Why I Use the Term “Web 2.0”
I use the term “Web 2.0” because:
- it is easier than saying “all the lessons we’ve learned so far about what works on the web that you should be paying attention to”.
- it signals we’re talking about the Web and newness and something being different than it was before
- it’s easy and fast to say and use, and can be used by marketing people, software people, VCs, whomever
- I’m a writer. So it is in my best interest to use terms that people use, and people use the term “Web 2.0”
But if someone doesn’t want to use that term, if they’re somehow offended, if they think it’s an attempt at self-promotion, or to ride some hype wave into prominence, then fine, I’ll use whatever term they want to use.
…as long as we understand each other.
I use the term “Web 2.0” because:
- It is easier than saying “all the lessons we’ve learned so far about what works on the web that might be worth paying attention to”.
- It signals we’re talking about the Web and newness and something being different than it was before
- It represents a change to networked, online applications, services, and APIs.
- It’s easy and fast to say and use, and can be used by marketing people, software people, VCs, designers, whomever.
- I’m a writer. So it is in my best interest to use terms that people use, and people use the term “Web 2.0”
But if someone doesn’t want to use that term, if they’re somehow offended, if they think it’s an attempt at self-promotion, or to ride some hype wave into prominence, then fine, I’ll use whatever term they want to use.
…as long as we understand each other.
Published: December 20th, 2005
