The term Web 2.0 has gained much online controversy and notoriety. Since its declaration by Tim O’Reilly and subsequent inception in 2004, more and more people are becoming conscious of establishing their online presence under the flagship of Web 2.0 machinations and applications.
But what exactly is Web 2.0? Its fiercest critics say that Web 2.0 is a mere vague term for the evolution of the web in the twentieth century. They say that it is meaningless and useless to name all new changes to the web as Web 2.0. Still, a lot of people dig the concept of Web 2.0 and are tailoring their online operations to suit the Web 2.0 standards.
Superior Interaction
The websites that are under Web 2.0 standards are known for superior interaction between its web developers and the people who visit it. It is no longer a static avenue that users visit for unquestionable pieces of information. This is now an avenue where you can derive information and at the same time, have the ability to interact with the website maker. The applications of Web 2.0 removes the boundaries that keep Internet users from bridging the gap and really forming an authentic relationship with the maker of the website. From being a mere portal for research, the Web 2.0 applications have made it possible to merge different views together and keep the interaction alive and kicking in the page.
Social Networking
People who visit the Web 2.0 applications and websites tend to team up and make more meaningful ventures together in the future. While static traditional Web usage will not really allow for such tie-ups, the environment of Web 2.0 actually allows people with similar pursuits and interests to connect with each other and share more information that could be helpful to both of them.
Superb Customizable Quality
Another amazing thing about the Web 2.0 is that you will find it so easily customizable. It is not something generic. It unleashes each user’s individuality and uses those distinct characteristics to enhance what they have to offer. Being an owner of a Web 2.0 standard page is a real delight, since you will find more and more people really benefiting from your site and harnessing the power of the Internet to express themselves. It is a win-win situation for both the maker and the user.
Sharing
Sharing is very much encouraged in a Web 2.0 platform. You will find that more and more people will be drawn and inclined to share what they benefit so much from. There will be little need to advertise because the links shall naturally work for themselves as long as users are being satisfied and maintained in making use of the services in the famous Web 2.0 applications. Websites such as Wikipedia, thrive under this redefined way of using the Internet.
Simplicity
Most of the Web 2.0 sites are well-known for their simplicity. You will find that their functionality overrides the need to be fancy or impressive. The interface is friendly to cater to needs of users of all levels, ages and stages. You do not need to be a computer geek to be able to make use and take advantage of the Web 2.0 platforms because it is made as easy as possible for the users and as sophisticatedly simple and elegant for programmers.
Strength in Numbers
Web 2.0 designs thrive in numbers. You will find that the more famous a Web 2.0 site is, the more established and useful it becomes. It makes all people in the cycle of information dissemination grow. End users find themselves at an advantage with the variety of choices the Web 2.0 applications have provided them with. The makers of Web 2.0 experience a lot of support from their counterparts and their end users, and are perpetually motivated to be at their best.
These benefits make Web 2.0 so attractive for so many people. However, you will find that the term Web 2.0 can be quite vague. When will it stop? Will there be a Web 3.0 to continue the legacy of this summit? There are just so many questions being invited by this controversial issue. It is mainly due to the fact that the boundary lines for Web 2.0 and the traditional first version of the Web is just so blurred and not so clearly demarcated.
As the most popular social networking web site in North America, MySpace has a huge membership, especially among the younger generation. MySpace has now announced that it is negotiating with Sony, Universal and Warner Music in order to create its own digital music portal and compete with the likes of Apple’s iTunes and Amazon.com’s MP3 store.
The company says that the new site will be introduced in the next few months, and will be a “transformative music experience for the user.” MySpace currently has over 110 million registered users, and an estimated 30 million of those regularly use the site’s built in music features. In addition, many big-name music acts have music embedded on their MySpace pages.
Their transition from social networking to downloadable music provider could be a smooth one, considering that MySpace already features MP3 players and other music and media tools on its flagship web site. Of course pricing and inventory will play a big part in the success or failure of the new site.
MySpace has not discussed the pricing of their music tracks yet, but a company spokesman reported that the pricing is “going to be very competitive and in the formats that they want.” The company has also announced that many of their music downloads will be available without any digital rights management technology, so that consumers are free to use the music on any device.
This is a stark contrast from Apple’s iTunes, which offers only a very limited selection of music without digital rights management. It appears that the new MySpace music portal will follow in the footsteps of the Amazon.com music store, which uses no digital rights protection, and makes music tracks unavailable in a variety of formats, including standard and high quality unprotected MP3 files.
