11/13/2005

Defining the Web 2.0 - Nice try

As much talk as there is on the Web 2.0, it seems nobody can give a precise definition on what the term actually means. Allthough I consider myself a Web 2.0 fanatic, I couldn’t define it either. Now over at del.icio.us, a site almost everyone counts to the core Web 2.0 assets, they tried to define the Web 2.0 by looking at their users tags. What they came up with is a collection of tags that are frequently used in association the with the term »Web 2.0«. Let’s have a look at these:

Ajax 9.9%
This came as a surprise to me. Sure, Ajaxian sites are cool, and there is a lot of hype around that technology, but I would not say that the use of Ajax by itself makes a web application 2.0. Both del.icio.us as well as Flickr started out without using Ajax, and I don’t think anyone would doubt that these have been Web 2.0 sites from the beginning.
Blog 6.1%
The blogging phenomenon sure goes hand in hand with a lot of things that are related to what most people feel are parts of the Web 2.0: RSS feeds, visitor interaction, open APIs and generous crosslinking come to mind. But then blogish sites like Slashdot or Kuro5hin have been around for a long time, most likely longer than the term Web 2.0 exists.
Social 4.2%
That is a strong one. I’d say every serious Web 2.0 site has some sort of social component to it. Of course, bulletin boards have been kind of social too long before, so being a »social site« might not be sufficient to be Web 2.0, but one might argue it is a requirement.
Tools 4.1%
Well, actually I don’t know what to make of this one. Sure, there are tools that belong to Web 2.0. But providing tools does not really define anything on the web.
Software 3.3%
So the Web 2.0 still relies on software. What a bummer. Maybe Web 3.0 will finally run without.
Tagging 3.3%
Next to social, I consider this rather on spot. Nearly every site that made the buzzlists in the Web 2.0 community uses some kind of tagging. It’s a social component nonetheless.
Javascript 2.8%
Same as with Ajax, actually a part of it. Heavy use of Javascript is often seen in Web 2.0 applications, but I don’t consider it a requirement.
Internet 2.6%
See »Software«
Programming 2.5%
Well, someone gotta code all these cool new webapps. Programming sure is a required skill. It is required for creating spreadsheet software too though. No winner here.
RSS 2.5%
Just as blogs, RSS has been there for a long time, but it looks like it really took of with the Web 2.0. Actually it has changed the way people look for information, so I think this one fits right in.

Conclusion: While some of these tags seem to name components of what we consider to be the Web 2.0, they fail to provide the final definition. Others are so vague, that they don’t provide any help on this question at all. Next try?