Introduction
This project aspires to collect all relevant, up-to-date information related to the Web 2.0 phenomenon, concentrating especially on how different organizations can benefit from these tools. A lot of the information will be provided through links to other relevant pages, as it would hardly be worth the effort to try to rewrite all that has been written about the subject. Besides, since the goal is to introduce the reader to the different possibilities and benefits of using the new tools, it seems appropriate to actually use this Wikis in the most beneficial way. Linking being one of the most powerful features of Web 2.0 tools, I will try to take full advantage of it.
Thereby, the reader will most likely be thrown all around the internet in the quest to discover the underpinnings, features, applications and "HOW-TOs" of Web 2.0 and Enterprise 2.0. The downside to this might prove to be the difficulty of maintaining coherence as more and more interesting links come across - it is extremely easy to get lost in the endless jungle of information on the web. Thus, my serious advice to the reader is to try to get back to this wiki as quickly as possible and strive to maintain focus mostly on the articles here and the articles with a direct link from this wiki.
My research relies heavily on previous research done worldwide and found on the internet. Most of the material I collected did not come from traditional academic publications in reputable magazines, but instead I decided to resort mainly to the information most up-to-date, namely websites, e.g. blogs kept by academics researching the subject. The great thing about this approach was that the blog posts usually provided links to other interesting sites or to the actual material (news articles, academic publications etc.) so I was easily able to check the original texts myself. In addition, blogs presented a view of how the phenomena have evolved and developed during the past few years.
Of course I also examined many academic articles, but quickly discovered that most of the truly interesting things, such as concrete examples of organizations already using the tools in question, could only be found by digging into the internet community of Web 2.0 "enthusiasts"
This wiki project aims to become a portal, where anyone interested in the applications and the developments of the Web 2.0 & Enterprise 2.0 phenomena can resort to for a complete introduction to the subjects. At the moment, most of the truly interesting and significant information is scattered all over the internet, which makes it very laborious to compile a comprehensive 'picture' of what it's all about. My grand wish is that the project would ultimately grow wings of its own. In other words: the wiki is open to all contributions! If you just read an interesting blog post related to the topics in question, do provide a link. The development of Web 2.0 is extremely rapid, companies are constantly coming up with new tools and software, and organizations are experimenting on the applications. This means that this wiki also needs constant updating - do give me a hand!
So what is the Web 2.0 phenomenon really about?
To get acquainted with everything related to the term Web 2.0, see Web 2.0 Essentials. The section includes a short description of the phenomenon and detailed introductions to the related tools, such as wikis, blogs, tags, mashups and other social software.
This project is divided into different sections shortly described below:
Enhancing Collaboration between Research Groups (Universities) and Firms (Business)
- How could Web 2.0 tools optimize the collaboration between various research groups and firms?
- Could they help tackle the current problems with information flows within and between the two groups?
- How should the tools be implemented and used to derive actual benefit from them?
Enterprise 2.0 - Implementing Social Software into Companies
- What is "Enterprise 2.0"?
- How could Web 2.0 tools help companies become more efficient, innovate, gain competitive advantage and make more money?
- What current problems could be solved by implementing social software into business procedures?
- What are the underlying requirements for Enterprise 2.0 to function?
Library 2.0 - What Does the Modern Library Look Like?
- What is "Library 2.0"?
- Does the "Age of Google" pose new requirements to libraries?
- How would libraries best serve customers of the Net Generation?
- Do Web 2.0 tools poses new possibilities to integrate libraries more firmly into the lives of students, and thus promote learning?
- How should the librarians and personnel adapt to the new information environment that Web 2.0 and web-based learning have set up?
- Focus will be mainly on the possibilities that these new applications and phenomena create for the library of the brand new Aalto University (Helsinki, Finland)