Internet
The Internet is the global system of interconnected computer networks that use the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between devices. It is a network of networks that consists of private, public, academic, business, and government networks of local to global scope, linked by a broad array of electronic, wireless, and optical networking technologies
The Internet has evolved over time, as new technology had emerged and new economic models to sustain it have evolved to support and enact the new potential introduced by these new technologies.
"Web1.0: Read-Only" refers to the early days of the Internet, where users could only access information and read online content but could not actively participate or contribute. "Web 2.0: Read-Write" saw the rise of social media and user-generated content,
allowing users to interact with each other and contribute to online communities. "Web3.0: Read-Write-Own" represents the current trend towards a more decentralized and empowering Internet, where users have complete control over their data and online presence. The transition from Web1.0 (Read-Only) to Web2.0 (Read-Write) and finally to Web3 (Read-Write-Own) reflects the evolution of the Internet from a passive to a more active and empowering platform for users.
Web 1.0 was built on a centralized economic model where static web pages with limited interactivity were the norm. Content was mainly created by a small number of people for a larger audience, and users had little opportunity for interactive applications. The economic model was based on the production of static web pages and did not involve the widespread user engagement and interactivity that characterize the later web versions. This model did not incorporate user-generated content, social networking, or the dynamic, interactive nature of the modern web. During the era of Web 1.0, the infrastructure was primarily funded and built by private companies, organizations, and government agencies. These entities invested in the development of the Internet's foundational technologies, such as networking equipment, servers, and communication protocols. The cost of the infrastructure for Web 1.0 was relatively trivial compared to the more expensive Web 2.0. Key players in the digital payments industry during Web 1.0 included financial institutions, credit card companies, and online payment platforms, which played a significant role in facilitating digital payments. This era was also marked by a charging model where users had to pay for each page they viewed, including directories that enabled them to find specific information. Netscape (browser) and Yahoo (search) are representative of this period.
The Web 2.0 iteration of the Web is characterized by increased user interaction, enabling the production of user-generated content and facilitating greater interactivity and usability for end-users. The advent of Web 2.0 has given rise to numerous social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, that allow users to upload content and receive feedback from other users. The widespread adoption of mobile devices, such as iPhones and Android smartphones, has also contributed to the popularity of Web 2.0 through the use of apps such as WhatsApp, Instagram, Uber, and Paytm. The growth in the number of users and the increase in user-generated content has led to the transformation of the Web from a mode of communication and information gathering to a platform for software applications and e-commerce. As a result, Web 2.0 has become known as the "web as a platform". It is the Internet where we are now. Internet technology companies offered better software and services than open protocols. Users started to move away from open protocols such as the World Wide Web to centralized service platforms that could provide free services. Web 2.0 is built on the economic model of user-generated content, social networking, and dynamic, interactive web applications. This model allows individuals to collectively share resources to meet common goals, whether knowledge-based or financial, and has led to improved communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. The economic model of Web 2.0 also involves the use of advanced analytics and artificial intelligence. Since Web 2.0 companies can own and share user-generated content, they empower users to interact with each other by posting, liking, commenting, and other actions. Users are both creators and consumers of content in the era.
Web 3.0, also referred to as the Semantic Web or the Read-Write-Execute web, is the next generation of the World Wide Web. It seeks to leverage artificial intelligence to make the Internet more intelligent, focusing on linking data across different platforms. This effort is guided by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards. The term "Semantic Web" was first coined by Tim Berners-Lee, who envisioned a future where machines could communicate seamlessly, creating "intelligent agents" to handle various aspects of daily life. Currently, online platforms operate as information silos, with data uploaded on one platform not automatically updating on another. The goal of the Semantic Web is to create interconnectivity between these platforms, reducing the need for redundant information uploads. Tim Berners-Lee and Ching-man Au Yeung (2009) proposed the creation of decentralized social networks that would allow users to control their data. The paper emphasizes giving users privacy and allowing them to decide whom to share information with. It also proposes storing information on a server or local computer that the user trusts, giving the user ownership of the data. It also mentions using URIs as the users’ internet identity, connecting data to applications. However, Tim Berners-Lee's proposal lacked an incentive for all parties and was not adopted by the Web 2.0 Internet giants. Also, while the idea of extending the exchange of information to the ownership of data, the idea does not cover the possibility of exchanging value across the World Wide Web. There was a lack of new technology that empowers users to exchange data or value freely without the interference or control of a trusted third party. Users will still have to rely on a platform or a third party if an exchange of value occurs. Before Bitcoin, it had never been realized because without a trusted central authority to oversee transactions, and there was no practical way to thwart three acts by malicious users: spending without authorization, spending without having enough balance, and double-spending. Bitcoin and blockchain laid the groundwork for the creation of Ethereum with smart contracts. Shortly after launching Ethereum in 2014, co-founder Dr Gavin Wood offered a different definition of Web 3.0 to Tim Berners - Lee. He advocated using blockchain to record public information, protect personal privacy and eliminate the need for trusted third parties with smart contracts. This is the first design to combine blockchain with the Internet and is the definition of Web 3.0 accepted by the crypto industry. Industry builders and the media use the acronym "Web3" for convenience. The semantic Web 3.0, aims to improve efficiency and intelligence by connecting data across websites. In contrast, Web3 uses distributed ledger technology or blockchain, and prioritizes security and user control by giving them ownership of their data and identity. Web3+ encompasses all possible implementations of Web3, including both blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, encompasses the full range of possibilities for the future of Web3. Web 3.0 uses the solid pod to store user data and assign unique WebIDs for user identity. This Solid Pod serves as a centralized repository for the user's personal data. Each Solid user has their individual Solid Pod, which is stored on a decentralized network of servers. The data stored in a user's Solid Pod is unique to that individual and is not copied or replicated in any other Solid Pods. The data stored in a Solid Pod can be amended or updated by its owner. A hacker can potentially amend a person's data stored in a Solid Pod if they can gain unauthorized access to the user's account. It may not be possible to determine conclusively that a particular change was made by a hacker, as opposed to the user themselves or someone else with legitimate access to the data. Meanwhile, in the blockchain-based web3, users store their data immutable and securely in a cryptocurrency wallet accessible through private keys. Both approaches employ different technologies for data security. Web 3.0 uses technologies like RDF, SPARQL, OWL, and SKOS for data interchange, while Web3 relies on blockchain technology. Data in Web3 is secured due to its decentralized nature and difficulty in modifying or deleting data stored across multiple nodes. In contrast, data in the solid pod is stored at a single pod and can be altered more easily. Additionally, the keys stored in crypto wallets give users access to decentralized data stored on the blockchain.
Sources: