2008 Woodie Awards
Web 2.0 applications you should utilize
By: Courtney Hime
Issue date: 10/2/07 Section: Features
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A new wave of applications, categorized as "Web 2.0," is surfacing throughout the internet. Web 2.0, coined by Tim O'Reilly, is the new term for applications that meet three requirements. First, Web 2.0 tools are socially constructed, so people are contributing, editing and reading the content. Second, content of Web 2.0 tools is typically called 'microcontent', which means that it is typically focused on one primary idea or concept. Lastly, these tools are ever-changing and dynamic, unlike most Web sites that are static in nature.
You are most likely aware of many Web 2.0 applications on the Web; Wikipedia, MySpace, YouTube and even Facebook fall into this generation of Web tools. Here are five lesser known Web applications to make your Internet experience even better.
1. Pandora.com - Not only does this Web site provide free streaming music, but it's likely to get you hooked on new artists. As part of the Music Genome Project, Pandora enables you to select specific songs and artists that you enjoy, and then plays songs that are musically similar. The site allows you to approve or veto the song choices and will alter your playlist based on those decisions.
2. Del.icio.us - Pronounced "delicious", this social book-marking tool enables you to access your favorite Web sites from any computer with Internet access. A user account is required, but once you sign up for the free service you will be able to add links, articles and other media to your del.icio.us page. The simple interface and tags make the Web site easy to navigate through. The tool also allows you to share your favorite links with other users.
3. Zoho.com - This Web suite of applications includes a word processing tool, spreadsheets, presentation viewer, calendar, planner and many other features with a simple login. The Zoho Office Suite doesn't require any software and allows you to create and edit many different types of documents from any Internet connection. The applications can be used by themselves or can be integrated with Microsoft Office and other similar systems.
4. Flickr.com - This photo-sharing Web tool acts as an interactive and online photo album. The site allows users to organize their photos by 'tags' that are searchable by other users. Often users can find photos by searching a place, name or topic. Free accounts from the Web site allow users to access the most recent 200 images uploaded. More photo storage is available for an extra fee.
5. booksnag.com - Though it doesn't entirely fit the fundamental definition of a Web 2.0 application, booksnag.com is a useful book-selling site that originated at DePauw. This Web site enables students at DePauw to buy and sell textbooks, often at lower prices than their competitors. Students input the title or ISBN number of the book and booksnag.com searches the student database of posted books. The site returns with a list of students selling the needed item as well as the listed price of the book on Amazon.com.
You are most likely aware of many Web 2.0 applications on the Web; Wikipedia, MySpace, YouTube and even Facebook fall into this generation of Web tools. Here are five lesser known Web applications to make your Internet experience even better.
1. Pandora.com - Not only does this Web site provide free streaming music, but it's likely to get you hooked on new artists. As part of the Music Genome Project, Pandora enables you to select specific songs and artists that you enjoy, and then plays songs that are musically similar. The site allows you to approve or veto the song choices and will alter your playlist based on those decisions.
2. Del.icio.us - Pronounced "delicious", this social book-marking tool enables you to access your favorite Web sites from any computer with Internet access. A user account is required, but once you sign up for the free service you will be able to add links, articles and other media to your del.icio.us page. The simple interface and tags make the Web site easy to navigate through. The tool also allows you to share your favorite links with other users.
3. Zoho.com - This Web suite of applications includes a word processing tool, spreadsheets, presentation viewer, calendar, planner and many other features with a simple login. The Zoho Office Suite doesn't require any software and allows you to create and edit many different types of documents from any Internet connection. The applications can be used by themselves or can be integrated with Microsoft Office and other similar systems.
4. Flickr.com - This photo-sharing Web tool acts as an interactive and online photo album. The site allows users to organize their photos by 'tags' that are searchable by other users. Often users can find photos by searching a place, name or topic. Free accounts from the Web site allow users to access the most recent 200 images uploaded. More photo storage is available for an extra fee.
5. booksnag.com - Though it doesn't entirely fit the fundamental definition of a Web 2.0 application, booksnag.com is a useful book-selling site that originated at DePauw. This Web site enables students at DePauw to buy and sell textbooks, often at lower prices than their competitors. Students input the title or ISBN number of the book and booksnag.com searches the student database of posted books. The site returns with a list of students selling the needed item as well as the listed price of the book on Amazon.com.
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