What Does Web 2.0 Mean to a Nigerian Web Developer?
It has been a while since the term “Web 2.0″ has been making a buzz around the webspace and as usual, global web brands as well as web developers and enthusiasts have helped spread the word. Often described as the next generation of the internet, Web 2.0 has meant several things to several people.
If you ask me, I think Web 2.0 is simply the web re-branded for business and social interaction. Although, we’ve seen several definitions of Web 2.0 from various sources, none describes it as the make-believe we see in the movies. It’s real.
Tim O’Reilly, the guy who originated the Web 2.0 term described it in the following traits:
- The Web As Platform
- Harnessing Collective Intelligence
- Data is the Next Intel Inside
- End of the Software Release Cycle
- Lightweight Programming Models
- Software Above the Level of a Single Device
- Rich User Experiences
Recently there has been several debates as to what Web 2.0 really is. See this post by Jeremy Zawodny. (Thanks to Ezra Olubi for sharing this link).
After reading all of the comments on that post, I seem to agree with this one:
Web 2.0 is all about user created content and user define experiences (AJAX) and massive data bases at the user’s disposal. The web became a integral part of life. - Joe Zawodny
While most people feel Web 2.0 is just a marketing buzz, I’m wondering what Nigerian web enthusiasts feel. So you can tell us what you think Web 2.0 is, so we can benefit from different perspectives.
My question is: What is Web 2.0 to you?
At first i used to think web 2.0 was all about user-interface, cool graphics & sleek looking CSS buttons. But i later realized that the term goes beyond that. It is simply just a name for the current web trends; from AJAX, good usability, simple web apps, blogging(& micro-blogging), user-based sites, taggging/bookmarking sites etc. (I can’t mention them all).
I agree that web 2.0 is essentially about the transition to more interactive and user led experiences. I don’t agree it’s about technology, I’ve seen some really bad AJAX products albeit with slick transitions and what not.
Professionally I’ve already heard talk of Web 4.0! Don’t know what happened to 2.5 or 3 or….
I hope Nigerian developers grab hold of the positive end of all this mumbo jumbo. Light websites giving users control and privacy, with a focus on good experiences online that extend offline, let’s define a new web called Web9ija!