Web 2.0 6 Key pointsSamuel Penn

Data on an epic scaleOnline people and media creators are adding to the data that is input into the internet every day; this is creating an ever-increasing amount of data online and it will always continue to grow. With the data online, many web 2.0 application can make use of the data that you as a user have contributed. Datafication is a concept that all of our knowledge and information, and even though are being digitalised and permanently stored online. This is why computers are becoming more and more a part of our life. An example of datafication could be seen when using amazon as it records both your browsing and purchase history to recommend new items, as even you looking at an item is giving them data that they can utilise.

The wisdom of crowdsCrowdsourcing is a term that used to describe an example of web- based sourcing of information from external sources. This is the concept which is that many users are willing to contribute information so that they can help other gain information, previously of which, they had no access to. This means that sources of reliable content can be generated at little to no cost by any user online. Examples of this may include things such as forums, Wikipedia and other information sharing sites.

OpennessThe openness of the internet could refer to that of the open distribution of information and how easily it can be obtained. It can also refer to the fact that people are able to collaborate with each other in an open manner over the internet. A great example of this is open source software, which means that it is free to use and modify at the users’ own will, as the owner of the licence has made it possible for any user to gain access to their software.

Network effects, power laws and long-tail theory.

The long-tail theory basically states, that as users are spoilt for choice, they will tend to move away from the mainstream products and be able to access and purchase items that are more niche and unique to them; as an added point, this enables companies to be able to target individuals with their marketing. The network effect says that as more and more people start to use a service or webpage or network, the value of that service increases as more people start to utilise it. This also makes the power law possible as if a site is large in size, as in the amount of users, then it is more likely that they will be able to find content that is useful or important to them.

Architecture of participationAs users use a service or network, the information that they add by using the service, enables the providers of that service to better the experience for the user. A good example of this could be google, where it uses other searches and previous searches from the user, to help them find the result or search that they need.

User generated contentUser generated content is as exactly as it sounds and fairly simple to understand. It is information on a website that has been contributed by a user and not the administrators of the website. Any multimedia sharing site is a good exampel of this.