On Thursday, we discussed Gorden Knox's panel discussion and how web 2.0 will affect all of us in our careers and our lives. To start off with, we had to define what "web 2.0" even means.
According to our class discussion - we defined Web 2.0 as a way in which individuals are utilizing internet technology to create social connections. Wikipedia defines it as such:
The term "Web 2.0" describes the changing trends in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aim to enhance creativity, communications, secure information sharing, collaboration and functionality of the web. Web 2.0 concepts have led to the development and evolution of web-culture communities and hosted services, such as social-networking sites, video sharing sites, wikis, blogs, and folksonomies. The term first became notable after the O'Reilly Media Web 2.0 conference in 2004.[1][2] Although the term suggests a new version of the World Wide Web, it does not refer to an update to any technical specifications, but rather to changes in the ways software developers and end-users utilize the Web.
We discussed a little about what the web was like in the 90s and compared it to today's version. Social networking sites, image and video sharing, user created/customized/generated content, access and input to knowledge, ability to review and critique products directly on the seller's website, the ability to connect with like minded people and share knowledge and skills to collaborate - its all focused on one key aspect - the web is now all about the user!
Even commercial sites like Nike or Mini have to have fun, engaging and interactive content to get users to stay on their sites. There are so many other sites that provide information, entertain or pleasure on the internet - there is no reason to spend anytime on a commercial site unless the company makes the content engaging and allows for the user to customize their experience.
We discussed how this concept of interaction and customization can be seen in other formats as well - specifically in regards to how the television and music industries have been transformed in the past decade. With OnDemand technology and the ability to watch television shows online, combined with the ability to just simply skip over commercials, we questioned what the future of television would be like in the next few years?
We also questioned whether or not the concept of interaction would affect typically passive forms of entertainment like movies and television. Would games, which generally allow for some customization, also be affected?
What would the current generation who is growing up knowing nothing other than the web 2.0 society expect from their content providers in the future? How can we anticipate these demands? How can we participate in directing the course our industries take as they arc through history?
We clearly established that Web 2.0 is not something that only graphic designers and web developers should be concerned with. This is a far reaching, societal movement - it may be based on a computer screen but its reach touches every facet of our existence.
If you are not yet familiar with the concept of web 2.0, please research it further and pay attention to new media and news stories which pertain to this concept!
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