tag:,2008:/1/tag:72.47.210.69,2005://1.4665- 2008-08-22T19:07:37Z Comments for Defining Web as Platform Movable Type 4.1 tag:72.47.210.69,2005://1.4665 2005-12-08T08:15:35Z 2007-12-16T23:15:55Z Defining Web as Platform Richard MacManus http://www.readwriteweb.com Fred Wilson has been thinking about the Web as a Platform concept. Like me, Fred sees this phrase as central to understanding the current era of the Web - known as Web 2.0. I liked how he put it:

"I believe the web is a platform. And that everything we need for an open ad market, or an open data architecture, or frankly most anything else, is available on the "web platform" today."

The reason I like that rough definition is it recognizes that content, media, markets, social apps - and lots of other things - are being built on the Web today. Too often people equate the Web as Platform idea to new software built with AJAX. I won't bring out the rather lame 'Web 2.0 is about people' line, but I will say that the Web is a platform for many more things than just software. Look at the Web innovation happening in libraries, as just one example.

Delving into the Web as Platform... I'm in the middle of exploring mashups - of all forms - and data models. I haven't written much about it yet in R/WW, because I've been busy doing and studying (and working!). But sooner or later an outpouring of blogging will occur on R/WW around these themes :-) In the meantime, I want to highlight a comment left by Ramana Kovi in Fred's post. Ramana made a valiant attempt at categorizing the 'Web as Platform' concept. He is building a DLA platform of his own called ePlatform, so he has probably thought a lot about this. 

Ramana puts Web platform vendors into the following categories:

Core services

1. Authentication system (e.g. SXIP, Passport)
2. Payment System ( e.g. Paypal)
3. Reputation System ( e.g. Opinity)
4. Credit/Risk Management System (Dun & Bradstreet/FICO )
5. ...
6. .....

Data services

1. Product Catalog Services ( e.g. Amazon/iTunes etc)
2. Mapping services ( Google/Yahoo/MSN/Map quest)
3. News services ( Reuters/AP)
4. Ad Network ( Adword)
5. ...
6. ….

3. Communication/Collaboration Services

1. E-Mail
2. Calendar & Messaging
3. Blogs
4. Wikis
5. Social networks
6. ....

I think this is a very useful way of looking at the 'Web as Platform' concept (aka Web 2.0). How about we make an attempt here on my blog to fill out Ramana's categories. I'm going to think about the Data Services in particular. Please add to the above list started by Ramana in the comments below. I'll do an update post in a few days with a complete list, provided I get a good response. I'll be adding things too in the comments (right now I have to get back to my paid work!).

]]> tag:72.47.210.69,2005://1.4665-comment:36717 Comment from Ken Yarmosh on 2005-12-08 Ken Yarmosh http://www.technosight.com/blog/why-web-20-matters-to-your-business-first-steps/ Richard...I don't disagree with 'the web as platform' when thinking about Web 2.0. I think from a technical standpoint it makes a lot of sense. But can you use this definition when talking to someone who thinks AOL is the only way to get to the Internet?

I do see this idea somewhat limiting and generalizing though. Take for example 'podcatching' software...iTunes rests on the client side yet it is arguably a widely successful Web 2.0 phenomenon.

My take is that yes, Web 2.0 is about 'the web as platform' but I think the idea of 'people' has something to do with it too. I don't go for 'Web 2.0 is made of people.' Instead, my most recent conclusion is that "Web 2.0 is an attempt to build the web around people instead of technology."

Interested to read what you blog about in the coming weeks.

]]> 2005-12-08T16:01:55Z tag:72.47.210.69,2005://1.4665-comment:36718 Comment from Curbob on 2005-12-08 Curbob http://www.new2raleigh.com The web as a platform is something i'm excited about. With applications moving to the web, like Numsum, Writely and the Jotspot apps, add in online storage and email services. If a developer produced an OS that just found a net connection (wired or wireless) and ran a browser or the OS was a browser, give me an old laptop and I can get most daily task done just about anywhere.

]]> 2005-12-08T18:20:19Z tag:72.47.210.69,2005://1.4665-comment:36719 Comment from Brian O'Doherty on 2005-12-08 Brian O'Doherty http://www.GroupFactor.com Web as a platform surely implies:
- documents stored online (at least optionally)
- ability to do things via remote controls with those documents, similar to what is done today on the desktop
- includes move them around, send them to anywhere from cyberspace to cyberspace,
- create/edit new documents online
- avail of and manage an online communications system
- access from any computer
- securely

Quiknets.com, based on GroupFactor technology, is getting there.

]]> 2005-12-08T19:54:07Z tag:72.47.210.69,2005://1.4665-comment:36720 Comment from Pete on 2005-12-09 Pete Why lock it down? Why the need to bundle all the latest innovation and trends into one tidy box? Why the restrictive labels?

We're going through a communication renaissance, the characteristics of which are rapid movement and fluid, dynamic information sharing. No Web 1.0 or 2.0. Just web. Onwards, upwards, sideways round.

Looking back, what is happening now will escape trite labels and commodification.

]]> 2005-12-09T19:36:53Z tag:72.47.210.69,2005://1.4665-comment:36721 Comment from Bruce on 2006-01-01 Bruce http://www.1krg.com/search.php?id=39435&said=&qq=Web+as+Platform I think it is necessary to add the following categories in section 3. Communication/Collaboration Services

6. Forums
7. Message boards

]]> 2006-01-01T12:29:39Z