You might have tied into discussions on “Web 2.0” in the blogosphere, as in this blog “Cisco CEO: Web 2.0 will drive the industry.” This discourse tends to be around how people are using the web in new and unique ways. I’ve noticed that some folks are a little skeptical of “Web 2.0”, probably because of the history and speculation on the “new economics” around Web 1.0 and the original dot-com bubble bursting deflated a lot of expectations. Remember Napster (music), WebVan (groceries), Pets.com, and eToys.com? They are gone.
It pays to be skeptical about the future promises of the web. Even I have fallen victim to the allure of the web. As marketing manager of the newly founded Internet Appliance Operation in 1998, we conceived of a home appliance where grandmas, that were not technologically savvy, could share and communicate pictures and ideas with their digitally savvy family. That did not really become reality until Presto launched a product, in collaboration with hp last year. However, while the Web itself hasn’t really changed significantly, how people are using the Web merits a fresh look into Web 2.0 as an evolved communications and social networking platform.
Some great examples of how web communications have evolved are reflected in such social networking sites as YouTube and MySpace--both great examples of how people are now using the Web as a communications platform (hp also has a social networking site in Snapfish). These sites are all essentially designed around the idea that you can share creative media (videos, avatars, images) amongst friends and communities of people who are interested in similar subjects and content. While these sites have now entered the mainstream (they'll even be posting presidential debates) they came from grassroots beginnings, growing from devoted followings until the networks of people involved became large enough to gain general awareness. Fortunately, people still want to print content from their web experiences (like photos, chat histories, and news)
One such grassroots “Web 2.0” application that has recently come to my attention is in the area of business networking. A “twenty-something Londoner”, named Richard Moross “was bored” with the standard business cards that people tended to exchange and came up with Moo cards. These cards are exactly half the height of your standard business cards and are often printed with your picture on them. These pictures for Moo cards can be uploaded from a social networking site, like Flickr, bebo or FOTOLOG and images of Moo cards can be used on social networking sites, like Second Life.
By doing this “mashup” between digital imaging sites and printing for a business purpose, Moo cards bridge the gap between social and business networking in the Web 2.0 space. What interested me personally about this Web 2.0 application is that, in using color LaserJets to print Moo cards, they are basically making LaserJet printers, Web 2.0 fulfillment solutions.
Another site I like is scribd.com. While some users might find some content on the web site objectionable (consider this a warning for those of you behind the corporate firewall), I like what they are doing because they are essentially trying to create the YouTube equivalent for documents and this content ultimately needs to be printed.
It looks like Web 2.0 communications are moving from early adopters to the mainstream—this trend can only accelerate as unique communications tools, like Moo-cards and Scribd, sweep through social and business networks. Please feel free to comment on any unique Web 2.0 communications vehicles that you’re seeing . . .
Posted
05-21-2007 10:59 AM
by
Anonymous