Web 2: some definitions

Web 2: some definitions

According Macaskill & Owen (2007), Dale Dougherty coined that term web 2.0, in 2004, while Tim O’Reilly and associates, popularized it. However, it should be noted that most writers associate the coining of the term with O’Reilly media. Tim O’Reilly defines Web 2.0 as ‘ the network as platform, spanning all connected devices; Web 2.0 applications are those that make the most of the intrinsic advantages of that platform: delivering software as a continually-updated service that gets better the more people use it, consuming and remixing data from multiple sources, including individual users, while providing their own data and services in a form that allows remixing by others, creating network effects through an "architecture of participation," and going beyond the page metaphor of Web 1.0 to deliver rich user experiences.' (America Library Association 2006 citing Michael Stephens).

According to Carpenter & Steiner (2007) Web 2.0 is ‘Second generation of Web-based services and tools that emphasize online sharing and collaboration among users. It also refers to the transition from static HTML Web pages to a dynamic Web that is organized and based on serving Web applications to users’

‘"Web 2.0" is transforming the Web into a space that allows anyone to create and share information Online—a space for collaboration, conversation, and interaction; a space that is highly dynamic, flexible, and adaptable’ (Coombs 2007)

‘Web 2.0 is a term that people loosely apply to these new, easier to use web-based tools for content creation (also known as user generated content), connecting with people (also known as social networking), collaboration and many other forms of people to people interaction’ (Imark 2009)

‘A condensed definition of Web 2.0 is that it’s simply a term for generating discussions that represent all of the very latest and reasonably foreseeable widespread functions and devices that people utilize in an online modality’ (Lorenzo 2007)

Melville Committee (2009:15) maintain, as many other authors, that there is no agreed definition of web 2.0, and contended that web 2.0 is also known by other names which include the Social Web and social software. The committee states that: ‘ social software has been defined as ‘software that supports group interaction’.6Elaborations include ‘software that allows people to interact and collaborate online or that aggregates the actions of networked users’;7 ‘a set of internet services and practices that give voice to individual users’;8 and, in the specific context of learning, ‘networked tools that support and encourage individuals to learn together whilst retaining control over their time, space, presence, activity, identity and relationship.’

“Refers to a supposed second-generation of Internet-based services - such as social networking sites, blogs, wikis, communication tools, and folksonomies - that let people collaborate and share information online in ways previously un available’ (van Wyk 2009 quoting from thehatchergroup.wordpress.com/2008/05/08/glossary-of-new-media- terminology/)

References
Carpenter, C& Steiner, S. 2007. Using Web 2.0 Technologies to Push E-Resources. smartech.gatech.edu/bitstream/1853/13640/2/236-fri-11_05.pdf (accessed 18 feburary2010).
Coombs, K.A. 2007. Building a Library Web Site on the Piilars of web 2.0. www.infotodayjconi (accessed 18 feburary2010).
FAO.2009.Information Management Resource Kit: Web 2.0 and Social Media for Development. http://www.imarkgroup.org/ (Accessed 18 February 2010)
Imark. 2009 see FAO.2009.
Lorenzo, G. 2007. Catalysts for Change: Information Fluency, Web 2.0, Library 2.0, and the New Education Culture. http://www.edpath.com/stn.htm. (Accessed 7 January 2010)

Macaskill, W & Owen D.2007.Web 2.0 to Go. www.lianza.org.nz/library/files/store.../Web2ToGo_WMacaskill.pdf (accessed 7 January 2010).
Melville Committee 2009 see United Kingdom. Committee of Inquiry into the Changing Learner Experience 2009
United Kingdom. Committee of Inquiry into the Changing Learner Experience .2009.Higher Education in a Web 2.0 World. Chairman: David Melville. www.clex.org.uk (accessed 18 feburary2010).
Van Wyk, J. 2009.Engaging clients through Web 2.0 tools: The Education Library, University of Pretoria. http://www.saoug.org.za/presentations/Engaging_clients_through_web2.pdf (accessed 18 feburary2010).