August 2009

What is Web 2.0? A term describing the supposed second generation of web applications that encompass ‘community’ sites. Examples include wikis, social networking sites, blogs etc Is Web 2.0 successful? If I go by the definition of Web 2.0, I think Web 2.0 gets perfect 10 for achieving the intended purpose. There is huge amount of collaboration, networking, blogging….happening all around But, it has also come with a huge cost. Probably 95% of the people use it for intended reasons. But around 5% of the people are turning into addicts. Following are some of my reasons for the same: Those addicted do not bother saying “Good Morning” to people near them. But, start the day saying “Good Morning” in Micro Blog When I start the day, I see some people active for the past few hours. Even when I am about to hit the bed, I see these same folks still on the Micro Blog. They post information on all topics, answer every other question, post comments from the road/home/office. What is their goal in life? Become a Handyman? I see few folks saying “Going to the loo”, “I hurt my….”, “Take a shave”, “Take a bath”. If a prospective employer checks the background, will he offer such people a job? Do these posts exhibit maturity or expertise? There are some self-proclaimed executives all the time on MicroBlog when they should be running the business. I can understand the Marketing and Sales team trying to get leads/sales. But, not the ones who should be running the business. My advice to users will be to identify the important and urgent things first. If you have a job and there are important/urgent things to do, better take care of them first. If you have family or friends, they are more important than 10000 friends on the Web 2.0. If your plan is to start a company, target all your energy in identifying your audience and post your ideas to attract the prospective stakeholders. Add value to what others say. Forwarding others message continuously doesn’t add value. If you are a student, better concentrate on your studies first. Web Design and Search Engine Optimization will not be lucrative for majority of them. I can keep going on and on. But, I hope atleast I change one addict with this post. For all others, I hope an entrepreneur starts a Web 2.0 DeAddiction centre. Pretty soon there are going to be lot of people needing this service. I will not be surprised if one day a person micro blogs asking for help, instead of asking the person next to him/her. I will also not be surprised, if someone blogs his experience of an accident/heart attack instead of trying to get to a hospital. If you have noticed people turning addicted to Web 2.0, please post your comments and forward this link to them. Extrnal links related to this post: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JQkcvMjAwOS8wNC8xMyNBcjAxMTAz Looks like Web 2.0 DeAddiction centre is becoming a reality: http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/detox-centres-cometo-cure-internet-addiction/367837/