Technology has many words that people buzz about so much that no one actually knows what you are talking about when you utter them.
The newest is Web 2.0. What the heck is Web 2.0?
First of all, I hate calling the new ways of the web as applications used by people to create and use content Web 2.0 but I also don't want to describe it every time I talk about the new ways of the web. But you know what? When I say Web 2.0 people look at me with that "Nerd Alert!" look in their eyes and smile politely until I either rehash the conversation to be in much less geek speak or they find a way to excuse themselves.
Secondly, web 2.0 is characterized by programs that provide people the chance to create, share, and connect. For example anyone with a google account can create documents using the online word processor or spreadsheet, share them with friends or colleagues to read or edit, and save them to a personal computer as a .doc or pdf. And it is totally free! (Okay not really it costs you a little(or a lot) of your privacy and a few other things but that is another post.) From that same google account you can have a custom home page of all your favorite news, sports scores, and blog posts. You can also access personal email, maps, blogs, and all of these through a sign username and on the surface it is all at no charge. Yahoo and the other blue chip web companies are in the same boat.
People create and interact and share online through sites like flickr, youtube, or blogger. Users of the new web share and reuse content through .xml files call "feeds" generated by all these technologies. There are new search engines that allow you not only to search for web sites but also individual posts and bits of metadata called tags.
Web 2.0 is quite overwhelming as you think about it but once you step into the rabbit hole you are quickly sucked in by the possibilities and potential of connecting to others with similar interests. But that is what this category is for posts related to our trip down the rabbit hole that is Web 2.0
Comments (1)
Web 2.0 is a big issue for IT, because its success depends on its auto discovery by somewhat to very savvy Internet users. I see an issue on the horizon as IT folks are asked more and more to support these "found" products where in the past we were able to dictate what software is available on people's computers. The reverse may also be true. These products are "found", so the act of discovery itself is a learning tool. It's not like we're forcing our users to use one type of software. On the contrary, a user who feels empowered to find these tools may be equally empowered to discover uses and features on their own. It's possible that Web 2.0 will make the job of a support person easier.
Posted by Jason | November 27, 2006 10:20 AM
Posted on November 27, 2006 10:20