Technology As Innovator

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

Dear friend,

If you are working and living in Vietnam as an expatriate expert, please try not to be shocked when…

People are two hours late!

Many Vietnamese are late for meetings, appointments, schedule and get-togethers, especially weddings. It’s very usual that you receive a wedding invitation at 5pm, and it only starts after 7pm. While being late for work activities is absolutely not good, I may explain the case of the wedding. Weddings, more than an official announcement ritual, are chances for relatives of the couple’s large families to meet with and get updated about others. Poverty, digital divide, telecommunication constraints have made communication so hard that these chance are precious. If it happens that you arrive at exact 5pm, spend the time gossiping with other people – you already knew Vietnamese are friendly. On the positive side, enjoy the slow pace of life in this tropical country!

Fortunately, more and more Vietnamese people practice the basic etiquette of punctuality.

People ride their bikes like flying mosquitoes!

I’m serious here. 13,000 people are reported fatal victims of traffic accidents annually. Please be very careful with traffic. Don’t go on motor-taxi if the rider is not trusted. Moreover, buses might not be as safe and comfortable like in more developed countries, but it’s still safe enough to travel by.

You go out with your workmates and they hand you the bill.

It is Vietnamese culture that the seniority pays the bill. Vietnamese peers also take turn paying the bills for coffee shops or light break. FYI, more Vietnamese go Dutch. If you’re not sure, just ask – and simply be prepared for most cases.

Shopkeepers charge you your arm and leg

Remember to bargain! One third of the proposed price is reasonable. Also, go with a Vietnamese friend, or go shopping in supermarkets.

People eat ‘gross’ food…

…like pig skin, chicken claw, kidneys, small intestine, insects, or reptiles. Even ‘nuoc mam’ (fish sauce), mam (salted fish) or durian taste horrible.
Also, many Vietnamese share the same bowl of soup and the same dish of sauce.
It’s natural in this country. If you’re not comfortable, speak it out so your co-workers know how to order more familiar food and a separate dish of sauce for you.

People find it hard to say ‘No’

Most of the time the reply to your questions with negative element like “This isn’t correct, is it?” is the pleasant “Yes”. While in English language, the ‘Yes’ answer means that the information being communicated is correct, it is different in Vietnamese language. When Vietnamese say “Yes”, it can be literally translated to English as “Yes, I agree with what you say”. Linguistics researchers point out that the root of the difference lies in the fact that Vietnamese language is more human-focused, and English language might be more information-focused.

It’s observable that a few Vietnamese respond the same way English normally do.
When you’re aware of this, please select the best way of speaking that allows you to have the answer you expect.

People avoid losing face

This can be sensitive. Please take any tactical steps to overcome the glitch in communication in order not to make any unnecessary cultural shock to both sides.

People tend to overuse English words in their conversation

Especially in the workplace of foreign-owned sector. The only reason is that many terms have not had the corresponding Vietnamese word. It’s not something to make a fuss over, as long as we find it convenient for our works.