Web2.0 - what does it mean to YOU? "A means of Integrating the Common User into a more Dynamic and User-Friendly Web?" Or "Just a lame buzzword that is floating around the internet?" I myself have been thinking about this and have concluded one thing: Web2.0 IS a Buzzword and is HERE TO STAY! Why do I say this? Well I've used something called Common Sense to decifer one of the most PROFITABLE resources of the present and future! If you look around the growing sites today, I can honestly say that at least 10% will be web2.0 related (either a social network, blog, etc or a web2.0 application). Why does this mean they are profitable though? Well let me give you a scenario: All us Warriors use computers. They are ESSENTIAL "tools of the trade" to us - giving us the ability to make (hopefully) buckets of $$. Well, with that cash, I am positive that most of us have TOP SPEC PC's. What's the point in having poor tools to do your bidding? It just doesn't work out. Although you don't need a good PC or Laptop or MAC - you still Want a good one so you can perform multiple task and use it to do loads of things at once. The Key phrase being WANT. It's the same for the users of the internet. Why should they put up with the Same old type of sites for ever and ever!? They get bored and want a change - most of the time that change being a design change. Why Not let the user MOULD YOUR site around THEM? This is why I think Web2.0 is so popular. It allows people to create their own web experience - not to be pushed and pulled through endless amounts of websites just to see the same old layouts, promises and graphics. Web2.0 IS a Buzzword. How can you simply Upgrade the Internet!? Simply...You cant. Although it is a buzzword...It is definately here to stay...Only time will tell. That's what I think. What are your thoughts on Web2.0? Rich
Don't you mean... All us digitalpointers? Still, doesn't 'buzzword' mean it's like a fad and will run out?
Technically, there is nothing really new. Well, AJAX, but that just means "javascript finally works". The real difference is the "user created", which isn't even really all that new. (e.g. Can we say, "newsgroup" or "forums"?) Whether "Web 2.0" will stick around depends on the ability of people to find revenue models that work (as with any site). For Google, this means buying eyeballs (YouTube). Whether YouTube and other user-based sites can actually support themselves remains to be seen. So basically, it's a buzzword with nothing really new attached to it.
Well you say "user created" which I agree could be associated with forums and newsgroups, however, there is a distinct difference between the older type forums and newsgroups and the brand new Web2.0 sites coming online now. Even Google has now released its very own web2.0 site - Google Co-Op. Its all about user-friendliness. Forums and Newsgroups saw the user having to scoot around for ever looking at posts. Web2.0 is realisation that the posts can be brought to the user in a very easy and unique way. Web2.0 isn't just a website. It's an online application, that people don't have to install, don't have to maintain. All they need to do is sign up, and get browsing! As we speak new Web2.0 sites are coming online. Who knows...maybe One will kill the forum?
AJAX isn't really new. It's just a new name for an old group of technologies. A bit like when DHTML first started getting mentioned. Web 2.0 is about communities, user driven content and sharing of resources and content via web services. It's a new way that we're using the web and building web sites. It is an annoying buzzword though - but I suppose it is doing us a favour. Companies like PayPerPost are starting to get VC funding again. It's like 2000 all over again!
WillB is right - it's about user's interaction and the community spirit of the user to determine how popular the site is and becomes. I personally am glad of the web's (almost) rekindling of the fire - it opens lots more money making opportunities.
A buzzword is a term that is over-used when it is first conceived, since it often represents a new technology or trend in business.