How is Web 2.0 diffferent to Web 1.0?

There are a number of minor differences between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 however for the purpose of this blog entry, one primary difference will comprise the main discussion point.

Web 1.0 refers to the initial version of the World Wide Web, prior to the introduction of the Web 2.0 craze. Web 1.0 was used as a form of one-way distribution of media content throughout the period 1994 - 2004 and saw consumers astonished at the vast amount of information to which they had become exposed to. Flew (2004) notes the relatively passive role the Internet held pre-Web 2.0 arguing that access to computer literature was relatively limited and communication was largely text based.

Web 2.0 on the other hand, allows consumers to take an active role in their media usage and acts as a platform for creativity, innovation and collaboration. Online social networking sites, for example MySpace, FaceBook and Skype, are all products of the Web 2.0 revolution. Iskold (2007) references a social networking site which has a primary focus on networking with your own neighbours. It is spheres such as these that confirm the argument that Web 2.0 is a community prone, social networking initiative.

One of the most important differences between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0, is the ability to transfer responses to the posted information. This feature allows passive consumers to become active users and take on a full time produsage position whereby the user not only accepts, but also creates and modifies existing content.