Web1, Web2, Web3 and all that
We all move these days through the internet, the so call web, and some have noticed with surprise a certain label usage these days, i.e: web1, web2 and web3. Strange, because for us the internet is just one. So what is this enumeration about?
The Logging in paradigm
Here is a simple characterisation from an activity that we all do: logging in, i.e: registering our details once in some place and then returning at any time, signing in without the need to reenter details
Web1
In the early days of the internet, the act of logging in was done on each individual site that offered a registration. One had to remember a name/password pair for each site. That was Web 1.0
Web2
When mega sites like Facebook, Google, or Apple entered the internet stage, they offered their registration to other sites, so that one could enter a given site with the name/password created on the mega site. Huge centralisation and control provided. This was Web 2.0
Web3
With the introduction of block chain technology, decentralisation is possible and logging in is done via an individual objet called a “wallet”. This object is created by each user and it is guaranteed to be owned just by the user. This wallet became the login method in Web 3.0
The client server paradigm
Web1
The first usage of the internet was through servers which were host to pages implemented by web masters. These pages were static read only providing information created by each web page owner. Those of us that own a “page” in a web site we are active creators in this Web1 technology.
Web2
Large sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and others implement implicit partnership with content creators centralising massive amount of content and a big revenue in marketing and advertising. Those of us that post regularly to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter are active creators in this Web2 technology.
Web3
Web3 is under development, some concepts have still to be realised. The core ideas are based on decentralisation, openness and user utility. The interaction and usage moves away from centralised platforms like Facebook, Twitter or Google and move to a anonymous decentralised "block chain" providing freedom to interact publicly or privately without having an intermediary. It provides participation without needing authorisation. Web3 technology has been adopted among others by financial institutions implementing crypto currency. Artists creating via digital unique tokens guaranteeing ownership in a public domain.
The content paradigm
Web1
A static web — companies, governments, universities, individuals publish pages and we all read them.
Web2
It is about user-generated content, platforms provide an outlet to share and connect without ownership of such content or relationships.
Web3
Web3 preserves ownership of individual’s digital identity and digital footprint. Creators share their work and decide where and how it is used.
Historically
The internet originated by the (military) need to have a communication system that could not be totally destructed being in one single location. Web1 provided that system implemented by a network of de centralised servers. When the military institution open the network to the public, academic institutions used it to share "research papers". Initially in a very crude "plain text" way. Later on, the need for a visualisation tool gave birth to the World-Wide-Web. A tremendous revolution in information sharing and access. To certain extend web2 breaks the original goal and we can see today how the Social Media giants "control" usage to the point of being able to negate access at will. In that sense, Web3 goes back to implement the original goal.