Web 2.0: natural trend

Web 2.0 is a new stage in the development of the Internet. But when it started is unknown. But one thing is clear: the way it was before and what will happen next, not is Web 2.0. But the current state of the Internet – just it. Why? Internet time of its inception consisted of files and documents that combine references. Then the image was not even loaded on a Web page, and the Internet seemed so outlandish thing that only some had an access: research institute, programmers and other people who followed technologies. This period is called “Web 1.0.”

The buzz was around the site, technology and the human factor, that is usability, receded into the background, to the best of times, so to speak. These best times have come with the advent of Web 2.0 period. Now, the attention is paid to users' interests, needs and tasks to be solved online. Typically, these requirements mean the one – to express yourself.

Web 2.0 describes just that stage of development of the Internet, where all of its features are directed:

• to provide users with convenient communication via the network,
• to simplify information exchange process on the Internet,
• to turn the Internet into a friend, the space where you can work and relax.

Usually, to simplify the understanding of the “Web 2.0” are used multiple approaches / principles.

1st principle regards Web 2.0 as a platform. In fact, Web 2.0 is a set of rules and solutions, by which you can develop applications that can run directly from the network. In another way, these applications are called – Rich Internet Applications, Software of the new generation. What is its essence? It is set on the server of the manufacturer, but it is accessible to any user via a standard browser. So, instead of the traditionally uncomfortable software box – another comfortable service that users may want to at any time and that he will be available for just a browser.

The main advantage of this method is that the application can be further developed collectively. That is, if necessary, any user has the opportunity to make suggestions to improve it online. In turn, it is easier for software manufacturers: no need to analyze a lot of messages with tips from users to understand what improvements are needed, and what – no. As an example is Google with a mass of its services. Google AdWords, Google Analytics, Google Docs, Google Maps and it's only a small part of the total array of services and features that provides world famous company.

2nd principle considers Web 2.0 as a set of tools that placed development to a new level. Such tools include, for example, AJAX technology. It allows you to change web page content without reloading. Clicking the right button, you can get the required information. You don't need to waste time to move to another page.

Another tool – RSS-Feed. It placed on blogs and news resources. With it, we can get the latest posts from our favorite blogs. RSS collects all the interesting with the different resources in a single, user-friendly location. There are even websites, the contents of which are fully formed by the use of RSS-technology.

An important component of Web 2.0 are Peer network, or torrents. Their principle of operation are as follows: they are grouped together with thousands of users, each of which contains files with different information. When we download some of these materials, downloading goes directly from all users who are interested in. That is no one large data storage, as it was before. It's much easier to download now, because the bandwidth above the torrent. When the download was carried out with a single server, it suffered heavy overload, in the result the process of downloading took more time. 

Third principle, capable to simplify the interpretation of the concept of Web 2.0 and its sociality. It's worth to remember Wikipedia. It is believed that this platform is a good example of how people create their own story, create a free encyclopedia of knowledge. Wikipedia was formed in 2001 as a complement / supplement to the existing encyclopedia Nupedia. Over 12 years of active development Wikipedia has acquired 24 million articles freely available. That is, we use them as an authoritative guide. Few would deny that the urge to Google or synchronize data with Wikipedia is a habit that struck a new generation of Internet users. (And just Web 2.0 trained us to take up free information, with which we are trying to figure out.).

“Collective intelligence” – that can be expressed the scheme by which Wikipedia operates. Some people believe that the crowd is stupid, it is driven by the herd instinct. The opposite view goes something like this: the knowledge of many people who join the group, is often far more valuable than the knowledge of one person. However, it does not mean that the united people wise up. It all depends on the purpose for which the group is formed. If it is uncontrolled and spontaneous formation, nothing good will come of it (think distressed / happy football fans or commuters at rush hour). But if there is a clear statement of the problem and the action of strictly controlled, there is every reason to believe that such a crowd would be wiser than one participant.

Take, for example, LiveJournal. Publications appear here every day, and can be written by anyone. As well as comments under each post. And comments, very often can seriously affect the perception of the entire publication. Generally, the comments cause disputes, discussions, appear to solve old problems, and new ones. This is the work together, each like and defend their views, but still it is collective intelligence is viewed.

YouTube is another example of how the collective intelligence helped to create authoritative Web 2.0 site, this time – the world's largest video hosting. Here you can download and view any type of video content. The main advantage of the site is that we can find a new-fangled music videos and TV shows, and vintage records. YouTube also took care of easy downloading videos from the site to the other one, including social networks, which is very convenient. YouTube is completely identified with videos, such as Pampers with diapers, and Xerox – with any photocopier.

Speaking of Web 2.0 and social, will be incorrectly ignore Internet Marketing. And it is the fruit of Web 2.0 products and solutions. Thanks to social media, blogs, and a variety of opportunities Internet advertising plays a huge role. When the Internet was in its infancy, as a major advertising platform were newspapers, magazines, handouts, and other types of outdoor advertising. Today, the Internet is seriously helps out a lot of companies that are planning to enter the market or wish to strengthen their dominance here. The development of social networks, new and at the same time – products and brands - it all becomes real thanks to the Internet.

Moreover, there are many tools with which you can reach consumers. Contextual advertising, banners, videos – all this disarms the target audience. Internet unleashes any brand. Here you can start advertising campaign, just to draw attention , organize a competition, which is at stake – trendy phone or a trip abroad, and many others. etc.

The age of Web 2.0 has made the business: we can express ourselves in the networks, without limiting yourself with anything. Moreover, we have the right to choose: it will be text publication (Wikipedia), or images. Today, the Internet is a mass of various social networks and websites, looks like a social sphere. Users have powerful tools on building ad campaign, image formation, sales, dating and socializing in the end.

In recent years particularly developed photo hostings, largely due to the tendency to perceive information figuratively, to express emotions and thoughts concisely. The popularity of photo hosting has brought the habit of a person stand out from the crowd, do well to be remembered. And if the word is not given to everyone, the images will work wonders. Just visit from time to time Instagram or Pinterest and find out what is manifested in the tendency of current Internet users.

Which of the above can be concluded? All the sites which we like do not require much effort from us to understand their contents are made in the spiritof Web 2.0. There is RSS? You can add your own publication? Is it possible to download music? This is the era of sites Web 2.0.