Mfreke Umoh
Well, you have probably heard the term Web 3. It's being discussed everywhere, and everyone seems to be talking about it.
But it seems like you are the only one who doesn't get the hang of what it is.
You are probably wondering, what in the world is Web 3 anyway? If there is Web 3, does that mean we have Web 2? How about Web 1?
Well, worry no longer. In this article, I will help you understand what Web 3 is and the other generations of the web.
Web 3
Web 3, also known as Web 3.0, is the third generation of the World Wide Web characterized by decentralized and trustless systems.
It is built on an open blockchain network, using it to protect your data, and it is not owned and controlled by large entities.
It can be termed as the decentralized internet that focuses on individual or consumer ownership stakes in platforms and applications.
It represents a more intelligent iteration of the internet, where websites and applications can intelligently process information using technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), Big Data, Decentralized Ledger Technology (DLT), and other advanced methods.
It promises to uphold the utopian values of equality, transparency, information access, as well as full privacy over shared data without third-party censorship.
Although it is currently being built, it will require some time before its full utilization and adoption.
Web 2
Web 2 is the version of the internet widely being used. It is the participative social web with a focus on reading and writing content.
It does not refer to any specific technical upgrades to the internet but a shift in how the internet is being used.
The publication of articles and comments, increasing engaged content creation, and participation through the creation of accounts on different sites are all possible because of Web 2.
It led to the emergence of web applications and self-publishing platforms such as Wazoplus, WordPress, Medium, Substack, along with social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn.
It is what global behemoths like Google (now under Alphabet), Facebook (now Meta), Uber, Amazon are originally built on.
Web 1
This is the first generation of the World Wide Web, often referred to as the read-only web.
It emerged shortly after the Cold War, in the 1960s, with the initial purpose of providing information sharing and featuring online content delivery.
It is primarily a one-way publishing medium with minimal or no user interaction.
It began as an information place for businesses to broadcast their information and only allowed users to search for information and read it.
Conclusion
We can say Web 1 gave rise to information sharing mainly by governments, businesses, and corporate bodies.
Web 2 made social interactions and content generation possible for everyone, and Web 3 focuses on data privacy and ownership, transparency, and equality.
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