(pay attention to the mouse overs)
What is Web 2.0? We tend to throw the term around a lot, but can we actually define it? The designation 2.0 indicates an entirely new version, not just an incremental upgrade to the existing system. Wikipedia, itself often considered a Web 2.0 product, says that Web 2.0
"refers to a perceived second generation of web-based communities and hosted services — such as social-networking sites, wikis and folksonomies — which aim to facilitate collaboration and sharing between users. The term became popular following the first O'Reilly Media Web 2.0 conference in 2004. Although the term suggests a new version of the World Wide Web, it does not refer to an update to any technical specifications, but to changes in the ways software developers and end-users use the web. According to Tim O'Reilly, "Web 2.0 is the business revolution in the computer industry caused by the move to the internet as platform, and an attempt to understand the rules for success on that new platform."
Some technology experts, notably Tim Berners-Lee, have questioned whether one can use the term in a meaningful way, since many of the technology components of "Web 2.0" have existed since the early days of the Web." (all links are from the original Wikipedia article)
Internet pundit Tim O'Reilly describes Web 2.0 in part as "The Web as Platform,"--the Web page is actually an application. Some of these applications, such as Google Docs, which I am using to write my post right now, are clearly applications. By the way, the handy little rollovers you see when you mouse over the links on this post are created in Google Docs, which includes a word processor that can post directly to Blogger and other blog accounts. Other "Web 2.0" products include many of the social networking sites people use, MySpace, Facebook, Flickr, and many others. The intelligent ads, Adsense developed by Google are also part of this transition. Many of these products rely on user created content, be it content a user physically creates or content that the user finds. Example of the latter would be Digg and Slashdot. One of the things that makes Web 2.0 intriguing to me, and others, is that so many of the technologies can be tied into each other. For example, I'm writing this in Google Docs, posting it to Blogger, and if I wanted to, I could embed the YouTube video clips I've linked to directly into my Blogger page.The technology behind many of the technologies is Ajax, Asynchronous JavaScript + XML. Wikipedia's article on Ajax is worth reading over. If you are planning to work in new media, you've got to at least know what the term means and the basics of what's going on.
Several people have tried to put the ideas of Web 2.0 into short video. Michael Welsh, a professor at Kansas State University posted a short video early this year which tried to define the idea of Web 2.0. You can also read a transcript of an early version. He's not alone, here's another short video, based in part on the Wikipedia article, describing Web 2.0.Not surprisingly, there are podcasts that are geared specifically to Web 2.0 issues. The Web 2.0 Show discusses many of the Web 2.0 technologies and products, as well as providing interviews with a variety of people involved in the industry. Episode 1 includes an interview with the founder of Wordpress, a blogging tool/site, and a discussion of what Web 2.0 is. It's also an example of how to use a blog/Web site to support a podcast. Note the subscribe options on the page. You might also check out the Web 2.0 Summit podcasts on iTunes--no I don't expect you to listen to all of them, but it's worth listening to at least one (or part of one). While you are in iTunes, see what else you can find on technology and Web 2.0.
Oh, and don't forget, at least one or two of you are supposed to be presenting a podcast series in class....
10 comments:
I think the best description of Web 2.0, appropriately enough, came from the Web 2.0 Show and their first podcast. Their break down of the Web’s history into Web 0, 1.0 and 2.0 helped to clarify the Web’s evolution. Although lost on some technical aspects, such as API and AJAX, I agree with most of their explanation for Web 2.0.
I believe Web 2.0 stands out because of the user’s ability to modify and/or add content to a site. I think the main attraction to Web 2.0 sites is not the original site, but the user modified version and its contents, social networking sites are a good example. If Facebook was just an online network of static yearbooks, it would not be anywhere near as popular as the version we all currently know. Facebook is so addictive because of the constantly updated user content.
My three favorite Web 2.0 applications are social networking, wikis, and user created content news sites. Facebook, Wikipedia, and Digg are my three favorite Web sites.
