If you have been on the internet lately, you have probably come across the term “Web 2.0″ and don’t know exactly what it means. The term can be used to describe websites or the technology behind a website, but what is Web 2.0? And, what was Web 1.0, if there was such a thing?
The best way to describe Web 2.0 is to say that it is the next wave of the internet. Whereas the internet of its earlier days were somewhat limited, the Web 2.0 era has exploded, making the internet much more useful than ever before.
Years ago with the inception of the internet, the internet was fairly one dimensional. The only way to communicate in those days through the internet was through email and some early forms of chat rooms. The internet was not very interactive at that time, and for an individual to maintain an online presence with a website was fairly expensive also.
Web 2.0 basically denotes the amount of interactivity, or multi-dimensional aspects, of the internet today. Blogging was originally a way to make an online journal, but can now be used for interactive conversation and lively debates. With the introduction of YouTube as a video sharing site, people are able to share movie clips, vacation videos, etc. with one another — this could not have been done before.
Perhaps the most popular form of Web 2.0 technology that has taken the internet by storm is social networking sites. These are sites such as Facebook, Myspace, Twitter etc. Thousands of users are now able to come together, like never before, and share some of their most intimate details: videos, pictures, blog posts, websites, forum posts, bulletins, etc. In fact, with sites like Twitter and Facebook, you can actually tell your list of friends what you are currently doing right now.
Web 2.0 technology has actually helped police solve crimes and report emergency situations by using Twitter and Facebook instant messaging. These “tweets” or “wall posts” are updated instantly and can be done sometimes faster than a phone call. With Blackberry phones and Apple iPhones, which can access such Web 2.0 sites, reporting emergencies and crimes is simple.
The next time you hear the term “Web 2.0,” do not be intimidated by it or think you are missing out on anything. The fact of the matter is, you are probably experiencing it or using it everyday, and do not even know it.
Tags: blogging, social networking, terminology, twitter, Web 2.0, websites
