Web 2.0

Web 2.0 is a new phase of the internet in which we can create material, distribute it and perhaps move closer to the democratic spirit of the internet that it's inventor, Tim Berners-Lee, had intended. This new era is a positive development for ordinary people, they have relatively cheap instant access to film production and distribution, even a webcam combined with broadband connection can make you an overnight sensation on Youtube. An example of this is the 'Numa Numa Guy', who found his way to fame by recording himself singing and dancing to a well known song..

The man in this video had such great success with this video he went on to create a new Youtube Channel named Numa Network and now has his own website, http://www.numanetwork.com/SVkbT/.

Web 2.0 allows interaction and collaboration within a virtual community. This differs greatly from the mere creation and viewing of controlled content with the previous nature of the internet. Although, it was not a sudden and immediate process to get to Web 2.0, it has been a gradual evolution. Features that allow the seemingly infinite communication include message boards and forums. Also, websites such as Amazon now have systems allowing people to rate and review products.

The most popular Web 2.0 websites are owned by huge companies, for example, Youtube is owned by Google, so, social networking 'We Media', creates profit for these companies. These were also the people that were making money from the web previously. According to O'Hear (2006), Digital media will continue to provide it's owners with huge profits.

Despite these changes into a phase in which people have the opportunity to create material to be viewed by people online, most people still choose to just watch, read, play and listen rather than create and distribute. Only 0.16% of Youtube users actually upload videos.