Task: What applications or ’services’ do you think are web 2.0 indicative? Take a look at the Internet Communications Blinklist. Think about the format and usability of a website/html written list with this same information.
Log entry: Web 2.0 applications are ones that give ‘everyday’ Internet users simple tools to make their own web spaces. Social networking sites, blogs and video-sharing sites are good examples.
This video from Michael Wesch gives a great overview of how Web 2.0 is changing the way we use the Internet.
Web 2.0 applications offer users the chance to:
- personalise – for example, by posting their images, videos or comments
- organise their information how they want – for example, by using widgets and tags
- choose what they want to see
- move their information more easily between applications
The key difference between the Internet Communications Blinklist and one in a html format is that it allows input from users – for example, they can rate the items listed. A standard html page tends to be static and only allows one-way communication (from the website to the user).
While Web 2.0 applications give users more capacity to control and organise their information, they may also greatly increase the amount of information that people have to deal with. This means that users need more discernment and ability to manage that information effectively (ironically, perhaps using Web 2.0 tools).
