Yes, Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web.

So what's his take on the future of the Net? Well, there's a piece in the Times Online in which he sets out the next stages of the Net.

Interestingly enough, it may not include Google (NASDAQ: GOOG). According to Berners-Lee, we should be focused on something called the Semantic Web.

Huh? Simply put, it means that data is linked to all other relevant data. This would include any data, whether photos, maps, videos and so on.

It's certainly an ambitious vision. And, intuitively, it makes a lot of sense. After all, how many web services do you use - such as Facebook or Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO)? Wouldn't it be nice if somehow all these things could talk to each other?

Although, I suspect it will take a long time for this vision to be realized. But, as seen with upstart companies like Twine, there are already a variety of companies trying to do just that.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements. He also operates DealProfiles.com.

Tim Berners-Lee: What comes after the World Wide Web? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.