Task 1b: Web 2.0

I always thought that my technical knowledge of communications was of a relatively good level.  I now consider my knowledge to be that of rather mediocre after browsing through the reader of this particular task!

I have never heard of the concept of Web 2.0 and so this certainly got me thinking and better yet exploring the very vast range of the social-networking phenomenon.  I currently use many of the main social networking platforms but all in a different way.  And yet all of these strangely have some sort of impact on my life, whether the impact is to connect with new people, to develop my knowledge or to just simply voice an opinion and learn that of others. 

Unfortunately the link for Tim O'Reilly given in the reader has become unavailable which was interesting! But I did manage to track it down and this actually made me realise that Web 2.0 isn't just about social networking.  In my opinion, it seems that Web 2.0 is a developing form of technology which will only enable us to have access to build on our intelligence of what is possible within the world we live in.  Technology develops at such a fast speed, so fast in fact that it took me a good few days to become familiar with the software on my new laptop.  And that is what a difference of five years can make within technology!

What is a Meme?

When reading through the reader for this task, I was interested to develop my knowledge of Web 2.0.  I came across the word 'Meme' which meant absolutely nothing to me.  In Tim O'Reilly's article 'What is Web 2.0' he refers to Web 2.0 as a meme.  So for me to understand exactly what Web 2.0 is, I need to understand everything that it represents.

'What is Web 2.0...' -Tim O'Reilly

I searched online to determine exactly what a 'meme' is.  I came across this interesting article from Paul Gil to answer the question of: What is a 'Meme'? What Are Examples of Modern Internet Memes?  
This helped me to understand why Tim O'Reilly talks about Web 2.0 as a meme, and how it can be seen as a collective of social ideas transmitted through the internet.

This is such a small area of what Web 2.0 is all about.  So I look forward to exploring this concept more and even using it to develop my knowledge and understanding towards this degree.