Blogging and WEB2
I have been a staunch advocate of the traditional website but this communications module has opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities. While there is still room for the HTML code as a basis the online world is changing. People want more input into there online presence, they want more flexibility, the latest information and they want it now. The web is changing from a world dominated and determined by the big corporations to a world where collective knowledge and intellingence when combined is the new power. It began with the vision of the webs founder Tim Berners-Lee for the web to be a place of equality and opportunity and while large corporations like Microsoft and Netscape did their most to control it companies with vision have opened the door to change.

Blogging

I must admit, I have not used the blog in this module to anywhere near it ’s full potential, merely as a log of my study. Here are some of the benefits as I see them.

• Easy to use
• Don’t need to know a range of programming languages
• Range of design templates to choose from
• Easy to keep up to date info
• Good backup service from WordPress
• Great feature enabling addition of other blog links
• RSS feed and Snapshot of pages
• Good easy to follow administratioin panel
• Opportunity to tag all your posts
• Two way communication through feedback comments
• No need for any specific programs installed on computer
• No need to maintain own domain or server account
• Can post anywhere there is internet access
• The opportunity to become a part of or contribute to a wider intelligence

Yes, blogging has many benefits and uses for a range of applications both personal and in business. While commercial blogs are in main the most popular blogging software can be installed on your own server. This will in turn allow you to use your own domain name as such. The only problem may be that you will need to install it which requires some technical knowledge and upgrade as new features appear.

WEB2:

The emergence of WEB2 application has changed the way that many people use the net on a regular basis. First coined during a meeting between Tim Oreilly and Medialive International in the early 21st Century WEB2 has become the buzz word on todays web. A lot of people are unsure as to what it really means as it encompasses a range of new ideas and applications whch have at their heart a number of principles…

1. The web itself is the platform
2. Self Control of Data
3. Harnessing of Collective Intelligence
4. Consists of services not software
5. It’s affordable for everyone
6. It’s effectiveness depends on participation

One of the most noticeable applications of WEB2 is the rise of Wikepedia as an online Encyclopedia that is the collective knowledge gained and posted by individuals on a grand scale. There are some questions as to the data itself being of the highest quality but the data nevertheless is expanding at a phenomonal rate. Other instances readily available today are Flickr, Bittorrent, Facebook, Google Suite, blogs, RSS, Podcasting, and Itunes to number just a few.
I see WEB2 as a collaborative push by the Web community to service not only the top percentage of users but the majority. By harnessing the collective intelligence of the broader Web community this is entirely possible. Just look at the thriving community of open source developers that have collectively given so much to the Web.

Data is power, is the core of WEB2 and harnessing and utilising this power for all is exciting.

In answer to the question about Blinklist and A HTML Directory:
The issues with HTML lists are ones of updating, maintaining and technical skills. On the other hand utilising the collective power of blnklist is awesome. Easy to use, powerful, organically growing with friends, and easy to add to from anywhere without coding.

[Authored P.Hunt April - May 2008]