Week 11

In the last lecture of the course, we learned about the technologies within Web 2. These include: HTML, XML, CSS, Javascript, AJAX and SQL.

We also looked at Enterprise 2.0, which is basically how of Web 2.0 and social networking can be used as an effective business tool. This was very interesting as I never realised the possibilities that using this technologies could bring to an organisation. I would definitely say that Enterprise 2.0 is the way to go for businesses future success.

The final topic in the lecture looked into Web 3.0, which is called the Semantic Web. I personally don't feel ready for the change, as I think that we are just getting to grips with Web 2.0 and we have not yet explored the full potential that it has as both a personal as well as a business tool. I also tried to locate then on the web, and found it difficult to get a clear picture of what it is actually going to bring to the web. It was very interesting, however, to compare it to a Database, and interesting to see that some of the terminology that is used is also the same. This has made it a little more clear for me to understand. I think that when Web 3.0 takes off, there will be a huge requirement from organisations to ensure that their employees are competent using Microsoft Access, to the same extent that many people are with Microsoft Word.

I think that we have to be careful that we are not moving into dangerous territory with the semantic web, as it seems to me to be more of a substitute for real life and may not be as much fun as using Web 2.0.

Week 10

In the lecture this week, we learned about the management of Web 2.0, which included the implementation, return on investment, operational issues, barriers and ethics. I wasn't surprised to hear about some of the issues arising from the massive popularity of web 2.0, as I see articles in the news every week about it.

We were told on the massive impact that facebook had on President Obama's history making election campaign, YES WE CAN, and after browsing the page I have decided to follow the UK's general election campaign online using facebook. This should be interesting.

With regards to Implementation strategies, I am amazed at how much the success factor of Web 2.0 is primarily down to the power of numbers.

I can see how the ROI is very difficult to measure, but now that we have seen that it is possible by using a simple cost and benefits analysis.

In our seminar, we were given a task to complete about the use of Web 2.0 in SME's. This is due for completion next week, so I'll update you then.

Week 9

This week we had a guest lecturer called Arlene Newbigging Grady, who done a similar course to us about fifteen years ago in the university. She delivered a presentation on social marketing to us. It was very interesting to find out how and why companies use social marketing to promote their brands and generate new customers.

It was also good to hear from an ex student who has obviously done very well for herself. I found her presentation to be very useful. It would be good to have more guest lecturers throughout the course.

In the seminar, we delivered our presentations on Peckish Foods using GoogleDocs. I carried out my research on MySpace and I put alot of time into my side of the presentation. Unfortunately though, I had two rather difficult team mates to work with. We didn't get to meet up before actually carrying out the presentation as the other members of my team didn't think that there was any need to. I personally feel that the presentation went well, considering the difficulties that our team encountered, but it would have been even better if we had ran through it a couple of times first.

I noticed that all of the teams used GoogleDocs to deliver their findings to then class. Looking back, we could have experimented more with different ways of carrying out the presentation. To be honest, I don't think that we were given enough information on the different options available to us in class. We could have learned more about using YouTube, MovieMaker and Slideshare. I think that this is why everyone played it safe and used GoogleDocs.

This has probably been the least enjoyable part of the Business Web Innovation unit that I have completed yet, and considering that we spent 4 weeks on it, I feel that I should have learned more from it. This may again be due to the fact that I wasn't comfortable with my team-mates.

Week 8

In week 8, we learned about web 2 technologies. I missed the lecture, but I read the slides and done some research online. I learned some very useful information about HTML, CSS, XML, JavaScript, Ajax, and API. I had heard of these before, but now I actually know what they mean and what they are used for on the web. We also looked into Enterprise 2 and how it can have large implications for businesses.

Finally, we looked into what web 3(Semanic Web) will have to offer in comparison to web 2. Very interesting.

The unit is definitely getting more difficult, with more emphasis on the more technical side of the web. I am still enjoying it though, and I actually look forward to going to class every week.