To Simplify: Web 2.0 Can Be Understood As A User Involved Internet Experience

[This is part of a series on Web 2.0 Business Networking]

The internet is no longer a digital library that we visit to read; it is an ever changing and responding archive we are impacting with every action we take.

Sure, internet users have always been able to contribute to the old 1.0 library in that we could buy a domain and build a website or contribute on bulletin boards or forums - but 2.0 sites take things farther. Websites that incorporate 2.0 principles literally respond and can change shape according to the needs and input of its users.

What do you think of when someone uses the term ‘Web Two Point Oh”?

Blogging?
RSS?
Tagging?
Comments?
Social Networks?

These are all aspects of 2.0 and we will look at them all individually in a moment.

Probably two of the largest and most well known examples of how Web 2.0 principles are shaping the internet are Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedia.com) and Craigslist (http://www.craigslist.com).

Through these two powerful resources, the world is connected and even to some degree defined.

Wikipedia is an amazing phenomenon. You rarely see internet users linking to dictionary or encyclopedia references anymore; they link to a Wiki page. The Wikipedia’s main page welcomes you and claims to be the ‘encyclopedia that anyone can edit’. In most cases, anyone can add or tweak information on any topic.

Other Wiki contributers, known as Wikipedians, can correct misinformation or even in cases of disagreement, come to a consensus through interaction on a talk page.

Isn’t it interesting that the world has shown a definite preference for information that is provided and maintained by the world itself rather than by a publishing company?

Through Craigslist anyone in a wide number of locations can seek out barters, jobs, relationships, rentals and events. Posting on Craiglist is free in most cases though there are a few situations where it costs money to post a job or housing ad in select areas. Craigslist also includes topical message boards.

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Web 2.0 Business Networking