Friday, April 10, 2009
Web 2.0
"Web 2.0" refers to a second generation of web development and design, that facilitates communication, secure information sharing, interoperability, and collaboration on the World Wide Web. Web 2.0 concepts have led to the development and evolution of web-based communities, hosted services, and applications; such as social-networking sites, video-sharing sites, wikis and blogs
Web 2.0 websites typically include some of the following features/techniques.
Search
the ease of finding information through keyword search which makes the platform valuable.
Links
guide to important pieces of information. The best pages are the most frequently linked to.
Authoring
the ability to create constantly updating content over a platform that is shifted from being the creation of a few to being the constantly updated, interlinked work. In wikis, the content is iterative in the sense that the people undo and redo each other's work. In blogs, content is cumulative in that posts and comments of individuals are accumulated over time.
Tags
categorization of content by creating tags that are simple, one-word descriptions to facilitate searching and avoid rigid, pre-made categories.
Extensions
automation of some of the work and pattern matching by using algorithms e.g. amazon.com recommendations.
Signals
the use of RSS (Really Simple Syndication) technology to notify users with any changes of the content by sending e-mails to them.”
Government 2.0
Web 2.0 initiatives are being employed within the public sector, giving more currency to the term Government 2.0. For instance, Web 2.0 websites such as Twitter, YouTube and Facebook have helped in providing a feasible way for citizens to connect with higher government officials, which was otherwise nearly impossible. Direct interaction of higher government authorities with citizens is replacing the age-old 'single-sided communication' with evolved and more public interaction methodologies.
Higher education
Universities are using Web 2.0 in order to reach out and engage with prospective students according to recent reports. Examples of this are: social networking websites – YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, Youmeo, Twitter and Flickr
upgrading institutions’ websites in friendly ways (e.g., stand-alone micro-websites with minimal navigation)..
In addition to free social networking websites, schools have contracted with companies that provide many of the same services as MySpace and Facebook, but can integrate with their existing database. Companies such as Harris Connect, iModules, and Publishing Concepts have developed alumni online community software packages that provide schools with a way to communicate to their alumni and allow alumni to communicate with each other in a safe, secure environment.
Public diplomacy
Web 2.0 initiatives have been employed in public diplomacy for the Israeli government. The country is believed to be the first to have its own official blog, MySpace page, YouTube channel, Facebook page and a political blog
. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs started the country's video blog as well as its political blog.
Social Work 2.0
Social work 2.0 represents the use of interactive web technologies in the delivery of social services. The term first appeared in press in 2008. In March, 2009, the New Social Worker Online started a technology blog called Social Work 2.0. Social workers use web 2.0 technologies for clinical practice, community organizing and administrative and policy functions.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
E-Retailing
E-Retailing is defined as using a variety of different technologies or media to sell goods or services. It may be broadly be a combination of two elements.
1:Combining new technologies with elements of traditional stores and direct mail models.
2: Using new technologies to replace elements of store or direct mail retail.
Internet retail has some elements in common with direct mail retailing. For eg, e-mail messages can replace mail messages and the telephone, that are used in the direct mail model as means of providing information, communication and transactions while on-line catalogues can replace printed catalogues. As with direct mail businesses, critical success factors include:1:Use of customer databases 2: Easy ordering 3: Quick Delivery
For catalog retailers ie;Argos, expansion to the Web is a relatively easy development. They already conduct most of their sales through remote media and are already equipped to handle customer service and order fulfillment.This model also has an inverse, in the form of dot-coms that have added print catalogs or other print sales tools to their online site offerings. Print sales tools can serve as a tangible reiteration of an e-retail brand and its product offerings. Garden.com, for example, added a print catalog to the many merchandising techniques the company uses to drive sales at its Web site.The consistent, physical reminder of your name and brand can be an important aspect of your marketing, regardless of whether you intend to achieve sales through both a print catalog and your retail site.
1:Combining new technologies with elements of traditional stores and direct mail models.
2: Using new technologies to replace elements of store or direct mail retail.
Internet retail has some elements in common with direct mail retailing. For eg, e-mail messages can replace mail messages and the telephone, that are used in the direct mail model as means of providing information, communication and transactions while on-line catalogues can replace printed catalogues. As with direct mail businesses, critical success factors include:1:Use of customer databases 2: Easy ordering 3: Quick Delivery
These 3 aspects are of critical importance because in my opinion there is nothing worse than a poorly managed or laid out site. To name names i have no regret in saying that elveries.ie a disaster to navigate and a simple task like buying a sports bag almost lead me to destroying my very own computer in an act of rage.
In America
Sites like macys.com and gap.com, as well as relative latecomers walmart.com and jcpenney.com, are evolving into online branches. This kind of site is not limited to the rich, famous, and nationally well-branded. Many smaller stores have used the Web to broaden their market by opening online branches, which make available to Web shoppers goods that were once accessible only to people near the store.The inverse image of this model is also evident: businesses that started out as Web e-retailers but have since added brick-and-mortar operations to their sales channels. Gazoontite.com launched its Web site selling hypoallergenic products before opening its flagship store in San Francisco. Additional stores have opened on both coasts and in the Chicago area.
