Just by reading this article in this weblog, you become an official user of Web 2.0. If you have a Facebook account, keep track of 200 or more friends, tweet at least once a day, have a professional LinkedIn account and rely on Wikipedia for the definition of things – you are an active user of Web 2.0. Congratulations! You are officially part of “generation Web 2.0 plus”! It might surprise you to know that although you might be hearing about Web 2.0 for the first time, you have actually been active users of it for quite some time.
Comparing Web 1.0 vs Web 2.0
I think the best way to explain what Web 2.0 is to compare it to Web 1.0 which is its earlier version. Web 1.0 is a general reference to the World Wide Web before the developments of advance internet collaborative applications. This was during the period when the internet was dominated by companies who maintained heavy and static sites for promotion and marketing. At that time, it was difficult to maintain personal websites. Many attributed the dot-com-bubble in 2001 as the turning point of the internet.
Basically, what happened was a change in paradigm. This was due to two main factors: people and technology. With people, I refer to us. Yes — you and me. We who make up the critical mass of internet users who use the internet as a platform for simple, light-weight services that leverage interactions for communication and collaboration. Additionally, advancement in technology enabled these platforms, network and services. The attached illustration contrasts the differences between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0. Look at the boxes closely and try to imagine how the internet has evolved from the time you started going online until now.
Web 2.0 is the portion of the Internet that is being developed continuously and interactively by participating Internet users. It is commonly associated with web development and web design that facilitates interactive information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design. Web 2.0 is a catch-all term used to illustrate a variety of developments on the web and a perceived shift in the way the web is utilized. This has been characterized as the evolution of web use from passive consumption of content to more active participation, creation and sharing – to what is sometimes called the read/write web.
Example of Web 2.0 Tools
Web 2.0 is a platform that enables the user to comment, tag, modify, improve and rank. The most well-known examples of this technology are found in sites like YouTube, Amazon, and Google where user ratings make it easier for other users to find what they are looking for. Social media tools like Facebook and Blogs allow users to write stories and stay connected with friends. Twitter opened up the world of sharing short thoughts. And Wikipedia is powered by users who provide and keep content up-to-date and accurate.
Personally, I am particularly attracted to the aspects of communication and free online expression of ideas. That’s the reason why I invest time writing articles. A few years ago, it would have been extremely difficult for me to find a medium to express my ideas. Web 2.0 tools have reduced barriers to the publication and distribution of information.
In its most basic form, Web 2.0 is about participation. It is about communication and collaboration. It has indeed change the way of life of this generation and it is still evolving!
Enterprise 2.0 – A Peek into my next Post
Many of the Web 2.0 platforms began as customer-facing sites designed for marketing and communications until people looked for ways to apply these ideas to the enterprise. You might have noticed already that blogs, social media and microblogs have evolved as key components of the corporate internal and external communications arsenal. This use of the Web 2.0 paradigm and technologies in business is now widely known as Enterprise 2.0. On my succeeding posts, I will elaborate on this further and provide business practical applications of Enterprise 2.0.
#Perspectives 
Wow, a lot of comments from our close relatives and kin on this topic. Should have read it sooner T_T. Anyways here is my point of view. I think the question of the eventual evolution of technology (not just internet) and its effect on humankind whether for the inevitable good or evil is a timeless question answerable only by the future. I do agree with Kuya glenn, internet is one of the greatest invention of man. In the years and decades to come the unlimited potential of this platform will be pushed far past conventional boundaries that soon enough the only limit of the internet is the paradigm of which it is perceived by people, or to whom you refer to as “us”. I do believe that as vast, simple and endless the internet maybe its adverse utility is quite pervasive in its own right. Issues of copyright infringement, pornography among others are some that needs clear legal attention in the future. Think about it this way, if a simple man can simply use the internet then that simple man’s inclination both the good and the bad can infect the web. In the end then perhaps the question of whether the Internet will be good or bad is merely a question of human nature, therefore it is up to humanity whether the ultimate realization of Internet will be good or evil.
It is true that the web has opened so many doors. Our society actually have “Youtube celebrities” now. Ordinary people who became famous just by posting videos on youtube, making fun of people, talking about current events and what not.
The web is going a little too far. These so-called “personal webpages” dont really seem to personal anymore. How can a webpage be personal when hundreds and even thousands of people are able to view it? How much information is shared by these websites? Are they selling your social security number? Your personal identity?
Yes, Web 2.0 can make you famous in a couple of days but it can also make you infamous. Im sure almost everybody has seen one those so-called “celebrity videos.”
Web 2.0 can be used to satisfy the social urges of human kind but may also destroy ones character and dignity.
Good or Evil? Both.
