OK I have heard a lot about this whole "web 2.0" thing to be honest. But it seems like whenever I hear about 2.0 I see the 2.0 graphics. You know what I am talking about, the funky reflection graphic. Why is this such a big deal? Looks to me like something that could have been done with java or something years ago. I am getting to the point where I hate the reflection logos. Anyone else feel the same way?

web 2.0 is more of a concept, it's a way of interacting with a site and a way of generating content.

It was a term made up to describe the difference between websites that contain static information and websites that have user generated content and personal spaces.

Originally Posted by stOx

web 2.0 is more of a concept, it's a way of interacting with a site and a way of generating content.

It was a term made up to describe the difference between websites that contain static information and websites that have user generated content and personal spaces.

Ok that certainly explains stuff. But I will still sticking with the face that I am getting tired of the reflective logos. Yes they look nice and yes they look a little "high tech". But it is getting overdone in my opinion.

reflective logos, big text and gradients are just current design fads that got popular at the same time as Web2.0 sites started popping up, it seems everyone saw the idea and copied it - something else will be along soon

I think its just the way you look at it. 2.0 could be enhancement of usability, but yes its also looks. I don't follow 2.0 I just create my own look and if its liked then ok.. if not too bad.

Web 2.0, for me, is just how the web was orginally concieved. And we aren't even there yet.

I fully agree. Web 2.0 designs were nice when it first came out, round corners and all that, but it's being overdone these days.

I'm a bit sick of it too. Some websites are far too simple-looking and they all have the same theme to them. Simplicity can be a good thing, but a lot of sites dont have an original look to them these days.

Web2.0 has absolutely nothing to do with rounded corners or big text. It has everything to do with how we interact on the web.

As far as some sites being too simple; hmmmmmm, would you rather spend hours finding out how to navigate a site or would you rather get what you came to see and moved on with your life. Me thinks, me takes the latter

There is nothing wrong with having a simple site. After all, no one comes to a site to be amused; almost no one. In fact, craigslist is the ugliest site of them all yet it keeps getting huge traffic. On the contrary, sites that are overwhelmed with graphics are hard to navigate and take forever to load. People who had ran pretty graphical sites are joining the Burger King "families".

Originally Posted by gottarelocate

Web2.0 has absolutely nothing to do with rounded corners or big text. It has everything to do with how we interact on the web.

...

We talking about Web 2.0 designs, not Web 2.0. At least I am.

reflection's are used on all the tv ads now its what people are use to seeing now thats why alot of people use it everyone will see an ad on tv so site's are being made to suit that craze

I don't have a problem with 2.0 design. As a matter of fact I think it is better looking than any alternatives.

What web 2.0 actually is:
http://www.oreilly.com/pub/a/oreilly...is-web-20.html

Adam (great name, by the way!), you're not wrong. "Web 2.0" is nothing more than a buzzword whose meaning has been completely stripped by a bunch of braindead lemmings who think that reflected logos with gradients and those weird aqua effects fit all sites. jbladeus posted a very good link that explains what "Web 2.0" is supposed to be, but it will never turn into that because people focus so much on whether or not a site is "web 2.0 style" (a term that means absolutely NOTHING!) more than they'll focus on whether or not it's actually useful.

Good call, dude. You may be saying it, but others are thinking it.

Hello All -

Good question, and good comments.

What is Web 2.0? My answer is this: you could have a site without any graphics on it at all... and it would still be Web 2.0? How?

Web 2.0 isn't about how sites "look," it is about how they behave and what they can do for you. In a nutshell, web 2.0 sites provide a useful application (like google maps), and the Web becomes... your computer. The web is a Content Management SYSTEM.

So... to answer my question, Google Apps, which provides a spreadsheet, word processor, and powerpoint like slide software... in my browser, is Web 2.0 without any graphics at all.

Yours,
Scott

I like how it was summed up at some conference (I forget which) that I read about online. Web 2.0 is about people.

Web 2.0 design tends to be about simplicity. It's about communication. Rather than decorating a site, you try to colour and design it so that it communicates the most effectively with the user. That's the principle.

Adam's hit the nail on the head with the buzzword though. It's been thrown around so much that it's lost all meaning (well from it's original one). Web 2.0 actually came in after the .com crash but it's use as a buzzword has come to characterize the current design fads of large text, simple designs, flashy logos, reflective graphics, and those star things which are often overused in designs.

I don't hate it, but I do think it's overused. I love some simple sites though - whether web 2.0 or not. Facebook has a great design in that it communicates effectively with the user. It's colours have become almost trademarks on the web and it gets it message across easily - if you see the light green and darkish blue combined, you think Facebook. As I said, some sites simply don't work as "web 2.0" but others do. Current design fads are something to take note of, but they shouldn't be overused

The term web 2.0 is just a term that was coined to describe some changes the web in general has gone through over the last few years.

There isn't any absolute definition, but the link jbladeus posted above is the best I've seen at describing the changes.

To me it's about interaction. Where before a website was about connecting one page to another now it's about finding ways to connect one person with another. Before you'd write an article and now a blog post that generates comments. So author and reader gain a level of connection they didn't have before.

The interaction also extends to the apps themselves. Instead of a web page being a static page of text and images or even video now they're evolving into rich applications that allow more interaction with their users.

As far as the design aspect the web 2.0 look is simply the latest trend. Personally I like it better than what came before. I think simple is a good goal for a website. Simple doesn't have to mean minimalist. A web 1.0 design might have attempted to crowd everything it could on a single page. A web 2.0 design will try to eliminate much of the clutter.

The reflection and gradient graphics are the trend. At some point someone or someone's will create something different that everyone likes and you'll see that everywhere. That's just the way design works.

What i actually like about 2.0 designs is the more simple nature of most of the sites. Not bogged down, eyes dont need to take 2 full minutes to digest everything. Its simple and to the point.

This i do enjoy

Can we have have sample of these logos?

Just search for web 2.0 logos and you'll find plenty.