An umbrella term for the second wave of the World Wide Web, which was coined in a conference on the subject in 2004 by O'Reilly Media and CMP Media (later taking its parent name of United Business Media). Sometimes called the "New Internet," Web 2.0 is not a specific technology; rather, it refers to two major paradigm shifts. The one most often touted is "user-generated content," which relates more to individuals. The second, which is equally significant, but more related to business, is "cloud computing."
#1 - The User Rules!
User-generated content, comprised of blogs, wikis and social networking sites, such as MySpace and Friendster, let everyone have their say on anything and publish it to the world at large. As Web applications become more sophisticated, people can easily develop elaborate personal Web pages, create a blog, and upload their own opinions, audio and video. Users are augmenting the news by reporting current events sometimes faster and with details often overlooked or ignored by the professional news media.
Although millions of opinions and videos, often very amateurish, only add to our information overload, a significant advantage to user-generated content is that truly talented authors, artists, musicians and moviemakers can gain an audience much more easily than they could in the past. Word-of-mouth via the Internet is worth a fortune in promotion. Web 2.0 is leveling the playing field in all arenas just as the PC leveled the playing field in business. See hot topics and trends, blog, wiki, social networking site, MySpace, user reviews, YouTube and paradigm.
#2 - Cloud Computing
In cloud computing, also called "thin client computing," data and applications are stored on Web servers, and a user has access from any computer via a Web browser. Many believe that cloud computing will eventually supplant locally installed office and other applications and that turning the Web into a gigantic application server is the ultimate manifestation of Web 2.0.
In time, this could have significant impact on the type of personal computers users choose. As more software is executed from scripts embedded in Web pages, the CPU chips and operating systems become less relevant. Browsers interpret scripts the same regardless of the hardware and software environment they reside in (most of the time, that is!).
In 2007, Google combined several of its office applications into Standard and Premium Editions, the latter a paid service with tech support. Because of Google's influence, this was a watershed event for cloud computing (see Google Apps). See ASP, Web application, thin client and Enterprise 2.0.
What Caused Web 2.0?
Bandwidth and power. Faster in most cases than the T1 lines in the enterprise, cable and DSL hookups have extended high-speed connections to individuals and small businesses. Browsing Web pages full of images and video as well as downloading multimedia files have become routine.
In addition, entry level computers became powerful enough to execute scripts in an HTML page without noticeable delays. Combined with refinements in Web programming (see AJAX), the Web has become a transparent extension of an individual's PC just as local area networks (LANs) extended the user's computing resources inside the enterprise in the 1980s and 1990s.
Web Evolution
In the mid-1990s, the Web began (Web 1.0) as a repository of information and static content. Within a couple years, a huge amount of content was dynamic, returning custom results to users. By the turn of the century, the Web became much more interactive (call it Web 1.5), allowing users to play, stop, rewind and fast forward through audio and video content. Web 2.0 makes Web-based applications feel like and run as smoothly as local applications. See Web 3.0.
#1 - The User Rules!
User-generated content, comprised of blogs, wikis and social networking sites, such as MySpace and Friendster, let everyone have their say on anything and publish it to the world at large. As Web applications become more sophisticated, people can easily develop elaborate personal Web pages, create a blog, and upload their own opinions, audio and video. Users are augmenting the news by reporting current events sometimes faster and with details often overlooked or ignored by the professional news media.
Although millions of opinions and videos, often very amateurish, only add to our information overload, a significant advantage to user-generated content is that truly talented authors, artists, musicians and moviemakers can gain an audience much more easily than they could in the past. Word-of-mouth via the Internet is worth a fortune in promotion. Web 2.0 is leveling the playing field in all arenas just as the PC leveled the playing field in business. See hot topics and trends, blog, wiki, social networking site, MySpace, user reviews, YouTube and paradigm.
#2 - Cloud Computing
In cloud computing, also called "thin client computing," data and applications are stored on Web servers, and a user has access from any computer via a Web browser. Many believe that cloud computing will eventually supplant locally installed office and other applications and that turning the Web into a gigantic application server is the ultimate manifestation of Web 2.0.
In time, this could have significant impact on the type of personal computers users choose. As more software is executed from scripts embedded in Web pages, the CPU chips and operating systems become less relevant. Browsers interpret scripts the same regardless of the hardware and software environment they reside in (most of the time, that is!).
