What is Web 2.0?

Web 2.0 may be a buzzword that has existed for a few years already, but it’s still creating a lot of buzz…and disagreement. Experts are still debating about the exact definition of Web 2.0. If you’re still feeling confused about it, the following explanations might hopefully make things clear for you.

Essential Characteristics of Web 2.0

Instead of looking for the exact statement that would explain what Web 2.0 is, let’s just focus on what makes a website Web 2.0 instead of just Web 1.0.

To begin with, let’s focus on the common examples provided by most experts. What makes Netscape (Web 1.0) different from Firefox (Web 2.0)? Hotmail from Yahoo Mail? Geocities from Blogger? MP3.com from iTunes? Do you get the picture now? If not then here are several essential characteristics of Web 2.0 that all experts do agree with.

Knowledge-Oriented Environment – Web 2.0 acknowledges the need and power of knowledge. Information is what makes the world go round today – or at least it does in the Internet.

User-Generated Content – Now, what matters most is the content that users themselves are not generating. They may not be as professionally packaged or executed as what we’ve been used to with Web 1.0 websites and applications, but user-generated content also tend to have greater impact on
readers.

User-Managed Content – With Web 2.0, users don’t just generate content. They manage it as well. They control how, when, and where it’s presented as well as who gets to see it.

Service-Oriented Architecture – It’s all about what a Web 2.0 application can do for you. That’s why Web 2.0 applications tend to offer as many features as possible and expand continuously.

Human Interaction – Web 2.0 also acknowledges and makes use of human interaction. It is why social bookmarking and social networking sites are incredibly popular with people nowadays.

Doesn’t Fight the Internet – Web 2.0 learned from its predecessor, Web 1.0, not to fight with the Internet. Rather than force the Internet to make itself suitable to the services required by a particular application, Web 2.0 takes advantage instead of the inherent advantages of the Internet. Its global audiences should be seen, for instance, as a benefit rather than a disadvantage.

Syndication – Web 2.0 makes great use of syndication. Syndication refers to the various processes used by websites to make their content available and accessible, preferably in digest form, with other users and websites for several purposes. RSS feeds and podcasting are just a few ways of syndicating content.

Innovation – Web 2.0 embraces innovation in all its stages. It is why web 2.0 is defined as to be in a stage of “perpetual beta”: not a day passes by wherein software developers continue to find ways to improve their products and services.

Four Levels of Web 2.0

Tim O’Reilly provided four levels to categorize Web 2.0 applications. Level 3 is at the top of the hierarchy: they exist only in the Internet and primarily rely and improve based on the frequency and variety of interaction with and between users. Wikipedia, eBay, and del.icio.us are just a few prime examples of level 3 Web 2.0 applications.

Level 2 websites are those able to operate offline but work better online such as Flickr. Level 1 websites on the other hand are those that also operate offline but provide more features when they’re operated online. Examples of level 2 Web 2.0 websites are iTunes and Writely. Lastly, level 0 websites are simply those which produce the same results whether they’re operated online or offline. Examples of such websites are Yahoo! Local and Google Maps.

Here is where this lesson ends for today. I really hope you enjoyed this lesson. This is the FIRST LESSON to a FREE 52-PART COURSE ON WEB 2.0…

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Ian del Carmen