The online music market is beginning to get pretty crowded, and MySpace’s new music site will only increase the competitiveness. Apple’s iTunes recently surpassed Wal-Mart as the biggest music retailer in the United States, and there is plenty of other competition in the digital music world. Besides Amazon.com, music portals such as eMusic and SpiralFrog are expanding their reach, hungry for a share of the huge online music market.
In order to compete with the growing competition online, the new MySpace music site will also sell concert tickets, band T-shirts and other related paraphernalia. The company is hoping they can convert their 110 million members into MySpace Music consumers. By integrating the music site closely with their current site, MySpace could have a very good chance of successfully competing with iTunes, and becoming a major player in digital music sales.
What is Bebo? That’s the question many people are asking today. Businessweek.com is reporting that AOL has pulled out it’s sizable checkbook to purchase the pre-teen social networking website known as Bebo. Buying Bebo gives AOL access to their growing teen and preteen audience, as well as providing a way to compete with the other big social networks online, including MySpace and Facebook.
AOL will pay $850 million for the California-based Bebo, a move which surprised many analysts. Bebo is a relatively small web site, but their growth has been significant over the past year, and they’re now the third most popular social networking site online.
“Old media” corporations are in a bit of a feeding frenzy, seeking to buy into the social networking bandwagon. Rupert Murdoch’s NewsCorp purchased MySpace a few years back for $580 million, and Facebook has received plenty of offers as well, though the company has remained independent thus far.
Bebo was established in 2005 and currently has 40 million users around the world. The influx of preteens to the site has helped Bebo grow significantly over the past year. Visits to the web site have increased by 60% from January of 2006, and Bebo now boasts approximately 7.1 million unique hits per month.
Even though Bebo is growing at an impressive rate, its user statistics are still humble compared to MySpace’s global audience of more than 100 million. Facebook also has a significant advantage, with over 64 million members and a 200% increase in visits to the site over the past 15 months.
But where MySpace and Facebook have focused on attracting older teens and young adults, Bebo is attempting to carve out a niche for itself with the younger teen and preteen audience. The challenge AOL will face in adding Bebo to its roster of online real estate is to differentiate the site from the other popular social networks.
AOL CEO Randy Falco says that the company plans to merge Bebo with AOL’s instant messenger service, and monetize the site through teen-oriented advertising. Analysts predict that advertising on social networks will increase to $2.89 billion in 2009.
Bebo established itself quickly as an online presence, and garnered coveted partnerships with the likes of MTV, CBS and even the BBC. AOL will seek to expand the site, and the challenge will be to bring in the advertising dollars without alienating Bebo’s notoriously fickle teen demographic.
Users of social networking sites — especially teen users — are known to be wary of heavily advertised, overly commercial ventures. Bebo’s members could quickly bail on the site if they sense Bebo is becoming too predictable and commercial. So in this sense, AOL must walk a tight rope between increasing the advertising revenue of the site, while maintaining Bebo’s low-key, irreverent attitude. Whether AOL can successfully turn a profit from Bebo will depend on the subtlety of its adverts, and the uniqueness of content it can contribute to the site.
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The biggest thing online at the moment is social networking. Web sites such as Facebook and MySpace are hugely popular, with millions of members from around the world. Facebook, for example, currently has over 50 million users and is growing at a meteoric rate. But what’s the next big trend online going to be? That, as they say, is the billion-dollar question.
Web experts are predicting that 3-D virtual communities are the wave of the future. Forbes.com quotes a study by the Gartner research group that predicts a staggering 80% of regular Internet users will take part in a 3-D online community by the year 2011. That amounts to an astounding 250 million people.
These predictions have not gone unnoticed by the biggest players in the industry, and advertising agencies are already chomping at the bit for a chance to get their message in front of such a huge potential market of Internet users. But what will be 3-D social networking communities of tomorrow look like?
Many analysts predict that online communities of tomorrow will feature virtual worlds similar to the biggest online multiplayer games out today, such as World of War Craft. This could mean that, instead of reading the day’s headlines on your homepage, your avatar (a 3-D character representing you) could be reading them instead in a virtual world.
