``While many in the mathematical and scientific community have already adopted LATEX as the standard for writing papers, it appears that MathML is the future of scientific and mathematical notation on the Web.'' Bob Henshaw, UNC.
Regardless of how efficient MathML and OpenMath are in transmitting and displaying mathematics, it is clear that they will only be of any use if all communities adopt it. It is expected however that most popular software companies working on the Internet or on computer algebra packages will soon support MathML and OpenMath. It seems as if MathML and OpenMath will recieve the necessary support due to the commitment that various big companies have already shown (IBM, Netscape, Microsoft, Wolfram, Design Science, and many others).
At the moment some browsers have already implemented MathML rendering facilities (Amaya for instance), and soon other bigger browser vendors will join the trend. Mozilla has recently released its latest browser which does render MathML. Netscape should follow soon with Navigator5. MathType from Design Science has released a new version incorporating various tools for dealing with MathML and OpenMath. For those not familiar with Design Science, they also make MS Word's equation editor. Other companies (mainly Stilo) are developing equation editors with MathML and OpenMath facilities which will soon hit the market.
While substantial progress has been made, there are still areas in which more work is required before MathML can be incorporated easily into the Internet. Further improvement in coordination between browsers and embedded elements will be necessary. Furthermore, higher printing resolution must be achieved.
MathML and OpenMath are the first XML based markup language to appear on the Internet. They will show the power and limitations of XML. It has also set example to other specialist areas which also want to benefit from the Internet. Areas such as Music or Chemical Engineering are using XML to develop representation standards. Both standards have been recieved enthousiastically and it will surely not take long before they are used widely by the scientific community.