The Internet is a worldwide, publicly accessible series of interconnected computer networks that transmit data by packet switching using the standard Internet Protocol (IP). It is a "network of networks" that consists of millions of smaller domestic, academic, business, and government networks, which together carry various information and services, such as electronic mail, online chat, file transfer, and the interlinked web pages and other resources of the World Wide Web (WWW). (2008, Wikipedia)
In laymans terms…a long time ago, in the days of bad hair, musicians that actually played instruments and most likely a fuel crisis, a group of nerds came up with this cool idea to communicate using their advanced calculators to stop the Russians pretending to be at war with the United States. At first it was difficult, and required masses of code to which said nerds excelled in writing and processing.
Over time, and thanks to the downfall of Communism, the internet became available for use by us mere mortals. Originally it was a tool for electronic mail (e-mail) and remote access, but as with anything big business caught on, and with the invention of web browsers, the World Wide Web became an information tool for business, corporations, and media to spread the word.
Until recently the internet was an information tool, allowing us to log on, research of browse information, and use this to our own gain. However recent years have seen a shift, from this ‘Web 1.0’, to the new and improved ‘Web 2.0’
What is it? Web 2.0 is the evolution of the internet. Today, people don’t want to simply read a webpage, they want to interact. Web 2.0 no longer requires a web designer to construct a page. Today, we are the designers! Web 2.0 Is a set of technologies which enable us to be the creator, creating online communities where interaction us key, allowing us to create our own online ‘scrapbook’ in the form of blogs, online diaries, encyclopedia entries, podcasts (audio/video files) as well as socially interacting with friends, as well as meeting new ones.
Under Web 2.0, the internet is no longer the domain of the techie, instead the increase of user friendly interfaces has allowed anyone, regardless of technical know how to become involved, and make their mark on the World Wide Web.
Image retrieved from http://remarkk.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/Web20_en-1.jpg last accessed on 19th of March 2008
Examples
http://www.myspace.com/
Myspace is currently ranked the 5th most popular website on the internet (Wikipedia, 2008)
It's a user-centred site, based around the concept of social networking, forming an online meeting place for friends and family, as well as social groups and the like.
http://www.youtube.com/
Youtube is an online video library, whereby users can not only view, but upload content for public use. Youtube has proven to be one of the more controversial 'Web 2.0' sites, with potential lawsuits looming from television heavyweights, and commercial rights owners (such as F1) over content ownership.
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