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Web 2.0 in a nutshell

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What is Web 2.0? To the end-user, Web 2.0 allows to interact with a web site just like using a desktop application; For tech-savvy folks, Web 2.0 means AJAX, XMLHTTPRequest, and so on. For VCs, Web 2.0 means new opportunities that can create and package small companies and sell to Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, News Corp... (click the links to see the acquisitions)

But the best Web 2.0-in-a-nutshell appears in this article:

The Web's first iteration entailed people going to Web sites, like Yahoo, to see what was there. Second-generation sites, like YouTube and MySpace, let users contribute their own information and then change it. That's the revolution in a nutshell.

Personally, I will disagree with the author of this article - Web 2.0 is NOT all about Google. Admittedly, Google is clearly the leader. But remember the whole thing is still in the very early stage. People are still very much relying on their desktop applications on their daily work. Many opportunities, many directions to go, tons of money to spend, and it is definitely too early to say who will thrive and who will burst.

A side note:

The article mentioned a new Windows Live beta service call Photosynth. I think it is very cool.

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