The Internet is a constantly evolving technology that continues to innovate, which is why today, in this new brief, we’re going to tackle the subject of a new era of the World Wide Web; Web 3 or Web 3.0.
To better understand Web 3.0, we’re going to focus on the Web ecosystem and follow its evolution from Web 1.0 through Web 2.0 to Web 3.0.
Before we start, what is the Web?
The Web, short for World Wide Web, is a global information system that enables resources and services to be accessed and shared over the Internet. It has revolutionized the way we communicate, search for information, shop, entertain and interact with the world around us.
The Web was invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989, and since then it has grown exponentially, becoming an invaluable resource for individuals, businesses and organizations worldwide. It has evolved to include technologies such as static websites, dynamic websites, social media, blogs, video sharing platforms, online stores, online banking, and many others.
Today, the Web has become an integral part of our daily lives. We use web browsers to access a multitude of services and content, and we can interact with people all over the world through social networks and online communication tools. The Web has also revolutionized commerce, enabling companies to reach a global audience and offer products and services through websites.
In a nutshell, the Web is a global network of interconnected resources and services that has transformed the way we access information, communicate and interact with the digital world. It continues to evolve and develop, offering new opportunities and exciting challenges for users and content creators alike.
So we’re going to follow the evolution of this Web up to the next-generation Web.
To begin with, Web 1.0 refers to the early stage of the World Wide Web, which emerged in the late 1980s and lasted until the early 2000s. During this period, the web was primarily a static, read-only platform, with limited interactivity and user participation.
In concrete terms, Web 1.0 consisted solely of web pages and hyperlinks.
Features of Web 1.0 :
- Static websites
- Limited user interaction
- Centralized content creation
- Information consumption
- Lack of customization
- Limited e-commerce
- Slow Internet speeds
Web 1.0 laid the foundations for the subsequent development of more interactive and dynamic web experiences in the Web 2.0 era.
Web 2.0 refers to the second generation of the World Wide Web, which emerged in the early 2000s. This represents a change in the way websites and web applications are designed and used. Web 2.0 introduced new technologies, social interaction and user-generated content, enabling greater collaboration and participation between users.
In concrete terms, Web 2.0 is also known as the “participative Web” and the “social Web”, because the content generated on 2.0 platforms is user-generated, and these platforms are participative and collaborative. Web 2.0 has encouraged collaboration and sharing between users.
Characteristics of Web 2.0 :
- User-generated content
- Social media
- Collaboration and sharing
- Rich user interfaces
- Web applications
- Mobile Web
Web 2.0 revolutionized the way people interacted with the Web, promoting user participation, collaboration and a more dynamic online experience.
After Web 1.0 and Web 2.0, what is Web 3.0? And what are its characteristics?
Web 3.0 is the next generation of Internet technology that relies heavily on machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology.
Web 3.0 can be defined as “machine intelligence at the service of connected humans”.
Whereas Web 2.0 focused on user-created content hosted on centralized websites, Web 3.0 will give users greater control over their online data. This movement aims to create open, connected and intelligent websites and web applications thanks to a better understanding of data by machines. Decentralization and digital economies also play an important role in Web 3.0, as they enable us to attribute value to content created on the net. It’s also important to understand that Web 3.0 is an evolving concept.
The characteristics of Web 3.0 are :
- Decentralization: The biggest difference between Web 3.0 and today’s Internet is that Web 3.0 is decentralized, whereas today’s Internet is centralized. This means that there is no central authority controlling or regulating Web 3.0, and that users have more control over their data and privacy.
- Security: One of the advantages of decentralization is that it makes Web 3.0 more secure. Since there’s no central server or database, it’s much harder for hackers to gain access to user data. What’s more, each user’s data is stored on his or her own computer, so even if a hacker managed to access a database, he or she would only be able to access the data of one person at a time.
- Privatization: Another advantage of decentralization is that it makes Web 3.0 more private. Since there’s no central server or database, companies can’t track users’ online activity. What’s more, each user’s data is stored on his or her own computer, so companies cannot access it without the user’s authorization.
- Speed: One of the advantages of a decentralized infrastructure is that it eliminates bottlenecks. With today’s Internet, all traffic has to pass through a few central servers, which can cause slowdowns at peak times. With Web 3.0, each user has his or her own direct connection to other users, so there are no bottlenecks and traffic can flow freely.
Despite the promising trends in the development of Web 3.0, a number of challenges still need to be overcome before it can be adopted by the general public. One of these is scalability. Currently, blockchain networks can only handle a limited number of transactions per second. This needs to be improved if blockchain is to be used for large-scale applications such as payments or supply chain management. Another challenge is ease of use. Many people are put off by the complex technical nature of blockchain technology. There has to be an easier way for everyday users to interact with Web 3.0 applications without having to understand the underlying technology. Finally, there’s the regulatory challenge. With the current regulatory landscape, it’s difficult for blockchain projects to operate legally in many jurisdictions. This must change if Web 3.0 is to reach its full potential.
Web 3.0 exists on a technical level, as in the case of blockchain, and on a user experience level, as in the case of a web 3.0 application capable of deciphering your intentions.
Here are a few examples of Web 3.0 that already exist:
- Blockchain technology: a decentralized register of transactions stored on a very large number of computers on the Internet. All transactions are publicly accessible, based on sophisticated encryption and are future-proof.
- Cryptocurrency: a decentralized currency that is not controlled by any government or central bank, using blockchain technology to record transactions. There are currently thousands of cryptocurrencies, bitcoin being the best known.
- NFT: a non-fungible token linked to a unique digital or physical asset that cannot be replaced by anything else. NFTs are not cryptocurrencies, which are made up of fungible or tradable tokens.
- Distributed or edge computing: this technology aims to deliver data and online services as close as possible to where they are requested or generated. Edge computing harnesses the processing power of numerous interconnected devices, acting as a kind of decentralized supercomputer. Decentralized computing is closely linked to the Internet of Things.
In conclusion, Web 3.0 is an evolution towards a decentralized, user-centric Internet, offering greater security and control over personal data. It uses technologies such as blockchain, smart contracts and interoperability to create a more open and autonomous internet. Although still in its infancy, Web 3.0 promises a promising future for a more transparent and democratic Internet.
Sources: L’ADN / Binance Academy / chat.openai.com / EmarketerZ / Archipels / Avast / Les Echos / Journal du net /