Plans are already in the works for virtual malls, nightclubs, bookstores and other commercial ventures, as well as sponsored virtual concerts and book tours. In fact, many of these virtual items are already being used in virtual worlds such as Second Life. So how will the virtual social networking communities of tomorrow be different from Second Life (which already has 11 million registered users) and other 3-D worlds already in place today?
The biggest difference is likely to be accessibility. As technology advances, the 3-D virtual worlds of tomorrow will be easier to function within than those currently unavailable. Another difference is that the 3-D worlds currently online are appealing to a very specific demographic. Mostly either serious gamers, or those who wish to escape to a fantasy world.
But the social networking 3-D sites are likely to be much more grounded in reality. Think of Facebook profile pages connected to a 3-D environment in which you and your friends could “hang out” in an online virtual world.
One web site, Kaneva, is already jumping on the 3-D social networking bandwagon. On Kaneva, users create virtual “homes” instead of profile pages, and can upload their favorite photos, music and videos to their online home to share with friends. Kaneva also has its own currency they can be used to buy or sell virtual goods and services within the online world.
So far, virtual worlds have been the domain of the geeks among us, but as social networking creeps into virtual reality, we are likely to see a huge shift taking place online. The MySpace or Facebook of tomorrow will likely be a place where you socialize naturally within a virtual 3-D environment — and it won’t be limited to just computer nerds, gamers and fantasy world enthusiasts.
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The social networking web site, Facebook, has been increasing in popularity over the past year one. The concept of Facebook, like all so-called social networking sites, is to attract users that provide content to the site. The site owners then profit from this enormous input of user generated content as the site becomes more and more popular.
But lately, users of social networking sites such as Facebook are demanding to get paid for their participation. The latest example of this comes courtesy of the Canadian-based advertising network, Weblo, which empowers Facebook users to sell ads on their profile pages via an easy-to-use advertising application, or “ad widget.”
So far, more than 1500 members of Facebook have placed advertisements from the Weblo network on their profile pages. The problem? Advertising on user profiles is in direct violation of Facebook’s terms of service.
So far, Facebook has taken no action to curtail users selling ads on their profile pages, and with good reason: many of the users incorporating ads into their profiles are extremely popular, and attract a great deal of attention to Facebook by their participation. In other words, by alienating their most popular members, Facebook could be cutting off its nose to spite his face.
As a result, Facebook is walking a fine line between enforcing their stated terms of service, and keeping their users from jumping ship to join another social networking site such as MySpace, to name one example.
But many people think that users of social networking sites have every right to sell ad space on their profile pages. At the end of the day, the sites would have no content — and thus, no profit — without the contributions of their users. Therefore it makes sense that if users are responsible for the site’s success, they should also be able to make a few bucks off of their participation.
But this logic worries many social networking web sites, not just Facebook. MySpace and YouTube are two other wildly popular sites that are entirely dependent upon the contributions of their users. If those same users began demanding a piece of the action for their participation on the site, the Web could quickly wind up as one giant billboard (some say it already is!).
More and more, the question of user generated content, and how it should be compensated (if at all) is becoming an issue online. How Facebook handles its current situation will likely have far-reaching consequences throughout the Web, especially for mega-popular social networking sites like YouTube and MySpace.
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Even though Yahoo continues trail Google by a considerable margin in users of their Yahoo search engine, the California-based company continues to do well in other areas, including their flagship Yahoo Network. But now Yahoo is trying to make inroads into the growing online social networking craze with a new site called “Kickstart.”
Kickstart is being described as a social networking portal for college students desiring a more professional online presence than either Facebook or MySpace can offer. With Kickstart, Yahoo is trying to bring a new dimension to social networking, by focusing on current college students and recent graduates. The idea is that students can use the Kickstart service to locate internships, jobs, or just to get general career advice.
Like Facebook or other social networking sites, Kickstart invites the user to create a profile, including information on their university, present internships or jobs, and interests. There is even a section to include an online resume.
Overall, Kickstart pages look much more professional than either MySpace or Facebook, and assuming the user has some experience to help fill up the page, the user profile can really help to sell a candidate for a job or internship.
But Kickstart isn’t all business; the site appears to be striving for a balance between a professional online portal and a casual network. For example, Yahoo advises users to “keep your social profile fun, but your professional profile polished.” They also encourage users to upload professional photos since, “your future boss may see this.”
