Web experts think that Web 3.0 will be akin to having a personal assistant who knows just about everything about you. With web 3.0 searches would no longer be based solely on the finding of keywords but will rather evaluate the context of the search terms to find the best answer. You could put in complex sentences for search criteria and be able to get the answer you are looking for much quicker than with current web searching capabilities. Although this is still very much a developing technology and there is no set definition yet, there are certain traits that experts are agreeing on. The main traits are that Web 3.0 will provide users with a richer and more relevant experiences. Also, with Web 3.0 every user will have a unique Internet profile based on that user's browsing history.
So this all sounds great right? No longer having to perform multiple searches and spend hours at a time researching something on the Internet sounds great but there are some concerns that people have regarding this. If a Web 3.0 browser is retrieving information based on how you are searching the Internet then does that allow easy access for someone else to access information about you that you would rather them not know? Some people are worried that activities on the Internet will become too public through having this capability and as of yet there are no answers to these questions.
Creating Viedo for Use on the Web
There are several things to keep in mind when creating and distributing video on the web. Some questions that you should ask yourself before deciding to use or create a video are:
Why use audio or video?
Sometimes the use of audio and/or video may be the best way to get your point across. Also video may be a good supplemental source, such as a how to video to supplement written out instructions. Audio and video can also be used to stand apart from the competition by adding a “wow factor” or by adding a personal touch which may appeal to the target audience.
It isn’t always easy to create a video with meaningful content and a high level of quality but by following the simple guidelines outlined here you should be well on your way to creating a great online video.
- What is the value the video adds to the website?
- Who are your primary visitors or users?
- Do your users have the browsers and bandwidth necessary for the multimedia you wish to add?
- What is the primary purpose of your page or site?
- Will sound and video add to, or detract from what you are communicating?
Why use audio or video?
Sometimes the use of audio and/or video may be the best way to get your point across. Also video may be a good supplemental source, such as a how to video to supplement written out instructions. Audio and video can also be used to stand apart from the competition by adding a “wow factor” or by adding a personal touch which may appeal to the target audience.
It isn’t always easy to create a video with meaningful content and a high level of quality but by following the simple guidelines outlined here you should be well on your way to creating a great online video.
Rich Internet Applications
Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) offer an experience that is engaging and well...rich. These applications can function like a traditional desktop application but don't require an entire installation. Most of the time there will be a browser plug-in that would need to be installed but that is all that would be needed. When developing RIAs there are choices in what technologies to use. Some of the more popular and widely known choices are:
Adobe Flash
The technologies that are a part of the Adobe suite are widely used today. Companies such as eBay, Mini, FedEx, Nick.com, AOL and many others, utilize Flash technology to give their customers a better and more engaging experience.
JavaFX
With JavaFX you can create applications on mobile devices, desktops, televisions and other products. Some key features include: broad market reach, broad access to mobile devices, lower implementation cost, operation outside of the browser and many more. There are also choices in tools to use with JavaFX. There is the developer bundle, designer bundle and the Stand-alone. Each of these can be explained in more detail on the website.
Silverlight
Some of the main features of Silverlight include, cross-browser and cross-device functionality, smooth streaming, out of browser functionality, pixel shading effects and many others. Silverlight also takes advantage of Microsoft's .Net framework. Many .Net applications today utilize the Silverlight technology.
Google Webkit/Gears
Google Gears lets your web browser interact with your desktop, allows data to be stored locally as well as JavaScript can be run in the background to help improve performance. Gears is a free download available from Google. The Google web toolkit is also a useful tool from Google for developers to use. This toolkit allows developers to create complex JavaScript applications through the Java language. The toolkit will take the Java code and transform it into a high performing JavaScript application.
This is by no means and exhaustive list of technologies used in creating rich internet applications. There are many other technologies available to help developers create a highly interactive website. There are many benefits to creating a RIA. They can boost productivity by displaying information in a more meaningful format, they can boost performance and they can also help to keep your users coming back to your website by engaging the user.
