There is no Web 2.0 or Web 3.0 or Web "number dot whatever"
By Jonathan Schlaffer
Buzz words are all around us and today’s buzzword seems to be Web 2.0 or variations of it; even Web 3.0 is being tossed around. While this is likely to refer to a service rather than the Internet as a whole, I detest the use of the term. You cannot assign a version number in part or in whole to the Internet; no matter how hard you try, it won’t work.
The Internet today is basically the same as it was back in the 1980s. The computers are faster, the networks are faster but the underlying technologies are basically the same.
Some articles suggest a kind of “web hierarchy” that describe a level of Internet services. Basic services like email, for instance fall outside of the Web 2.0 designation. EBay would be an example of a Web 2.0 service, according to Tim O’Reilly.
I accept that the World Wide Web is evolving and that the Internet is evolving but assigning either “version” numbers in the traditional sense or assigning services hierarchal “version” numbers on them is insane to say the least. You get them all from the same source, they are all part of the same network. Evolved yes but the same network.
The World Wide Web is organic by nature, the way it is right now as I’m typing this will not be the same even 24 hours from now nor will it be the same next week or even a year from now. Something that changes so much can’t, by nature, have version numbers. Stop using them, I will ignore anyone who does and outside of using them of examples why they shouldn’t be used, will not use them myself.
“Web 2.0″ may be a concept/collection of ideas/services but something so intangible does not need or require version numbers, does it?
I will say “new web services” without using “version” designations. Of course, that’s my own personal view of the situation, you can feel free to disagree.
Related:
Entry was posted
on Friday, April 18th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
under
Read more entries by Jonathan Schlaffer.
Stumble It!
April 19th, 2008
Jonathan,
I see that you come from a technical background and I can see your detest towards the “2.0″ or “whatever no”. Though I do not quite agree.
Here are my reasons of why it is the way it is:
1) To ensure that there is a worldwide acceptance of internet, you need to repackage and pesent the benefits in a “New” wrapper. This wrapper is essentially, the new web based services which has changed the traditional application creation and the way people use internet.
2) Everything changes. So why not the name of the Web? While the world conspires to change the name of web, it gets mor acceptance with the new benefits thrown in front of the new users and gives a fresh breeze to the existing ones.
3) Every new change sees resistance, however, if the change is positive and beneficial, it does take over and presents the new world.
I feel it’s important that Web 2.0 as a term gets popularized and helps more organizations worldwide to adopt the benefits of the advanced web based services and applications and bring in whole new opportunities and growth!
April 25th, 2008
Yes, but what about “The Grid”? (Check it out on wikipedia.)