"Web 2.0" doesn't have a crisp definition. It encompasses a huge variety of things ranging from google maps to flickr. Overall it represents anything that feels like a step up from the web 1.0ish static html, grey background world.
A few defining characteristics of many "web 2.0" sites:
- Application vs. static content, nearly all content is dynamically generated, per user
- Use of AJAX to provide responsive interactivity instead of whole-page-refresh per-click
- Social media aspects, leverage of user generated content in the form of comments, media, etc.
- Use of web-centric graphic and usability design. No more default gray backgrounds, no more horrid framed interfaces, no more geocities syndrome. Tight, coherent layout trending toward minimalism. Use of proven usability enhancement accepted standards such as breadcrumbs, search, standard header or footer navigation menu, "click logo to go to home page", etc.
All of these trends led to a flowering of 2nd generation uses of the web which generally became lumped into the "web 2.0" category.
A web-store with an animated "under construction" banner that uses mostly default fonts and colors, contains a simple home page of static content which links to a few pages filled with tables of inventory listings and instructions on how to send in orders via email, phone, and by printing out/filling in/mailing an order form is web 1.0. A web-store that is sleekly designed with full searchability as well as browsing by category/manufacturer/what-have-you, a proper shopping cart system, a full detail page for each item with an image, detailed description including formatted details and maybe customer reviews, per-item inventory tracking, etc. is web 2.0.
A few defining characteristics of many "web 2.0" sites:
- Application vs. static content, nearly all content is dynamically generated, per user
- Use of AJAX to provide responsive interactivity instead of whole-page-refresh per-click
- Social media aspects, leverage of user generated content in the form of comments, media, etc.
- Use of web-centric graphic and usability design. No more default gray backgrounds, no more horrid framed interfaces, no more geocities syndrome. Tight, coherent layout trending toward minimalism. Use of proven usability enhancement accepted standards such as breadcrumbs, search, standard header or footer navigation menu, "click logo to go to home page", etc.
All of these trends led to a flowering of 2nd generation uses of the web which generally became lumped into the "web 2.0" category.
A web-store with an animated "under construction" banner that uses mostly default fonts and colors, contains a simple home page of static content which links to a few pages filled with tables of inventory listings and instructions on how to send in orders via email, phone, and by printing out/filling in/mailing an order form is web 1.0. A web-store that is sleekly designed with full searchability as well as browsing by category/manufacturer/what-have-you, a proper shopping cart system, a full detail page for each item with an image, detailed description including formatted details and maybe customer reviews, per-item inventory tracking, etc. is web 2.0.