Free Web 2.0 Manual

Still, there are some elements of web 2.0 that are integral to the process. Perhaps a manual describing these methods and characteristics, with examples of each, would be useful. However, there is a caveat: this is not a definitive list, nor does it do more than touch the surface of Web 2.0. It's more of a signpost than a destination, and with that in mind…

Your Free Web 2.0 Manual

The best definition of the revolution of web 2.0 is simply this: it's software (and processes) that get better the more people use them. Facebook and MySpace, for example, would not be very popular if only three people used them. But because millions of people use these and other social networking sites, communities form, content is generated and shared, and people are given a richer experience.

There are four developments that have really helped change the way people work online, and they form the outline for this free web 2.0 manual:

1. Individualized Data Storage and Retrieval
2. Metadata (Tagging and Annotations)
3. Creative Commons and other Copyright Innovations
4. Unique Formulas for Manipulating Data

Individualized Data Storage and Retrieval

With the price of terabytes of storage dropping constantly, the need to throw anything digital away has disappeared. This means there is the opportunity for people to share and store all of their memories through photos, music and blogging. Programmers are constantly working on finding new algorithms to organize and easily retrieve this data, which led to the next innovation.

Metadata

One of the phrases often tossed around the Web 2.0-isphere is "semantic web." Basically, this means a web made up of information that is comprehensible by humans. Instead of using codes like "000000", the semantic web would simply use the word "black." More than that, nuances become possible, and there is no limit to the number of ways information can be labeled. While the file name may still be "FishPhoto1.jpg", the metadata embedded within the file could be "Jack Johnson's third goldfish Aldonza in the blue tank at the concert in Alpine Valley summer of 2006." Information on the type of picture, the camera used to take it, the programs used to manipulate it – all of this can now be included with that same photo. A very important part of this is the next factor:

Creative Commons and Other Copyright Innovations

One of the more amazing discoveries of the web 2.0 world is that you don't have to charge for everything in order to retain ownership. The Creative Commons organization is an example of a way that creators of content can share and still control the use of their material – specifying within the metadata if it is to be used for commercial purposes or not, and what kind of attribution is expected. As always, there is rampant piracy on the web – but the astonishing thing is that when people don't have to steal work, they are more likely to use it in a legal way, and many creators are finding reward in giving content away for use.

Unique Formulas

All of this data would be useless were it not for the technical algorithms that allows people to share this data across the internet. The power of metadata lies in the fact that it can bring together people with similar interests – all owners of fish named Aldonza, for example, can gather and share their pictures and stories through chats, podcasts, videos, etc. This is facilitated by formulas such as RSS (Really Simple Syndication) which makes it possible for people to "subscribe" to new content. Other programming innovations such as Ruby on Rails or Ajax are also good examples of web 2.0.

In the end, people are the center of web 2.0 – using the new technologies in innovative "mash-ups" of data and content to create new connections. The "2" in web 2.0 might be more appropriately representing "two-way communication" rather than "next generation." Unintended uses, scalability, decentralization and ability and right to re-format the web to the needs of the user are all the results of these four trends. Where things go from here, the road to Web 3.0, is anyone's guess – but the days of static content are over for good.