Web 2.0 is a fairly new concept to the world wide web. Whereas before companies would hire people to publish information for them in order for the public to view now people can publish their own materials. Web 2.0 is dynamic in the way that it allows users to connect and share information it is more organized and is based on serving web applications to users (1). Web 2.0 has brought about the creation of application programming interface (API) which gives other websites or software developers access to its capabilities and allows them to exchange data. APIs provide the capability for website designers to incorporate Google and Yahoo maps and driving directions directly into their existing website. When your favorite restaurant embeds driving directions on their homepage, you may have an API to thank (2).
APIs and other data feeds such as Real Simple Syndication (RSS), have created what is referred to as a “mash-up,” in which many data sources are put together to create entirely new services. A great example is Zillow.com, which pulls property tax data, housing sales reports, and overlays it atop street maps and satellite images to show home values and to visualize real estate trends (2). APIs make the contents of other sites more accessible to users which in turn helps expand the market for existing products and services. Another example of some of the services available through web 2.0 include Meebo. It uses one interface from all the major IM services and allows you to send and receive instant messages from all the major IM services. All you have to do is give Meebo your usernames and passwords for all your accounts and let them be the intermediary for all your online interactions thereafter (2).
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