web 2.0 reaches the World Service

I've posted occasionally over the last nine months or so about Web 2.0. Originally it was in connection with a research project I was undertaking at College, with the final posts on my conclusions in June, but my interest in the subject continues.

It was exciting to research a subject as it developed, watching the types of articles change, from discussion and disagreement about whether there really is such a thing as Web 2.0, through concern that this was merely repeating the Dot Com bubble, disbelief that Web 2.0 sites could generate sufficient income to remain viable, to long lists of new services starting.

Almost all of my research material appeared on the Web or in newspapers, but as I neared the end of the research, some of the monthly computer magazines publised articles on the subject. Now the BBC World Service has broadcast a section on Web 2.0, and it is available on the BBC website until 22nd August (thanks to Dave Wood for the link).

It's a really good introduction to the topic, with interviews with people in different areas, including Jeff Jarvis, a professional blogger, and the person in charge of the Guardian's website. They not only explain how Web 2.0 is challenging traditional media, not necessarily in the short term but over the next few years, and also suggest that some of the social networking sites such as MySpace, which Rupert Murdoch paid $60m a year ago, could soon be out of date itself.