Web 2.0 †Simplifying the Complicated Essay Example for Free

Web 2.0 – Simplifying the Complicated Essay Ever since its birth, Web 2. 0 has become a tempting topic of small talk everywhere technology is discussed. In most cases, those small talks can lead to lengthy discussions, and even debates. The word, to begin with, took time before settling with a definitive description. The processes and characteristics are also repeatedly debated about. If there is anything more intriguing with Web 2. 0, it is the power that it gives website visitors. It empowers web users to become part of the creation of a site, to associate themselves with a specific brand or service, or even with mere ideas. It creates a pool of knowledge which fosters collective intelligence, which becomes useful for all users. It also creates new uses for old applications, enabling them to be recreated and popularized. Introduction Except with enough interest on technology, Web 2. 0 is more of a jargon than a utility for many. What majority of internet users do not realize is that they are already using it even without them knowing. Web 2. 0 has suddenly taken over the whole computing industry. The takeover was so sudden that even experts agree that this has become the way computing today should be—or will be. The confusion is forgivable. For many, Web 2. 0 is a complicated thing. The more experts try to simplify it, the more complicated it becomes. To begin with, it is extremely difficult to at least define the term. There is also a lot of confusion as to where the Web 2. 0 begins; and where Web 1. 0 ends. Moreover, there is the question if the latter ends where the former begins. To better understand the word, it takes an analysis of the bits and pieces that make it up. We begin with the internet. (MacManus, 2005; Ding, 2007) The internet is designed to share and give out information. It began as an avenue for data creators and owners to send their information to others, often specific recipients. In review, it has become effective to what it is aimed at. The internet has become a way to make information available for others. The whole point of this information process is the need for knowledge. 55% of richness all over the world comes from knowledge. Peter Druker even said that the most production increase happens with the increase of knowledge. Today, communication has become more than just a one-on-one process. With information coming from sources of all directions, intelligence has become collective. The internet is one viable process of communication that cannot be underestimated. Without any initial help from bigger companies, the internet reaches one billion users. It should be noted that information is different from knowledge—and knowledge is different from intelligence. Information only becomes knowledge when a user processes it. In the same way, intelligence is a collection of knowledge. Thus, a single piece of information is not knowledge until used, while a single piece of knowledge cannot be called intelligence unless other knowledge is grouped with it. (Idehen, 2004; Bates, 2005) Communication enabled a big shift for knowledge. Where before knowledge is from one point to another (1 to 1), with communication it has become one point to several receiving points (1 to n). Thus, it can be said that there is an increase in the efficiency of knowledge sharing through communication. Yet, the web age has also contributed more to this. Thus, the Web 1. 0 and Web 2. 0. In Web 1. 0, everybody is creating information (n to n). In response, everybody can access information too (n to n). Instead of a linear process, there is a cycle of information sharing happening to all involved—the senders and receivers of information who are also receivers and senders in their respective rights. Web 1. 0 became an alternative way to communicate because of this efficiency that it offered everybody. (Barefoot, 2006) It does not only get information, it also gives information in return. Web 2. 0 – Simplifying the Complicated aims to present how Web 2. 0 works. It creates a bird’s eye view of the definitions. It also consults the processes of how Web 2. 0 is taking the web and its users. Effects, both good and bad, will also be analyzed. In the end, there is an attempt to conclude: is Web 2. 0 hype or a formation that is here to stay? Literature Review The word Web 2. 0 was coined by Dale Dougherty in 2004. (Anderson, 2007) Since then, it has become a widely-used word. Experts are talking about Web 2. 0 as if it is a new revolution. Indeed, it is. The word Web 2. 0 has been used and abused by many. Singel (2005) quoted Tim O’Reilly who defined the term as the framework of participation for the purpose of information. Schindler (2007) agreed to this statement, defining Web 2. 0 as the collaborative internet. However, Boutin (2006) claimed that definitions to the word may change, depending on who is using the term. Thus, no single definition can be associated with it. Almost every netizen is already using the Web 2. 0 in one way or another. Anderson (2007) identified that the Web 2. 0 is the use of collective information, where data is the chief element, among others. Thus, blogging, forums, tagging, and all other forms of publishing over the internet for public use may be regarded as Web 2. 0. Without one knowing it, Web 2. 0 is right before their very eyes. There have been questions, thus, if Web 2. 0 is hype, or a fad that will soon pass. Singel (2005) stated that the first conference held for Web 2. 0 was sold out despite the steep price tag. Schonfeld (2006) dismissed the idea of it being a publicity spin off. In fact, he claimed that the Web 2. 0 is the current name of the internet game. Despite the arguments, Web 2. 0 definitely has its positive effects. Companies view it as a way to save on marketing costs and improve customer relations. Businesses agree that the Web 2. 0 will impact their operations positively. These benefits, however, have corresponding detriments. (Serious business: Web 2. 0 goes corporate 2007) Keen (2006) stated that the Web 2. 0 setup enables users to publish just about anything within the limits, and so it can give way to anyone who wants to be a writer or performer. Thus, the entertainment industry may be threatened. Singel (2005) dismissed this. He quoted John Batelle who affirmed that despite the openness of Web 2. 0 for a new breed of entertainers, talent is one question that separates the real from the web-based. On the other hand, Harris (2006) expressed concerns to the loss of privacy because of the limitless sharing through Web 2. 0. Even mere personal files that get inside the Web 2. 0 is shared in a way, and he activities of users included, proving that privacy may in fact be sacrificed. Kantor (2006), however, stressed that copyright and limits will still be enforced, so that there is no need to worry about privacy. Despite the different views on Web 2. 0, it has become a fact that it is the way computing is currently being done. Internet users are getting the benefits, and are more than willing to participate. Internet companies are making waves for new Web 2. 0 applications and services. Businesses are turning their keys to include Web 2. 0 in their online presence. All these show that Web 2. 0 is definitely an issue worth discussing.