Web 2.0: The Second Generation of the Internet

Our world is continually changing, and this includesmake up the whole Web 2.0 concept. The main
our online world. With advances in technology, weconcept of Web 2.0 is interactivity. People simply
now have what has been termed as Web 2.0.are not satisfied with simply reading a web page.
This is essentially technology that is available inThey want to be able to interact with it. This is
what many consider the 'second generation' ofwhy so many web sites today use features that
the Internet.allow visitors to leave comments or to rate
Did you know that the second generation ofcontent - or even to submit their own content.
computer users is now online? Many people don'tTechnology that has been employed by the online
think about it - but they are. Personal computersmasses include blogging, social bookmarking, and
started appearing in the mid 1990s. Now,of course, social networking. Sites that cater to
approximately twelve years later, those childrenthis technology have become extremely popular.
who grew up with computers are now - well -Even video has become a big part of Web 2.0
computing. They use computers a great deal inwith sites, such as YouTube.com, where anyone
both their careers and personal lives - more sowith a computer and Internet connection can
than the first generation of computer users did.upload their videos for others to see. We can
They are the second generation, and it is onlykeep running lists of our favorite sites with social
fitting that we now have Web 2.0 concepts.bookmarking, and communicate with others, while
Web 2.0 is indeed a concept. It is not softwareexpressing ourselves, with social networking sites.
that you can buy. It is not an updated version ofWe are no longer content to simply 'surf the 'net'
software. It is more of an updated way of doingin a mindless fashion.
things on the Internet. Think about how we usedOf course, smart Internet Marketers go where
computers back in the 1990s. We 'surfed' thethe masses lead them - because they know that
web, using web browsers, and we read content.where people gather, there is money to be made.
We were able to purchase and downloadInternet Marketers are also taking advantage of
software, which we could use. We could interactsocial bookmarking, social networking, video sites,
with others on a limited basis through instantblogging, and more.
messengers, email, and online forums. That wasThey realize that the entire Web 2.0 concept, and
pretty much the extent of it.all of the technology that goes along with it, is not
Today, however, so much has changed. Insteadjust a passing phase. In fact, if anything, smart
of visiting a web site and reading it, we canmarketers are keeping their ears and eyes open
actually interact with it. We have been given afor signs of Web 3.0 - when the next generation
voice with blogs. We can let our opinions of webbrings us even further into the technological
sites be known through the use of socialfuture.
bookmarking. We can interact with people all overIf you are an online business owner who would
the world through social networking sites. We canalso fall into the 'second generation' of computer
even have a complete web site up and running inusers, you probably already know how to make
as little as one day, where at one time it tookuse of Web 2.0 technology. However, if you are a
weeks or even months to develop a web site.first generation computer user, it is vital to the
Things have definitely changed. Welcome to Webfuture of your business that you get a grasp on
2.0.Web 2.0, and understand how this second
While Web 2.0 is not a specific thing, there aregeneration, and the generations to come, will use
specific concepts and specific technology thatthe Internet.