What's the big deal about Web 2.0?

Image: Zweefduik / Swallow dive by Nationaal Archief originally uploaded to Flickr Commons

The big deal is that Web 2.0 is everywhere. As much as it is a collection of applications and uses, Web 2.0 is a state of mind.

With Web 1.0 'users' could log on and read text and images just like in a book - it was all look but don't touch. With Web 2.0 the 'user' has been replaced by the 'creator/contributor' who is free to participate in a global social phenomemon that is all about creating, sharing, re-using and questioning content on the Web. The tools they use include blogs, wikis (like Wikipedia), threaded discussions, podcasts, social networking groups (MySpace, Facebook, Twitter), uploading & sharing (YouTube, Flickr, iTune) and realtime tools such as webinars and instant messaging (Skype, Yahoo Chat.)

Lots of museums are already using the Web 2.0 platform to introduce their collections to new 'visitors'. Once visitors have been introduced they keep them coming back by providing lots of opportunities for them to become involved.

Over the next few weeks I'll send though profiles of some of the most interesting sites I have come across. Hopefully they will provide some food for thought and will get us all thinking about how we can make Web 2.0 work for us.

If you haven't done so already, go on, make the leap!
Caz

Your very own blog!

Image: Tate Modern box installation originally uploaded on Flickr by Guy Meagher2

Welcome to your new blog. As you know I am trying to become a Web 2.0 expert overnight and I figure the best way to do that is to jump right in! This is a permission-based site so even though it is accessed via the Web only CRE staff can enter.

I have called the site 'Out of the Box' because I figure that getting things out of boxes and into the public domain is what motivates us all one way or another. On a less literal note, I hope that using this site will help us to think 'outside the box' by creating new and exciting ways of working together both during and after the redevelopment. There are lots of challenges ahead. How can we best present the Collections onsite, offsite and online during this period? What's the best way to manage and provide access to the Collections once they are offsite? How will this change our current work practises?

Obviously there is not much on the site yet but I would value your comments and any contributions you might have (perhaps you could upload your travel pics Tim?). We all come across interesting websites, blogs, videos etc in the course of our daily work and this is a good place to share them. At the moment you can add to the site through the comments function which results in a discussion thread but if you would like to write a post just let me know and I will set you up with 'blog author' permission.

It might all sound a bit vague at the moment but I really think this has the potential to bring us all together virtually in a way that we never seem to be physically. You'll just have to trust me (would I lie to you?!).

Looking forward to your comments

Caz