Web 2.0 and The Read/Write Web

One of the emerging themes of Web 2.0 is the ability for users to add data to web sites directly.  In Web 1.0 web content was managed by so-called “webmasters”.  The webmaster would update HTML web pages using simple text editors (like Notepad) or advanced web management systems (like DreamWeaver).

In Web 2.0 web sites are reaching out to the users and inviting them to add content directly. Wikis, Weblogs (Blogs), Forums, and Content Management Systems are making this possible.

Wikis (from the Hawaiian “Wiki Wiki” meaning “quick”) are flat web spaces where users can update existing pages and add their own web pages by doing little more than clicking a link.  In a Wiki, every page has an “edit” button and any user can then update the text that is displayed.

Wikis use their own special markup language, one that is simpler than HTML.  For the most part, whatever you type in the Wiki editor is displayed on the page.  Special characters like “*” for itemized lists and “_” for bold face are used to allow the user the ability to add styles to the text.

A unique feature of a Wiki is the naming of the pages.  Any text that is typed in “CamelCase” (upper and lower case) becomes a link to a page with that name.  This makes creating a network of pages incredibly simple.  If the page doesn’t already exist, the link takes on a special appearance (say, the color red).  When a user clicks on this link they are automatically shown the page editor and can create the page on the spot.  This creates a sort of semantic network of pages – pages linked by concept rather than content.

The side effect of the Wiki is the community becomes the webmaster.  Not only can the community add new information, but also the community can determine what is valid or invalid information and edit the pages to keep the information current.  An excellent example of this social phenomenon is the Wikipedia at http://wikipedia.com.  It is a community-managed encyclopedia with exceptionally good quality information.

Wikis have been implemented in different languages including PHP and Java.  The more popular Wiki implementations are tWiki (http://twiki.org/), JSPWiki (java based - http://www.jspwiki.org/) and PHPWiki (http://phpwiki.sourceforge.net/).

Another website updated by users is the Forum.  Forums are like bulletin boards of days gone by.  Users can post messages on the forum and others can respond.  The messages are posted for all to see.  Generally forums are geared to a particular topic.  Like a hobbyist computer (http://devcybiko.us) or comedy (http://comedysportz.net/fans/).