Dete has really sparked a discussion here about Internet being good or evil. I like that. This is a good topic for a succeeding post. Is Internet good or bad? TV is the big loser, we watch less TV, but that’s probably good too. Just like TV, internet is eating up the usual family time. They say social media helps connect people, studies show internet users has less time to visit parents and call friends, the usual traditional and very effective social contact. The things that you mentioned too Mon, people exploiting internet by using information technology to drive their evil means—yeah unfortunately those things happen. All of the issues has to be studied and researched by government and institutions in order to decrease, if not eradicate, the dangers of using the internet. The more aware we are of all the risks we face by using the internet the more we can make sure that we are taking all the necessary cautions. Parents have the responsibility too–preventive measures in relation to the use internet need to be acted upon starting from home.
We have nearly the same concerns, Ricoboy. I think it remains to be seen how the Internet will be utilized. By evil, I mean that — is it a good thing that we are basically putting so many aspects of our life online? Do we really want strangers (or more appropriately, online acquaintances) to know about where you go for dinner or where your kid goes to school? There are already serious privacy issues about the internet. The internet has such awesome potential. I just hope its used for good.
“Technology happens, it’s not good, it’s not bad. Is steel good or bad?”
Andrew Grove – Founder of Intel
I also remember how we were taught in elementary how to make use of the library thru the Dewey Decimal System (been DECADES since I last thought of the term) which I thought then was quite complicated enough for the average grade schooler. But now with almost everybody I know having Facebook and Twitter accounts and any topic under and over the sun researchable thru Wiki (in the comfort of your laptop which you can bring just around ANYWHERE literally), I am more intrigued as to how all these advancements in technology and interactivity among people will go in say, in another 10 or 20 years. What has taken shape today over the past 20 years was just unimaginable, really. It seems that user participation and interactivity has jump started the leap from Web 1.0 to 2.0 with the line between corporations and the average internet user getting thinner and hazier by the second as I type these words. I also seems that with the advent of these developments, I am thus left with very big questions: which direction is it headed, who (or what part of human nature) dictates it, and more importantly, would people end up better with it. The human software is getting way too frequent updates way too fast for the human hardware to catch up with. Man I need an overnight session with you and kumare again pare to discuss the human condition :). Keep the great articles rolling pare ko. 🙂
Ricoboy pare, thanks for comment…I sure remember the Dewey Decimal System, maybe our alma mater in Catbalogan is still using it right now… would you believe that system was developed in 1876 Melvil Dewey…wow! My article is only about Web 2.0 but now actually, the buzz about web 3.0 is starting to heat up– Artificial intelligence Web or the Semantic Web. I don’t know man, we really do need an overnight session for this stuff. haha. Ivy on the other hand is a bit concerned about people exploiting internet / advance technology in the future. Even now we hear some bad things already. We as users just need to take extra care. Thanks again! Regards
Its amazing that in less than twenty years, the internet has evolved so drastically! I remember in university, when having access to an online bulletin board was already such a novel and cool idea. And now nearly everybody in the world has his own email and possibly a personal webpage (like Facebook)! The web has opened up so many doors that would not have been possible a few short years ago. How else can you buy that mint-condition authentic meteorite rock from the United States while sitting halfway around the world in your room located in Muntinlupa, Philippines? (One word — ebay!!). The internet is an awe-inspiring, wonderful invention. But I’m still waiting to see whether its going to be used for good…or evil.
Thanks for the comment. I think for the past 20 years internet has been generally used for good things– research, business, education, social networking etc. It is one of the greatest inventions of man. I like your observations on how internet has changed the lifestyle of our generation
Let me first express compliment on your great articles. I do agree internet is a great tool. But to take off from Ate Ivy’s comment on its use on good and evil, I would also say it can be used bothways. Greatness is often abused. You are IT consultant and you champion the cause of information, but are we not reaching the point where there is too much information our meek minds can handle? Are we not reaching a point where the state of not knowing will become priceless. I know these thoughts are absurd, but a case of having too much, as in this internet era case of having too much infomation, may not be always right. One of the elements the use of internet is lacking is regulation. Unlike publishing a book where it goes to series of scrutiny before being released, the internet is so open. Some facts maybe researched in Wikipedia today but tomorrow is untrue simply because of error. Furthermore, there are still few laws written to combat internet crimes or crimes cause indirectly by internet. I think the next step should be how to regulate.
It´s really amazing how technology changes our lifestyle. My 6 year old kid uses the internet to study her next wii game. I was never able to save Princess Peach in Nintendo, and seeing my child doing her own research on how to complete not even her current game, but her next game makes me a little bit nervous. I have to agree with you Lemuel, sometimes there are things which should be left unknown. As technology advances, I find myself coping up with it everytime. Not only for my own good but for the sake of my kids as well. I also agree with you that there should be guidance on how to regulate.