Adobe Flash
The technologies that are a part of the Adobe suite are widely used today. Companies such as eBay, Mini, FedEx, Nick.com, AOL and many others, utilize Flash technology to give their customers a better and more engaging experience.
JavaFX
With JavaFX you can create applications on mobile devices, desktops, televisions and other products. Some key features include: broad market reach, broad access to mobile devices, lower implementation cost, operation outside of the browser and many more. There are also choices in tools to use with JavaFX. There is the developer bundle, designer bundle and the Stand-alone. Each of these can be explained in more detail on the website.
Silverlight
Some of the main features of Silverlight include, cross-browser and cross-device functionality, smooth streaming, out of browser functionality, pixel shading effects and many others. Silverlight also takes advantage of Microsoft's .Net framework. Many .Net applications today utilize the Silverlight technology.
Google Webkit/Gears
Google Gears lets your web browser interact with your desktop, allows data to be stored locally as well as JavaScript can be run in the background to help improve performance. Gears is a free download available from Google. The Google web toolkit is also a useful tool from Google for developers to use. This toolkit allows developers to create complex JavaScript applications through the Java language. The toolkit will take the Java code and transform it into a high performing JavaScript application.
This is by no means and exhaustive list of technologies used in creating rich internet applications. There are many other technologies available to help developers create a highly interactive website. There are many benefits to creating a RIA. They can boost productivity by displaying information in a more meaningful format, they can boost performance and they can also help to keep your users coming back to your website by engaging the user.
Hulu vs. Television Industry
It seems today that more and more the web is becoming an integral part of our daily lives. Hulu is one example of how this is happening. In short Hulu is an online video service. From their website you can watch TV shows, movies and clips.
What does this mean for the television industry?
An article posted July 16, 2009 on pressthebuttons.com sheds some light on this from an interesting standpoint. This article discusses the recent change which prevents people from using the PS3 web browser to use Hulu. Until recently anyone who had a PS3 could use the web browser to watch video on Hulu on the television through their console. However the networks who have content on Hulu did not like people viewing content this way. One interesting point the article brings up is that even though you one can no longer watch their TV shows on their television using a PS3, one could still connect a computer directly to their TV and watch content on Hulu that way. So by blocking content through the PS3 networks with content haven't really done much to control how content is viewed.
Just how big of a threat is Hulu?
Hulu and other web sites like it have a potential to pose a great threat to the television industry.
An article found here gives a visual comparison of hulu to paid TV viewership. To give some numbers, the number of viewers in the month of July was:
Hulu: 38 million
Time Warner: 34 million
DirecTV: 47 million
Comcast: 62 million
What does this mean for the television industry?
An article posted July 16, 2009 on pressthebuttons.com sheds some light on this from an interesting standpoint. This article discusses the recent change which prevents people from using the PS3 web browser to use Hulu. Until recently anyone who had a PS3 could use the web browser to watch video on Hulu on the television through their console. However the networks who have content on Hulu did not like people viewing content this way. One interesting point the article brings up is that even though you one can no longer watch their TV shows on their television using a PS3, one could still connect a computer directly to their TV and watch content on Hulu that way. So by blocking content through the PS3 networks with content haven't really done much to control how content is viewed.
Just how big of a threat is Hulu?
Hulu and other web sites like it have a potential to pose a great threat to the television industry.
An article found here gives a visual comparison of hulu to paid TV viewership. To give some numbers, the number of viewers in the month of July was:
Hulu: 38 million
Time Warner: 34 million
DirecTV: 47 million
Comcast: 62 million
Could the Internet really replace TV?
Some people just don't see the trend in video broadcasting going very far. A few years ago I might not have seen much in that thought either but today it doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility. Speaking from a personal standpoint, I have used Hulu on many occasions. I no longer bother with trying to remember to record TV shows that I watch since I know that I can watch them all shortly after being aired if I miss them. Recently, I watched Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog. This show helps to explain how online video broadcasting is making its mark. Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog won an Emmy and was never shown on TV!
