Get To Know Web 2.0

Everyone throws around the term Web 2.0. They know about MySpace.com and Wikipedia.com because of the publicity surrounding them, but I’m convinced most of them don’t have a clear grasp on the range of technologies covered by this term.

Let’s review the web services, peer-to-peer networking, blogs, podcasts and social networks that constitute Web 2.0.

Blogs
Also known as Web logs, these sites are online journals that allow the host or blogger to post comments, text, photos, graphics and links on a regular basis. Visitors to the site often can respond by posting their own comments. There are a number of blog types: photoblogs, videoblogs, podcasts, and even online portfolios called sketchblogs.

Collaborative Tools
Many Web 2.0 tools are services that will replace desktop applications. Google has rolled out a number of them, such a Google Docs & Spreadsheets. This service allows you to store documents and spreadsheets online and to allow others access for collaborative purposes.

Collective Intelligence
These are system designed to tap the collective rather than the individual for decision-making. The popular del.icio.us and flickr.com are examples of the use of collective intelligence.

Mash-Ups
hese combine data or content from multiple sources into an integrated experience. HousingMaps.com is an excellent example or a mashup. It takes craigslist data and plots it on Google maps to show where real estate is available for rent or to buy.

Peer-to-Peer Networking
Sometimes called P2P, peer-to-peer networking is a technique for efficiently sharing files either over the Internet or within a closed set of users. Files are stored on many machines, not just on one server. This speeds access to the files. An example of a peer-to-peer network is Napster, the original music-sharing system.

Podcasts
These are multimedia blogs using audio or video content instead of just text and images. Podcasts often are distributed through aggregators like iPodder, Doppler and iTunes.

RSS
Often referred to as Really Simple Syndication, RSS allows people to subscribe to online feeds of information such as news, blogs, and podcasts. Feedster.com is an aggregator that distributes a wide variety of feeds.

Social Networking
This refers to systems where members may share information about their hobbies, talents or knowledge. LinkedIn.com is an example of a business-oriented social network. Gather.com is an example of a more personal one.

Wiki – Wiki is the Hawaiian word for “fast.”
A wiki, such as Wikipedia, is a collaborative publishing system that allows visitors to add, remove, edit and change content.