In 2007, Google combined several of its office applications into Standard and Premium Editions, the latter a paid service with tech support. Because of Google's influence, this was a watershed event for cloud computing (see Google Apps). See ASP, Web application, thin client and Enterprise 2.0.
What Caused Web 2.0?
Bandwidth and power. Faster in most cases than the T1 lines in the enterprise, cable and DSL hookups have extended high-speed connections to individuals and small businesses. Browsing Web pages full of images and video as well as downloading multimedia files have become routine.
In addition, entry level computers became powerful enough to execute scripts in an HTML page without noticeable delays. Combined with refinements in Web programming (see AJAX), the Web has become a transparent extension of an individual's PC just as local area networks (LANs) extended the user's computing resources inside the enterprise in the 1980s and 1990s.
Web Evolution
In the mid-1990s, the Web began (Web 1.0) as a repository of information and static content. Within a couple years, a huge amount of content was dynamic, returning custom results to users. By the turn of the century, the Web became much more interactive (call it Web 1.5), allowing users to play, stop, rewind and fast forward through audio and video content. Web 2.0 makes Web-based applications feel like and run as smoothly as local applications. See Web 3.0.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
- Chatting (Not Chattering) About Salesforce - Part I
- (NOTE BEFORE I START: This is one really long post. So rather than post it in all its glory in a single file or post it here over two days, I'm trying something new. I'm posting the first half here. And the second half on PGreenblog. Â Let's see how that...
- Blog posts 2009-11-23
- A1 Website Analyzer 2.0.2 (Windows)
- Web site content and structure analysis tools. Find broken links and redirects. View the Web site structure, internal + outgoing links, and calculated importance for all pages. Get detailed stats for all pages such as HTML errors, page size, character set, last modified, response headers, response time, download time. Can...
- Software downloads 2009-11-21
- A1 Sitemap Generator 2.0.4 (Windows)
- Help search engines crawl and index your Web site with HTML, RSS, and XML sitemaps as defined by Google XML sitemaps protocol including video, mobile and news XML sitemaps. Near-endless Web site scanning options. Configure amount of simultaneous connections to use. Supports crawler filters, nofollow, robots.txt, custom connection and read...
- Software downloads 2009-11-21
- Serv-U 9.1.0.2 (Windows)
- Serv-U is a powerful, easy-to-use, award-winning File Server from RhinoSoft.com. Serv-U supports the FTP, HTTP, and SFTP protocols to ensure maximum compatibility with the widest range of transfer client software. With support for industry-standard SSL encryption, Serv-U protects your data while it's in transit. A powerful Web-based interface allows administrators...
- Software downloads 2009-11-21
- Chrome OS - The good, the bad and the ugly, and how it fits in with Windows, Mac and Linux
- Chrome OS - The good, the bad and the ugly, and how it fits in with WindowsI gave it some thought too and realized that Chrome OS only has the bad and the ugly. There is nothing good about it. All data stored in the cloud, and on Google's...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-20
- MyMoney 2.0.49 (Mac)
- My Money is a high quality personal financial software written from ground up to work with online bank statements. Simply download your transactions from bank web site and they are automatically entered into electronic register. By bringing all of your important financial information together in one place, My Money helps...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- Soothr Sound Therapy 2.0 (Windows)
- Soothr is your personal sound therapy system that allows you to easily pick from a large selection of nature, relaxation and meditation sounds and combine them to form your own personalized sound therapy experience. Combine elements of nature such as rain, wind and ocean surf, with uplifting relaxation music to...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- How to add value, not just more tech, with Web 2.0
- Great PresentationI don't know how you find the time to do all the stuff you do and have small new children.We have the Live product here for student e-mailIt's hard to keep up.If building your house on the sand is a bad idea. What about a cloud? Thank goodness the...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-19
- How to add value, not just more tech, with Web 2.0+
- My presentation to the Florida Council of Independent Schools went well, both from a content and a technical perspective, since I was able to do it remotely, all with Google Apps. Here is the presentations, as well as a few takeaways from the question/answer session. by Christopher Dawson
- Blog posts 2009-11-19
- Hands-on with the HTC HD2, most impressive Windows Mobile device to date
- I like what HTC is doingYou've got the Hero and the HD2. I'd like to see what the difference is in performance between the two, but the Hero has a slower processor. Personally, I like the Windows Mobile platform, and it is the best option for Windows-based IT...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-19
- Do we need a 'beautiful mess' in operating systems? Yup
