Though web 2.0 is still in its infancy – with platforms like FaceBook, Twitter, YouTube and Linkedin you have a preview of what is to come. At the web 2.0 expo, a speaker compared web 2.0 as it stands today to the way we would now look at Windows v.3.1 after being exposed to Windows XP in a few years – 
it is almost a joke to think that just 13 – 15 years ago Windows 3.1 was the greatest achievement since sliced bread for your PC. This begs the question, if faster computers allow us to build even faster computers exponentially, then will the way we see web 2.0 applications today be drastically different even 3-5 years from now?
The answer is yes.
It also makes sense that there are some significant foundational rules that web 2.0 applications follow and these basic building blocks are probably going to remain the most consistent regardless of future changes to web 2.0 applications:
1) Bring Human Beings Together
2) Express Emotions
3) Offer Transparency
These three pieces are definitely found in the “secret sauce” off all successful web 2.0 platforms, and are bound to remain in the future of applications to come.
Human beings want to relate to other human beings. The Internet offers a “safe” environment to do so, and some of the best social sites make these connections naturally.
Emotions are the most powerful communication method, and to offer a platform where users can express their emotions in an online community, and remain unique, is one of the best ways to establish a solid online community. People make most of their decisions based upon their emotions. This is true for decisions to make a purchase, decisions on where to go, decisions on what to do, decisions on just about everything.
Transparency and openness online are key as well. To offer a community-driven platform, where users can call the shots, make the remarks, rate the products, make the jokes… this leads to a healthy online community, and is key to a great web 2.0 offering.
Knowing there will me extreme change in the way we use the web in the very near future, we can still get the basics right. This way, we have an edge on our competition for the long haul. Keep open to change and do not get lost in the forest only to loose sight of the trees. The greatest mistake we can make is to believe we have all of the answers. The best anyone can do in this fast changing landscape is keep informed relating to the latest trends, but work from the basic principles we have already learned.
