We had a team meeting last week that started a mini debate into what exactly Web 2.0 is. My initial reaction was that it is just a lot of hype - I understand it’s a lot to do with web-based applications - but that generally it’s given more emphasis than it needs. I was disgareed with by many people around the table. So I decided to do a bit of research into it myself…

My first stop was Wikipedia which defines Web 2.0 as:

“a percieved second-generation of web-based communities and hosted services - such as social-networking sites, wikis and folksonomies - which aim to facilitate collaboration adn sharing between users.”

It goes on to say that it is not a new version of the web or technologies used, but to HOW the web is used. So, yes, I believe I was right in this aspect. And apparently I am not alone in my view. However, I do appreciate that the way the web is used is changing with the use of sites like Facebook, users are now expecting to get a lot more back from the web rather than just online shopping and research.

I suppose my point was how will it affect our customers? And us? The majority of sites we develop are for people who want a company brochure type site or eCommerce, so how do we incorporate Web 2.0 theories into these sites?

I will not ignore Web 2.0 and am definitely interested in the social side of the Web…I guess I just don’t like buzz words!