With the emergence of new technologies – such as Web 3.0 and the Metaverse – it is important to understand how they work and how they originated.
The World Wide Web has gone through many changes since its inception – beginning with Web 1.0, which was created by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989. Web 1.0 focused on basic connectivity and hyperlinks, acting as an information portal rather than an interactive technology.
With the introduction of Web 2.0 in 2004 came interactivity, including video, blogging and social media. Webpages have become highly customizable and complex with new technologies like Ajax and CSS.
The term Web 3.0 – also known as Web 3 – was introduced in 2014 and includes emerging technologies such as blockchain and AI.
In reviewing the difference between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0, centralization and decentralization are the major factors. With Web 2.0, application delivery, cloud services and platforms are governed and driven by centralized sources. With Web 3.0, edge computing, peer-to-peer and distributed consensus are becoming increasingly common.
For more information on comparing Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 and their impact, review the video transcript below.
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Web 3.0 is the new web 2.0.
We have three generations of the World Wide Web: Web 1.0, Web 2.0 and Web 3.0. Each generation differs significantly when building on the characteristics of the earlier generations.
Here, we will discuss the differences between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0, but you can read more about the impact of Web 3.0 on business at the link above or in the description below.
Web 1.0 was centered around static webpages with hyperlinking. In 2004, Web 2.0 introduced interactivity to the Web with new technologies that allowed users to create and use complex websites with features such as blogging, social media, and video. Most of us know and understand it as the web.
Web 3.0, commonly referred to as Web3, was originally conceptualized as Semantic Web in 2006 and given its current name in 2014, but it is still an emerging niche not yet clearly defined. Built on consensus algorithms, Web3 introduces the concept of decentralization and integrates technologies such as blockchain and cryptocurrencies.
While Web3 builds on its predecessor, there are still significant differences between Web2 and Web3.
- Web2 is centralized, which means that applications and platforms are managed and operated by centralized authorities. Web3 is based on decentralization, which includes edge computing, peer-to-peer and distributed consensus.
- Web2 works with currency like Dollar, Euro, Pound or Rupee, while Web3 works with cryptocurrencies like Helium, Chainlink and Filecoin.
- Web2 introduced layout techniques such as CSS and Ajax, which provide dynamic control of webpages. Web3 will be defined by autonomous technologies such as AI and machine learning.
- Web2 ushered in the age of social networking, while Web3 will use the metaverse world to combine physical, virtual and augmented realities.
How do you think Web3 will change the web as we know it? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to like and subscribe too.
