Web 2.0 - A General Overview

Web 2.0 is generally seen as an area of business which uses the Internet as its platform and utilizes the strengths of the web to exist and expand. In short, the slogan dont fight the Internet aptly describes the functionality of Web 2.0 which builds applications and provides services based on the unique characteristics of the Internet rather than building applications and expecting them to fit around the Internet.

Although the phrase may suggest a newer version of the World Wide Web, it does not actually indicate any changes in the technical specifications, instead it rather points towards the changed way in which end users as well as software developers utilize the power of the web. Web 2.0 thus indicates an enhancement of the World Wide Web with applications such as blogs, wikis, social bookmarking, podcasts and other web application programming interfaces (APIs) providing developments over the earlier read only websites.

Features Of Web 2.0

Earlier websites merely allowed users to retrieve information which had been provided by the owner of the site. But Web 2.0 sites go beyond the mere interactive capabilities of Web 1.0 sites and allow users to build on these interactive features by running entire software applications through a browser. The network or the Internet serves as the platform for computing. Users are allowed to own the data on the Web 2.0 site and they are also encouraged to enhance the data as and when they utilize it. This is in sharp contrast to earlier sites which were limited to viewing and the owner of the site alone possessed the right to change the data. The interface of Web 2.0 sites are generally extremely user friendly and are based on Flex, Ajax or similar media. Many of these sites may also possess social networking aspects. Members who do not contribute towards the provision of goods and services are not prohibited from sharing in the profits. This may result in certain members abstaining from contributing and enjoying the efforts of others.

Four Levels Of Hierarchy In Web 2.0 applications

The applications involved can be broadly classified into four hierarchies with Level-3 applications at the top of the ladder embodying most of the principles of Web 2.0. These applications exist only on the Internet and become more effective as they are utilized more and more on the Internet. Examples of such applications are Craigslist, Skype and Wikipedia. Level-2 applications are capable of operating offline but are more beneficial while used online. Flickr can be stated as an example for Level-2 applications. Level-1 applications operate offline but gain more features when they are online. Examples are Google Docs & Spreadsheets and iTunes. Level-0 applications work offline as well as online. Yahoo! and Mapquest are examples. Non-web products such as instant messaging and email lie outside the above stated hierarchy.

< Back To Social Bookmarking Guide Next Previous