Web 3.0 a step backwards?

I was excited to find an article placed on my desk entitled Web 3.0 (New Scientist, 15 March: 42-43). I wondered what exciting new initiatives would proceed the world of web 2.0; having immersed myself in the Library 2.0 Learning course my mind was a raging torrent of possibilities. Alas the article was somewhat pessimistic.



According to the author Annalee Newitz, Web 3.0 will be focused on making access to information more restrictive and we can also expext a lot more intrusive advertisements. The catalyst for these changes centers on the potential fraudulent use of private data that is currently stored on sites such as myspace, flickr, free email (gmail & hotmail) and a host of other popular web 2.0 sites. The scenario espoused is that at some point there will be a major theft of privately stored data, or the fear of such an incident will drive sites such as those listed above to become gated communities where only select people have access to the data.



Compounding the new restrictions on access is the likelihood of more intrusive advertisements that will creep into search results by mirroring the metadata of genuine information sites. This occurs already however the suggestion is it will intensify. Such a change is not viewed entirely as a negative development as some argue that popular authors will derive an income from advertisments and therefore their material will continue to be available for free.

Early days yet, it will be interesting to see how Web 3.0 unfolds and the potential impact this will have on the Library world.

Ross