Web 2.0: Meaningless Marketing Buzzword or New Conventional Wisdom?

   
     The concept of Web 2.0 has been long the subject of debate and disagreement, largely because it doesn’t offer much of a tangible definition. However, one thing remains certain, Web 2.0 has had a profound impact on the dynamics of Internet use.

      Originally brought to relevance by Tim O’Reilly at the O'Reilly Media Web 2.0 conference in late 2004, Web 2.0 was referred to as this idea of the "Web as a platform". This meant that rather than functioning as merely a means of retrieving data, users now had the ability to contribute to the flow of information. As detailed in the Wikipedia post Web 2.0, the advent of Web 2.0 has allowed “users to interact and collaborate with each other in a social media dialogue as creators of user-generated content in a virtual community, in contrast to websites where users (consumers) are limited to the passive viewing of content that was created for them.” Social networking sites, blogs, wikis, video sharing sites, hosted services, web applications are perhaps the best examples of Web 2.0. Popular sites like Facebook and Twitter have seemingly become an alternative source of news.

      Unlike Web 1.0, Web 2.0 gives its users the freedom to contribute, hence being a “participatory web”. Anyone can post almost anything on the Internet, which comes with its fair share of benefits and risks. What could be better than the ability to creatively express oneself? However an obvious risk is the often manipulative, illogical, and sometimes-radical motives of those people who seek to challenge the integrity of the news and media.

      Another feature of Web 2.0 is the idea of a user-centered design, a concept that suggests that a users needs are catered to. Rather than just retrieving static information, users now have the ability to obtain data at their own discretion.

      In conclusion, I believe Web 2.0 will continue to benefit the Internet and the upcoming technology and perhaps Web 3.0 may even make its presence felt. Much like the struggle of early journalists with radio television, Web 2.0 has been beneficial but has also forced us to figure out how to best use it.