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While critics of Web 2.0 call it nothing more than hype that is being used to increase software sales, others are saying that it is truly the next big thing. The word has existed since 2003, when it was coined at a web conference. It must be emphasized that Web 2.0 does not have a set boundary. Like many revolutionary ideas, it is highly conceptual, but this alone should not be used to diminish its importance. Web 2.0 is a collection of principles, and these principles can be used in a way that will make the Internet much more advanced, as well as interactive.
When most people first hear of Web 2.0, they make the mistake of thinking it is a new technology. However, this is not true. In reality, Web 2.0 is a collection of technologies that are combined to alter the way in which people use the net. In the last four years since the term was first coined, it has caught the attention of the e-commerce community. While most of the people who use the Internet have still not heard of it, webmasters and web developers are greatly aware of it. Despite the fact that most people have never heard of Web 2.0, many use it everyday.
If you've set up an account with MySpace, and you've participated in the discussions on the site, you've experienced Web 2.0. If you've uploaded a video to YouTube, you have also experienced Web 2.0. If you created a page at Wikipedia or edit it, again, you've experienced Web 2.0, even if you're not familiar with the term. What do all the sites I've mentioned have in common? The answer is that all these sites allow the user to play a role in the creation of content. If you upload a video to YouTube, create a profile at MySpace, or write a page for Wikipedia, you are contributing to the creation of content for that site.
The vast majority of websites on the Internet today are static in nature. The user goes to the site, reads the information that the webmaster presents, and if they like it, they will come back. Maybe they will by something or return to the site when the webmaster updates it. In essence, they are spectators. They view what the webmaster wants them to view. Even if the webmaster offers a membership, the visitor will essentially be signing up to see what the webmaster wants them to see. This is what separates Web 2.0 from many of the websites that exist on the Internet today.
Believe it or not, trust is one of the most important concepts of Web 2.0. The reason for this is quite simple. Instead of receiving their information from a few sources that could be biased in their presentation, people are able to receive information from the general population. If someone presents information that is false, they will quickly be rooted out by other people, and they will lose credibility. Compare this to the traditional mainstream media, where it was difficult for people to question or weaken the credibility of "experts" who have the backing of powerful corporations.
To be quite honest, we live in a day and age where people are more willing to trust other Internet users rather than large corporations, institutions, or governments. There are a number of key reasons for this. However, the most important stems from the fact that powerful institutions have always craved money, power, and control. They are much more likely to provide biased information when compared to the average Internet user that just wants to provide guidance to his or her fellow users.
One example of such as website is Wikipedia. Before the introduction of this online encyclopedia, people had to pay for volumes and volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica, and because information kept, changing they would have to buy new volumes. Compare this to Wikipedia, a website that is edited and maintained by a community, and which is constantly updated. Most importantly, Wikipedia is free to use.
