Web 2.0: Principles and Best Practices

Executive Summary

Web 2.0 is a set of economic, social, and technology trends that collectively form the basis for the next generation of the Internet—a more mature, distinctive medium characterized by user participation, openness, and network effects.

Web 2.0 is here today, yet its vast disruptive impact is just beginning. More than just the latest technology buzzword, it's a transformative force that's propelling companies across all industries toward a new way of doing business. Those who act on the Web 2.0 opportunity stand to gain an early-mover advantage in their markets.

O'Reilly Media has identified eight core patterns that are keys to understanding and navigating the Web 2.0 era. This report details the problems each pattern solves or opportunities it creates, and provides a thorough analysis of market trends, proven best practices, case studies of industry leaders, and tools for hands-on self-assessment. To compete and thrive in today's Web 2.0 world, technology decision-makers—including executives, product strategists, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders—need to act now, before the market settles into a new equilibrium. This report shows you how.

What's causing this change? Consider the following raw demographic and technological drivers:

• One billion people around the globe now have access to the Internet

• Mobile devices outnumber desktop computers by a factor of two

• Nearly 50 percent of all U.S. Internet access is now via always-on broadband connections

Combine drivers ...