Medical Musings

 

 Introduction to Web 2.0: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is the first in a series of short digital video productions, delivered via the internet, that seek to explain some of the exciting advances happening in cyberspace, and how these might be applied to medicine.

Fundamental to this discussion is the concept of Web 2.0.

Anyone familiar with computer programs will realise that version 2 of anything is usually better, faster, more engaging, more reliable and more user friendly than version 1.

So it is with web 2.0 which is generally accepted as starting in early 2005. Web 2 is not a major change in the technical infrastructure of the underlying medium but rather a major culture shift in how it is used. Prior to this change most web content was professionally produced by web authors or design professionals.

End users accessed, or browsed, this content using programs such as Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari.
In effect the web became a huge reference library where one could research any topic of interest.

But the user was disempowered. He was able to use the content, but not contribute to it. He could not correct an error in an online document. He could not converse with the content author, except via primitive and kludgey tools such as email and discussion forums.
Web 1.0 still exists - and has a very important role.

But then came web 2.0
Early pioneers include Myspace, Facebook, Bebo, Wikkipaedia and of course the Blogs. We will discuss these in detail in future netcasts but for now we can consider these sites as being typified by content that is either generated by the users themselves, or a prominent member of the community they serve. Critically this content is then shared online where it is open to comment and critique. Other community members may add their own input, for example by way of blogs, or they may vote on ideas - such as using the DIG web site. A user might bookmark the content and share it with their friends via one of the many social bookmarking tools
There is a new web. More vibrant. More creative. More social. Where previously there were only web developers and readers. Now everyone has an opinion, everyone can create content, and everyone can take part in what can become a web based collective consciousness.

Where previously web developers created content, now they create communities. THIS is web 2.0

This has been a very short introduction. Future netcasts will introduce some of the tools of the new web. RSS, BLOG, DIG, Delicious, Netcast, Podcast. Don’t be put off by the technical jargon. For in reality the web has escaped the domain of the geek and is rapidly empowering everyday people all over the world.

Welcome to the new web.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 5th, 2008 at 3:55 pm and is filed under Internet. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site. Your comments will be moderated but will appear as soon as humanly possible.