October 15, 2007

Human Needs Drive Web 2.0

What defines Web 2.0, is it the technology or the human side? We tend to talk about the technology such as RSS, blogs, wikis, AJAX, XML and APIs. Although technology is important, this transformation is really sparked by human needs.

Web 2.0 is about collaboration, sharing, connecting, expressing and interacting. With web 2.0, the Internet is being woven into the social fabric of today’s society. Web 1.0 was more about technology and Web 2.0 is about the integration of this technology into the basic needs of our daily lives.

Collaboration: Rather than working alone, tools like wikis allow people to work together. Wikis and other Web 2.0 tools allow companies to develop and communicate policies and procedures and to collaborate with customers and partners.

Sharing: No need to read an online magazine or news feed alone, the web allows interaction and sharing with others. Sites today allow easy sharing of opinions (blogs), photos, videos and even you’re your favorite web links.

Connecting: The technology tools of Web 2.0 allow people to connect and interact in their common interests. Social networks connect and collaborate in real time. It is about connecting people and developing a network approach to business.

Expressing: Blogging is a way of human expression. People can express their opinions about just about anything. The Web 2.0 spaces such as Myspace and Youtube allow for easy expression, participation and representation.

Interacting: People want human interaction. Web 2.0 has brought in conversational marketing. Companies now hold a two way dialog with their customers thru blogs, real time chat and instant messenger.

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