Web 2.0 in a Bigger Context – Social and Macro-economical Implications

Table of Contents

1 Introduction

1.1 Problem Definition and Motivation

1.2 Research Design and Methodology

2 Approaching Web 2.0

2.1 Definitions and Origin of the Term

2.2 Central Ideas of Web 2.0

2.3 Semantic Web and Web2.0

3 Web 2.0 Navigator – a Three Layer Model for Web 2.0

3.1 Developing the Web 2.0 Navigator

3.2 Technological Layer

3.2.1 AJAX

3.2.2 XML

3.2.3 API

3.2.4 RSS

3.2.5 SPARQL and RDF

3.3 Conceptual Layer

3.3.1 User Participation

3.3.2 Social Networks and Communities

3.3.3 Collective Intelligence and Group Decision Making

3.3.4 Folksonomy (Tagging)

3.3.5 Long Tail

3.3.6 Mash Ups

3.4 Application Layer

3.4.1 Online Community Systems

3.4.2 Blogs

3.4.3 Corporate Blogs

3.4.4 Wikis

3.4.5 Case: Wikipedia.org

3.4.6 Instant Messaging

3.4.7 VOIP

4 Social Effects

4.1 Social Life

4.2 Social Capital

4.2.1 Study: How the Internet is Affecting Social Capital

4.2.2 Case: Campaigns Wikia - Web 2.0 in Politics

4.3 E-Learning

4.3.1 Web 2.0 and Education

4.3.2 Case: Educational Blogs for University Students

4.4 Social Commerce

4.4.1 Social Commerce – Social Networks and the Transparent Product

4.4.2 Case: Spreadshirt – Splitting Trade and Distribution

5 Macro-economical Effects

5.1 Economical Opportunities

5.1.1 Economical Opportunities – Harvesting Global Cooperation

5.1.2 Case: InnoCentive - The Future of Corporate R&D

5.2 Digital Divide

5.2.1 Digital Divide – the Gap between High-Tech and No-Tech

5.2.2 Case: One Laptop per Child - The 100$ Laptop

6 Outlook and Conclusion

Research Objectives & Topics

This thesis aims to provide a clear-cut definition of Web 2.0 and to analyze its social and macro-economical implications using a developed three-layer model (technological, conceptual, and application layer) to navigate the complex nature of this phenomenon.

• Theoretical conceptualization of Web 2.0 through a three-layer model
• Examination of social effects including social life, capital, and e-learning
• Analysis of macro-economical impacts such as global cooperation and the digital divide
• Exploration of collaborative web practices like blogging, wikis, and mashups
• Case studies of platforms like Wikipedia, InnoCentive, and OLPC

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1 Introduction: This chapter defines the problem, introduces the ambiguity surrounding the term Web 2.0, and outlines the research design and methodology for the study.

2 Approaching Web 2.0: This chapter traces the origins of the Web 2.0 term, discusses its core philosophies, and differentiates it from the Semantic Web concept.

3 Web 2.0 Navigator – a Three Layer Model for Web 2.0: This chapter introduces a three-layer model (technological, conceptual, and application) to categorize and understand the architecture, innovations, and services of Web 2.0.

4 Social Effects: This chapter analyzes how Web 2.0 impacts social life, social capital, politics, education, and commerce, illustrating these with specific examples.

5 Macro-economical Effects: This chapter examines the global economic implications of Web 2.0, specifically focusing on corporate R&D innovations and the digital divide.

6 Outlook and Conclusion: This final chapter synthesizes the findings, emphasizing the importance of Web 2.0 as a holistic philosophy and calling for continued scientific research.

Keywords

internet, Web 2.0, user participation, social networks, collective intelligence, folksonomy, longtail, mash up, AJAX, XML, RSS, SPARQL, blog, wiki, instant messaging, VOIP, social capital, education, globalization, digital divide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this dissertation?

The work focuses on defining the Web 2.0 phenomenon and examining its social and macro-economical implications through a structured, three-layer model.

What are the core thematic areas covered in this document?

The main themes include technological foundations (AJAX, XML), conceptual innovations (user participation, collective intelligence), and practical applications (blogs, wikis, social commerce).

What is the primary research question?

The research aims to overcome the lack of a clear definition of Web 2.0 by providing a comprehensive model to analyze its impact on individual, social, and macro-economical contexts.

Which scientific methodology is applied?

The author performs an extensive study of existing scientific literature and current online discussions to synthesize a three-layer model that categorizes Web 2.0 components.

What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?

The main body systematically explores the technical architecture, conceptual foundations, and specific application areas like e-learning, politics, and social commerce.

How would you describe the key characteristics of this research?

It is characterized by its use of a unique navigation model, integration of diverse case studies, and a focus on how Web 2.0 shifts power from central authorities to decentralized user communities.

How does the author view the role of Wikipedia in this research?

The author consciously includes Wikipedia as a source to embrace the dynamic, up-to-date nature of collective intelligence, despite potential skepticism regarding its traditional scientific use.

What conclusion does the author reach regarding the "Digital Divide"?

The author presents two scenarios: either the divide could widen due to the rapid pace of high-tech development, or Web 2.0 could offer tools to bridge the gap, such as the One Laptop per Child project.