new data. Instead, they use a variety of published data to test hypotheses and develop syntheses. For the experienced Internet traveler, an easy path to scientific productivity is to read a newly proposed hypothesis and then extract data from the Internet to test it.
Scientists who rarely employ the Web may find that they are left behind, even in exploring their own hypotheses. Other scientists, however, are falling victim to the other extreme -- net surfing. Too often, Internet and the Web are used just for browsing rather than for goal-oriented information retrieval. The hallway refrain is “Did you see . . .?” And there is much to browse. Some scientists respond by devoting weeks to developing their own web pages. I, who published this book on-line rather than on paper, am in a poor position to criticize. Perhaps there is no cause for concern. Presumably, those whom I have watched wandering off into the Web will return.