Catalog Retailers
For catalog retailers ie;Argos, expansion to the Web is a relatively easy development. They already conduct most of their sales through remote media and are already equipped to handle customer service and order fulfillment.This model also has an inverse, in the form of dot-coms that have added print catalogs or other print sales tools to their online site offerings. Print sales tools can serve as a tangible reiteration of an e-retail brand and its product offerings. Garden.com, for example, added a print catalog to the many merchandising techniques the company uses to drive sales at its Web site.The consistent, physical reminder of your name and brand can be an important aspect of your marketing, regardless of whether you intend to achieve sales through both a print catalog and your retail site.
High-Tech
High-tech features sometimes backfire. "A few years ago, animation was a great gee-whiz kind of technology, but from a consumer standpoint, there's been a backlash," he says. "Our research has shown that an animated [graphic] will hurt your credibility."
Tourism
Tourism is a huge money maker for any country and here in ireland it is especially important because of our huge tourist attraction. Here Failte Ireland have adapted well to the e-Retailing boom by setting up a very good website in www.FailteIreland.ie . They have laid it out very well by dividing the seprate areas of ireland into different sections. The majority of holidays are booked online anyway so this was a natural progression for this industary.
Sucessful eBusiness Companies
When thinking about what companies have fully embraced the eBusiness concept you begin to think about many different companies. Airlines in particular have used the concept to improve their services. Also DELL come to mind by how they sell their computers online which I have always thought was weird because You need a computer to buy a computer. Other eBusiness success stories include eBay and Amazon.
LUCK AND TIMING
I have always been fascinated by the stories of these now huge companies and the risk and luck that went into forming them. These companies were the lucky ones who started at the right time and were very lucky to do so due to the huge risk involved at the time in starting up companies bases on radical new ideas.
DEFINITION
E-business derived from such terms as "e-mail" and "e-commerce," is the conduct of business on the Internet, not only buying and selling but also servicing customers and collaborating with business partners.
One of the first to use the term was IBM, when, in October, 1997, it launched a thematic campaign built around the term. Today, major corporations are rethinking their businesses in terms of the Internet and its new culture and capabilities. Companies are using the Web to buy parts and supplies from other companies, to collaborate on sales promotions, and to do joint research. Exploiting the convenience, availability, and world-wide reach of the Internet, many companies, such as Amazon.com, the book sellers, have already discovered how to use the Internet successfully.
IBM
LUCK AND TIMING
I have always been fascinated by the stories of these now huge companies and the risk and luck that went into forming them. These companies were the lucky ones who started at the right time and were very lucky to do so due to the huge risk involved at the time in starting up companies bases on radical new ideas.
DEFINITION
E-business derived from such terms as "e-mail" and "e-commerce," is the conduct of business on the Internet, not only buying and selling but also servicing customers and collaborating with business partners.
One of the first to use the term was IBM, when, in October, 1997, it launched a thematic campaign built around the term. Today, major corporations are rethinking their businesses in terms of the Internet and its new culture and capabilities. Companies are using the Web to buy parts and supplies from other companies, to collaborate on sales promotions, and to do joint research. Exploiting the convenience, availability, and world-wide reach of the Internet, many companies, such as Amazon.com, the book sellers, have already discovered how to use the Internet successfully.
IBM
Louis Gerstner, the former CEO of IBM, in his book, Who Says Elephants Can't Dance? attributes the term "e-Business" to IBM's marketing and Internet teams in 1996.
Electronic business allows companies to link their internal and external data processing systems more efficiently and flexibly, to work more closely with suppliers and partners, and to better satisfy the needs and expectations of their customers.
Electronic business allows companies to link their internal and external data processing systems more efficiently and flexibly, to work more closely with suppliers and partners, and to better satisfy the needs and expectations of their customers.
EBay
The online auction website was founded as AuctionWeb in San Jose, California, on September 3, 1995, by French-born Iranian computer programmer Pierre Omidyar as part of a larger personal site. In 1997, the company received approximately $5 million in funding from the venture capital firm Benchmark Capital.
The very first item sold on eBay was a broken laser pointer for $14.83. Astonished, Omidyar contacted the winning bidder to ask if he understood that the laser pointer was broken. In his responding email, the buyer explained: "I'm a collector of broken laser pointers.". The frequently repeated story that eBay was founded to help Omidyar's fiancée trade Pez Candy dispensers was fabricated by a public relations manager in 1997 to interest the media.eBay went public on September 21,[8] 1998, and both Omidyar and Skoll became instant billionaires.[6]
The online auction website was founded as AuctionWeb in San Jose, California, on September 3, 1995, by French-born Iranian computer programmer Pierre Omidyar as part of a larger personal site. In 1997, the company received approximately $5 million in funding from the venture capital firm Benchmark Capital.
