Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Web 3.0 in 600 words

I've just penned an article on Web 3.0 from a librarian's standpoint. In my article, What is Web 3.0? The Next Generation Web: Search Context for Online Information, I lay out what I believe are the essential ingredients of Web 3.0. (Note I don't believe the SemWeb and Web 3.0 are synonymous even though some may believe them to be so - and I explain why). Writing it challenged me tremendously in coming to grips with what exactly constitutes Web 3.0. It forced me to think more concisely and succinctly about the different elements that bring it together.

It's conceptual; therefore, it's murky. And as a result, we overlook the main elements which are already in place. One of the main points I make is, whereas Web 2.0 is about information overload, Web 3.0 will be about regaining control. So, without further adieu, please take a look at this article, and let me know your thoughts. The article should not leave out the excellent help of the legendary librarian, the Google Scholar, Dean. He helped me out a great deal in fleshing out these ideas. Thanks DG.

3 comments:

Yihong Ding said...

Well said, Alan. Web 2.0 is about information overload, Web 3.0 will be about regaining control. I like this phrase.

Allan said...

Thanks Yihong, I'm a follower of your work as well. What is your definition of Web 3.0 in 600 words? It's a real challenge I find trying to summarize something so complex under such limits. But it's fun nonetheless!

Allan

Yihong Ding said...

Alan,

It is hard to define Web 3.0 because it has not happened yet. But if I must try, the following is the best I can get.

In my mind, Web 3.0 is first of all the solution of identity overload at Web 2.0, which is similar to that Web 2.0 is the solution of information overload at Web 1.0. Hence I very well agree to you that a central issue of Web 3.0 is about regaining control. By regaining control, Web users will have uniform identities in contrast to the present identity mess.

Moreover, after solving the identity overload, on Web 3.0 we will start to see new forms of Web resources that can be easily portable across the boundaries of Web sites. Web 2.0 platforms will continuously exist on Web 3.0. But Web 3.0 will enable new services that run through varied Web 2.0 platforms. If Web 2.0 is a web of platforms, Web 3.0 will be a web of individuals, who can freely walk through different platforms to execute varied functions provided by the particular platforms.

I think we are quite close to this new vision now. The evolution to Web 3.0 has started.

Yihong