Introduction to Information Retrieval:19 Web search basics

The designers of the first browsers made it easy to view the HTML markup tags on the content of a URL. This simple convenience allowed new users to create their own HTML content without extensive training or experience. Publishing on the Web became a mass activity that was not limited to a few trained programmers, but rather open to hundreds of millions of individuals. For most users and for most information needs, the Web quickly became the best way to supply and consume information on everything from rare ailments to subway schedules.