There's the dream that if we can express ourselves on the Web in ways that computers can understand, then computers will suddenly be able to help us do things in ways which will make spreadsheets and search engines look like mousetraps. There's the whole explosion which occurs when you can use information on the Web to verify what it is you can trust for what, and when your agents can do the same. There is the potential for more powerful democracy and whole new forms of government, but at the same time for each person's individuality, self-expression and potential to grow. The richness of the information space should put back into our world even what broadcast television has, some say, taken out. Each new release seems to recognize more styles and forms of information and content, but the browser's overall functionality remains a constant.
Content providers have the actual information users are seeking.
The gateways point users in the right direction. A search engine is a gateway. The two forms seem to be bleeding into each other. News sites are providing reference links to other information sites on the Web and search engines are providing news and information, each trying to be THE place for surfers to find what they're looking for. The Internet also is unique because there is a lot of value for those that aggregate and allow access to the decentralized Internet information.