Web 3.0: New Era

Web 3.0: The New Web

Everyone knows that technology is advancing rapidly. What that entails is the restructuring of what we once knew into something better. That is exactly what is happening now with the slow movement into Web 3.0, an Internet that is layered and more tailored to a mobile and interactive user.

Web 3.0 takes the internet to a whole new level. According to the research, this will be the "third generation of Internet-based services that collectively comprise what might be called 'the intelligent Web' -- such as those using semantic web, microformats, natural language search, data-mining, machine learning, recommendation agents, and artificial intelligence technologies -- which emphasize machine-facilitated understanding of information in order to provide a more productive and intuitive user experience" (Spivack, 2014). Essentially, the Internet will be smarter and more adaptive than ever before. This will allow the Internet to adapt to the unique demands and desires of each individual user.

One of the primary features of Web 3.0 is a movement into greater reliance on network computing. Rather than listening to one device at a time, Web 3.0 technology will integrate multiple devices into a single network, so that it can transmit what it has learned about the user over a multitude of different devices. There will more emphasis on networks, rather than individual machines. Here, the research suggests that "it will transform the Web from a network of separately siloed applications and content repositories to a more seamless and interoperable whole" (Spivack, 2014). Thus, there will be greater connectivity to mobile devices through a mobile internet connection. All of these devices will link up with each other, so that the user can enjoy a tailored Internet across his or her devices without having to worry about relogging in or training each device separately. Essentially, "the idea here is to make sure that the user can access as much data as possible from anywhere, not just their home" (Gaines, 2011). This will make the Internet more adaptable with less effort on behalf of the user.

When comparing it to Web 2.0, there are some major differences. The research states that "Web 2.0 focuses on several major themes, including AJAX, social networking, folksonomies, lightweight collaboration, social bookmarking, and media sharing" (Spivack, 2014). It is primarily about users sharing user generated content on a solid an unalterable Internet interface. They can share content, but they cannot design their own content via online services. Essentially, "Web 2.0 is characterized mainly by the ability of users to share information quickly with others, which has been developed into the phenomenon that we call social media. From Twitter to Facebook to YouTube and to all sorts of other kinds of communities, Web 2.0 is all about sharing and seeing" (Gaines, 2011). Yet, Web 2.0 is limited in regards to the average user and how much of a tailored experience that user can create with the tools that are available.

Web 3.0, on the other hand, will be more about layering information in a world where all users are interactive. Here, the streaming is live, which goes beyond the shared content of Web 2.0 to a more interactive environment, Essentially, "the data will come from the user and the web will essentially adjust to meet the needs of the user," (Gaines, 2011). Search engine optimization will allow tailored ads to be shown based on what the users are searching for. Thus, it will feature open data and technologies that allow for greater sharing and individual adaptation of software depending on individual liking and needs.

Yet, there are some negatives that come along with this new age. Not everything about this new Internet age will benefit the user. Web 3.0 is being ushered in because of rulings against net neutrality, which stipulated that traffic could not be discriminate against. According to the research, "that means ISPs are now free to make deals with some services, like Netflix and Amazon, to provide faster service" (Isaacson, 2014).