Web 2.0, a phrase coined by O'Reilly Media in 2003 and popularized by the first Web 2.0 conference in 2004, refers to a perceived second generation of web-based communities and hosted services — such as social-networking sites, wikis and folksonomies — which facilitate collaboration and sharing between users. O'Reilly Media titled a series of conferences around the phrase, and it has since become widely adopted.
Although the term suggests a new version of the World Wide Web, it does not refer to an update to Web technical specifications, but to changes in the ways systems developers have used the web platform. According to Tim O'Reilly, "Web 2.0 is the business revolution in the computer industry caused by the move to the internet as platform, and an attempt to understand the rules for success on that new platform."
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The phrase
'Web 2.0' connotates what can be regarded as a 'next generation' series of web-based services and applications, which are evolving the way people use the Web. This evolution is represented by the expanding palette of browser-based social computing applications -- such as flickr, myspace, delicious and blogger -- into the everyday workflow of individuals. Many of these resources are tag-driven, and can easily be integrated with one another ('mashed up') to create unique relationships between different media and services.
A hallmark of Web 2.0 services is that most are free to use, with providers relying on advertisement dollars, donations and/or a large parent company (i.e., Google). Most services utilize technologies common to all contemporary computing platforms, minimizing compatibility issues. In addition, most offer base services to all users, such as username/password, profile page, messaging system, blog, and privacy tools, in addition to their primary service is (audio, video, photo, etc.).
In some cases (such as Flickr), users can purchase a 'pro' account with expanded functionality.
Tagging
The notion of tagging is one of relationship. Media and materials on sites that utilize tagging can have one or more words associated with them that automatically identifies the media with all others that possess the same tag(s).
For example, suppose a user uploads a photo of a cat to Flickr and tags it with the word 'cat.' Thereafter, anyone on the site can perform a search for photos with the tag 'cat' and all photos containing it -- including the one in question -- will be returned in the search.
A given piece of media can typically have many tags attached to it.
Web 2.0 Applications
The number of applications categorized as 'Web 2.0' is ever-expanding, and while there are far too many to name on a single page, below are some representative examples. Hover your mouse over an icon to learn more about a service, or click to visit its site.
Web 2.0 application integration on your computer
A nifty way to make Web 2.0 apps you use a lot readily available is to set your computer up to open them like local programs. Below is a short how-to video, followed by a pre-made Web 2.0 program folder you can easily download and install on your computer.
OSX 10.5+: download the .zip file here. Unzip it, and you have a folder called 'Web 2.0.' Place it in 'Applications,' then drop it in the documents side of the dock. CTRL-click (or right-click), and set Display as Folder and Content as Grid. Now, when you click the folder icon, the Web 2.0 icons should fan out as an application group. By picking one, your default web browser will open it.
Win XP: download the .zip file here. Unzip it and place the folder into 'DOCS' (or somewhere else you can keep track of it). Then, drag and drop it from that location to the programs area of the Start Menu. A shortcut will be created; right-click it and re-name the shortcut 'Web 2.0' if desired!
Remixing/Mash-ups
These terms suggest the way in which Web 2.0 resources can be used to cull together media from different places that can then be modified into something new. For instance:
Web Conference Mash-up - have someone meet you here. In this room, there are several Web 2.0 services running on a single page, creating a low-rent but functional web conferencing room where users can meet, chat via text (meebo.com) or audio (yackpack.com), and run a slideshow (slideshare.net). There is even an MP3 file download of text file translated into speech (bluegrind.com (now located at www.odiogo.com).
Tutorial Mash-up - here, <iFrame> tags are used to embed a website into a table. The rest of the page contains instructions for using the embedded site; a link for a short instructional video is listed, as well as basic information on how it use it. The user can peruse the instructional info while using the application on the embedded page, all at the same time.
These services (like many in the Web 2.0 community) provide bits of code that can be copied and pasted into a static web page (many are familiar with this concept from YouTube). In this example, a table and <div> tags were used separate the different services into their own area of the page. Their combined functions create a totally free conference room, hence, the mash-up.
Creative Commons Licensing
While Fair Use can play a role in remixing, more often users rely on the Creative Commons licensing system if intellectual property is involved.
A tool employed by many Web 2.0 services is Creative Commons licensing, which features several tiers of usage rights that authors can extend to others. For example, you could perform a Flickr search for photos containing the tag 'birds' and for which owners have granted permission for others to use, remix, etc.
Limitations
Web 2.0 applications are great, but it's important to keep in mind that they do not hold the answers to everything. At this time, many applications used to perform advanced or demanding tasks continue to be run on a user's local computer (as opposed to over a network, in a web browser). However, a shift in desktop computing from a local model to a browser-based model is entirely conceivable.
Further, Web 2.0 technology has evolved very quickly, and the user community continues to explore ways of using and understanding it. As a result, the lifespan of Web 2.0 sites can be unpredictable.
