The WWW concept was designed in 1989 by Tim Berners-Lee and scientists at CERN (Geneva), the European centre for High Energy Physics, who were interested in making easier to retrieve research documentation. It developed as a concept for Networked Information Project. A year later he had developed a 'browser/editor' program and had coined the name World Wide Web as a name for the program.

The World Wide Web (known as "WWW', "Web" or "W3") is the universe of network-accessible information, the embodiment of human knowledge. It is a network of sites that can be searched and retrieved by a special protocol known as a Hypertext Transfer protocol (HTTP). The Web also utilizes browsers, such as Internet Explorer or Netscape, to access Web documents called Web pages that are linked to each other via hyperlinks. Web documents also contain graphics, sounds, text and video.

The World Wide Web, or simply Web, is a way of accessing information over the medium of the Internet. It is an information-sharing model that is built on top of the Internet. The Web is an abstract (imaginary) space of information. On the Net, you find computers -- on the Web, you find document, sounds, videos, information. On the Net, the connections are cables between computers; on the Web, connections are hypertext links. The Web exists because of programs, which communicate between computers on the Net.

There is a growing assumption that information of all kinds will be made available on the WWW. With this has come an increasing expectation of the sophistication with which this information is presented. Furthermore, it is a requirement in many countries that Information be accessible to people with disabilities. Thus, ensuring accessibility joins the long list of web design features that the modern designer has to consider, including aesthetics, usability, download speed, navigation, plug-ins and search engine optimization as well as more complex features of mark-up language itself.

Advantages and disadvantages of a World Wide Web is a World Wide Market. It is a new way of selling. More and more customers expect to find your product news and specifications on the web. Online services become so popular because they provide two major benefits to potential buyers: Convenience: Customers can order products 24 hours a day wherever they are. They don't have to sit in traffic, find a parking space, and walk through countless aisles to find and examine goods. And they don't have to drive all the way to a store, only to find out that the desired product is out of stock. Information: Customers can find reams of comparative information about companies, products, and competitors without leaving their office or home. They can focus on objective criteria such as prices, quality, performance, and availability.

There is easy access to current Information, topical Information, such as News from around the world. Information about companies and organizations, Information published by government agencies, Information on topics or by authors without access to mainstream publishing venues, Information purchased and organized by libraries, Multimedia resources such as sounds, images, and video in the most interactive method.

WWW enables large-scale presence for Organizations and Businesses. Over seven Million people have access to the World Wide Web with more and more added every day. There is increased Networking, information related to Business can be made public easily, customer interaction and proximity is achieved leading to high customer satisfaction. Employees can work and access office remotely leading to tele-working bringing in more convenience. E-Commerce is increasingly becoming large market for companies. WWW provides efficient and low cost nature of advertising and commerce.

WWW is encouraging new ways of working from home, collaboration and information sharing in many industries. The low cost and nearly instantaneous sharing of ideas, knowledge, and skills has made collaborative work dramatically easier.

WWW as Entertainment - Many use the World Wide Web to access news, weather and sports reports, to plan and book holidays and to find out more about their random ideas and casual interests. Examples of personalized marketing include online communities such as MySpace, Friendster, Orkut, Facebook and others which thousands of Internet users join to advertise themselves and make friends online.

Content on the World Wide Web varies from high-quality research to biased or misleading promotional materials to downright misinformation. The amount of scholarly information available varies by subject. But to use this Information in proper way to benefit self and society is the responsibility of an Individual.

While our culture heralds the WWW as a technological wonder, there are suggestions that its use has a negative influence on individuals and their social skills. The pornography and gambling industries have both taken full advantage of the World Wide Web, and often provide a significant source of advertising revenue for other Web sites. Although many governments have attempted to put restrictions on both industries' use of the Internet, this has generally failed to stop their widespread popularity of WWW.

There is easy dissemination of Offensive material on websites. Content considered by some to be objectionable exists in abundance in cyberspace. There is increase in threats, extortions, harassment due to misuse of Information and people are getting involved just for fun. This includes, among much else, sexually explicit materials, racist propaganda, and instructions for the fabrication of incendiary and explosive devices. A world, a nation now awash in 24/7 hardcore sex, always there, always on. Shaping young minds. Messing with marriages. Moving sex from the bedroom to the pale glow of a computer screen. Hear about sex and the internet -- the unprecedented ocean of porn and possibilities now at our fingertips, and how it's effecting lives and society.
 
The Information available on WWW is being misused through Internet technologies. There is always a threat for theft of Personal information such as name, address, credit card number etc. Hackers are persons that have tremendous knowledge on the subject and use it to steal cheat or misuse confidential or classified information for the sake of fun or profit

Moreover the Information available on WWW for research and knowledge may not surely be reliable and authentic. It is not edited or proven. There are always limitations on what companies post on the Web so Information may not be complete. Volatility of file location and availability is another major disadvantage. Historical information, subscription databases and other important information may not be available. There is no index, no validation. Search tools are crude and are not always reliable due to instability and Information is highly unorganized so provides no model of learning.