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Released in 1992, ViolaWWW proved to be one of most significant
early Web browsers. Developed for Unix's X Window's operating
system, it broke new ground for Web browsers, as it was the
first browser to implement graphics, images, scripts, style
sheets and table layouts.
ViolaWWW was created by a Taiwanese gentleman, named Pei-Yuan
Wei. He developed the browser whilst studying at UC Berkeley
in California. As of 2005, there is still uncertainty over
whether Pei-Yuan Wei could claim a patent for browser imbedded
objects. You can read more at Pei Yuan Wei's home page, at
the following address,
http://www.xcf.berkeley.edu/~wei/
Although ViolaWWW was lauded by many of the Web pioneers,
such as Robert Cailliau, it failed to capture the public's
imagination, unlike Mosaic, which is generally acknowledged
as the browser which developed public interest in the World
Wide Web.
The drawback to ViolaWWW was that it only worked on Unix's
X Window's operating system, which took a significant amount
of technical knowledge to get up and running. Mosaic, on the
other hand, worked on Microsoft Window's, which enabled it
to be accessed by a wider audience.
Although ViolaWWW may not be known to the general public,
it's contribution to the World Wide Web and browser development
is noted amongst software developers.
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