http://www.computer.org/portal/cms_docs_computer/computer/homepage/Jan09/r1web.pdf
“We are going from a web of connected documents to a web of connected data” (Spivack in Markoff, 2006). Web 3.0 uses a mix of Web 2.0, Semantic and other data technology. Semantic web search technology will help Web 3.0 to ‘mine’ the web more effectively, leaving no need for Web 3.0 to rely on the likes of comments and keywords to share and find information.
It is still in the development stages so the name is really a commercial term for advancements. There is no exact definition of what Web 3.0 is at present but experts say it will probably be with us in the next two to three years.
“You don’t need to apologize for calling it Web 3.0. Of course the Web does not upgrade in one go like a company switching to Vista. But there is a definite phase transition from current technologies. My personal Web 3.0 definition is ‘the combination of Web 2.0 mass collaboration with structured databases’…If you don't like the Web 3.0 title, just call it the semantic web, no one really knows what that means either." (Abraham, 2008).
Therefore there is a difference, but it is not very clear, even to experts in the field. Web 3.0 could be classified as just a name for a discussion, as we users have not seen any changes to Internet services. However, in saying this, will we notice when Web 3.0 is used or will it be a smooth transition we won’t realise we were apart of until many years time?
References:
Markoff, J (2006) “Entrepreneurs See a Web Guided by Common Sense” New York Times, 12/11/06 www.nytimes.com/2006/11/12/business/12web.html [Accessed 21/03/09]
Abraham, S (2008) “Semantic Web-Web 3.0” Stephen’s Lighthouse. http://stephenslighthouse.sirsidynix.com/archives/2008/02/ [Accessed 21/03/09]
Good stuff. I like your point that it's a marketing name and your quote that things don't actually progress like that.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think your searching has missed one aspect out of the Web3.0 sales pitch -and that's 'ubiquitous cloud computing' This is where computing power is available anywhere -and it knows who you are and what you're likely to want. Think of radio, where every station in the world is available anywhere, and it knows what you want to listen to -except this isn't 'listening' it's computing -video uplinking, editing, spreadsheet calculating, GPS data mining, ticket purchasing -anything you can think of that can be done by software -and you don't have to have software installed, you 'rent it by the minute's use. You store all your data 'on the matrix (cloud) too, so it's backed up, you can't lose it. Such devices don't have to be big -because they only run a few programmes at a time and because they are multi-function and Open Standards operated, they can be as cheap as expensive mobile phones -indeed, they'll do video skype too! (Star Trek here we come!)