WEB2.0

The basics of WEB 2.0 and how to intelligently discuss it with friends, family and complete strangers.
by: Wesley Winston Cox

"engage semantic life-hacks"

Just when people started to get comfortable with the fact that the web has become an integral part of their lives, we start to hear about this so called "Web 2.0" - what the heck is it? Where is? How do I know if I have a Web 2.0, and what do I have to do to get a Web 2.0?

All ridiculous questions. Web 2.0 is not a thing, or a point in time or something with a reasonably well understood structure or definition. It is a concept, an ideology and a methodology. It is one of those hot-button phrases that you could drop at a cocktail party and stir up a lively and philosophical discourse. However, this is not always the case. Starting up a conversation about Web 2.0 is not always easy. Not to worry, I will set you up with all the basic information you need to discuss Web 2.0 without coming off as a complete moron.

A few years ago I was in New York City with my family around the Holidays. It was near the time when I had first completely come to understand what Web 2.0 really meant, although still trying to refine my concept of its complete essence. We were at a super chill disco tech in SOHO, where I assumed that most people would have had a good understanding of what Web 2.0 was and be reasonably informed about the subject matter.

As the night progressed I became more emboldened to start up conversations with complete strangers. Not sure why, but I began subtly mixing Web 2.0 into the conversation to see if perhaps the person I was talking to had a better conceptualization of the Web 2.0 than I.

What ended up happening is people did not have a clue. Nor did they give a shit. Not surprisingly though - A fancy disco tech in a fancy neighborhood in Manhattan, what was I expecting? So if you are going to excersie your Web 2.0 conversation muscles, make sure there are plenty of people interested in technology and the internet or you might spread your conversational seeds on un-fertile ground.

Yet, the big question remaining is how do you start a conversation about Web 2.0 so that you don’t look like a web ignorant fool. No problem, remember Web 2.0 is a concept, so there are not really hard definitions or concrete structures or logic that will trip you up.

Web 2.0 is the ‘idea’ that the internet is moving from a one way exchange of information, ie user goes to website and downloads information, to a two way exchange of information - I go to a website, get information and then add some information myself. The essence of Web 2.0 is the free flowing of information between people. That is the philosophical angle.

Another major element of Web 2.0 is the design ideology surrounding the movement. Its hallmarks are simplified navigation, easy to use interfaces and shiny glossy branding. You will often hear web people make off hand references about something "looking Web 2.0" - they are just talking about aesthetics. The title graphic of this piece is typical of the designs Web 2.0 branding evokes.

There are other concepts and movements that fall under the Web 2.0 umbrella that you should be aware of, and I will list them out below. Use them as conversation starters at your own discretion and only if you have a vague understanding of what they are. Consequently, you are formally ‘on notice’ that using these phrases without understanding what they mean might make you look foolish in public. Furthermore, I take no responsibility for any awkwardness or embarrassment that you may endure by the inappropriate, or belligerently ignorant use of the following Web 2.0 related terms: The Open Source Movement, Asynchronous JavaScript and XML, Social Bookmarking, Social Networking, Application Programming Interface and Blogosphere.

I found a website online that recognizes the levels of BS surrounding Web 2.0. They have a handy tool that randomly mashes together Web 2.0 words to formulate cryptic, official sounding phrases. If you are adventurous and like to pull pranks you could use these phrase in a conversation. The beauty is, only an elite Web savvy person will be able to recognize that you are full of shit, so you will be able to blow peoples minds. Here are few: enable blogging APIs, engage long-tail blogospheres, design Cluetrain widgets, aggregate peer-to-peer feeds and engage semantic life-hacks.

Web 2.0 is a giant concept. We are just now starting to see it taking over the way we work, do business and interact online. So don’t be afraid to bring it up in conversation and see where it takes you. Look forward in the next few years expect to see a continued convergence of media and information online and of course. . . the emergence of Web 3.0.