With Kickstart, Yahoo is attempting to make a social networking portal for “grown-ups,” while still recognizing that college students also want to have fun. But can Kickstart have it both ways? In other words, can users present a professional and polished image and still maintain a casual, friendly social network. The verdict is still out on this question, but so far Kickstart at least looks like it strikes a fair balance beteen the two.
Yahoo’s other social network, “Mash” is still under construction, and is available by invitation-only during its beta testing stage. Unlike Kickstart, Mash is much more of a straight-on social site, which encourages users to contribute to their friend’s profile pages and play online games.
But if Mash is all fun and no business, Kickstart runs the risk of becoming all business and no fun. For example, under the “Top 10 Reasons to Use Kickstart,” on the Yahoo site, nine of the 10 reasons listed are about career development. Useful? Yes. Fun? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see…
Being online is an absolute necessity for some. For business reasons, we have to make sure that we get the latest news and updates from our clients or employees as soon as possible. For personal reasons, we can also update our friends and family on whereever we are and what we’re planning to do. It’s a total interaction between you and your friends or colleagues. If they are also online in any way, they can also tell you what they are up to.
There are actually softwares that can do that. “Web Presence” softwares basically integrate instant messenger, social bookmarks and social networking all in one software. Here are some of the sites that offer such software programs for free.
Twitter – As one of the leaders in their industry, Twitter has become a fad for most techies as they share their daily lives online. Twitter can be used in your computer or in your mobile phone. With their free service, you can update the world with what you’re doing, thinking, writing…anything at all. If you check their official website, you’ll be able to see the latest updates of some of the users. After installing the software and signing up for free, you can search for users and groups you can join in. There are add-ons that you can try with the software for better web experience. The mobile version of the software is also impressive as people will be able to update their network of friends and groups.
Jaiku – It works just like Twitter with a little twist. Once you logged in to Jaiku, it’s quite a similar website that you can associate with Twitter. However, it does seem to work faster compared to Twitter. Jaiku can also work with most of high end cellphones. You can either download their online version or you can even add Jaiku as a native software because of their Java client. One impressive feature of Jaiku is its ability to update not only what you think or the files that you want to share, but also your current location. As a great add-on, it works like Google Maps, but instead of address lookup, you’ll be able to see the updates they posted to their account. Although you will not be able to zoom in just where they are located, the feature is still impressive.
Pownce – Users of this program is still limited. Without any invitation from other users, you might not be able to use the software for now. But once it’s available for public use, it sure is going to be an impressive program. Using Adobe’s AIR technology, you can send updates anytime from your computer or mobile phone. AIR technology features Ajax coding technique, which means the program can still work fast even though the bandwidth of a mobile phone or computer is low. It’s almost the same as the previously mentioned two, and it should come in very handy once you get your hands on this software.
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Social networking sites may be giving the new generation a platform to speak their mind and may be developing a new trend among the teenagers; however, there have also been instances of child abuse which has put the use of this medium by underage children under a cloud. According to the center for missing and exploited children, more than 2600 cases of child abuse have been reported where adults have tried to exploit the children sexually through networking sites like MySpace.
Rules Should Be Enforced To Safeguard Interest Of Users
There have also been other cases where children have used these sites to give vent to their feelings of negativity. In one case, the school administration expelled a gay student from school after school officials saw him in a drag on social networking site Facebook. In another case, in Kansas, police arrested five students for posting a blog on MySpace in which one of the boys disclosed plans to attack another boy’s school in a commando raid. Similar incident in a California school suspended twenty students for taking part in a group on MySpace for threatening to kill another student. The alarming thing is that the number of such incidents is on the rise.
While one has to take concrete steps to counter the negative aspects of social networking through sites, one cannot neglect the fantastic medium of expression it has put in the hands of the young generation. If the young generation uses this medium in a constructive way then it can have far reaching effects on the societies to come in the future. Students can clarify their doubts through their seniors, professionals can gain through their experiences to move ahead on the corporate ladder, new hobbies can be developed, new friends can be made, products can exchange hands without middlemen; the list is endless. The biggest benefit is that all this happens while you are sitting in the comfort of your home.
According to David Bell, an expert on marketing, it is important to maintain the identity of social networking sites. The social networking sites must focus on a selected audience so that proper checks can be placed to check improper use. Moreover, the membership should also be limited to the members of the group alone. Like for example, a students’ social networking site should have only students as its members. Another important thing is to keep the interest of the members alive by providing upgrades in functionality such as better quality of sound and faster speed. In such a scenario, proper checks can be placed and filters arranged to keep the negativity reported down and track the warning signals before they become a menace to the society.
