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Web 2point0: Adding value and enhancing the web experience

OpenAdvantage's "Debunking Web 2 Point 0" seminar, hosted by the NTI in Birmingham on the 22nd November 2006, gave attendees a vital insight into the latest cutting-edge technologies and trends.

Web 2.0 driving business transformation

This was the latest in a variety of open source seminars run by OpenAdvantage, who have delivered on similar topics to over 400 delegates throughout 2006.

The session clarified how Web 2.0 can drive business transformation, and how open source software can be instrumental in this transformation. The tools and techniques of Web 2.0 enable a rich, empowering experience, attractive to users. The popularity of Web 2.0 sites is behind five of the ten fastest-growing web brands (according to Nielsen/Netratings August 2006): YouTube, MySpace, Wikipedia, Flickr and Digg. In turn, each of these brands can attribute some of its success to effective use of open source software.

What's available to small companies?

Elliot Smith, the Business Analyst from OpenAdvantage who presented the seminar, commented: "There is a lot of hype around Web 2.0 at the moment. Much of this centres around large US companies and seems remote from West Midlands SMEs. The idea behind the seminar was to show that many of the technologies used by Web 2.0 companies are equally available to small local companies. Excellent open source AJAX toolkits and social networking software are readily available. There is nothing to stop a small local company building the next MySpace or YouTube."

By the end of the seminar, attendees had a better grasp of the key features of Web 2.0 and a clearer understanding of the technologies and ideas behind the wave. Web 2.0 is a movement all about empowerment; OpenAdvantage are helping local businesses to make use of Web 2.0 ideas for themselves, empowered by open source software.

Moss Palmer, Web Developer, Rice Media added
'The seminar provided a great opportunity to see how solutions can be delivered using existing and accessible technologies rather than having to reinvent the wheel. Elliot from OpenAdvantage demonstrated easy steps on how to add value and enhance a web users experience and ownership which is crucial for next generation web brands and companies'.

The term Web 2.0 is a trademark of O'Reilly Media, Inc. and first coined in 2004 by Tim O'Reilly with endorsements from Google, Amazon, AOL and Fox Interactive.