Defining Web 2.0

At its heart, Web. 2.0 is about normal everyday people using the Internet to do and create things.

In the first iteration of the Web, we needed programmers and individuals with specialized knowledge to create things on the net. As "normal" people, we could surf to read articles and find information and to conduct transactions, such as buying books online or doing our banking. But communication was primarily one-way and

creating content on the Internet fell in the domain of "experts."

In Web 2.0, people with no specialized programming knowledge can now create their own websites to self-publish, create and upload audio and video files, share photos and information and complete a variety of other tasks. In this new world, the Internet becomes a platform for self-expression, education and advocacy that "regular people" can use on their own without having to go to an expert to do it for them.

What Does Web 2.0 Mean for Nonprofits?

Nonprofits are continually looking for effective, low-cost ways to engage and serve constituents, advocate for their causes, raise money and run their organizations more efficiently. While the tools of Web 2.0 are no all-purpose solution, they do offer new, virtually free ways for nonprofits to get their work done.

Specifically, they allow nonprofits to:

• Create their own websites (blogs) that can be easily and quickly updated and include multimedia such as video, audio and photos.
• Get immediate access to up-to-date information and data and share it with their staff, customers, donors and collaborating partners with a few clicks of the mouse.
• Use digital photos, audio and video to market their programs and services and engage the community in their cause.
• Use their websites for 24/7 fundraising, collaboration, marketing and administrative activites.

Four Ways Your Small Nonprofit Can Get Online in a Few Hours for $60

A-Z Glossary of Web 2.0 Terms

David Wilcox maintains a Social Media Wiki with an excellent A-Z glossary to all things Web 2.0. If you're not sure what a term means, this is a good place to start.

This video from Michael Wesch is a nice 5-minute introduction to Web 2.0 and its impact on our use of the Internet.

• David Wilcox and Beth Kanter have developed an excellent presentation to "demystify" Web 2.0 and its tools for nonprofits.

• If you want to learn more about the tools of Web 2.0, such as blogs, YouTube, MySpace, etc. go here.

• If you want to see how other nonprofits are using Web 2.0 tools, go here.

Other Resources to Explore Regarding Web 2.0**

• Web 2.0 Glossary from Social Signal

• Introduction to Web 2.0 from Squidoo

• What Is Web 2.0 Anyway?

• Ten Ways to Use Web 2.0 to Change the World