Assignment Overview

The idea of a Semantic Web has been around since at least 2001, although many critics have been skeptical about its feasibility. For example, one school of thought believes that Web 3.0 is already here with the current advances in Web technology. The other school of thought supports that Web 3.0 is evolving as Artificial Intelligence (AI) is added to combine information indexing and classification to simulate patterns of human reasoning and logic. Although computers can store large amounts of data and present it in patterns, they cannot associate undefined patterns. Web 3.0 in the context of AI would be able to close that gap by detecting information patterns and integrating them in a dynamic process. Search engines capable of adapting to semantic technology would allow users to find, share, and collect information using natural language.

So, is the Semantic Web really here? We have certainly come a long way. Web 1.0 consisted of static webpages. We could read, but not much else. Web 2.0 has opened up the dialogue among people, and it has created a new industry of social networking through blogging and Facebook. We are putting our ideas out there. Technologies to facilitate tagging, blogs, wikis, and podcast/videos are among the popular advances in Web 2.0. The productivity of online systems has been significant. Internet applications have grown among a wide range of industries as a result of interactive online systems.

The reaction of people to these products and services has been phenomenal, and it has contributed to a new social digital economy that did not exist with Web 1.0. Some of the advances that we see more recently are natural language queries like “Where do I buy product X in California?” Someone querying with this statement appreciates a search engine returning several company links or even blogs where people are discussing the same product or asking the same question. The concept of tagging will carry through Web 3.0.

The following materials introduce Web 3.0 from a historical perspective. Dr. Yuen’s site provides three short videos: Evolution Web 1.0, Web 2.0 to Web 3.0; The Future Internet: Service Web 3.0; and Web 3.0: Semantic Web. All materials are meant to familiarize the student with Web 3.0 features. The Web 3.0 implications to businesses and consumers are covered in the last article.

Wheeler, S. (2011, January 5). A brief introduction to Web 3.0. Cognitive Interfund Transfer. Retrieved from http://cognitiveinterfundtransfer.blogspot.com/2011/01/brief-introduction-to-web-30.html

Gaines, K. (n.d.). A brief introduction to Web 3.0. Web Designer. Retrieved from http://1stwebdesigner.com/what-is-web-3-0/

Yuen, S. (2010, September 19). Web 3.0. Learning Technologies. Retrieved from http://scyuen.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/web-3-0/

Verizon. (2010). Web 3.0: Its promise and implications to consumers and business.

Optional Reading

Strickland, J. (2011). How Web 3.0 will work. HowStuffWorks. Retrieved from http://computer.howstuffworks.com/web-30.htm

Knowledge@Wharton. (2011, July 6). Web 3.0: The ‘Social Wave’ and how it disrupts the Internet. Managing Technology. Retrieved from http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2808

Rollyson, C. (2011, July 6). What kind of Web 3.0 world should we make? SocialMedia.biz. Retrieved, from http://www.socialmedia.biz/2011/07/06/what-kind-of-web-3-0-world-should-we-make/

Abhishek, N. (2012). Web 4.0 basics. The Customize Windows. Retrieved from http://thecustomizewindows.com/2011/09/web-4-0-basics/

Case Assignment

After reading the course materials, write a 3- to 4-page paper on the following question:

How will the Web 3.0 transformations be used in business? What are the benefits of W3.0 to consumers?

Assignment Expectations

Your paper should be 3–4 pages long. Take a definite stand on the issues, and develop your supporting argument carefully. Using material from the background information and any other sources you can find to support specific points in your argument is highly recommended; try to avoid making assertions for which you can find no support other than your own opinion.

Provide proper citations for any material you reference from other sources. Follow the Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality Academic Paper for help in structuring and developing your paper.

You will be particularly assessed on:

• Your ability to see what the module is all about and to structure your paper accordingly.
• Your informed commentary and analysis—simply repeating what your sources say does not constitute an adequate paper.
• Your ability to draw on a range of sources, and to establish your understanding of the historical context of the question.

Answer Preview-Impact of Web 3.0 on Businesses