Web2.0

Introduction

In March 2009 the question of where to find a clear (non-video) English language guide to participating in the Web 2.0 world (rather than building its infrastructure).

Keywords

Web 2.0 Guide Introduction

Detailed Description

There are lots of detailed technical guides, discussions and communities focusing on particular Web 2.0 technologies (blogs, social networks, wikis, file sharing, etc). There seem to be fewer guides to the whole phenomenon / trend, for example a structured website or document that might do the trick for those trying to board the Web 2.0 bus for the first time.

KM4Dev Discussions

Helpful suggestions of resources from the community were given and the best are noted below. There was certainly recognition that introductory and overview materials were generally less available. In this respect it was good to here that there will be a new IMARK e-learning module entitled "Web 2.0 and Social Media for Development" which FAO, APC and Sulá Batsú are working on that will be out later this year (http://www.imarkgroup.org/)

Examples in Application

1. "What is Web 2.0? Ideas, technologies and implications for education"

by Paul Anderson (JISC Technology & Standards Watch publication) http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/techwatch/tsw0701b.pdf

Sections 2 and 3 provide good introductory material on Web 2.0 tools and approaches. The report's findings are targeted at the higher education sector and HE libraries in particular.

Authors Summary "This TechWatch report was commissioned to investigate the substance behind the hyperbole surrounding ‘Web 2.0’ and to report on the implications this may have for the UK Higher and Further Education sector, with a special focus on collection and preservation activities within libraries. The report argues that by separating out the discussion of Web technologies (ongoing Web development overseen by the W3C), from the more recent applications and services (social software), and attempts to understand the manifestations and adoption of these services (the ‘big ideas’), decision makers will find it easier to understand and act on the strategic implications of ‘Web 2.0’. Indeed, analysing the composition and interplay of these strands provides a useful framework for understanding its significance."

2. Web2Share wiki on Web 2.0 from ICCO and Euforic

Goes through a wide range of Web 2.0 tools with some commentary and useful links. Video introductions used frequently so more limited for low bandwith users http://web2share.pbwiki.com/

Authors Intro "This wiki introduces some 'building blocks' - tools and applications - for open information, knowledge sharing and communication in development. It builds on the efforts of ICCO, Euforic and their partners."

3. Tim Davies's One Page Guides to Web 2.0 Tools

Time Davies is a consultant who has put together 21 one page guides (at last count) to a wide range of Web 2.0 Tools. Each one page guide is laid out in a really nice visual style with action orientated tips for getting started using each tool. Excellent! http://www.scribd.com/people/documents/8465604-tim-davies

More on the One Page series from Tim's Blog: http://www.timdavies.org.uk/tags/onepage/

Original Author and Subsequent Contributors of this FAQ

Carl Jackson

Dates of First Creation and Further Revisions

First created 6 March 2009.

FAQ KM4Dev Source Materials

1.I’m failing spectacularly to find a clear (non-video) English language guide to participating in the Web 2.0 world (rather than building its infrastructure). If you’ve spotted a structured website or document that might do the trick for those trying to board the Web 2.0 bus for the first time I’d be really grateful for tips. Best, Carl jackson

2. I know there are several toolkits and there are some great blogs with content describing how to use one or the other tool but most jump right into using the tools and do not really provide a lot of background: context, advantages (and disadv.) of using web2, principles etc. All this is there, but rather scattered around. Stephan Dohrn

3. I have found the JISC Technology & Standards Watch publication "What is Web 2.0? Ideas, technologies and implications for education" by Paul Anderson useful. www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/techwatch/tsw0701b.pdf FAO, APC and Sulá Batsú are working on a new IMARK e-learning module entitled "Web 2.0 and Social Media for Development" which will be out later this year. Stay tuned... Regards, Andrew Nadeau

4. There are quite some resources on the web, but you may have to know them. Some time ago I listed 7 introductory resources on my weblog. You can find it here: [1] Cheers, Joitske Hulsebosch