46. What is Web 2.O ?
So what is Web 2.0?
Firstly ask yourself why are you seeking an answer to this question.
Web 2.0 is not one thing that can just be defined. There are various elements that when put together make for web 2.0 (pronounced as web two point 'O').
Let us attempt to understand some of these.
Web 2.0 is about data maximisation and more control over data from a programminng perspective. All those Web 2.0 functions people love to talk about, such as tagging, sharing, XML data, APIs is a result of being able to understand and segregate information from mass to finer containers. This allows programmers to do approach data in myraid ways and thus finer implementation modules like collaborations, mobile integration etc, etc.
Web 2.0 got a booster when broadband happened and now 3G, 4G and many more 'G's' to come make web 3.0 more approachable. Web 2.0's multimedia features, depend on internet bandwidth being readily accessible.
And the most talked about feature of web 2.0 - 'Connections'. Connections could be between people, websites, between the desktop and mobile ecosystems, connections between businesses and consumers. This is the basic and most understood definition of web 2.0 - that it makes connections possible.
Thus if you look closely Web 2.0 is about the people first strategy. Social content creation, social networking, blogging, and online communities. And that also means web 2.0 is about change. The internet user takes precednce in the web 2.0 world.
Web 2.0 is also about allowing people to play with data. Look at the classic example of how Google Maps has been changing - interafaces, interactions, engagements. Web 2.0 brought aboit real time data interaction.
Having said all that let's also accept that Web 2.0 is about doing stuff on the Web that can't done in any other medium. Features, Functionalities and more magical now.
So you thought web 2.0 was some kind of software or a web design development course huh! Sorry to dissappoint :-). The web 2.0 is all that you are making happen. Social Change on the Internet.
