Much like the annoying buzz of an alarm clock, Web 2.0 has become just as prevalent in internet users lives. How do I know? You're reading this article on a site that incorporates both the social and technical core of Web 2.0.

Socially, the proliferation of Web 2.0 has reached a tipping point, and has enabled the development of super publics as theorized by Danah Boyd. The essence of Web 2.0 is the social power granted to its users. Just to name a few sites: Digg.com, MySpace.com, YouTube.com, Flickr.com, Google.com, iTunes, and others have enabled unprecedented social interaction between millions of internet users. The concept of user defined interaction has long surpassed the infamous commenting systems of Slashdot.org, or forums and message boards. Users are now presented with an onslaught of powerful marketing tools to virtually market their digital identities, personal images, beliefs, and attitudes for the entire world to see. Meanwhile, those who prevail at crafting a suspiciously "unique" digital identity are now finding themselves in positions of pseudo-fame and/or potentially at the helm of Web 2.0 entities. Think Tom Anderson from MySpace, or Kevin Rose from Digg. Arguably neither of these web celebrities actually created the sites they now represent, but rather because of how they presented themselves through new media have reached celebrity status. Consequently, many users from said sites soon find themselves in positions of popularity as well (whether a gimmick or not).

Everything from finding a date, to scoring that next job interview can now be accomplished online using the same set of information users present for any number of purposes. A perfect example of this is how I got the opportunity to write for SuicideGirls. I was approached randomly by SuicideGirls' staff after they stumbled upon my personal blog. Space and time were transcended as they were able to find out everything about me in a relatively short period of time, and this is exactly the principal of networking enabled by Web 2.0 technologies.

Unfortunately, not all Web 2.0 stories are positive stories. Arguably, Web 2.0 has also given birth to Spam 2.0. Many of the sites defined by the term “social networking” are simply enablers for directing advertising at users, and subsequently allow their users to advertise themselves. Since the entire system is open to the world it is very easy for companies and groups to manipulate users for their own self-serving desires. In essence, many of these sites actually invite spam in, and call said spam “profiles,” “blogs,” “spaces,” or even “news.” Not to say all Web 2.0 content is Spam 2.0, but some of it is. To put it simply, Spam 2.0 is the selling and marketing of ideas and services, rather than goods such as Spam 1.0’s physical herbal enhancers. Meanwhile, the users and companies that provide said “content” are rarely benefiting monetarily. Strangely, some of the enablers aren’t even making money yet, meanwhile others are bringing in millions.

Overall, Web 2.0 is also defined by the new interest of venture capitalists in web properties. This second round of funding is risky, but operating costs for Web 2.0 sites are lower since they are marketing virtual services rather than requiring the physical and costly distribution centers of Web 1.0. This decreased operating cost significantly lowers the total amounts that need to be invested. If a site is a flop, it isn’t a huge loss. Where as if a site is a success, the potential for profit is overwhelming.

Whether you're a tech junky or not, Web 2.0 has had profound implications upon internet users experiences. The term Web 2.0 was supposedly coined by O'Reilly Media (thankfully, no relation to the fascist Bill O'Reilly), but its actual definition has arguably become distorted due to the massive scope of Web 2.0, for the term is now considered just a buzz.

The technical details of Web 2.0 rely on a variety of web languages that are capable of producing more efficient user interfaces (CSS, Ajax, xHTML, RSS, XML, Flash), essentially turning websites into dynamic pieces of software, rather than the static poster-board nature that was Web 1.0. A simple example of Web 2.0 is SuicideGirls' own homepage. Using a mixture of Ajax, CSS, and Flash members of this site can now shift through galleries without having to reload the browser as content is visually sifted in its designated space. Meanwhile, upon viewing a gallery users can now easily select individual images, easier set time controls, and ultimately have more control without having to reload the page. Even SuicideGirls' news page provides an RSS feed and links to Digg so users can easily track when new posts are made. Plus you can link to your Myspace account from your SG Profile.

Going back to Danah Boyd, Web 2.0 is about “making connections where none previously existed.”


Mock SG Web 2.0 logo courtesy of Web 2.0 Logo Creator