Web 2.0
Here are some websites that I think are an example of the emerging Web 2.0 and provide some hint of where we might be going in the near future.
Entertainment:
Four Eyed Monsters is a movie that was produced by a couple of twenty something first time film makers that somewhat successfully took advantage of the new-media tools available in Web 2.0.
First of all they created a strong and loyal following of fans through the release of a series of short podcasts during the making of the movie. These detailed how the making of the movie was affecting their lives and their relationship. Because the movie was about their own relationship, the podcasts served basically as an extended teaser for the movies release.
Second of all, they took a novel approach to deciding where to release the movie in theatres. They simply set up an interactive Google map where people could enter in their zip code to request a viewing in their hometown. Once a location received 200 requests for a showing, they would set-up a screening in that city. I think this kind of inter activity helped create a sense of involvement and community for the viewing audience.
Another way this sense of community was fostered was through the use of blogs and forums. Fans would post questions for the movie makers and they would respond via a video podcast.
I think the end result was an extremely loyal fan base that felt involve in the creation process and felt like they had a personal stake in the success of the movie.
Education:
This is a site I stumbled across recently. Basically it fills a very specific need that I have. I am interested in working in LA as digital compositor in the future. However, I have A LOT to learn before I am ready for a job in that field. How could I learn while I lived in Kodiak and the required software programs cost 5-10 thousand dollars apiece?
Well www.fxphd.com is exactly what I was looking for. For 300 dollars, I am enrolled in four online classes that teach the latest programs being used in Hollywood today. I am also granted access to those programs while I am enrolled.
Do I get an official degree when I'm done? No. Is there an instructor there to prod me along to make sure I'm getting something out of the class? No.
However, for those willing to be self-disciplined and with a real interest in learning the software it is a god send.
When Will Richardson talked about students in the future not really attending college but instead putting together their own curriculum from a variety of sources I think this is exactly what he is talking about.
Information:
This is a recipe site that i think fits into the Web 2.0 category for a couple of reasons. First it is as much image driven as it is text based. Secondly it is an interactive collaboration between people all over the world. A Web 1.0 version of this site would be a collection of recipes written by the site creator. With this Web 2.0 site the creator created a well-designed gathering site for like minded people to meet and exchange ideas.
Commerce/Technology
I'm not sure how cleanly this fits into the definition of Web 2.0 but I find this site and company to be an interesting evolutionary step.
The owner of the company simply stated that he was going to start building the best digital movie camera in the world at a price well below anything produced before. The interesting thing was that he used the website to very actively solicit input from active professionals and future customers about what they wanted in a camera. I think this model of customer input may become a model in the future.
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