The Internet evolution

The evolution of the internet has changed the way we do business, learn, shop and entertain ourselves. Web 1.0 was very static in nature, with no way for users to interact with the content. Today the content has evolved from read only content, to one of user generated content. Web 2.0 makes the internet more user friendly with more up to date content. Really Simple Syndication (RSS) makes it possible for users to subscribe to a webpage and receive updates almost instantly as they are made.

“The central principle behind the success of the giants born in the Web 1.0 era who have survived to lead the Web 2.0 era appears to be this, that they have embraced the power of the web to harness collective intelligence.” (O'Reilly, 2005) With Web 2.0, blogging is a way to get information out to readers fast. Gone are the days of creating a personal website. People read blogs and see things that interest them, and in turn write about it on their own blog. With the creation of social applications such as Pinterest – blogs have become an excellent way to share information to a large audience. Websites such as Word Press and Blogger, make it easy for just about anyone to create their own blog.

Another key characteristic of Web 2.0 is the incorporation of non-computer devices to the internet. Today, the internet is right at our fingertips whenever we need it. With the availability of WIFI, it enables us to be connected just about wherever and whenever we need to be. Long gone are the days of needing a cable and dial up connection to access the internet.

Some key characteristics of today’s web include:
• Web-based applications
• Data can be readily shared and accessed anywhere
• Social tools encourage people to create, collaborate, edit, categorize, exchange, and promote information (Wolcott, 2008)

The internet has impacted my life significantly. There are some positive impacts as well as some negative. Since I have always been a very social person, naturally I love social media. Facebook allows me to keep in contact with people such as old high school classmates, college friends, and family members out of state. I am friends with a lot of people on Facebook that if it didn’t exist, I probably would not keep in touch with. Facebook has become a great communication tool. This past Spring I had a high risk pregnancy and ended up delivering my daughter early. With one simple status and photo – I was able to update most of my family and friends. I didn’t need to spend precious time calling people to let them know the news.

The negative impact that the internet and social media has had on my life is that I probably spend more time doing it than I should. Instead of picking up the phone and actually talking to someone these days, I will write on their wall or send them a message. I will be the first to admit that because of Facebook and the internet, even though we are communicating – we are losing out on interpersonal communication skills.

Another negative impact it had on me is that it takes time away from my family. It is so easy to check Facebook, read a news story online, or play games – when you have constant access to it on your phone. So instead of taking five minutes to read a story out loud to my kids, I’ll take those five minutes to check Facebook. I know it’s wrong. I recognize that. I think the internet is like an information highway. Our highway systems have been instrumental in connecting us and making it easy to get from one place to another. The internet has done that as well. Web 2.0 has connected us through collaboration, social media, and interactive sites. It allows us to surf anywhere and anytime we want.

Sources: O'Reilly, T. (2005, September 30). What Is Web 2.0. Retrieved September 19, 2014, from http://oreilly.com/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.html Wolcott, M. (2008, May 1). What Is Web 2.0? Retrieved September 19, 2014, from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-is-web-20/