I know, I’m a bit late commenting on Web 2.0, but I thought it was about time.  The term came from O’Reilly publishing and the classic description comes from Tim O’Reilly’s What is Web 2.0.

I guess given that they invented the term, it’s not really for anyone else to re-interpret or describe it.  So, like many before me, that’s just what I’ll do

Here’s the essence in my view:

• People Power: both individual voice and community.  The very successful Wikipedia is a good example of community.  A large number of people contributing a small amount of knowledge to deliver an awesome resource for everyone to use and benefit.

  And of course blogs are a great example of personal power.  Without having to know web technology like HTML people can make their views and comments public for the world to see.
   

• Technology: over the years web technology has expanded and a critical element for Web 2.0 is technology like AJAX (yes, I know, another description required).  The key benefit is improved usability of web pages and sites, when its well applied.
   
• Maturity: is it possible to invent something new?  Aren’t all new things based in some part on a concept, idea or implementation of something that has gone before it?

  So invention is also evolution and it’s this evolution that contributes to the last part of Web 2.0 in my view.  Take a written log or diary, the ability to edit a web page using a web page based editor, the idea of conversation threads in web forums (or bulletin boards) and a desire and out pop’s a Web Log (see Wikipedia for more background!).

So, lets give it a clearer name: Mature People Web Technology.  Yes, perfect - the web for old people - doh!  Oh well, congratulations go to O’Reilly for their brilliant naming.

Enjoy,
Mark

Here at VCSHosts the ability to use AJAX, have a blog, a wiki or forum software and other ‘Web 2.0′ features are of course fully catered for.  We can design sites that include them or leave it entirely up you.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 23rd, 2007 at 3:14 pm and is filed under Observation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.