Web 2.0 - what it is all about?

Last week I visited a seminar on Online PR. It was organized by ABC Design & Communications – a company for web solutions and multimedia. So during the one-day program we covered a great variety of topics and one of it was Web 2.0. Frankly speaking, I heard about this new concept, term, definition but I had no idea what it is all about.
I will try to describe it for you, but I am open for add-ons. We have to note that it is not about software upgrade. Web 2.0 compared to Web 1.0 uses more sophisticated and in a way it is evolution of the online communications. It is also an observation of the Internet development stages rather than something that was purposely implemented. Web 1.0 includes basic online communication tools, which we all know: web pages, e-mail, search, forums, etc. Web 2.0 has now evolved to brand new tools which we can use as PR tools and implement communication strategies via them: blogs, social networks, social media, RSS, twitter, wiki (Wikipedia), Second Life (virtual existence).

I will go back to all these, but before that would like to emphasize on two significant differences between Web 1.0 and 2.0. Initially the content online was created from one very small group and was dedicated to a relatively big group. Now, with Web 2.0, we are witnessing how a group of many is creating content for even bigger consumer content group.

The second significant difference is that now the content is more credible due to the fact that it is created by users / every day people. Just the way I create content right now.

Blogs: from web and log = blog. We all know then, we obviously use them ;o))

Social networks: Facebook and Myspace are the most popular social networks. They have worldwide coverage, but there are also very strong local networks. For example in Bulgaria we have Atol, Narod, etc. Unlike forums, in the social networks people use their real identity.

Social media: for example YouTube and again there are plenty of local social media web sites. In Bulgaria we have vbox7. People upload video, photos, news thus feeding the communication cannel and providing information.

Wiki: Wikipedia is cool, but this can be use a PR instrument to communicate and reach auditorium that is online and wants to stay online.

RSS: This is an abbreviation for Really Simple Syndication. Users are receiving news, changes, updates of a web site immediately on thier e-mails.

Second Life (Virtual reality) has a population of nearly 25 million. This is three times the population of Bulgaria. During the 2008 elections in the States, Barak Obama had his virtual HQs. People could come and visit, learn information, support and even donate money (not virtual ;o))

Twitter: now this is really cool. In a short sentence you say how you feel, what you do and what are your immediate plans. Facebook has it and I personally use it all day. I see my friends also use it.

Well this is it from me. Keep surfing on the brand new and higher Web 2.0 waves ;o)))

NEno