Web 2.0
What is Web 2.0?
Web 2.0 is substantial change in the way people use and interact with the World Wide Web. During the first internet boom, the main function of a website was to provide information to the end user. This was generally a one-way flow of information. With the advent of Web 2.0, the web became a more interactive experience. For a more complete description, check out the Web 2.0 Wikipedia entry. One of the best descriptions comes from O’Reilly, publisher of numerous technical books. It was at an O’Reilly conference that the term was first coined.
Does Web 2.0 really exist?
Some experts argue that “Web 2.0″ does not exist. They argue that the current use of the internet is simply an evolution of the original World Wide Web. Most agree that since the underlying technology has changed very little since the World Wide Web became popular, it is too early to identify these new websites as “Web 2.0″. These experts argue that there is no significant difference between MySpace or Facebook and Geocities, a personal web hosting service that debuted in the early 1990’s.
In spite of this, I maintain that the technologies of current Web 2.0 sites differ enough to warrant a new name. While the underlying HTML and CSS has not advanced much since the early days of the internet, new approaches to implementing these technologies deserve to be called Web 2.0.
Why am I interested?
For me, it is much more interesting than static web pages. I am interested because I work in an industry that has only made a few changes since Gutenberg. Many of the computer technologies we rely on are at least ten years old. My company remains very successful with this technology, but it fascinates me to brainstorm new ways to implement this rapidly evolving technology.
The second part of my fascination stems from another of my interests, non-profit organizations. Web 2.0 offers a completely new frontier for nonprofits. For one, the cost of producing and distributing high quality information is rapidly decreasing. Historically, nonprofits reach donors through direct mail, telephone calls, and more recently, email communications. Direct mail is very expensive, especially if you are a startup organization. Telephone solicitations can be relatively inexpensive, although they require a significant time commitment. Email is both easy to use and inexpensive, but there is little actual engagement, there is simply a one-way transmission of information. The use of Web 2.0 helps to level the playing field for startup and small nonprofits, while allowing larger organizations to increase their impact and reach. It goes without saying that younger donors and volunteers are familiar with these technologies.
