Web 2.0 - The Web... revitalized! (Week 10)

Well, we all know what the internet is... but what is Web 2.0? What's so special about it?
Here are some of the characteristics that define Web 2.0
1) Dynamic content & viewable on multiple platforms
2) User contribution
3) Social Media
4) Online Apps
5) Harnessing Collective Intelligence

Basically, this change allows us as users to be more interactive with what the web has to offer us. It allows each individual (literally) to use the internet to collaborate and showoff their creativity to the world. You can be famous with a click of a button.


1. Dynamic Content/Viewable on multiple platforms

No more shall the internet just be what it is. It's always changing. Dynamic content is information that is always changing. For example, you can now get interactive pages that let you personalize your own space the way you want it to be shown to you. For example, this blog can be displayed the way I want it to be displayed. I want the home page to be layed out the way I want it to and move different modules around the way I want.

And not only is information always changing, you can now bring this content with you however you like. If you don't want to watch your favourite episode of 30 Rock on your laptop on the way to work, you can stick it in your iPod and watch it there. You can now do things with different gadgets that you never got to do before. Cellphones were always meant to be used as portable phones. Now it can take pictures, become your new MP3 player, your organizer, your photo album, etc.


2. User Contribution

The internet isn't used now strictly for professionals. It's used by anyone who knows how to use a computer and has internet. The interchangability of information allows content from almost anything and anyone to be put on the internet. For example, look at a specific forum board like on your favourite celebrity on IMDB.com. You can start your own discussion with those who have the same interest in a celebrity as you do and chat about him/her. Your input also rates your celebrities and tells IMDB.com how popular your celebrity is based on user generated hits. This is called a "User Generated Value", while your input on celebrities is your "User Generated Content."


3. Social Media

It's a new way of socializing, and knowing people. It's great to be able to reach all your professional friends in one place. LinkedIn is an example of why Web 2.0 exists. It's like your own personal resume with direct links to your professional co-workers, references and connections. You can join groups that you relate to, meet new people who can potentially hook you up with a new job and get your old bosses to recommend you! This is basically YOU online, and an easy way for someone to pass by your page and know all about who you are, with the click of a button!



4. Online Applications

It works just like software on your computer, except you do it online... right from your browser! Look at something like Google Earth and Google Maps, you basically have the whole world, including your GPS online. Plan your own routes, look for specific places, find out where the nearest restaurant is from your house! It's a fairly simple concept, it's software that functions online.


5. Harnessing Collective Intelligence

Sites are now thinking for themselves. They collect data from users who visit the site and inputs their opinions into what the website does and makes changes in it's content in order to make things better. This is usually done by the visitors instead of site owners. Something as simple as tagging, which is done by users of the site of something like Blogger! When writing blog posts, you are able to label your posts with little keywords which will help organize content. Along with this, it is now easier for amateurs to create content which would usually be left for professionals. This is called "crowdsourcing." Learning something like HTML programming used to be the way to make a website, now there are webbuilders that come with free hosting space like Yahoo Geocities that helps you create your own personalized websites, and all you have to know is how to use a mouse and keyboard.