Complete list of web 2.0 features in BizBox
Web 2.0 “adoption” in the Malaysian web industry (on both developer and end-user sides) is very low. It is still a very new concept here, and it being only a concept makes it a bit harder to comprehend or implement. However, there are a few concrete examples of technologies that represents the general idea of web 2.0.
For some people who are new to web 2.0, here’s a quick rundown of some web 2.0 related technologies that are implemented in BizBox, plus a quick explanation and some examples:
- RSS feeds
- RSS is basically a way to distribute content on the internet. You need a feed reader like Google Reader, or the Firefox web browser’s Live Bookmarks to read RSS feeds. All you need to do is add a website’s RSS feed URL to your reader, and you will automatically receive content updates from the site when you check your reader.
In BizBox: Feeds are available for both latest companies, and most active companies.
- Tagging
- Tagging basically allows the user to personally categorize items using their own taxonomy. This way, companies registered to BizBox is not bound only to the list of available main categories provided – they can categorize their companies under any keywords they want.
In BizBox: DIY Web companies can add custom tags as their categories. These tags can be accessed as a tag cloud.
- Simple AJAX interface
- AJAX is a user interface technology. It allows for a more responsive interface where the user does not have to reload the page to get to more information. This provides for a faster and richer user interface that’s easier to use.
In BizBox: For DIY Web users, our CMS system utilizes simple AJAX interface and a WYSIWYG profile editor. In the ‘products / services’ DIY Web page, clicking on a product pops up the product’s image and information without loading a new page.
- Microformats
- Microformats is a relatively new technology similar to RSS – a way to syndicate content on the internet. Instead of using specific RSS feeds, microformats does not use any particular format, but instead embeds the information inside the web page itself, in an easy-to-read manner that’s “designed for humans first and machines second”. This is a new technology and is not yet widespread among end-users, but we believe it is an important advancement and can be a useful tool for our users.
In BizBox: Our tag links uses the rel=tag microformat; the listings in our search result, tag or category pages uses both hcard and hreview microformats
But one important consideration is that these technologies are just technical features, and the implementation of these features (i.e. the presentation of it, making it easier to use for users, etc.) is what web 2.0 is really all about.
And we are the first to admit our implementation of these technologies is far from perfect, that’s why we have stated that we are constantly refining and improving the site, day-to-day. Our goal is to make things easier for local companies to build their businesses online. And for normal people, Malaysians like you and me, to look for these businesses.
Furthermore, we strongly believe that these technologies can drastically help us in our quest for ultimate world domination.
January 31, 2007 at 10:19 am
Urm, I actually beg to differ that Web 2.0 is really about the technology anymore.
[Zaim@BizBox: We actually agree with this somewhat. The thing is that in Malaysia even the 'technology' side of web 2.0 isn't that widespread.That's why we stated that: "these technologies are just technical features, and the implementation of these features (i.e. the presentation of it, making it easier to use for users, etc.) is what web 2.0 is really all about."]
I believe that Web 2.0 is a ‘trend’ to make websites more community based and organically driven. The technologies emerged during Web 2.0 are development that came out during that time to improve the user experience of websites.
As for AJAX, implementation is an important part of the user experience. Too many developers use it merely for the ‘cool’ factor instead of its advantages in applications.
I do applaud Bizbox for the incorporation of Microformats, a standard that will become on the Web in future.
[Zaim@BizBox: Thanks, among all of the web 2.0 technologies, we are most excited about microformats, because it's actually easy to use
]
Wishing Bizbox all the best.