Web 2.0 is a broad term describing many different kinds of websites, websites
that provide a platform where end-users have control over the content of sites.
Web 2.0 includes social networking sites, wikis, sites like Squidoo.com and
MySpace.com, folksonomies, Blogs, RSS Feeds and other sites that emphasize
collaboration and sharing among users.
Web 2.0 isn’t a NEW Internet, but a new way of communicating using the World
Wide Web. It focuses on building communities where people come together to
share their ideas, passions and interests. Some people used collaborative and
community-based sites since the dawn of the Web. Only recently have people
other than consumers begun realizing the true potential of collaborative
networking.
The “old” way of doing things focused on individual users creating applications
from which they presented visitors information. For example, a person sat at
their computer, created a website and provided information to visitors. They sold
product to visitors. They allowed feedback, usually in the form of a one-way email
communication, web form or other application. Web 2.0 encourages an approach
to the Web where people form communities and collaborate to provide
information on the Web. Instead of one person sitting at the end of a computer
terminal, there are multiple people at many terminals all capable of accessing the
same information, like a list of your favorites you bookmark on the Web.
Consider for example, Wikipedia.org. This is an ideal example of how the Web is
transforming. This modern-day encyclopedia of information is a collection of
insights and information gathered from people across the world. There is no one
“editor” or author, rather people share and collaborate to create a resource that
includes insights from all walks of life. The technology supporting this site allows
users to collaborate and edit information using some formal and informal
guidelines. The community works to approve or disprove new information, but
overall, just about anyone can place information on the site.
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