Today I'm attending a local ArcReady event in Indianapolis,
my home town (www.ArcReady.com). The topic of the day is Web 2.0.
As I've mentioned in the past, Web 2.0 is one of those nebulous
topics that if you ask ten people to define, you'll get eleven
answers. In fact, I'm working on a book to help define Web 2.0
and am finding that there are a variety of answers to the "what
is Web 2.0" question. There are also a large number of similarities
between people's definitions.
As points to ponder, consider the following statements. In your
opinion, Which of these are accurate?
- Web 2.0 is AJAX
- Web 2.0 is Software as a Service
- Web 2.0 is all about the Web as a platform.
- Web 2.0 is about empowering users
- In a Web 2.0 world, breadth of information is more important
than accuracy
- In a Web 2.0 world, the user should be viewed as a co-developer
- Flashing interfaces are a requirement of Web 2.0
If you thought that these were all true, then you and I disagree.
AJAX is a technology. Web 2.0 is built on technology; however, it is
not *the* technology.
Sofware as a Service generally falls into the Web 2.0 world. The Web
as a platform is also considered a part of Web 2.0; however, Web 2.0
is about more than just the Web as a platform.
Web 2.0 is absolutely about empowering users. This is one concept
where most industry leaders will agree.
Where you might find differing opinions is on whether breadth of
information is more important than accuracy. If, however, you look
at some of the leading Web 2.0 sites such as Wikipedia, Twitter, and
Facebook, you'll see that breadth does in fact seem to be a stronger
characteristic than accuracy.
The idea of the user as a co-developer should be scary to you as a
developer. In fact, this concept is becoming true. If you consider
your task as a developer to be the building Web applications, then you
begin to see that the users are getting more involved in this. This
can be at the level of adding content that changes the page. It can
also
be at the level of grabbing services and mashing them together with
other
services. The end-user is getting more involved. More importantly, the
tools are getting easier to use to build sites, so if you cut out the
users, you might end up having them cut you out.
Finally, the last bullet was about Web 2.0 equating to flashy
interfaces.
While most Web 2.0 sites have flashy interfaces, you will find that
most
industry leaders agree that it is the social interaction and aspects
that
are more indicative of a Web 2.0 application than the actual flashy
interfaces. Having said that, users are looking for "sizzle".
Do you disagree with my opinions? If so, swing by the feedback forum
and
let me know your thoughts.
Until next week!
Brad!
---------------------------
Bradley L. Jones
www.CodeGuru.com
webmaster@codeguru.com
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In fact is my first reading on the subject and in my IT career it is something to read on. My interests are so varied that an ocean of information over me is drowninmg me but I like it because it makes my brain think. Well, this is my first blog on web 2.0 explorations as it is a common buzzword these days.
Web 2.0 explorations will get me to learn more about Java, Ruby, C#, any way, many, many tools and items to have my day filled with a glamorous knowledge expectation. Thanks GOD for giving me this career, very speedy but the one I like most. Stay tuned to read more about this new buzzword in my vocabulary.
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