Web 2.0 And Social Networking Essay

The points made by the authors of the authors

Chapter 7 of Bowles Digital (n.d.) discussed the major advantages of Web 2.0 especially focusing on its implications to social networking. According to this chapter, Web 2.0 has allowed people from varying places and backgrounds to group themselves and form communities. This is made possible by allowing the Web to be used as an interactive media. The chapter explained that Web 1.0 – the earlier function or the World Wide Web – acted only like a library wherein the internet surfer could login and find information and read them. Web 2.0, on the other hand added more functionality to Web 1.0. This functionality is to edit the content so that the edits could be seen by everyone in the World Wide World. It also allowed the creation of novel pieces such as blogs, twits, etc. There are diverse functionalities that are currently being used whether to simply socialize, become involved on local or global issues, entertainment, research, and business. The chapter further mentioned one downfall of Web 2.0, although it did not delve much in it, was security.
Deloitte Services LP (2008) focused its discussion on how collaboration through Web 2.0 could be more beneficiary in the political realm, while also mentioning how this tool have greatly changed other realms such as the economic, education, and the personal realms. According to the research article, politics, particularly in the United States have been exerting efforts to pursue the vision of the current presidency – the Obama administration – to implement its bottom-up approach. This approach focus from the individual, to the group, then to the government, and finally to the entire nation and perhaps the world. The vision is to obtain ideas of political governance from each American citizen and then use these ideas to run the nation. The article also focused on the things that need to be done in order to accomplish such vision efficiently. Such things would include that participation of talents, law makers, and other experts to fully develop the capacity of Web 2.0.
In a research article published by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2008), it was discussed how Web 2.0 became a hit to the public when it comes to popularity and use. Nevertheless, its main point of discussion was in the security issues. The articles explained that one of the major issues faced by Web 2.0 users is privacy and security. Information that is being inputted into the web is highly accessible to everyone, even to the non-intended audience. Nevertheless, people and some other groups or entities continue to input much private information in the World Wide Web putting them at risk. An entire nation or culture that is highly participatory to information input in Web 2.0 is in high risk of uploading information that could jeopardize national or cultural security.

Thoughtful Analysis on the points made by each author

For Chapter 7 of Bowles Digital, I do agree that the interactive feature of Web 2.0 is the key feature of the said technology which made it highly popular and beneficial to everyone in the World Wide Web. It should be interesting to note that, base from my personal experience, Web 2.0 has been high useful in social networking and in doing academic research. This means that I can use Web 2.0 for both socializing or making friends and my education. I cannot imagine how hard it would be for the people who only used Web 1.0, when what you can only do is read what is inputted by others in the World Wide Web. I also agree with the point made that there is greater security threat to Web 2.0 due to the nature of the information in it and how easy it is to make them public.
The points raised by Deloitte Services LP (2008) are indeed true and are beneficial if they are considered by every government in the world. First of all, the use of Web 2.0 is not yet fully utilized in politics, especially in totalitarian or oppressive regimes such as that of China and other communist countries like North Korea. In my opinion, it is highly important that the bottom-up approach be realised in order to strengthen governments. When this is made effective through the use of Web 2.0, everyone could participate in governance because more ideas are being harnessed. I also agree with the point that in order to fully utilize Web 2.0 in politics that the participation of experts and the implementation of rules in participation be made. This will bring order.
For the points raised made by Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2008), I do agree that there are threats in using Web 2.0 but this should not be the reason to limit or to shrink from imputing information into it. The article focused too much on the dangers of using Web 2.0, even suggesting that it will ruin a nation’s culture and security. I do not agree with this point. I, however, agree that personal information that is unnecessarily inputted in the World Wide Web could cause a lot of trouble. I would to also agree, therefore, that everyone, including greater or much bigger organizations should be mindful first of the information that they put into the World Wide Web using Web 2.0.

What the authors agree upon

The three authors agree on two things. The first is that Web 2.0 has changed the way the World Wide Web is used by internet surfers. Accordingly, all authors agree that Web 2.0 has made the World Wide Web a virtual place for extensive interaction. Users now have more choices to do compare to Web 1.0.
The second agreement among the three authors is that there is a need for improvement on how people use Web 2.0. Accordingly, they must need to be more organized. This will have two major benefits to the users. The first is that the real potential of Web 2.0 can be realized. The second is that we can become more secured.

My Own Point of View and Conclusion

I think the success of Web 2.0 does not depend solely on the functionalities that are included in it by its original developers. The three authors focused too much on the makers of Web 2.0 and Web 2.0 itself, but failed to acknowledge other factors which contributed to this technology’s success. In my opinion, other technologies, such as the proliferation of mobile devices also had a strong impact on how Web 2.0 is used extensively today. We must acknowledge that the current lifestyle of ordinary people is as busy as can be. Even if Web 2.0 exists but the only computer that we have is the desktop computer, it is less likely that Web 2.0 will achieve the success that it continue to achieve today. The second factor is the nature of man to socialize. I think this is the real driving factor for Web 2.0’s success. Without this, Web 2.0 is just another technology that will be left un-noticed. I, therefore, conclude that the Web 2.0 is indeed an advancement in technology which success is greatly dependent not only to the innovations of its makers, but also to other technologies and the desire of people to socialize. I also conclude that the points raised in the three articles are valid in order to fully appreciate and obtain the highest potential benefit of Web 2.0.

References

Chapter 7 Bowles Digital (n.d.). Web 2.0. Textbook.
Deloitte Services LP (2008). National Issues Dialogues: Web 2.0 – The Future of Collaborative Government. Retrieved from: <http://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedStates/Local%20Assets/Documents/us_ps_web20government_March2009.PDF>.
Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2008). WEB 2.0 AND SECURITY. Retrieved from: <http://www.infosec.gov.hk/english/technical/files/web2_2.pdf>.