Web 2.0 Tools

Hello to all of my blogging buddies! The end of the semester is drawing near and we have gone through a lot together. I wanted to share with you this very insightful article I read about Web 2.0 tools. Not only was it was extremely helpful while writing my paper, but also clearly explained what the term means in a general sense. You can find the article here: What is Web 2.0 by Tim O'Reilly.

O'Reilly provides a description of how the term started and what the creators originally had in mind. There is a chart to help explain the thought structure and a chart that helps describe the difference between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0. While this may not provide the only definition of Web 2.0 tools, it does provide a basic interpretation that I found valuable.

Fastest Growing Age Group on Facebook

Surprise! It probably isn't what you are thinking (teenagers). The fastest growing age group on Facebook these days is adults age 50 and older, at least according to a survey given by the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project. Why the increase? As the article on Inc.com explains, older adults are looking to reconnect and keep in touch with family and friends.

This is not having a positive effect on the number of young people signing up for, or even staying with, Facebook. Recent studies have suggested young people are not overly comfortable with parents, grandparents, nosey Aunt Cindy, or potential employers having access to their social network. New websites such as CollegeOnly.com are being launched to cater to this group of privacy-craving young adults.

Where do I fall on the spectrum? As a 27 year old, I have to admit I haven't always been crazy about my family members or in-laws friending me on Facebook. While I value being able to keep in touch with them, I use the privacy controls available and make sure to not post anything I wouldn't want to see in the newspaper.

What about my fellow classmates out there? How do you feel about Facebook and the privacy it affords you?