Emerging technologies:

Web TV
(Related: Interactive TV)
Web TV transforms the TV monitor into an Internet monitor - the viewer is able to switch between the TV channels and the Internet at will. Interactive TV is closely related to this - a program on TV would allow the viewer to cast a vote on real time, or to find out more information from the web site, via the TV set. (ie, if there was a section on the News about an upcoming Festival, the viewer could click on the screen to find out events, dates, locations, etc.)

This technology will bring the internet closer to the viewer.

Web Cam
Web Cam is the generic name of a video camera connected to the computer, through which the video feed can be sent on real time. (Larger bandwidth will make this even more possible)

The ability to see (one way only, or two ways) through the eyes of a camera from any point, through the computer. This allows for On-line conferencing, personal treatment of service calls, viewing the traffic or the weather, viewing localities around Brisbane, even security.

3D Visualisation (VRML)
This is the ability to represent three dimensions on the computer screen. Its uses are wide in range. For tourism: Virtual museums, (artwork included), 3D maps of the city, or representations of buildings (the City Hall, Heritage buildings). For council services: maps of sewerage lines (when applying for renovations, building), even 3D representation of graphs, such as the weather (temperatures, rainfall), or animated graphics of disabled access and/or machinery.

Web Telephony
The ability to communicate between a computer and a telephone. The technology at the moment allows for computer-to-computer verbal communication via microphones and speakers. This also is possible from a computer to a telephone, or from a telephone to a computer. This has uses in customer services, pre-recorded messages, message banks. Also it is great for disabled access, or even crisis help-lines and counselling.

Mastercard/Visa online (secure transactions)
E-commerce is growing rapidly, and secure transactions are now standard. Payments and other transactions to the council will be able to be done online, as are purchases and other assesments.

JAVA (Chat rooms, BBS, software on-demand)
Java allows for many developments in interactivity. Chat rooms, bulletin boards, message boards will allow community groups to strengthen their communication. (cultural groups could have on-line meetings and discussions, the elderly, etc.)

Wireless technology (Palm pilots)
Low-end Web technology is still experiencing exponential growth. Text-only based access to the web means that email, bulletin boards and text reports are still very important to the audiences. Hence, Palm Pilots and other similar wireless technology make it cheap and easy for Brisbanites to check the email, voice mail, the weather and the news before breakfast, with little fuss. (much easier than lap tops!)

Intelligent Search Engines
With the information overload on the media (internet and off-line), the important issue now is how to find the information relevant to the user. Hence, 'smart' search engines are required. As you arrive to the web site, you could type "where can I find information about parking fees in the Brisbane CBD?", and the answer would appear immediately, or a number of links would be offered.

Web Analysis
For a web site to grow and respond to the audience's needs, there need to be tools to analyse what their preferences are. Web analysts, and web analysis tools (Web Trends?) allow the Web Masters to know which are the most popular pages, how the visitor navigates the site, what areas are relevant, etc.