Web 2.0 Part I - What does it mean?

"...Web 2.0 is like porn. I could not define it, however i can recognize it at first sight."

Web 2.0 term was borned in a brainstorming session between O'reilly and MediaLive international in 2004. It describes the trend in the use of word wide web and web design in order to enhance information sharing and collaboration between users. Altough web 2.0 could suggest a new version of the WWW, it does not refer to any update to any technical specification ( no my friend, although your website cointains AJAX, it does not mean that is a web 2.0 application), but to changes in the way software developers and end - users uses the web.

Now the end - users are not just "information consumers" but also "information providers", using the "web as a platform" in order to add content and share it.

Web 2.0 has numerous definitions and also numerous criticisms:

"…an idea in people's heads rather than a reality. It’s actually an idea that the reciprocity between the user and the provider is what is emphasised. In other words, genuine interactivity, if you like, simply because people can upload as well as download." said Sthepen fry.

"…the philosophy of mutually maximizing collective intelligence and added value for each participant by formalized and dynamic information sharing and creation.".

"…all those Internet utilities and services sustained in a data base which can be modified by users whether in its content (adding, changing or deleting- information or associating metadates with the existing information), or how to display them, or in content and external aspect simultaneously.".

But what really means "web as a platform"...to be continued