Web 2.0 Definitions

User-generated Content- refers to the different forms of media content that are produced by users and can be publicly viewed.

Long tail- a strategy of selling a large number of unique items in relatively small quantities. Users tell manufacturers exactly what they want and need, and in turn, companies add options on their websites where the customers can customize the products to fit those wants and needs.

Network as platform- a way of delivering a customized experience to consumers. As businesses are become more concerned with how they can increase value rather than simply increasing the number of sales, exectutives are realizing that they have to deliver products the way the customers want it. The online user-interfaces allow these consumers to communicate with the businesses so they can generate valuable products and experiences to them.

Folksonomy- a way of allowing users to classify and characterize information on the web. An example is photo tagging on social networking sites.

Syndication- website material is made available to multiple other sites. This allows for the increased immediacy of information provided on the web.

Mass Collaboration- occurs when a large number of people are working on a single project at the same time. New web technologies, such as Google Docs and Spreadsheets and Google Wave, allow users to upload project information and edit and share each others work in real time. This allows for a quicker and easier way of updating information and keeping communcations flowing throughout a work group.

Computer Supported Collaboration- similar to mass collaboration in which technology and the internet are used in work groups to increase the steady flow of information from user to user.

Hosted Services- a type of internet hosting service that allows individuals and organizations to make their own website accessible via the internet. An example of this can include blogs.

Web Application- an application that is accessed via a web browser over the internet. It allows for the updating and maintaining web applications without disturbing the software of the million other users and computers. These web applications are highly compatible with other softwares and application.

Social Software- allows users to interactand share data. This can include softwares used my Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Amazon.com, and Ebay. They can also come in forms of blogs and wikis.

Video-sharing sites- sites that permit users to upload videos they have created. YouTube is an example of a video-sharing site. Users can upload videos and then also comment through video on other users' videos. This new technology allows for the increased customization and personalization of information sharing.

Wikis- a website that allows the easy creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or text editor. They are used for collaborative websites and many professors use them to allow the uploading of student assignments.

Blogs- a website that is usually maintained by an individual who continually updates the site with commentary and personal opinions about information, news or anything else that the user is concerned about sharing with the public.

Mashups- a web page that combines data from two or more sources and puts it into one. It provides fast and easy integration to allow for the faster sharing and spreading of information over the web to users.