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We all know about MySpace.com, Friendster.com and MSN Live Spaces as some of the best or maybe the most well known social networking websites. These sites have millions of hits everyday and are growing their population steadily. But you should know that there are other “quality” social networking websites that are not getting as much spotlight. Still, they are gaining popularity, especially with something different to offer compared to other sites where you just blog, post picture, videos and comments to friends. Read on and see what they really have to offer.
Stickam.com – one of my favorites. This website works like other social networking websites, offering standard stuff like pictures, videos music and things like that. However, what makes this site very special is the video streaming – with voice! Don’t just connect to your friends through pictures and videos but connect to them live! Independent online shows use this website as a means of letting their fans watch them online without any fuss. You can also host yourself a ton of activities online. What makes this video streaming special is that others can actually join and watch without even signing in. You can also use this medium to talk to your friends and see them through the webcam. A great site for those who can be online all the time.
43 Things – a great place to connect to people based on what you like or your hobbies. Upon signing up, you are required to least your favorite 43 things. I really don’t know why 43 is the required number but it works. You can place the things that you like and from the list, you can connect to other people based on the things that you like. A magic for those who want to know more about their hobbies and compare what you know from other hobbyists like you from around the world.
Flixster.com – A definite for those who love movies. With any kind of movie you like, Flixster.com will connect you to thousands even millions of information of the movies that you love online. This is also a fun site as you’ll get to answer the some movie questions created by the members of Flixster.com. You can also create some questions of your own and invite your friends, member or non-member to answer your questions. You can even sign-up only for the questions and answer until you can take it no more…which is probably never.
Advogato.org – At first glance, you may think Advogato.com is not a social networking website. With a member of less that a hundred thousand, it probably is. But if you are a software developer wanting to connect to thousands out there, this site is for you. Advogato.org connects you to some of the finest open source developers. Everyday, you’ll see updates of the development of some of the softwares they are working on. In your end you can either sign up to help or sign up to start something and you will be assisted by other developers.
Whatever your hobby and liking, there is a social networking site just for you.
For years MySpace and Friendster has become the playground for millions. We all go online for an hour or two everyday just to take a look at pictures and the latest news of our friends even though we see them everyday. Sometimes, we just take a look around and see who’s interesting and we try to be friendly with them. If we’re lucky, we can even get invites.
There are times though that we just wish the posted profiles won’t be annoying instead of entertaining. It’s bad enough when we open their profile and something loud really starts to blare in our headsets. Worst is when people post codes with annoying sounds that automatically creates an odd music or noise. Talk about cool.
Looking around, here are some things that you can add to your site or you can even post to your friends comments box. Don’t worry; these are interactive add-ons that will not annoy you and your friends.
Let’s start with Nackvision’s image puzzle maker. This nifty code for your profile and post will enable you to create your own puzzle. What’s great about this is you can actually upload your own picture and create it into a puzzle. Set the difficulty level and try it out yourself. If you think people will now like it, post it to your site or your friend’s site.
Instead of adding some annoying e-cards with music, why not post a game instead? It’s interactive and fun, people will practically stay in your site just to have some fun. Some are really easy while most are plain crazy. Classic games like tetris, pacman and tic-tac-toe are featured games. Go to this link for a full list of games.
MyHeritage.com is probably one of the best postings that you could do for your friends. What’s a better affirmation that you could give to your friends than comparing their face to famous actors, writers, singers and famous persons and scientifically back it up? All you need to do is upload your image and the website will do the rest. You’ll feel like the picture is being scanned by FBI agents waiting for a match. Any picture would do. If you have a small face in the picture, no problem, just isolate your picture and MyHeritage.com will just scan it and get up to eight comparisons. It will show in percentage how close do you look with famous persons.
Before you go ahead and place those interactive games and pictures in your website, make sure it works on different browsers. You have to understand that the developers of these add-ons are not millionaires who can take their time creating the best add-ons. Most of the time; the things that you post in our site will work on the Internet explorer browser. However, there are programs that are not compatible to other browsers. So before you post them in your site, make sure it works great most forms of internet browser.
Simple things to post to gain great friends in your online community. Life can never be this fun.
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