Part II - Examples of Web 2.0
Although there is little consensus about where Web 1.0 ends and 2.0 begins, there are three attributes of Web 2.0 technologies that stand out: collectivity, interactivity and user-driven content. These three characteristics tend to accompany (whether individually or in combination) the applications that are known as the participatory Web. What the longevity path looks like for these applications is yet to be determined. What we do know is that these traits in particular, will have significance for what evolves next.
Attempting to describe Web 2.0 without providing specific examples is like describing a foreign country without actually allowing you to visit it. Although there are now dozens of highly successful pioneer Web applications, here are a handful of standout market leaders branding their version of the killer app:
- YouTube is a popular free video sharing web site which lets users upload, view, and share video clips. (As of last week's sale, 1.65 billion dollars worth of 'you broadcast yourself' video clips.)
- MySpace is a social networking website offering an interactive, user-submitted network of friends, personal profiles, blogs, groups, photos, music, and videos. (52% of users are over 35 now)
Have you picked up on the theme here? You……… you share, you speak, you decide. User driven.
Additionally, there are other aspects of Web 2.0 technology becoming commonplace on the Web. The following is a random list of some of the new applications, each followed by a short description accentuated with supporting links (wikipedia).
podcast - A podcast is a multimedia file distributed over the Internet using syndication feeds, for playback on mobile devices and personal computers.
blog - A blog is a website where entries are made in journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order. Blogs often provide commentary on a particular subject (like this one) or serve as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic.
media streaming - Streaming media is media that is consumed (heard or viewed) (mostly in the form of clips) while it is being delivered. Streaming is more a property of the delivery system than the media itself.
RSS (syndication feed) - RSS (often means Really Simple Syndication) is a family of web feed formats, a simple XML-based system that allows users to subscribe to their favorite websites.
wiki - A wiki is a type of website that allows the visitors themselves to easily add, remove and otherwise edit and change some available content. This ease of interaction and operation makes a wiki an effective tool for collaborative authoring.
These emerging Web technologies are growing daily in distribution and use. The speed at which they are diffusing throughout the Internet population is much faster than typical, traditional innovations. The impact of a participatory Web will certainly reconstruct how most social institutions operate.
Currently, the Church is beginning to utilize newer online technologies in several noticeable ways. For example, some churches offer the current week's teachings online via either print, podcast or media stream. Additionally, archived material is available these same ways. Some churches are using social networking either to build community or for outreach and have their own MySpace sites, usually for their youth or college groups.
Church websites are becoming more interactive offering users richer options for exploration, providing more links and greater intuitive site design. Photo and flash technology is increasing, as is actual interactivity. What began a few years ago with guestbooking in some cases has moved to more advanced levels of interaction including blogging. Whether it's a church blog that congregants can comment on or a pastor's blog used to stimulate thought and dialog in preparation for a teaching series, leaving a message has given way to having a conversation.
Obviously, there is a raging debate about the safety, validity and effectiveness of Christians using any online means of communication to promote our faith. So, the final post in this series will conclude with a balanced look at the reminders that technological innovations can never replace personal, one-on-one relationships. The Internet is a communication vehicle, thus a tool in the hands of its users. By it's very nature can be used for good or evil.
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