Introducing Web 2.0

This unit provides the video and the transcription with the explanation about interpersonal computing, web services and software as a service (SaaS) as the three key aspects of the Web 2.0. It is produced and presented by Christopher Barnatt, author of ExplainingComputers.com, and Associate Professor of Computing & Future Studies in Nottingham University.

Transcription

I'm going to talk about internet developments wellknow as 2.0.

Defining exactly what is meant by Web 2 is about as difficult as naling a gelly to a wall.

That's said, most people agree the Web 2.0 involves making new and improved forms of online connection between two or more people, between to or more online services, or between individual uses of software applications.

Identifying this three aspects in connection also enables us to isolate this key aspects where to is being: inter personal computing, web services and software as a service.

Interpersonal computing is about using online technology to connect people to each other in social networks or business teams.
The key interpersonal computing aspects of the Web 2.0 are that things like social networking sites, wikis, blogs, and online video.

Examples of these include facebook and myspace for social networking, Wikipedia, blog creation sites like Blogger and video host including cultura and youtube.

All of the sites allow anybody to add as well as to access content to leave messages and comments and to exchange digital media including photographs and video.

Web services are components of online functionality that can be plugged together like a kind digital Lego in order to create an integrated online offering all mashup.

For exemple many companies use the Web Services of the payment service provider such as wellpay or Paypal in order to allow them to easily take credit card payments online.

This results in customers interacting with two organizations that automatically interlink by the Internet.

There's another common example. Web services are also frequently mashed together to integrate a map and related data from one website into another.

For example the property website Rightmove integrates local information from about my place which in turn obtains its maps from Microsoft Virtual Earth.
And there's third simple illustration: anybody can cut and paste a YouTube video embed link to create a webpage which is drawing content from two sources and with youtube here providing the webservice video hosting.

The final key aspect of Web 2 is Software as a Service or SAS: this involves application functionality being offered directly over the Internet.

In turn using data and applications can be accessed from any internet-enabled computing device.

For some years human resources and project management applications have been successfully offered over the Internet and companies including Employease and Clarizen.

However online replacements for personal desktop applications are now also available.

For example, Google Docs is an online word processing, spreadsheet and presentation package available for free over the web.

As an alternativa, Zoho also offers a Microsoft Office compatible such as online applications together with tools for project management and other business functions.

And there's another example, Juce has launched a free online desktop that also enables people to access the files from anywhere and to share them with others.

Many people are still dismissing web 2 as the latest marketing hint.

However this is probably only because they are unaware that of the online service and applications to livery aspects and enhance mistaking the concept that it has been about not more a teenage social networking.

However in terms of both business and computing, over the next few years, web 2 is likely to change the ways in which many companies will bring together, as well as the means by which many of us well access all data and software applications.

Not least to purchase an installation of expensive standalone software is likely to reduce substantially.

And in turn this will impact on existing key industry players like Microsoft.

As Google and also web 2 banners are shown, a new business model is becoming possible.

This involves providing basic applications and services for free and then charging a small minority of users for service support, customization or association.

One challenge ahead it to see how robust and more broadly applicable this web 2 business model may be.

As web 2 takes hold, many companies will need to oughter their online strategy.

The old web 1 business model was based around building a great website and just hoping that people will pay a visit.

However in the web 2 age, it is known that most people go when they first logon and this is to Web 2 sites such as MySpace, Facebook or Youtube.

Inhabiting these website loggations where customers are known to be, lots are just expecting people to pay companies and and website to visit, therefore it has to become a key online strategy.

Hopefully this video has given you an improved understanding of Web 2 and its implications.