It may be used to monitor and control your software running on a microprocessor and to create almost run-time debug environment. It registers as a service and communicates between the serial port and a set of Java Applets that implement the visual controls on the HTML page.
Many later ones have links to the actual articles.
Superb reference source for ideas. Orlin Technology - your source for Embedded Webservers based on Microchip Application Note AN731. But I'm interested. To start, fill out the form . Support the PICList by honoring its finest.