Web 2.0

Welcome to our introductory overview class on Web 2.0.

Until a few years ago, the Web could be defined as a network of largely static Web sites which were authored by one person, or a body of people, and passively received by users. Web 2.0 is a way of referring to tools that exist on the Web which are interactive because they allow the user to collaborate in their creation. In this “next generation” of the Web, users are able to tailor online tools to suit their particular needs.

Here are some points that Web 2.0 technologies have in common:

• They harness the collective intelligence of a community by encouraging collaboration rather than just a one-way transmission of information.
• They live on the Web, so they can be accessed anywhere, anytime, and you don’t need special software to use them.
• They are intuitive, so you don’t have to be an expert to use them.

We’d like to give you a quick tour of seven Web 2.0 tools that we’ve identified as currently predominant, and which we think might help Museum staff with their research, administrative and organizational needs.

If anyone is interested in learning more about any of these tools, the Watson Library has a Web 2.0 team whose members will be happy to meet with you either individually, or as a group. Just let us know!