Web 2.0 in My Own Words

I was challenged to put Web 2.0 into an elevator pitch. This is my attempt to process what I have learned and try to pass it along. This was a helpful exercise.

From what I understand, a big part of Web 2.0 is about making information accessible. I have heard the term "content silo" kicked around with a project here at Campus Crusade. A content silo means that only I can access a database or resource documents because they are only contained in my "web."

Google and Flikr are using new trends to make the information in their databases accessible to others so that others can take what they have created and use it for another application. An example would be Google Maps. Others have used the information for the "maps" and built another interface application that helps people find housing, find cheap gasor map the movement of hurricanes.

RSS is making information accessible in that I do not have to browse to find information that I want but I can "subscribe" and that info comes to me. RSS is what makes podcasting different from just posting an mp3 on a website.

So in a nutshell, I understand Web 2.0 to be about making information more accessible, both for users and developers.

What is Ajax?

I have been seeing the term "Ajax" a lot in discussions about Web 2.0. This article from User Interface Engineering is a good place to start in understanding what Ajax is.

Hurricane Katrina Relief

We have watched the news coverage of Hurricane Katrina with heavy hearts. As I have watched the news, I have been incredibly humbled by the fact that we have been spared from as strong as storm as Katrina.

Campus Crusade for Christ has been busy putting together relief efforts to comfort those who have been devastated and displaced by this disaster. Beginning this weekend , the Campus Ministry is looking for volunteers to participate in relief efforts in locations in Mississippi and Louisiana. We are hoping to send 200 students in the next two weekends to aid in relief efforts.

These volunteers will be working with local churches to clean food warehouses, sort food and clothing, clean debris from yards, chain saw fallen trees, distribute Bibles, provide baby-sitting for mothers and clear several feet of mud out of flooded homes. I have spent the last two days helping in this effort by creating a special section on our Campus Ministry website.

Would you join us in praying for these efforts?

• Pray that God would raise up over 200 volunteers over the next two weekends to go to Mississippi and Louisiana


• Pray that God would display His glory through the lives of students and staff as they serve in these areas over the next 2 months


• Pray for our Katrina task force as they coordinate these efforts and work with churches to set up more service projects over the next several months

Web 2.0

I started reading things last spring about Web 2.0. I realized the other day that I have made the switch as a Web 2.0 user and I am beginning to make the switch as a developer.

What is Web 2.0? Richard MacManus of ZDNet has started a new blog, Web 2.0 Explorer: Tales from the Web 2.0 Frontier. His most recent post includes some definitions of Web 2.0.

Setting up a Podcast

I successfully set up a podcast today.

Here are the steps involved:

• I downloaded a freeware recording program called "Audacity"


• I also downloaded from their website a plugin to convert audio to mp3 format which is what is used in podcasting. There are instructions on how to install the plugin on Audacity's site


• I used my headset microphone to record the podcast using Audacity. I saved the file as an mp3.


• I used software called Feed For All to create a RSS feed. I bought this software last spring.


• I uploaded the mp3 file and XML document which contains the RSS feed to our production server


• You can "subscribe" to the feed with iTunes (I'm sure there are other ways to do it but this was the easiest). Select "Subscribe to Podcast" from the Advanced option on the toolbar. The url you need to subscribe is "http://campuscrusadeforchrist.com/student2student/podcast.xml"

Resources I looked at or was told about:

• http://www.sitepronews.com/archives/2005/aug/12prt.html


• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting


• Google "How to Do a Podcast"

Web 2.0

Are you familiar with Web 2.0? I am trying to get a grasp on it and understand how I can position myself to design for this paradigm shift. The reality is that I am already making the paradigm shift as a Web user. Now I need to figure out how to tap into it as a developer and designer.

Here are some things I have read on the subject:

• What is Web 2.0? Some different perspectives gathered by Luke W.


• Web 2.0 by Wikipedia


• Web 2.0 for Designers from Digital Web Magazine


• Web 2.0 is Not About Technology, Its About Sharing Information from Bokardo