T(c)s climb, but although superconductivity at liquid nitrogen temperatures has become almost commonplace there is still a long way to go before room temperature is reached. Recent progress is discussed in the optimization of the preparation parameters and superconducting properties of the ''classical'' high-temperature superconductors (HTSCs) of the YBCO and BSCCO series, and possible future directions in the search for new HTSCs (preferably ones that do not include toxic elements such as Hg) are suggested.