Technology As Innovator

Citizendium is an online wiki-based encyclopedia that introduces a new “editor” role for specialists in particular subjects. It is the new competitior of Wikipedia, founded by Larry Sanger - Wikipedia’s founder

Have you registered for it? I did!

Possiple Benefits

• Share your knowledge, receive addition and feedback, engage in discussion, and reach deeper level of insight on the subjects
• Build your network with specialists from the Wiki community
• Add up to your portfolio
• Become known over the net as world-class specialist

Biography used for registration

I am Tai Tuan Tran, a Vietnamese IT Business Analyst.
I got a degree in Software Engineering (with Distinction) from RMIT University, Australia.
I am working for First Consulting Group, whose HQ is in Atlanta, GA, US.
In current job’s everyday work, I work to assess client’s business needs and business processes, in order to propose IT solutions to their problems. I can also do programming, analysis & design and testing.
I join many NGOs; some may include charity groups and environmentalists groups.
I have strong interest in researching psychology, human relationship subjects. I am willing, and am working to sharing knowledge to other interested people, especially students.
I do best as a counselor, who guides and inspires.
In my information processing, I attend to the big picture first, before going to details.
I am committed and loyal to an organization, as long as my need for learning from colleagues and works is satisfied.

Bibliography

This is a terrific article on Citizendium, so good that Larry himself replied http://moderndragons.blogspot.com/2006/10/citizendium.html

Intro

When I first heard of “Web 2.0″, my expectation was a new standard of World Wide Web. The usage of the term failed me, as Web 2.0 points me to what happen on the surface - user interaction and collaboration.

Web 2.0 roughly defined

Web 2.0 is not a new version of WWW. It refers to a phenomenal shift from centralized information authoring to a platform that enables end-users to interactively create, maintain and share contents.

Components

Mistakably Web 2.0 is used to describe relatively new forms of communication via the web:

• Weblog
• Social network
• Wiki
• wiki(RSS)
• Social bookmark

However, it coverage is much larger. Comparing to the definition, the following are also part of Web 2.0

• Instant Messaging
• Text chat
• Forum
• Real-time editors
• Search engines

This is not an exhaustive list though, as new trends continuously emerge at the time this entry is written.

Characteristics

• Open communication
• Information sharing and reuse
• Many-to-many authoring
• Publishing methods that requires less technical expertise
• User-centered
• Endless evolving. This is what “Beta” is for

Technology

Ajax was coined in February 2005, and has been widely equated to the technology that enables Web 2.0. In fact, features that Ajax has to offer had been initiated earlier. Microsoft Remote Scripting, which exploits Java Applet was a good start, then XMLhttpRequest flourished in Microsoft Exchange Server.

M$ did it at the first time, how did Ajax gain the fame? The answer might lie in its open nature. The Web community collaborated to develop, apply and reuse the technique. ‘Open’ and ‘community’ are the key traits of Web 2.0, it is no wonder why Ajax has become that popular.

Technically, Ajax is not a technology in itself, but a group of related technologies:

• XHTML
• CSS
• JavaScript
• XMLhttpRequest
• XML

My experience

My first experience with Ajax was July 2005 in a vbb forum. Although having been working with Microsoft Exchange Server for a long time, I couldn’t help a Wow. The wiki(usability) of the technology means very much to me as a web user. The sad reason is justified in the next section.

My first experience with Web 2.0-in-definition traced back to 2002, when I first used Yahoo! Messenger and Yahoo! Photos. Y!M opened up new horizons for me.

Pleasure

More than sharing and collaborating, Web 2.0 satisfies one dramatic desire of its users: ego affirmation. The virtual freedom of speech and the power of customization bring in the magic for laymen to lay their hands on creating and embracing their ‘I’ over the net by creating auxiliary identities.

Accept it or not, even ones who claim to pronounce what they want, or that they are wearing no mask are consumed by their own idealism, if not subconscious deluding.

Digital Divide

Vietnam International Internet connection bandwidth is so narrow it hurts.

Conclusion

Being abused, misunderstood, misused, Web 2.0 stands as an innovative evolution of Internet usage. While criticized to not being a deliberate advancement of technology, it completely revolutes the way users interact with the Web in the way it should have been, and proves the rationale of the rigid-free online business models. Web 2.0 enables collaboration, preserves and shares information and knowledge, brings business opportunities, enhances productivity, and encourages online practice of democracy.

Examples

Instant Messaging

Yahoo! Messenger
Gtalk
ICQ
MSN Messenger

Blogs

Blogspot
Wordpress
live.com
360.yahoo.com

Social networks

MySpace
Xanga
hi5

Forums

…

Photo sharing sites

flickr.com
imageshack.us
photobucket.com
picasaweb.google.com
slide.com

File sharing sites

rapidshare.de
rapidshare.com
megaupload.com
streamload.com

Wikis

wikipedia.org
citizendium.org

Search Engines

google.com

Real-time editors

Google notebook
Google Doc
Google Spreadsheet

Social Bookmarks

digg.com
reddit.com
del.icio.us

Reference

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2

Hi team,

I take this precious chance to share some of my thoughts after 6 years participating and leading student organizations.

Upon joining a student organization, you will have the opportunity to

• Build your network. You are given the network from former members, from the university. You will enjoy the firm-founded business relationship with companies, partners, potential sponsors and alumni. The network is the wind that strengthens your wings.
• Create opportunities for yourself and others. By organizing activities, you have the chance to discuss with leaders of the greatest enterprises to learn from their experience, the chance to observe the real business environment, the chance to apply all the acquired theory to practice. Naturally while doing so, you transfuse part of your passion and spirit to other members and inspire them to be self-motivated like you are.
• Improve your skills: organization, leadership, communication, time management, planning, problem solving, conflict solving .etc. are just a few to name
• Enjoy university life. We work hard, we play hard. Also, enjoy benefits of genuine relationships.

May I say, please also be prepared to lose your amour propre. You’ll soon see how your selflessness and magnanimity turn to real values for yourself and for the community and they are what matter.

I personally value your enthusiasm and commitment to join us. Please keep on the good work and make our common goals come true.

Tai