Web 2point0

What is Web 2.0?
In the words of Tim O'Reilly, coiner of the very term, Web 2.0 is a where a network is the platform. It's where users add value, and the goal is to create databases which only get better with an ever increasing number of users.
In other words, Web 2.0 is where users gain control of the interface.
Web 2.0 allows users the freedom of talking to each other, instead of just being talked at.
No longer do users passively sit back and simply absorb information, they now explore, contribute and communicate with others.

View http://youtube.com/watch?v=nsa5ZTRJQ5w for more insight.

Some great examples

1. Facebook
2. Myspace
3. Wikipedia
4. Google Earth

Facebook:

Facebook is a communication platform that allows users to search for friends and family with Facebook profiles, and communicate in ways similar and dissimilar to real life.
Messages and comments can be left, photos can be posted in albums, and a myriad of applications can be added to personalise and enhance interactions between users. Not only can users give virtual gifts, flowers, and try to measure their IQ against their friends', they can also engage in virtual motorbike and car races for points, nominate friends for novelty superlatives, and send each other movie clips and dedicate songs - and so much more.


Google Earth:

Google Earth enables users to view any part of the earth and zoom in, find points of interest, and other details specific to the local landscape. As an additional bonus, if viewing the Eiffel Tower from above isn't enough, users are able to click on the camera icons and view images others have posted from different distances and perspectives! Almost as good as being there - and possibly with a greater overall visual experience than an individual could have of the icon in the flesh.

Interactive Design

Interactive design is process of creating products or systems that allows user control - allows interaction.
Based on ideas found in Nathan Shedroff's paper "Information Interaction Design: A Unified Field Theory of Design", interactive design is the design of meaningful interactions and experiences for others.

Users should have the control to contribute information or action, and make changes and respond to other users and their behaviour.

Some examples of interactive media in the form of games are

1. Halo 3,
2. Call of Duty 4
3. Unreal Tournament 3
   

Halo 3:



Call of Duty 4:



Unreal Tournament 3:

Information Design

Information design is the process behind all good communication experiences.
It is the structure which facilitates graphic design, and the expression of other visual disciplines.
Information architecture is the term used to describe the complex logic and ordering systems used in communicating. The term implies the obvious link to physical architecture, and relates to what it involves; the building of informative experiences in a meaningful way, and the decisions made in relation to hierarchy, etc.
Information architecture is basically about the following key aspects: communication, learning, narrative and memory.
In a lecture given by Sarah Waterson, Sarah noted that behind any kind information communication exists a database, even at the most basic level.
With so much data in existence, it is virtually impossible to make sense out of it all, unless it is ordered in a meaningful, experience-rich way.