- To make a good soup, you've got to stir the pot...Ok, sure - it turns cloudy, short-term. Just be sure to filter it or let it settle, before serving.Whereas the classic 'design-by-committee' model so often fails, its always useful to have multiple, talented teams working on similar projects, independently. With...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-19
- Gmail Studio 2.0.0.8 (Mac)
- Gmail Studio is the must have Gmail integration for the OSX desktop. Gmail Studio gives you unobtrusiveness desktop access to your Gmail and Gmail for Google Apps accounts. Gmail Studio allows you to check unlimited number of Gmail accounts. You can also view messages right on your desktop, in the...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Firebox Password Vault for iPhone 2.0.1 (Mobile)
- Firebox Password Vault for iPhone provides easy to use, encrypted storage for all your personal and private information, such as: login/password information for computer accounts and web sites; serial numbers of cameras, laptops, and other devices in case of theft; auto registration, insurance, and license information; credit card information in...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Battery Magic for iPhone 2.0 (Mobile)
- Battery Magic for iPhone featuring the easy-to-use scrolling wheel menu that enables you to get all of your important battery status presented in hours, minutes and percentages. Power users will appreciate the accuracy of how much battery they will have to complete their game play, talk time, web browsing or...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Salesforce Chatter: Social operating systems emerge on the IT stage
- The next big shift: Intranets, portals, and software suites that are the integrating force of the social fabric for our organizations. This morning's announcement here at Dreamforce today from Salesforce of Chatter, an enterprise-class realization of Facebook and Twitter, is further evidence of the industry's push for social Web capabilities...
- Blog posts 2009-11-18
- Microsoft PDC Live Blog Day Two: IE, Silverlight 4.0 and more
- The biggest news here is that MS is losing its grip on developers as they are switching to programming for the web and cross platform tools.Microsoft and its future.The chief software architect not ever going to say "Mission Accomplished".Another VP of cloud at the PDC saying "I'm not going to...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-18
- Porsche Envi for iPhone 2.0 (Mobile)
- Porsche Envi for iPhone brings thousands of Web-based Porsche photos to your iPhone. It is a grand tour of racing, power, speed, elegance, and just plain coolness. From the original 1939 Porsche 64, through the 928 and timeless 911, to current models like the Boxster, Cayman, and Cayenne, Porsche Envi...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Camino 2.0 (Mac)
- The Camino Project has worked to create a browser that is as functional and elegant as the computers it runs on. The Camino web browser is powerful, secure, and ready to meet the needs of all users while remaining simple and elegant in its design. Camino combines the awesome...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Call Graph 1.3 (Windows)
- Call Graph Skype plugin is a desktop application. It can record your conversations and save them in an mp3 or a wav file. Its completely free for personal and business use. It can record all kinds of Skype calls, Skype P2P, SkypeIn and SkypeOut. There are no time limits or...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Altova StyleVision Standard Edition 2010 (Windows)
- Altova StyleVision 2010 Standard Edition is a drag-and-drop, visual XML- to-HTML stylesheet designer for graphically designing templates that render eye-catching HTML output from XML content. StyleVision is fully standards-compliant and supports XSLT 1.0, XSLT 2.0, CSS, and JavaScript for building advanced Web pages. It even has a built-in HTML importer...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
Neighboring Terms
Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors
- Reduce risk. Reduce complexity. Increase reliability.
-
A simplified IT environment isn't just less complex. It's also more reliable. Standardize on a single Linux platform with SUSE Linux Enterprise from Novell, and get the world's most interoperable Linux
- Learn more >>
- Save time with automated shipping solutions
-
The Business Essentials Guide provides you useful tools and templates to help grow your business and save you time with automated shipping solutions.
- Visit the UPS Business Essentials Guide
- The best support in the Linux business
-
If Linux is going to power your mission-critical applications, you'd better have the best support known to business. Novell was rated the top provider of Linux technical support.
- Learn more >>
- Keep Up With The Latest In Document Management with The DocuMentor.
-
Doc delivers the scoop on today's enterprise content management, printer maintenance, and all other issues related to document management. It's the DocuMentor Blog.
- Learn more >>
-
-
Smart Tech
Expert advice on innovations in healthcare and the green technologies that make it happen.
Find out more
-
Smart Business
Discussion and advice on management issues that revolve around making your world smarter and more useful.
More Smart Advice
-
Smart People
The best and worst moves in the management and strategy trenches.
Learn More