Web 2.0 is the perfect example of what people are using the World Wide Web for now. Information only sites are not that helpful to those who are familiar with the people that can send and receive content via social networking sites or blog pages. More and more people are used to the idea of having direct control over and instant connectivity whenever they choose. Person to Person file sharing and applications directly from Web sites are extremely common and I do not feel that people will be changing that anytime soon. Some of my favorite applications are facebook, wikis, and now my blog page.
I really liked O'Reilly's "definition" of Web 2.0 by stating that the most important aspect is, "users add value." This is why Web 2.0 has become what it is today. More and more companies are using the www as their platform, so it just makes sense that employees as well as customers (users) should be able to interact efficiently via the World Wide Web.
I appreciate social networking applications such as Facebook and MySpace, although I feel Facebook is getting out of hand with the overwhelming number of applications available. Facebook, for me at least, has become a secure way for me to communicate with people whom I recenlty met or finding other students in my classes or organizations. Our blog pages are also a great means of communication in that, now, I can create my own podcast and broadcast it without any trouble, well, in theory.
When it comes to web 2.0, I guess that it could pertain to anything on the web that allows constant interaction following a non-linear content of information. With the aspect of programs "learning" and then reacting apporiatly to provide relevent information to the user based on current or previous input. The aspect of learning by computers is both scary and exciting for me. Big Brother is definately out there, but where will he be leading us? My favorite apps are definately Facebook, Digg, and a couple of google's new applications. I'll be investigation a few others to form a solid opinion, but I really don't like the idea of adsense. At least it will give me ads that I might find interesting though.
Web 2.0 is interaction. I think the second video on YouTube broke down web 2.0 very well and helped me understand that technology is changing to allow more people to become interactive at sites. I know that basically everyone is using the WWW when my dad finally gives in to purchase webspace for his company. With that said, employers are focusing on Web 2.0 websites because they would like interaction between clients. It allows for the customer to feel comfortable making deals over the web.
I am a college student, so of course i enjoy facebook and myspace. Lately I am becoming more attatched to wikis because of the easy access to knowledge... Granted some information can be wrong, they are great for quick lessons. I also am enjoying my blog right now.
After viewing the videos on Web 2.0 and reading how O'reily and others define Web 2.0, my personal definition is basically that Web 2.0 is a term for the websites that provide user-appealing content on the newest internet technologies. I think the term was created to help explain the history and stages of the web.
My favorite Web 2.0 applications are probably the same as most other college students. I am a fan of the user created content on Facebook, Myspace, and Blogger, because I think these do a great job of getting people's thoughts or ideas out to a larger audience than just the people you see in person from day to day. I think they expand the reach that each person can have when they want to communicate to others and they also provide people with easier means of creating new technological products.
I think Web 2.0 deals with the advancement of the user as a distributor. In the past, information on the internet was provided by a relatively small number of individuals who controlled the overall flow of information.
With the revolution of 2.0, the user is placed into a dual-role where they both provide and receive information. There are many more forums for people to express their ideas, and it is much easier than ever for their voices to be heard.
What I got from this info on Web 2.0 is that basically it's what we are using the most today. Facebook and Myspace are the biggest examples of ones that I use personally. I basically gathered that Web 2.0 is a term that basically encompasses the interaction and increasing 2-way communication that is taking place on the web today. I personally use social networking and the wikis the most. I use them more than a few times a day which is partly why Web 2.0 has blown up in recent years.
yeah, I really didnt know what Web 2.0 was. I know I do enjoy Facebook and Myspace. I think its really cool and a good thing that the public can use the World Wide Web and publish and distribute content.
Web 2.0 is really interesting because of how it's perceived by people. Web 2.0 is a great social networking tool. There are many web sites out there for these purposes. I also enjoyed the part about Google Docs. I've never really used it before so it was cool to check it out. Another interesting fact about Web 2.0 is that there are so many aspects to it. There's much to learn about Web 2.0.
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