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Presenters:
Steven Finch, David Rusin, Ian Underwood, Eric Weisstein

A set of brief presentations by the authors of popular mathematics websites to be followed by an open discussion of the present and future challenges facing math portals.

Steven Finch
Mathematics Editor, MathSoft, Inc.
Favorite Mathematical Constants and Unsolved Mathematics Problems

Abstract
Pi, e, the golden mean, Feigenbaum's constant, ...? These are usually all the mathematical constants a typical scientist can name. With the help of research contributions by many people, I have created a large collection of essays about many more exotic constants at the MathSoft web site. MathML offers the potential for enhancing these essays. The enhancements go beyond formatting and downloading efficiency: it will be possible to easily transform my static site into an interactive laboratory, using tools (for example, Mathcad) that require no programming expertise.

Eric Weisstein
Technical Internet Encyclopedist, Wolfram Research
MathWorld and Eric's Treasure Troves of Science

Abstract
Over the course of a number of years, I have been compiling material on topics in math and science for the purpose of creating extensively cross-linked and free-to-use encyclopedias. These collections have, for some time, been available on the internet under the name "Eric's Treasure Troves of Science." With the help of many members of the math and internet communities, and recently with the additional sponsorship of Wolfram Research, Inc., these efforts have culminated in the "MathWorld" web site. This site contains thousands of individual entries and tens of thousands of equations spanning almost all of mathematics. Unfortunately, the presentation of this material is hampered by a number of limitations in current web technology. However, MathML offers the promise to overcome many of the limitations imposed by the presentation of equations in bitmap form. In addition, the use of MathML should facilitate the composition and incorporation of contributed entries by providing a standard and accessible exchange format for mathematical equations.