the NCSA imagemap file format. This is the software that responds to clients' requests for information.
Cost is an issue here as well.
Currently, Unix-based servers offer the greatest functionality, and likely offer the greatest speed and reliability as well. As of May 1995, there were nine web servers operating on campus, all on the Unix platform. It is recommended that the University maintain one fast, reliable central web server, running on a Unix platform, to serve general University information, and for use by departments who do not choose to run their own server. Most Web servers include the ability to call external applications to process certain types of requests. This makes it possible to extend the capabilities of the basic server by adding support for such tasks as searching, forms processing, clickable imagemaps, and gateways to databases or other applications.