The very first item sold on eBay was a broken laser pointer for $14.83. Astonished, Omidyar contacted the winning bidder to ask if he understood that the laser pointer was broken. In his responding email, the buyer explained: "I'm a collector of broken laser pointers.". The frequently repeated story that eBay was founded to help Omidyar's fiancée trade Pez Candy dispensers was fabricated by a public relations manager in 1997 to interest the media.eBay went public on September 21,[8] 1998, and both Omidyar and Skoll became instant billionaires.[6]
Amazon
Jeff Bezos founded Amazon.com, Inc. in 1994 and launched it online in 1995. It started as an on-line bookstore but soon diversified to product lines of VHS, DVD, music CDs and MP3s, computer software, video games, electronics, apparel, furniture, food, toys, etc. Amazon has established separate websites in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, China, and Japan. It also provides international shipping to certain countries for some of its products.
On January 15, 2009, a survey published by Verdict Research found that Amazon was the UK's favorite music and video retailer, and came third in overall retail rankings.
The domain amazon.com attracted at least 615 million visitors annually by 2008 according to a Compete.com survey. This was twice the numbers of walmart.com.
Jeff Bezos founded Amazon.com, Inc. in 1994 and launched it online in 1995. It started as an on-line bookstore but soon diversified to product lines of VHS, DVD, music CDs and MP3s, computer software, video games, electronics, apparel, furniture, food, toys, etc. Amazon has established separate websites in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, China, and Japan. It also provides international shipping to certain countries for some of its products.
On January 15, 2009, a survey published by Verdict Research found that Amazon was the UK's favorite music and video retailer, and came third in overall retail rankings.
The domain amazon.com attracted at least 615 million visitors annually by 2008 according to a Compete.com survey. This was twice the numbers of walmart.com.
E-Government
While learning about eGovernment in class i was struck by how the internet is used to promote certain parties or people ...I feel this is a good idea because the government can access young people this way and recruit more voters..I think the internet was especially promenent in the election of Barack Obama as president of the United States...Proof of the potential importance of eGovernment was highlighted by Barack Obama making the first ever online presidential address shortly after his election. In the following video we can see how the Internet can be used to govern a country in a very modern way.
DISADVANTAGES
Increased contact between government and its citizens goes both ways. Once e-government begins to develop and become more sophisticated, citizens will be forced to interact electronically with the government on a larger scale. This could potentially lead to a lack of privacy for civilians as their government obtains more and more information on them. In a worse case scenario, with so much information being passed electronically between government and civilians, a totalatarian -like system could develop. When the government has easy access to countless information on its citizens, personal privacy is lost.
Opponents of e-government argue that online governmental transparency is suspicious because it is maintained by the governments themselves. Information can be added or removed from the public eye (i.e. the Internet) with or without public notice. For example, after the World Trade Center in New York City was attacked on September 11, 2001, United States federal officials removed a large amount of government information from its websites in the name of national security. This act went relatively unnoticed by United States citizens. To this day, very few organizations monitor and provide accountability for these modifications
ADVANTAGES
One goal of e-government will be greater citizen participation in the nation’s capital. Through the internet, people from all over the country can interact with politicians and make their voices heard. Blogging and interactive surveys will allow politicians to see the views of the people they represent on any given issue. Moderated chat rooms can place citizens in real-time contact with elected officials and their offices, allowing voters to have a direct impact and influence in their government. These technologies can create a more transparent government, allowing voters to immediately see how and why their representation in the capital is voting the way they are. This helps voters better decide who to vote for in the future. A government could theoretically move more towards a true democracy with the proper application of e-government.
DISADVANTAGES
Increased contact between government and its citizens goes both ways. Once e-government begins to develop and become more sophisticated, citizens will be forced to interact electronically with the government on a larger scale. This could potentially lead to a lack of privacy for civilians as their government obtains more and more information on them. In a worse case scenario, with so much information being passed electronically between government and civilians, a totalatarian -like system could develop. When the government has easy access to countless information on its citizens, personal privacy is lost.
Opponents of e-government argue that online governmental transparency is suspicious because it is maintained by the governments themselves. Information can be added or removed from the public eye (i.e. the Internet) with or without public notice. For example, after the World Trade Center in New York City was attacked on September 11, 2001, United States federal officials removed a large amount of government information from its websites in the name of national security. This act went relatively unnoticed by United States citizens. To this day, very few organizations monitor and provide accountability for these modifications
ADVANTAGES
One goal of e-government will be greater citizen participation in the nation’s capital. Through the internet, people from all over the country can interact with politicians and make their voices heard. Blogging and interactive surveys will allow politicians to see the views of the people they represent on any given issue. Moderated chat rooms can place citizens in real-time contact with elected officials and their offices, allowing voters to have a direct impact and influence in their government. These technologies can create a more transparent government, allowing voters to immediately see how and why their representation in the capital is voting the way they are. This helps voters better decide who to vote for in the future. A government could theoretically move more towards a true democracy with the proper application of e-government.
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