This is only the start

• Streaming video
  This technology makes it possible to view entire movies and live television programs via the Internet. It solves the original problem with video--having to download huge video files. Instead, user only download video as they view it, and discard the data once it has been seen to make room for the new data "streaming" into the computer. With the rate of improvement which we are currently seeing in home Internet connections, it will soon be possible for everyone to have full-screen, high-quality steaming video.

• Internet Telephone
  It's a great thorn in long distance companies' sides, because it makes long distance charges obsolete. Through streaming technologies, people can talk to and hear one another in real time across the Internet. The key is that both users need a fairly specific amount of hardware and software, but as more and more computers come bundled with sound cards and modems, Internet Phone is assured to be successful one of these days.

• Intelligent Agents
  While not nearly human or animal, these programs are able to make good judgement calls about what information is worthy and what is worthless. This means they can search the Web and actually find the stuff you want, letting you forget about wasting your time searching for the info. Let the intelligent spider do it!