Web 2.0
Web 2.0 is a broad umbrella
concept covering a great number of areas ranging from web site design and
software architecture to new business models. It combines a wide range of
technological and social trends which form the new Internet and a new class of
web applications.
Technologies themselves are not what Web 2.0 is about. Revolutionary
new ideas are at the bottom of Web 2.0. It embraces quite a number of social
phenomena like social networking, user-generated content and collective
intelligence. And technologies which become popular in the Web 2.0 era are
merely the means to make it easy for everyone to participate, share and create.
Therefore blogs, social bookmarking and networking sites are some of the most
popular online destinations nowadays.
Since 2004, when the term “Web 2.0”
was used for the first time, it has transformed from an IT buzzword into a
mainstream trend which affects both individuals and enterprises. Developing
software, as well as doing business, in the Web 2.0 era demands from us to
adjust to the realities of the new Web.
Web 2.0
Software
Web as a Platform
One of the key principles of Web 2.0 – the Web as a
platform – states that now the Web can serve as an operating system. This
introduces new benefits for both software vendors and customers and allows
building new products and services by bringing desktop functionality
capabilities to the web , enhancing and improving existing websites’ and
applications’ functionality and performance.
Rich
User Experience and Usability
Simple layout, don’t-make-me-think
navigation, big fonts and bright titles distinguish Web 2.0 design style and let
developers improve the look and feel of websites and user interfaces. But design
is not the only thing which ensures the improved usability of Web 2.0 software.
The use of AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) makes it possible to create
rich-client internet applications (RIAs) that are both more interactive and more
productive than traditional web apps.
Composite
The Web 2.0 era gave rise to a new term in web development – mash-up, also
referred to as a composite, or hybrid, web application or page. A constantly
growing number of web sites are releasing XML feeds (such as RSS or Atom) and
APIs which enables developers to mix and match them to create entirely new,
unique and innovative services based on third-parties’ data.
Architecture of Participation
The most
popular Web 2.0 projects confirm the fact that the easiest way to make your
customers your product’s evangelists is to let them participate in its creation
and development. “The architecture of participation”, which lies at the core of
YouTube, Wikipedia, Digg and many other successful Web 2.0 websites, enables
them to not only get millions of visitors daily, but also to put to good use the
“collective intelligence” effect developing a rich pool of valuable data
generated by users themselves.
Perpetual Beta
Web 2.0 software is shifting from software packages to ongoing services that are
always on and at the same time are being constantly refined and improved. This
introduces a new approach to updates and enhancements that can be delivered
monthly, weekly or even daily without interrupting web system operation. In “the
perpetual beta” model the users are co-developers and real-world testers of
applications, since software vendors now can gather their feedback and thus
produce the service which always meets current customers’ needs and preferences.
Web 2.0 Development
With broad experience gained over 8+ years of
our operations Unicus Interactive is ready to help you meet the requirements of
the new generation of the Web delivering:
• Next-generation Portals
•
Rich Internet Applications
• Composite Applications
• Software as a
Service Applications
• Enterprise Mash-ups
Business Strategy Assessment
We work closely with clients to define their business vision and
strategy to plan, implement and support their Web 2.0 initiatives. We identify
business objectives and the benefits that Web 2.0 can provide and develop a
detailed roadmap for solution implementation.
Technology Assessment and Architecture
The
complex Web 2.0 technology infrastructure presupposes considerable complexity in
application implementation, testing and support as compared to traditional web
applications. When designing technical architecture we pay special attention to
proper selection and effective usage of various Web 2.0 methods, frameworks and
techniques including server-side software, client-side software, RSS, web
protocols, valid XHTML markup, ActiveX controls, applets, real-time push, Web
Services, APIs, etc.
Implementation, Support and On-going Improvement
Based on the roadmap and architecture developed during the assessment stage we
deliver solutions with comprehensive business logic, efficient performance,
business and technical scalability. After the initial launch of the system we
help clients grow and improve the solution by seamlessly integrating new
features and services on top of existing functionality.
Contact us to
help take your business to the next 2.0 level and thus benefit from the latest
trends in web development.
