Web 2.0

Web 2.0 is a term that has been used so many times by so many people that it has sort of become a cliché in the tech world. It is essentially a term that encompasses a wide range of online sites, and platforms such as social networking websites (Facebook, Myspace, Orkut, Friendster as well as many other micro-sites and portal-specific ones such as Yahoo Answers and Google Groups). Wikis like about.com and Squidoo.com, blogs, as well as RSS Feeds are among other major platforms usually taken as being part of Web 2.0.

Even though Web 2.0 is a relatively new phenomenon according to media’s projection, it has been around for quite a while and is essentially a new and innovative manner for interaction and communication through networks online.

The main focus of all Web 2.0 technologies is to connect people and build virtual communities for sharing interests, passions and ideas. This approach of collaborative work between people has been around since the birth of the World Wide Web. After all, in a way e mail was also a way to help people collaborate and communicate with each other through effective connections.

Perhaps one of the most useful projects that have surfaced and bloomed during the Web 2.0 revolution has been Wikipedia and its sister entities like Wiktionary. People from around the world are able to put their knowledge in the encyclopedia for other to, read, edit and further elongate. The success of Wikipedia has led to a whole generation of similar projects, popularly characterized as Wikis that are being made for profit.

Comments:

Linkedin is another great Web 2.0 success story that has been significant in its impact on people’s lives.

Dave