Week 3: The future of Web 2.0 and podcasting

Over the past few years, we have seen great transformations in the kinds of technology we use. Since the time when computers first became part of the daily household routine, we have continuously changed the way in which we use technology. As it stands today, the world cannot seem to function without the use of technology. The advent of the Internet has made boundaries between nations practically non-existent. It allows us to talk to people over great distances by means of various Instant Messaging programs such as MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and AOL Instant Messaging. These days, however, we seem to have taken this a step further where in blogging and podcasts are a major way of how we communicate. These are a part of the new Web 2.0 that has redefined the way we access information and interact amongst one another.

Web 2.0 is a new generation World Wide Web where users are responsible for generating and maintaining the content. It allows for users to be in control of the content they want to read and discuss. Facebook best exemplifies the attributes of Web 2.0. It allows users to interact with one another while sharing information amongst one another as well. This information can be in any form, depending on the choice of the user. We have already seen Facebook become one of the most popular social networking sites that exists today, however, in terms of its future I remain uncertain about its benefits. As I have mentioned in my previous blogs it has replaced the norm of interpersonal communication. In some cases it seems like people’s only window to the world. On the other hand, it does make the world a smaller place. I myself will have to admit that I now talk to people I normally wouldn’t have had it not been for Facebook. Hence, Web 2.0 can be both beneficial and harmful in the long run.

Podcasts are in my eyes an extension of blogging. As I stated in the first blog, my only problem with blogging is the fine line between opinion and insult which is crossed every now and then. I feel the same about Podcasts. However, the future for podcasts seems a little brighter where I think it can be used effectively for educational or business purposes. For example, one of my professors at UTM used podcasts as a form of additional readings. I felt that this translated into better learning for me and it would also be an ideal format for distance education.