Web 1.0 vs Web 2.0.

Web 2.0 has changed the way in which people use the internet. In the past, Web 1.0 users would access data and information; however Web 2.0 users to do much more than simply retrieve information, they can also be creative, share information, social network, and simultaneously use and produce content. Web 2.0 allows users to be produsers. Tim O’Reilly gives examples of how Web 1.0 has evolved into Web 2.0 by comparing websites. For example, in Web 1.0 people would use Britannica Online to access information on a range of topics, however in Web 2.0 Wikipedia, a free online encyclopaedia where all content is user generated is the norm for accessing information.


An example of the difference between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 was given by Ellen Thompson and Alice Steiner in their lecture "A Day in the Life of CI Librarians". This example shows the changes made to the Arts Libraries Society (ARLIS) webpage to transform it from being data based to being social, collaborative and interactive.

The ARLIS Website changed from this (Web 1.0)...

To this (Web 2.0)...

Although Web 2.0 is a relatively new concept, my experience with the internet is mainly using Web 2.0 applications. Social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook, peer-to-peer file sharing and importantly participating in virtual cultures and communities rather than just being a passive user of the content. The question now is what the internet will evolve into next. There is already talk of Web 3.0 and even Web 8.0, and it will be interesting to see this evolution.


Steiner, A. & Thompson, E. (2008). A Day In the Life of CI Librarians. [KCB201 Lecture]. Retrieved May 6, 2008, from http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_29175_1.