Web 2.0

Definition

Web 2.0 is an internet trend aimed at encouraging creativity, participation, collaboration and sharing amongst web users. The name Web 2.0 suggests a new refurbished version of the World Wide Web, however this is misleading as it does not refer to any specific update, but rather to a change in the ways the web is used. It relates to a second generation of web-based communities and hosted services such as:

• Social networking services; an online community focused on building online social networks for users who share similar interests and activities, or would like to explore the interests and activities of others.

• Wikis; software which enables users to easily create, edit and link we pages.

• Blogs; short for web-log, blogs are websites that can emulate diaries and journals, or function as a way of providing commentary or news on a particular subject. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-order and may contain combinations of text, images and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. Blog types depend on media, eg. a blog comprising videos is called a vlog, a site containing a portfolio of sketches is called a sketchlog, a blog comprising photographs is called a photolog etc.

• Folksonomies; web-based methods of tagging intended for making a body of information increasingly easy to search, discover, and navigate over time. It has also been known as known as collaborative tagging, social classification, social indexing, and social tagging.

Examples

Social networking services:

-Myspace

-Friendster

-Facebook

-Orkut

-Bebo

-CyWorld

-Hi 5

-Livejournal

Wikis:

-Wikipedia

-WikiWikiWeb

-PeanutButterWiki

-Socialtext

-Wetpaint

-Wikiaz

Blogs:

-Vlog

-Linklog

-Sketchblog

-Photoblog

-Tumblelog

-Artlog

-Phlog

Folksonomies:

-Flickr

-Del.icio.us

Interactive Design

Definition

Interactive Design refers to a design discipline whose focus is on the relationship between user and product or system. It deals with how users will interact with and respond to the product or system in question. Designers must consider these responses when during the design process. A successful design must take into consideration practicality and usability as well as providing aesthetic pleasure.

Great Web Design Examples

• www.google.com : Google is a good example because the layout is clear and easy to understand, without being too formal. It is easy to use and the simple layout works to its advantage. The logo fequently changes in conjunction with certain holidays or events, adding some quirky interest without distracting from the nature of the site.

  
  
• http://www.ebay.com/ : eBay is another good example. The search engine is catagorized making it easy to find what you are looking for, and once you have found what it is you want you buy, there are instructions on methods of payment to reduce confusion. Aesthetically, eBay makes use of white space in much the same way as Google for a pleasing effect when contrasted with the spaces with bright colours.

  
  

Information/ Instructional Design

Definition

Information design is the art of displaying information in a way in which it can be effectively and efficiently viewed and translated. It uses a combination of content and graphics to presnet the information. The term has come to represent a branch of graphic design whose purpose it is to display information in a way that is effective rather than just attractive.

Instructional Design works in much the same way, combining content and media to help users effectively transfer knowledge. It involves firstly determining the current state of the learners' understanding, defining the end goal of instruction, and creating a media-based means of aiding the learners' understanding of the instructions.

Examples