Web 2.0

Article By:

Gupta, Pranshu Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, DeSales University, Center Valley, Pennsylvania.

Last reviewed:March 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.743150

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• Web 2.0 technologies, published June 2012:Download PDF Get Adobe Acrobat Reader

The second generation of the World Wide Web (WWW), which is more dynamic and interactive than its predecessor, Web 1.0. Although the term Web 2.0 follows the trend to number the new releases or versions of software products, in reality the term is nothing more than a name for a set of Internet-based tools and how to use these tools to encourage users to participate and share opinions and resources, thus creating a colossal content online for other users (see illustration). In contrast with Web 1.0 where Internet users were “passive” in the sense that most of what the users did was to read static Web pages or pages that were rarely updated, Web 2.0 is a paradigm where a set of Internet-based tools and their use emphasize peers' social interaction and collective intelligence. This way, Web 2.0 not only helps users contribute to a Web site's content but also follow up with the Web site's latest content without even opening the actual Web page. Based on these features, Web 2.0 is commonly known as the wisdom Web, people-centric Web, participate Web, and read/write Web. Most Web 2.0 sites include a search engine that helps users locate the content other users have created. This technology has a more democratic approach than its predecessor, allowing all the citizens of the Web (webizens) to share and distribute their ideas and information. Although there are concerns about intellectual property, proprietary information, privacy, security, and control, Web 2.0 technologies can also help improve the collaboration and communication within the corporate environment and also across the multiple vertical industries. See also: Internet; World Wide Web

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