Web 2.0 moved the web from static HTML to a dynamic and interactive experience. It allowed people to share, collaborate, and participate in online communities without needing advanced technical skills.
Unlike Web 1.0’s one-way communication, Web 2.0 transformed the web into a two-way conversation between users and publishers. It empowered individuals to become both content consumers and creators.
2. Examples of Web 2.0 Applications
- Hosted services: Google Maps
- Web applications: Google Docs, Flickr
- Video sharing: YouTube
- Wikis: MediaWiki
- Blogs: WordPress
- Social networking: Facebook, Twitter
- Folksonomies (tagging): Delicious
- Microblogging: Twitter
- Podcasting: Podcast Alley
3. Advantages of Web 2.0
- Accessible anytime, anywhere
- Supports multiple media formats
- Easy to use and learn
- Encourages active user participation
- Builds dynamic learning communities
- Immediate updates and real-time discussions
- Tracks edits and contributions
4. Key Features of Web 2.0
- Folksonomy – User tagging and classification of content.
- Rich User Experience – Interactive, responsive content.
- User Participation – Reviews, comments, and user-generated content.
- Software as a Service (SaaS) – APIs for integration and automation.
- Mass Participation – Widespread access and contribution from diverse users.
5. Blogs, Wikis, and Social Networking
Blogs
Online journals or commentary platforms, often focused on specific topics. Examples: TechCrunch, Mashable, Gadgetbyte Nepal.
Wikis
Collaborative websites that allow multiple contributors to create and edit content. Example: Wikipedia.
Social Networking
Platforms for creating user profiles, connecting with others, and sharing media. Examples: Facebook, Twitter, MySpace.
6. Collective Intelligence
Shared group knowledge emerging from collaboration and interaction. Examples include:
- Wikipedia – Crowdsourced encyclopedia.
- Amazon – Product recommendations and reviews.
- Google – Search results influenced by user data.
7. Tagging & Folksonomies
Folksonomy is a user-driven system of tagging and categorizing online content.
Examples:
- Flickr
- Twitter Hashtags
- WordPress tags
This approach enhances discoverability and collaboration across educational, business, and social platforms.
8. AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML)
AJAX is not a language, but a technique for creating faster, more dynamic web applications by enabling asynchronous communication between the browser and server — without reloading the page.
Core Components:
- HTML & CSS for layout
- XML/JSON for data exchange
- JavaScript & DOM manipulation
- XMLHttpRequest for background server communication
Benefits:
- Faster page interactions
- Smooth user experience
- Background data retrieval
- Partial page updates
Example: Live search suggestions that update instantly as you type.
Final Thoughts
Web 2.0 revolutionized the internet by making it social, participatory, and dynamic. From blogs and wikis to AJAX-driven applications, it set the stage for today’s highly interactive and connected online experiences.
