While an old word processing program may be adequate for drafting most documents, use of the Web is limited by the software one employs. While both Netscape and Microsoft have recently made available version 4 of their browsers, version 3 of each will probably be sufficient for a while. AOL and most other online services and Internet Service Providers will provide versions of at least one of these browsers free of charge. Upgrading is a hassle and often does cause some kind of malfunction. Yet, the Web with an old browser is likely to be a Web without java, without frames, perhaps even without tables.
Dispute resolution is a communication and idea generating business.
If technology can assist in dispute resolution, it will be software that empowers us and catalyzes creative thought and work. In future months, we will show some examples of ideas we are developing for using the Web to interact with others, and not simply to obtain information from distant sources. It is the ability to interact and collaborate that makes upgrading your software something you should take seriously.