What is Web 2.0?

Question

I see this term thrown around a lot these days, especially in business circles and articles. What is this. Is this some kind of concept? Does it mean that applications in future will be run on-line? Does it mean anything at all or is it just an "in vogue" term.

Answer 1

Web 2.0 is the second generation of the online boom. In the 90's, the US economy was pretty much dominated by companies that started based on Internet services or applications, sustained by subscriptions and fees. While these companies enjoyed significant success early, it soon became clear to investors that the business models for many of these companies was not feasible -- and many of them went bankrupt.

Recently, another group of Internet visionaries have begun to create new business models for Internet-based content -- mostly through free delivery of community-based products, sustained by advertising. This revolution of business models is beginning to attract investors again, and appears to be set to explode again like in the mid-1990s. Hence -- Web 2.0.

Answer 2

Web 2.0 simply means that users will dictate how business is run online.

This means three things:
1. Social Networking: Using the internet to connect with people from diverse areas.
2. Social Education: We teach each other. No one is an expert and no one is a student. I might know about Public Speaking but if my target audience is a 13 year old, only another 13 year old can tell me how to reach the 13 year old who'll join my class.
3. Social Information: I come to know of something. I let all my friends know. They let all their friends know. Before you know it, everyone knows.

Web 2.0, therefore, is all about user power. If you use it, you own it.

Answer 3

It basically means the use of scripts [such as php scripts or AJAX] and an intuitive site design. Usually, if you see smoothened edges, it's Web 2.0