I would like to make a point here for people still not very clear about Web 3.0. This new web isn’t just about shopping, entertainment or some kind of search, instead it will bring in a new generation of business applications that will change the definition of all the above mentioned terms.
So will the 'Web 3.0' be the Semantic Web? Probably yes. It might just take some time to annotate the world's information and then to capture personal information in the right way, to enable the kinds of applications that we have discussed. For all my interest in the technologies being used, I see two drawbacks to Web 3.0 or the New Generation Web.
Semantic Web (Web 3.0) is just Personalized WebThe first is that, to me, the semantic web isn’t a web centralized in a specific tool or environment instead web in a whole. If we have a "
Facebook and
Wikipedia mashup", it might be successful, and it might be semantic, but it isn't the web. The whole point of the semantic web technologies is for each of us to interpret our data, wherever we are, regardless of tool, and begin to really drive out the tiny threads of true meaning on a global scale. If we have to leave our places where we're at and go elsewhere, this seems to create a disconnect, right from the start.
The second issue I saw the marketing hype associated with the tool; the uses of the terms: "Web 3.0", "semantic graph", and the "first mainstream Semantic Web application". I can understand the reasoning behind the marketing. After all, this is the candy that lures in the kiddies, and adds billions of valuation to chaotic applications like
Facebook. Lack of effective promotion is what the semantic web supporters have been criticized for in the past.
At the same time, the marketing, location, and early associations also serves to enclose the application within an increasingly limited community. I can't think of anything more 'not' semantic web than to become part of such an narrow community.
Still, these are my perceived drawbacks based on what I read. I won't know anything 'real' until I try the app myself.
Summary Technology has advanced to the point where
YouTube is everywhere. There are thousands of YouTube clones, and vertical knock-offs launching every day. Anyone with a video camera and something to say now has a channel. Some are even interesting! Cable has competition. BIG TIME. As this isn’t an article about Cable, I’ll get back to my point, which is about Web 2.0 and it’s future numbered revisions.
Blogging has taken on a life of it’s own. From the “I’m stuck in traffic” entries, to the every day facets of life those just aren’t interesting. I still desire to read something worthwhile from someone I respect, or that makes me think. I believe Web 3.0 is likely to use technology to a greater degree than even today, but perhaps Web 4.0 - there might be a realization that many people documenting their lives is not good for the masses, it’s good for family trees. It’s today’s diary. I’d love to look back and review highlights of my life, (some parts at least), and share them with my children. But do I care if I was stuck in traffic on Wed. December 8th 2006? Nope. If I don’t care, who will. No one of course. Without giving up too much, and I have already, I feel the future of the web is self regulating.
Some Related Articles:Web 2.0 manages to sober upWeb 3.0 starts with your phoneAre we heading towards another Internet CrashA techno-revolutionary trip to the InternetEvolution not RevolutionWeb 3.0 - May be we get there