There’s been a lot of talk in the last few years about the current form of the Internet becoming obsolete. If you follow the development of new technologies, you may be familiar with the term Web 3.0. However, not everyone understands how it differs from previous versions, what features it has, and what has changed. In this article, the experts at Grapherex will talk about the evolution of the Web.
What Is Web 1.0?
The period from 1991 to 2004 is called the period of Web 1.0, the first generation of the Internet. It is also referred to as the “read-only Internet”. This name only appeared after the concept of Web 2.0 emerged.
At that time, most websites had a text format with icons and images, but there was no way to interact with the pages. An average consumer could search and read information using a browser such as Internet Explorer.
The purpose of Web 1.0 was to present content and products to consumers. It was a set of static sites with a lot of information, and everything was joined using hyperlinks. The data was created, stored, and published by site owners. Users could read news and articles but could not interact with the content or create it. There were no authorisations or editing functions.
Features of Web 1.0
Web 1.0 started the World Wide Web, and it was the basis for the web versions we see today. During the Web 1.0 era, websites had several basic features:
Static pages — web pages were built on static HTML, which was designed solely for displaying information. There were no interactive pages, functions, the possibility to create a personal account, or anything else.
Website storage — in the Web 1.0 era, site content was stored directly in site files. Currently, databases are used to store website content.
Personal web pages — since there were no social networks and no possibility to create an account to join a community, people created their own personal web pages. They consisted mainly of static pages hosted on the web servers of ISPs or on free web hosting services.
One-way communication — the fact that content could be created only by the site owner is both a strength and a weakness of Web 1.0. On the one hand, Web 1.0 did not allow malicious content or adverts to be uploaded. On the other hand, Web 1.0 offered almost no communication between content creators and users.
Guestbooks — since there was no possibility to edit website information or leave comments, but feedback was still necessary, Web 1.0 had pages called “Guestbook Pages” Instead of placing comments on the content page, users added comments to guestbooks.
What Is Web 2.0?
Web 2.0 is the version of the Internet we see now when we open any browser. It includes social media, platforms that can be edited, personal accounts, open comments, and accessible feedback. It permits interactivity, user-generated content, and social connections for users.
The term Web 2.0 was introduced during the Web 2.0 Summit held in 2004 by Tim O’Reilly and Dale Daugherty. More accessible mobile devices and mobile Internet access led to the exponential growth of Web 2.0.
The new version has changed the way information is delivered by introducing blogs and wikis. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Blogger, and LiveJournal all emerged. It has allowed many people to generate income in new ways, such as selling services online.
Features of Web 2.0
The current Web 2.0 version has the following features:
User interaction — Web 2.0 fosters interaction and connectivity, gives freedom of action and helps people socialise online. It became possible to create and publish posts, share photos and videos, write comments, quickly find an audience, and much more.
Better user experience — the Web 2.0 version enables people to participate in discussions, share data with friends and family, and keep in touch with people around the world. It offers simple information-sharing options. What’s more, you can find huge amounts of diverse information in a single click.
Information search and sorting — Web 2.0 allows easy access to information by making it easier to sort. Users can retrieve and categorise information quickly and for free. In the case of dynamic content, this is particularly useful.
What Is Web 3.0?
Web 3.0 is the post-Web 2.0 version of the Internet, an improvement over its predecessors. Web 3.0 is a word coined by Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood. Web 3.0 will utilise blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and NFTs so that web users can better control their data on the Internet.
Also known as the Semantic Web, it will be an improved version of Web 2.0, where artificial intelligence and machine learning allow computers to interpret information. Data ownership is another benefit, as users get rights over their data through innovations like a domain name service where identities are tied to a Web 3.0 wallet address.
It will also address the shortcomings of Web 2.0 by allowing users to monetise their activity on a platform. Currently, social media users do not get paid for using these platforms, but Web 3.0 allows people to earn money there.
Features of Web 3.0
Web 3.0 is empowering the Internet, and to understand what’s new, we need to know some of the terms associated with Web 3.0:
Semantic Web — the Semantic Web allows computers to analyse data from the Web in a new way. Computers will be able to decipher meaning and emotion. This allows web users to have a better experience with data through enhanced connectivity.
Decentralisation — Decentralisation is the foundation of Web 3.0. Ownership and control are distributed among users rather than being handed over to a small group of people. Moreover, information in Web 3.0 will be stored in different places, so Internet giants won’t have access to everything, and users will retain ownership of the data.
Universality — Web 3.0 will make the Internet accessible to everyone. IoT (Internet of Things) will lead to new types of smart devices connected to the Internet.
Trustless and permissionless — Web 3.0 won’t require a third party for participants to interact. A permissionless network will not demand participants to obtain permission from a governing body. This feature makes Web 3.0 a perfect network for decentralised services like DeFi.
Differences Between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0:
Now, let’s compare the current web version and the one we are moving towards.
We live in very interesting times and will be keeping an eye on what new technologies will bring us. It’s now crucial to learn how to work with AI, blockchain, and decentralised apps. Read the Grapherex blog to stay up to date.
