Newsletter #113 So What is Web 2.0?

Created on 28/05/2007

A special hello to all new subscribers. This article is on the Web at this address.

Our last newsletter (18th April, 2007) was "Chasing the Long Tail".

Feature Article

In a recent column we briefly mentioned Web 2.0 and if you’ve been reading anything about the Internet over the past few years you’ve probably come across the phrase. It was coined in 2004 by O’Reilly Media, an American media company, to reflect a perceived new generation of Web services, the “old” Web being Web 1.0 in software version terminology.

The most famous definition of Web 2.0 is that by Tim O’Reilly of O’Reilly Media:
"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. Chief among those rules is this: Build applications that harness network effects to get better the more people use them."

The Web 2.0 term does convey the fact that the Web is a young technology that is rapidly evolving. Some features are:

1. Web 2.0 services take for granted that high speed broadband is available, without it they would not exist.
   
   
2. The Web has become a social phenomenon with an approach to generating and distributing Web content itself typified by open communication, lack of central authority and a freedom to share and re-use. Examples are American sites like MySpace and Flickr.
   
   
3. The use of technologies like tagging, APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), XML and mashups allow information to be freed from the artificial containers they used to be in. This is also a key reason why the Long Tail (previous column) of previously unexplored content is now available.
   
   
4. The emergence of new technologies like AJAX that allow Web interfaces to respond like your desktop computer so that you can not only look at data, you can manipulate it. Google Maps is a prime example of this functionality.
   
   
5. The ability to setup lightweight business models that can plug in content and services from other online sources. This means the barrier to setting up new services and business models is low and has lead to an explosion of Web services.
   
   
6. The capability to do things that are impossible in any other medium. Web 1.0 attempted to convert old media models to the Web without realizing why it was different. Remember online shopping malls anyone?

Of course there was no actual date when the Web was upgraded from version 1.0 to 2.0; it’s merely a buzz-phrase that attempts to describe the increasing significance that the Web has on business and society. Also the six features I’ve noted above are merely the ones that I feel are the most important.

What does it mean for you?

• Can you help your users/customers create content using your intellectual property?
  
  
• Can you make more of your content available and if you do can you make money from it?
  
  
• Look at Web 2.0 services such as displaying your information in a geographical context. With the plugin ability of these services it may not be that expensive.
  
  
• Is your marketing and advertising spend moving with this change or are you still advertising in the same old magazines and newspapers? Thought about YouTube or adding a blog to your Website?

While you're thinking about this don’t forget that Web 3.0 is probably just around the corner!

Hot Tips

Newbies

The first part of getting your email organised is to create folders within your email program. These folders may relate to people, groups of people or subjects. In Outlook Express with the folder list showing right click on Local Folders and select New Folder, type the folder name and then click OK. In Outlook it is similar - with All Mail Folders showing right click on Personal Folders and select Create New Folder, type in the name then click OK. Next time we'll talk about developing mail rules so that email goes into the right folder automatically.

Power Users

Google Website Optimizer (beta) is another great tool put out by Google. It enables Web designers and Website owners to test the content on highly trafficked pages by allowing them to have a number of Webpage variations running at the same time. Then it's a matter of using visitors to determine which version is the most successful. The tool is within Google AdWords so you need to have a login. https://adwords.google.com/select/Login

Interesting Sites

Created by the same guys who started Kazaa and Skype, Joost is TV via the Internet. Joost works similarly to Kazaa in that it asks every computer on its network to store small chunks of information which is then streamed to the user. You need to be invited by a current Joost user in order to join. Perhaps a pointer to the way TV and the Net will converge? http://www.joost.com/

InsiteFul Quotes

"In ancient times they had no statistics so they had to fall back on lies." Stephen Leacock.

You can see our other Quick Quotes on the front page of www.netinsites.com; just refresh the page to see another one randomly selected from our database. Great for presentations or times when you want to appear to be a techno-dude(ss)!

Archives

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Best wishes

Alex Garden

Internet Strategy | Website Design | Website Promotion | Web Text Messaging | Email Newsletters | Online Sports Games | Content Management