Steven Johnson's article, Why the Web Is Like a Rainforest, is about an upcoming sofware upgrade called, "Web 2.0." Web2.0 intends to redefine the way data is linked as well as how people are connected on the Web. He describes the Web's shift from interlinked pages to an information ecosystem, where data will circulate much like the nutrients in a rain forest. In order to understand what Johnson means by this, here's a brief summary of Web2.0's main functions:
Web2.0 comes equipped with two services, Technorati and Del.icio.us. Technorati functions like Google, but for the blog world. For instance, if I post a blog including a link to a book about home improvement, Technorati scans my website and analyzes my post. It then scans the web for latest blogs to see which books are most talked about in the blog world. If Technorati comes across many blogs relating to the book about home improvement, it will update the hot-books list with this book.
Del.icio.us is the other service offered by Web2.0, which allows users to categorize their blogs/posts by tagging it with content-specific titles, such as "home improvement." By tagging my blog, I can allow other users to see all the articles/pages that others have tagged as home improvement. When I check this tag, I will be able to view similar articles that are constantly being updated.
This service also allows users to form online communities based on like-interests. Del.icio.us will allow me to invite people to join my Home Improvement community. Anytime I receive a new article relating to Home Improvement, every person that joined my particular community will receive an e-mail notification about the articles.
I think Web2.0 is a fascinating development because it will enable us to use data/information more efficiently on the Web. If I search for articles about writing a resume and find a really good one, I might be one of the only few lucky ones to stumbled across it. With Web2.0, I will be able to share the awesome article with everyone else on the Web who finds it useful. Web2.0 connects data in a way that will improve the flow of information and efficient use of data passed along the Web.
I didn't know a program like this existed until I read Johnson's article. I recently read a blog about Britney Spears on an AOL page, and at the bottom of the post, there was an "Add to Del.icio.us" link. I just think it's cool how these services will help web users search and find information easier. I love the idea of categorizing blogs because it's an efficient way of organizing data. It's sort of like a big filing cabinet, but on the Web!
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Web 2.0 definitely does improve the flow of information. With blog sites, in particular, I love how e-mail notifications are sent to everyone who participates. As you post a new comment, others get alerted and get to respond. It creates and allows for discussion, and gets to be really fun. I'm glad I don't have to search for new posts. Software programs these days make it so much easier to be updated on everything!
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