Reaction to O'Rielly article

What Is Web 2.0Design Patterns and Business Models for the Next Generation of Software by Tim O'Reilly09/30/2005

I must say that since our classroom discussion, my experiences since then, and reading the above article my eyes have been opened to Web 2.o, which I'm embarrassed to say that I was ignorant to before. I have heard of blogging, (which I'm doing now for the second time), but did not see it as a big deal. I'm aware of a lot of the technology that is involved and the uses of it. Where I was ignorant was in the change in culture and philosophy on the Web. There has been much talk about how the common man has gained a voice that rivals the media for power and influence, but I failed to see this as connected to other trends that all add up to Web 2.0. Now I can see the distinction.

The bottom line is that people, the end users, are now adding to the content, software, and design of the Web like never before. It is almost like shifting from a early American style democracy to a more modern one. Instead of a few wealthy people having a say, now most people can share their ideas and bring value and expertise along with them.

I love the shift in software described here. I have already participated in open source software, and plan to due so more. I even plan to write program this summer that I could submit. What a neat idea. Let others take apart, evaluate and upgrade your product beyond your limited design.

So, Web 2.0 is more than blogging. It is giving others a way of joining together in a community of sorts to enrich news, media, software, data, and business services.