This final, rather short chapter takes a
somewhat different form from what precedes it. A
number of predictions on the future of string
indexing are listed, beginning with what I view as
"sure bets" for the short term, moving on to
somewhat less certain developments perhaps for the
somewhat longer term, and ending with a few rather
speculative and distant possibilities.
SURE BETS
New string indexing systems will continue to be
invented.
New versions of POPSI will continue to emerge.
KWOC-like systems will continue to be the most
popular.
Electronic forms will be used increasingly for
string indexing input.
GOOD BETS
String indexing will be introduced as an option
in a word-processing or text-formating package such
as RUNOFF or WORDSTAR.
Experiments will be conducted on the use of
color in string index displays.
Graphic displays will be used increasingly in
string indexing.
Full PRECIS, including cross-references, will be
available on a personal computer.
{ 188}
PRECIS will continue to add new codes to deal
with special situations, especially in languages
other than English.
A variant of CIFT will be applied to some area
other than language, literature, and folklore.
LESS GOOD BETS
Online string index displays will be introduced
as an option in a commercial database search
service.
Standards for string indexing data will be
agreed to.
Terminology for discussing string indexing will
be agreed upon.
String indexing, database management, and
information retrieval will be integrated in a
single model in an operational software package.
Appropriate string index display characteristics
will be predicted from general information about a
searcher and a query.
LONG-TERM POSSIBILITIES
A toy or video game based on string indexing
will be marketed.
All kinds of string indexing will become
completely automatic, thanks to developments in
artificial intelligence.
All kinds of string indexing will become
completely unnecessary, having been superseded by
superior techniques.