- Impact
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I had a little discussion in the NP chat last night about what is going to be the next big thing. The person was saying how we are limited by the current technology and therefore nothing new can be done. So I thought I'd try to get a conversation rolling about this exact topic. Do you think there is anything "new" that can be done with the current technology? If not, what type of technology can you possibly foresee in the next 5 years that will revolutionize the Internet once again?
MY VIEW
Personally I don't see Web 3.0 as being so much about great new technology as it will be a shift in the common perspective aided by current or slightly improved technology. Web 2.0 is all about user generated content, and users have proven that they want their place on the Internet. Most of them have been content just having a place to do this, but I think the approach that has been taken so far with Web 2.0 will start to break down. People will get tired of "mass audience" sites, which cater to hundreds of millions of people on a massive general scale. People will start wanting sites that offer the same features but are more tailored and targeted to their specific interests. So I think the next small step will be niche sites.
The emergence of a bunch of new Web 2.0 sites targeted at niche audiences will become popular within the next few years. Its the only logical next step in my opinion. This concept will of course generate interest from those people who may have successfully run their own blogs or other smaller sites. They'll start thinking, why don't I make a social site for football fans, or doctors, or circus clowns? You get the idea. Slowly but surely more sites will start popping up created by average people or small time developers who will steal significant traffic away from the giants, until sites like Myspace fade into obscurity.
We cant stop here though, because that alone will not bring about Web 3.0. Thats more like Web 2.5. Not only will users lean more towards niche sites, but they'll also start wanting ownership in their own creations. Why should they create content that makes some company billions of dollars while they get nothing? Web 3.0 will not be about user generated content, it will be about user generated Web 2.0 sites. Say what? Umm but anyone can already make a site?? True... But the vast majority of users on the Internet haven't been here very long and probably have no idea how to create a website. And I doubt that people will take the time on a mass scale to learn.
So what is required to allow people to easily make their own sites? Movable creation elements or a language focused on integrating Web 2.0 feature blocks that all integrate seamlessly. Essentially a user who wants to create a site would have Content Boxes, which would actually be full featured scripts that are all integrated together. So you want to create a social type site for bikers? You add a box here that would create video sharing... A box here for blogs... a box here for profiles... etc.. Add some graphics and you're good to go.
In my opinion any company who creates this type of thing, putting the power into the hands of the users to easily create dynamic sites incorporating seamless integration of Web 2.0 features will kick start Web 3.0 and make billions upon billions of dollars.
MY VIEW
Personally I don't see Web 3.0 as being so much about great new technology as it will be a shift in the common perspective aided by current or slightly improved technology. Web 2.0 is all about user generated content, and users have proven that they want their place on the Internet. Most of them have been content just having a place to do this, but I think the approach that has been taken so far with Web 2.0 will start to break down. People will get tired of "mass audience" sites, which cater to hundreds of millions of people on a massive general scale. People will start wanting sites that offer the same features but are more tailored and targeted to their specific interests. So I think the next small step will be niche sites.
The emergence of a bunch of new Web 2.0 sites targeted at niche audiences will become popular within the next few years. Its the only logical next step in my opinion. This concept will of course generate interest from those people who may have successfully run their own blogs or other smaller sites. They'll start thinking, why don't I make a social site for football fans, or doctors, or circus clowns? You get the idea. Slowly but surely more sites will start popping up created by average people or small time developers who will steal significant traffic away from the giants, until sites like Myspace fade into obscurity.
We cant stop here though, because that alone will not bring about Web 3.0. Thats more like Web 2.5. Not only will users lean more towards niche sites, but they'll also start wanting ownership in their own creations. Why should they create content that makes some company billions of dollars while they get nothing? Web 3.0 will not be about user generated content, it will be about user generated Web 2.0 sites. Say what? Umm but anyone can already make a site?? True... But the vast majority of users on the Internet haven't been here very long and probably have no idea how to create a website. And I doubt that people will take the time on a mass scale to learn.
So what is required to allow people to easily make their own sites? Movable creation elements or a language focused on integrating Web 2.0 feature blocks that all integrate seamlessly. Essentially a user who wants to create a site would have Content Boxes, which would actually be full featured scripts that are all integrated together. So you want to create a social type site for bikers? You add a box here that would create video sharing... A box here for blogs... a box here for profiles... etc.. Add some graphics and you're good to go.
In my opinion any company who creates this type of thing, putting the power into the hands of the users to easily create dynamic sites incorporating seamless integration of Web 2.0 features will kick start Web 3.0 and make billions upon billions of dollars.
