What is Web 2.0?

Well it’s difficult to give a definitive answer to this. In it’s simplest form, web 2.0 refers to technologies that enable the concept of the “writable” web where users are not just consumers but actively contribute to the content of it. The commonly used services that exploit Web 2.0 technologies are Blogs, Wikis, Social Bookmarking sites, Social Networking sites, content syndication (RSS feeds), Multimedia sharing sites and Podcasting services.

A Blog is a website that consists of paragraphs of information, opinion or diary entries that are displayed in chronological order and generally allow visitors to add comments.
A Wiki is a website that can be edited on line by anyone allowed access which can be open or restricted. It will generally have a facility to store the history of and changes made and the individuals who made them.
Social bookmarking involves using a content tagging system to create lists of bookmarks or favourite websites that are stored centrally on a remote server. Your collection can be accessed from anywhere and your list shared with other users of the system if you wish.
Social Networking refers to websites that contain a variety of elements chosen by the user which are personalised and shared with other users. Others are invited by recommendation and can be accepted or rejected as appropriate.
RSS or syndication software enables users to find out about updates or changes to the content of a site without having to visit it. Typically once an RSS feed is set up, a synopsis of any new information is collected and fed out to the user.
The development of multimedia sharing sites such as You Tube and Flickr has been possible as a result of the widespread access to and adoption of low-cost digital media technology. Millions of people now participate in the sharing and exchange of multimedia resources.
Podcasts are audio recordings usually in MP3 format which can be played on PCs and a wide variety of handheld, portable devices. More recently Vodcasts (video podcasts) in MP4 format are becoming more common and are usually associated with a syndication service which informs users of new releases.