Explaining the Real-Time Web in 100 Words or Less
Here's a challenge - can you explain the phenomenon of the Real-Time Web in simple terms and few words? From Facebook to the New York Times to blogs and geeky tech infrastructure, it seems like everyone's exploring the Real-Time Web paradigm these days. It's not easy to explain, though.
Below we offer our working explanation of what the real-time web is and why it's important, in exactly 100 words. We challenge you to offer a better (short) explanation.
- Google, Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo, Atlassian & Betaworks
- Creators of Pubsubhubbub
- NYT R&D, SuperFeedr, OneRiot, FirstRain and more.
The Real-Time Web is a paradigm based on pushing information to users as soon as it's available - instead of requiring that they or their software check a source periodically for updates. It can be enabled in many different ways and can require a different technical architecture. It's being implemented in social networking, search, news and elsewhere - making those experiences more like Instant Messaging and facilitating unpredictable innovations. Early benefits include increased user engagement ("flow") and decreased server loads, but these are early days. Real-time information delivery will likely become ubiquitous, a requirement for almost any website or service.
What do you think? What did we miss? Any inaccuracies, funky emphasis or unclear parts? Let us know and if you're up for it, let's see what you can do in 100 words or less. As Rajesh Acharya points out in comments below, the sum is larger than the parts.
We hope you'll join us for the ReadWrite Real-Time Web Summit on October 15th. There we'll discuss what the real-time web is, how we can swim in the real-time stream and much more.
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how about: extension of one's nerve system
Eraera, there are definitely a lot of metaphors that can be used.
Missing importance of machine-to-machine real time data exchange, which may, or may not, be made use of by a human.
Also,
"...facilitating unpredictable innovations.."
Ew. "unpredictable" isn't going to inspire confidence in venture capital crowd. I think you meant "discovery".
Want a real challenge? Define how we are going to acquire *CONTEXT* ( which will be immediately needed once the real time fire hose gets turned on ) in 100 words or less!
Good luck!
Great points, Todd.
Ok, I'll take you up on your challenge. HOw will we acquire context once the firehose gets turned on?
Through a combination of algorithmic, flexible recommendation technologies, social interaction and new user habits we'll find ways to filter the most appropriate content out of the full stream in real time.
@Marshall
A good first try, but the issue of context won't go quietly into the night, adhere to your 100 words there. It's going to be a real bear.
I just imagine it ( the problem of context ) waiting for us, kind of smirking, watching the RWW real time conference, and saying...
"Oh you want real time web huh? Ok. Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!"
It is not just about pushing or consuming news. It is analogous to
"a embryonic global super brain, as wired inter-dependant neurons(each human) are contributing to and reacting to the stream of constant stimuli in feed-back loops similar to a living organism. Some contributors are like sense organs and others like muscles (or both) acting on the stimuli."
The sum is larger than the parts.
Rajesh, well put, especially the sum being larger than the parts.
Thanks. The best analogy is a "Neural Network".
The internet is a network, but it is now going neural, as there is a single river of consciousness you can tune into, and just like "neurons" your importance is determined by your connections or rather who is listening to you.
Also the wired machines (sensors, webcams, etc.) are also neurons and hopefully soon, we can "tune into" what plants and animals want to say.
Is it "pushing infomation" or "letting people pulling content as soon as it is available" ?
I am not convince about the "paradigm" reference. A good metaphor should express what it is.
More emphasis could be put on the outcome of more interdependancy between people and between people and machine.
Overall it is a great and difficult exercice.
Marshall McLuhan talked about electricity as the extension of neural network already in the 60's. Real-time sensory input is nothing new in the context of media studies in that sense.
Does it really need 100 words? The name "Real-time Web" speaks for itself. The explanation actually limited our imagination to the tricks we already used.
bf, I can see why you'd say that, but many people do believe that an explanation of some sort is useful. don't let me slow you down with 100 words though :)
When the real time web finally happens it will be as amazing and exciting as when Time/Warner bought AOL.com!!!
Who's your audience? I adapted yours for the man in the street.
Real-Time Web = the internet pushing information to you as soon as it's available - no clicking, checking or updating anything - like a perfect 'information butler' that sends you stuff you want or need without you asking.
It's not a product, but is being enabled in many different technologies - social networking, search, news, and more. You interact with the Internet more like a giant Instant Messaging application. For businesses, this can spark innovation and deliver benefits like increased user engagement ("flow") and decreased server loads. Real-time Web information delivery will likely become the norm in the near future.
Real time web is Twitter, Yauba, Itpints, Oneriot, SMS, talking on the phone, etc etc.
The Real Time Web is fast, fluid, torrential, and borderless. Fast means your view of the world is always fresh. Fluid means updates come in many droplets more than a few buckets. Torrential because the volume of updates is overwhelming without filters and gatekeepers. Borderless so your information, friends, and experience are with you everywhere online. RealtimeWeb changes how the web feels. More immediate, interpersonal, complete. And human.
Good job, Phil. Several people have said "more human" in conversations I've been having. Glad you feel that way too.
+1 for Phil's definition. Although, Marshall, I was really okay with your definition, too. You even got bonus points for including "paradigm" :-)
Seriously, though, I've been enjoying RWW's coverage of the emerging "real-time web" space. Alas, I don't see me joining you on October 15th at your summit, but I look forward to reading about it and learning more.
This is an interesting concept but at some time people are going to get too much information. This is already happening. There is only so much we can comprehend and this is getting out of hand.
taking the delay out of technology
Remember IE 4 Active Channels? Minus the MS BS. Think RSS on steroids. If RSS where a teenager - realtime pushed nonstop flooding of irrelevant gossip.
Has the Internet not been a real-time thing before someone came up with this another catchy phrase - the real-time web? For me the Internet is all about communication, both real-time and delayed - it's always been like this.
Another +1 for Phil's definition, though there was nothing wrong with the original ;)
Interestingly, if you put this definition to someone like my mother, they might add "...and overwhelming!" to the mix.
Real Time Web: Publish Yourself and Subscribe to Your Friends through Conversation