Focus On

Jargon Buster: Part One
Winter 2007

One of the things we have been requested for from previous newsletters is an explanation of some of the terms you may have heard buzzing around the internet. So we start with looking at Web 2.0 which has been a hot topic for a number of months now.

The phrase 'web 2.0' was first used in 2004 and steadily, 'web 2.0' applications have increased in number in several different environments.

It's difficult to precisely explain what the phrase refers to - but amongst developers 'web 2.0' is generally used to describe applications that emphasise online collaborations and sharing. Additionally, 'web 2.0' applications tend to be more interactive to use input 'on the fly', that is without having to return to the server to post or collect more data (usually seen by the end user as 'refreshing' or 'reloading' the page).

An example of a 'web 2.0' application is Google's autocomplete feature that attempts to complete your search phrase for you as you type, and other Google Apps employ this new technology. You may hear more about 'web 2.0' as we progress through 2007.