The internet has become a fundamental medium for people and businesses worldwide, as most of their daily tasks now depend on it. The modern society heavily relies on the internet’s ubiquitous connectivity and services, and many individuals would struggle to function without it.
The current digital era is referred to as Web 2.0, which consists of interactive websites and applications that enable users to create, collaborate, and access data online. The term “Web 2.0” was introduced in 1999, when websites started shifting away from static web pages created with server-side includes or CGI, accessible only via server files.
The introduction of Web 2.0 resulted in a significant revolution of the internet, transforming it into a more engaging and cooperative medium where individuals can freely exchange information, develop their web pages, and access richer multimedia content. The main features of Web 2.0 include:
- The exchange, distribution, and arrangement of information.
- User-engaging multimedia.
- Interoperable interfaces facilitating software and services integration.
The advent of Web 2.0 has brought about a significant transformation in how we interact with the internet, marked by blogging, videoblogging, e-commerce, podcasting, social networking, tagging, RSS news aggregation, user profiles, online polls, advertising, and live video streaming. Web 2.0 is appropriately recognised as the ‘Social Web’, and it has undoubtedly revolutionised the online landscape.
It is speculated that Web 3.0 will soon replace Web 2.0, introducing notable changes in how the internet functions and its service offerings.
Then, what precisely is Web 3.0, and why should businesses take notice of it?
Assessing Centralised and Decentralized Systems
To grasp the abilities of Web 3.0, it is crucial to discern the distinction between centralised and decentralised systems, as it plays a fundamental role.
Centralized
In centralised network architecture, all traffic and data flow through a central server. Therefore, an organisation relies on a server, whether on-premises or externally hosted, to handle its data storage and distribution. All information is exclusively accessible through this server, or group of servers, operating as the current internet’s centralised network infrastructure.
The centralised network provides certain advantages, including:
- User-friendly in practice.
- Smooth and swift addition or removal of systems, individuals, services, or data.
- Inexpensive.
Here are some of the disadvantages of centralised networks:
- A single point of failure.
- Security susceptibilities.
- Difficulties with scaling up.
Decentralized
In a decentralised web, servers scattered worldwide deliver your data, ensuring its availability to your audience. Additionally, backup servers are available to provide the content if one goes offline. Click here to discover the significance of SQL certifications in data careers, according to Works.
Distributed systems offer several advantages, including:
- Reliability.
- Scalability.
- Speed.
With a better understanding of decentralised networks, we can now proceed to discuss Web 3.0.
What is Web 3.0?
Web 3.0 is essentially powered by blockchain technology. Blockchain is a digital ledger that centralises records digitally. Its decentralised consensus guarantees that no data can be modified without the knowledge of all participants, introducing unmatched security to the Web 2.0 landscape.
The rising number of network threats may lead to the replacement of Web 2.0 with a decentralised (blockchain-based) network. This will be a significant upgrade to the web’s back-end concerning Web 2.0, which primarily concentrated on enhancing user experience. Making this transition is overdue, and it is critical for businesses to stay at the vanguard of innovation to keep up with growing consumer demands and requirements.
Semantic Web, Artificial Intelligence (AI), 3D graphics, distributed connectivity, and ubiquity are some of the characteristic aspects of Web 3.0 wherein everything is interconnected everywhere.
Web 3.0 has the potential to revolutionise the way businesses operate by making the web more mobile, accessible, user-focused and capable of managing live streaming. In addition, the emergence of behaviour-based advertising and intelligent applications will simplify content while increasing user engagement. Furthermore, Web 3.0 will grant people greater control over their data, resulting in a more dependable network. Customers will have more faith in companies, who will create stronger ties with clients.
Web 2.0’s largest issues are service interruptions and security, but Web 3.0’s most significant gains are continuous service and security.
Conclusion
The transition to Web 3.0 is anticipated to be gradual, beginning with a small number of organisations and gradually expanding to match the current network’s size. Implementing this new infrastructure is likely to be difficult, and companies should take precautions to ensure a successful transition. However, the permanent benefits are expected to make the effort worthwhile.
