Understanding the Web 2.0 phenomenon.

Those who have been Internet users for more than five or so years are certainly aware that the World Wide Web has changed a great deal in recent history. The Web 2.0 definition, although not commonly agreed upon, is frequently used to describe the current state of the Internet, as it continues to evolve into a more complete computing platform rather than a marketing and information resource.

Interactivity is a key component of Web 2.0 today. While in the past many companies approached having a World Wide Web presence as a necessary component of their marketing outreach to consumers, with Web 2.0, that mindset is changing. With Web 2.0, websites are no longer primarily viewed as static entities that direct information from a business to its consumers.

Perhaps the best way to describe Web 2.0 is as emerging Internet technology in action. Still better yet, the phrase next generation might accurately reflect Web 2.0 today, and what it is to become in the future. The technology itself is not Web 2.0. The way that Internet users utilize advanced online functionality is what Web 2.0 is all about.

Even if you have never heard the phrase Web 2.0 before, you have likely seen evidence of it. Your own website very well may contain components attributed to Web 2.0  For example, both blogs and AdSense are representative of Web 2.0. Even the commonly used Internet language abbreviations, such as LOL and TTYL, are examples of the Web 2.0 definition in practice.

Additional website styles and features that represent the move toward Web 2.0 are seen in highly collaborative social networking websites such as Digg, Wikipedia, MySpace and more. All of the dynamic aspects of highly interactive tools for multimedia online communication and resources are part of Web 2.0.

As Web 2.0 becomes more fully integrated across all aspects of the World Wide Web, the result to users will be a rich environment for both networking and research.  As social networking technology advances with the development of Web 2.0, live events featuring real-time networking and collaboration will become commonplace in the online arena.

Deep linking between websites will reduce the need for search engines in seeking out content. Instead, Internet users will be able to link directly from one website to another to find desired information. The end result will be a World Wide Web where users will be able to access and retrieve vast amounts of relevant information much more quickly and easily than ever before thought possible.

Web 2.0 also offers a framework for organizing and managing the vast amounts if video, audio, and information that pass back and forth online. The RSS feeds that have become such a popular component of many successful blogs and bulletin board style websites are an example of how Web 2.0 helps users manage the vast amount of information available online today.

Web 2.0 represents an online environment that is constantly changing and adapting to technological advances that impact the purpose, function, and use of the Internet in daily life.  Rather than trying to write an over-simplified Web 2.0 definition, a better way to understand Web 2.0 today is to get involved with the Web 2.0 phenomenon yourself.