Why Web 2.0 is here is stay
Web 2.0 refers to new-age Web-based services that emphasize online collaboration and sharing among users apart from providing an improved and well-informed version of the World Wide Web. Principally used to refer second-generation websites such as social networking sites, wikis, and communication tools. Web 2.0 is aimed at enhancing web as a cauldron of information.
Key principles that shape the foundation of Web 2.0:
The primary idea that championed the foundation of Web 2.0 is using the www as a platform where software would function as a service over the web, contrary to the prevailing scenario where it runs on a desktop computer. Few points of web 2.0:
» The web as a platform rather than a desktop as a platform
» Information/data as the dynamic force
» Network created by an architecture of participation
» Modernization of systems and sites by drawing features from distributed, independent developers/programmers
» Content and service syndication facilitated business models
» Software adoption cycle no longer indispensable
» Software more of a multifaceted device drawing features from a wider source
A Web 2.0 website can be developed to typically feature some or all of the technologies mentioned below:
» Rich Internet application methods
» Cascading style sheets (CSS)
» Semantically valid XHTML markup and extensible use of Microformats
» Data aggregation and syndication through RSS/Atom
» Meaningful and user-friendly URLs
» Extensible use of folksonomies i.e. tags, tag-clouds, etc.
» Increasing use of Wiki software
» Publishing of Weblogs
» An assortment of XML Webservice, APIs
Web 2.0 application levels:
» Level 0 applications primarily include mapping applications that relies on user-contributed data. Typical examples include Google and Wiki maps, etc.
» Level 1 applications are available offline but rely on the web for information. The primary characteristic of Level 1 web 2.0 applications is group-editing capability online.
» Level 2 applications can operate offline but enhanced characteristics can be used only when online. A notable example of level 2 applications is Flickr, which draws its advantages from its shared photo-database.
» Level 3 Web 2.0 applications exist on the Internet and relies on human/user connections and network effects made possible by Web 2.0 EBay is a classic example of a level 3 Web 2.0 application.
Apart from level 0, 1, 2, and 3, web 2.0 can also be used in such non-web applications as email, instant-messaging clients, etc.
Why Web 2.0 is here is stay?
The principles of Web 2.0 leads back to late 90 are when the ideas were incepted. It is however, in recent times that the advantages that can be reaped by this pioneering technology are forcing its development and widespread acceptance. The most important thing about Web 2.0 is its sound concept, sound principles, and innovative technological usage, which, if judiciously used can bring a sea of positive changes to the way the web functions.
