The Journey from Web 1.0 to Web 3.0

The internet has come a long way since its inception. From the early days of static web pages to the dynamic, interactive, and decentralized web of today, the evolution of the internet has been nothing short of remarkable.

Web 1.0: The Early Days

Web 1.0, also known as the "read-only web," was the first iteration of the internet. During this time, websites were primarily static and consisted of simple HTML pages with text and images. There was little to no interactivity or user-generated content, and users were limited to simply viewing the content that was presented to them.

The web as we know it got its humble start in 1989. The core protocols of the web were created, and the first browser and search engine were born in 1990. British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee developed HTML, HTTP, URLs?and 1991 saw the first web page containing information about World Wide Web project at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN.

On it, people could find out how to create web pages and learn about hypertext (coded words or phrases that link to content).

There were 10 websites by 1992, increased to 3,000 by 1994 once the W3 became public domain. The search engine Google made its debut in 1996 with over 2 million websites.

Web 1.0 was primarily used for informational purposes. Companies would create simple websites to share information about their products or services with potential customers. However, there was little opportunity for interaction or engagement with customers.

Web 2.0: The Rise of Social Media and User-Generated Content

Web 2.0, also known as the "participatory web" or "social web," marked a significant shift in the way that people used the internet. During this time, websites became more interactive and user-generated content became a key feature of many sites.

The term Web 2.0 was coined in 1999 to differentiate the post-dot-com bubble era,?and later gained popularity at the first Web 2.0 Conference in 2004.

Web 2.0 opened up new opportunities for companies to engage with their customers and build stronger relationships with them. Companies could use social media to interact with customers, respond to their questions and concerns, and gather feedback on their products or services. 1997 saw the first social networking website SixDegrees. Ajax, JavaScript Framework, Micosoft.NET Framework and Adobe Flex are the respective technologies used for Web 2.0

Further, Facebooks, Twitters & TikToks of the world, blogs, wikis, video sharing sites like YouTube etc. took birth in this era. The four main purposes for adoption of web 2.0 tools in public?libraries are:?content sharing, communication, social networking, and crowdsourcing.

Web 3.0: The Decentralized Web ...the Future of Internet

Web 3.0, also known as the "decentralized web" or "blockchain web," is the next iteration of the internet. This era is characterized by a move towards decentralization, where users have more control over their data and interactions on the web.

Examples of Web 3.0 technologies include blockchain-based platforms like Ethereum, and decentralized applications (dapps) built on top of these platforms. These technologies allow for new types of applications that are more secure, transparent, and resistant to censorship. Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa?are semantically intelligent web applications of Web 3.0 using AI, NLP, and human voice recognition software.

Web 3.0 has the potential to revolutionize many industries by enabling new types of decentralized business models. For example, companies could use blockchain technology to create more secure and transparent supply chains or to enable peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries. In e-commerce it aims to improve online shopping experience by providing personalized and more efficient and secure platform. ‘360-degree product views’ catalogues and ‘View in your Room’ are some such simplistic examples.

Another vision of Web 3.0 - Metaverse, aims to provide an immersive 3D virtual space where humans can interact through VR headsets and AR glasses giving almost a real-life experience, yet virtually.

In conclusion, the journey from Web 1.0 to Web 3.0 has been marked by significant changes in the way that people use the internet. From static informational sites to dynamic social media platforms and decentralized applications, each era has brought new opportunities for businesses to engage with their customers and create value in new ways.