More Web 2.0 Buzz (or Hype)

Here are a number of articles I ran into this morning concerning Web 2.0 and its integration into our online lives, as I blogged about yesterday.

Google tests Web-based spreadsheet to organize data
Wow, this is almost exactly what Ray Lane was talking about. Google Spreadsheets could be the first in a line of applications that changes how we use and buy software. For a small business who needs basic spreadsheet capabilities, maybe travels occasionally, and would like to be able to share that data with clients, coworkers and partners without a complex network setup, this may be perfect. Heck, I’m thinking it may eliminate the need for me to buy another copy of MS Office for my Mac. I can use TextEdit for Word docs and Google Spreadsheets for Excel files… Powerpoint is the only thing I would really be missing. They’re also talking about integrating Spreadsheet and Google Base (ahh, so 2.0ish!).

Yahoo Updates MyWeb
Yahoo has updated and is even more 2.0ish and seems a bit easier to use and understand as well. It looks to me like a cross between Flickr and del.icio.us, which (surprise surprise) Yahoo now owns both of. I may actually try to use this instead of del.icio.us for a while. I’ve always liked Yahoo’s apps.

Here come the ‘Family 2.0′ sites
More overuse of “2.0”? Yes, certainly. But, a good look at the social networking and user generated sites that are focusing on family networks and a slightly more mature user than myspace.com. One or two of these will probably do really well if they can come up with a decent revenue model. If it’s advertising only revenue though, then there’s probably not enough to go around… Is there?

Why Web 2.0 will end your privacy
The other side of Web 2.0. There are some great arguments here. One thing all the 2.0 startups have in common is no real revenue model to speak of (but high valuations – sound familiar?). The true value of these sites, from a business perspective, is data. And where there’s data there’s marketers who want that data; that’s where the money’s at. So think twice before uploading that next photo to Flickr…

When the Web 2.0 bubble bursts – when the massive buyouts are done, the millionaires are made and the sites we love today are in the hands of big business – the innovation will grind to a halt, and what’s left will be the endless grinding of the marketeering machine. – Wil Harris – bit-tech.net