Introduction to Web Evolution

Many of us always get confused with the internet and the World Wide Web (Web) which are the essential components of our modern lives. First of all, let’s discuss what the Internet is. It is a vast global network of millions of computers and devices, allowing people to communicate and exchange data all over the world using standard protocols (some set of instructions). The Internet is the fundamental infrastructure for different services including the web, file sharing, email, instant messaging, and chat rooms. In comparison, the web is an internet-based service that allows users to access and share information through websites and web-based applications. The web evolution has happened via several iterations, including Web 1.0 is the “read-only Web”, Web 2.0 is the “participative social Web”, and Web 3.0 is the “read, write, execute Web”.

What is Internet and how does it work?

What is Internet

The internet is defined as a network of networks. A network is nothing but a group of computers and devices that are connected. For example, at your home, you have a network of devices like TV, laptop, computer, and mobile. A neighbor living next to your door might have a similar network of devices. Your friend living in another city might have a similar network of devices. While connecting these networks the new network form is known as the internet. Today, the internet is a big part of modern life. Billions of people all over the world use it every day. They use it to find information, talk to friends and family, do business, and many other things. Web evolution, was possible, due to the rise of internet!

How does internet Work

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At a high level working on the internet looks like connecting computers and devices by a standardized set of protocols. These protocols define how information is exchanged between computers ensuring reliability and security. We know the internet is a global network made up of connected devices. These devices include routers. Routers are tools that help send information between different devices and computer systems. Let’s discuss when you send a message to your friend and how it will be transferred over the Internet. The message is split into small pieces called packets. Your device sends each packet one at a time to the closest router.

The current router analyzes the packets from the previous router. It then forwards them to the next router on the way to the destination (your friend). This process repeats until all packets reach their final destination. The Internet uses different rules to make sure packets are sent and received properly. These rules are called protocols. Two important protocols are Internet Protocol (IP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). IP makes sure the packets go to the correct destination. TCP makes sure the packets arrive without errors and in the right order.

What is the Web and Web Evolution?

The Origins

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The World Wide Web, or simply the Web, is a service that delivers information through web pages and documents. It uses the internet to do this. Web development began in 1981 when the first website was created. At that time, a browser called the Line Mode Browser (LMB) was used to test this website. The Line Mode Browser was a basic browser that only showed text. It didn’t display images, audio, or video.

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In 1992, a man named Berners-Lee uploaded the first image to the internet. In 1993, a big change happened. One of the first web browsers that could handle graphics, not just text, was released. It was called NCSA Mosaic. A graphical user interface (GUI) was one where users could see pictures, buttons, and text together. Around this same time, MTV successfully launched its first website.

After that, the internet world began to change because of a program called NCSA Mosaic. This program helped people browse the web easily. As a result, more people became aware of the web. From the 1990s to 2003, the main goal was to share as much information as possible on the internet.

The First Browser: Web 1.0

Netscape created its own browser in 1993. This browser made it easier to make websites look good by allowing better formatting. The first version of this browser came out in 1993. In 1995, a new tool called JavaScript appeared. It enabled websites to be more interactive. In 1996, CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) was introduced. This tool is used to change how websites look, like adjusting colors, fonts, and spacing. Between 1996 and 1999, these new tools helped shape how websites would continue to develop in the future.

Modern Browser: Web 2.0

Mozilla released Firefox in 2003. In 2008, Google Chrome came out. People started building Web pages using technologies like HTML. HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language, used to create the basic structure of a web page. This includes the text, images, and other media like videos and audio.

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is another important technology. We use CSS to design the way, how a web page looks. With CSS, you can change the font, color, size, and spacing of your content. You can also split the content into columns or add animations and other visual effects to make the page more attractive.

The web uses something called the HTTP protocol to send and receive data. This is how websites share information. When you search for something on Google, you’re sending an HTTP request. In return, you get a response. This response is usually a web page, written in HTML and styled with CSS. Your web browser, like Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox, shows this page to you on your screen.

The web is just one way to share information over the internet. People also use the internet for things like email, instant messaging, and moving files through FTP (File Transfer Protocol). To make it easier to understand, think of the internet as a giant road. The web is like the cars that travel on this road, moving from place to place.

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Different versions of web

Web 1.0

Web 1.0 is the first version of the Internet. In Web 1.0, users could only view static pages. “Static” means the pages stayed the same and didn’t change based on what people did. Users couldn’t interact by liking, commenting, or sharing the content.

Businesses used websites to share digital brochures with people. In this version, only the website creators and administrators could make and update content. They built these web pages using a type of code called HTML. HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language. It’s a way to create and structure content on the web.

Web 1.0 was “read-only“, which means users could only read or view what was there. Because of this, people couldn’t interact or create their own content. This lack of interactivity made Web 1.0 less engaging for users.

Web 1.0 vs Web 2.0

Web 2.0 is the second version of the Internet. This version allows people to create more of their own content. It’s easier for regular users to use than the earlier version, Web 1.0.

Web 2.0 is not about changing the technology behind the Internet. Instead, it’s about how people use the Internet differently now. People can share information more easily and connect with each other better.

Major examples of Web 2.0 include websites like YouTube, Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Reddit, TikTok, and Wikipedia. These sites let users interact with the content and each other.

On YouTube, people can watch and upload videos, and on Instagram, users can post pictures and videos. Friends can like, comment on, and share these posts. Users can also chat and make audio or video calls. All of this creates more interaction between people.

A few central organizations control the web 2.0. These companies manage applications and platforms. One issue with Web 2.0 is that user-generated content is stored on servers owned by large companies. This creates risks like data breaches, where personal information can be stolen. Companies could also misuse the data, and their actions aren’t always transparent. Hence the rise of Web 3.0, to fix these issues.

Web 2.0 vs Web 3.0

People also call Web 3.0 as “Semantic Web” or “Decentralized Web”. It is the next step forward for the internet. It builds on Web 1.0 and Web 2.0. Web 1.0 was the first version of the web, where web pages were mostly static — meaning they didn’t change very much. Web 2.0 introduced more social interaction and allowed apps to be more connected.

The main idea of Web 3.0, or the “Semantic Web,” is to link data from different web pages, apps, and files. This is different from Web 2.0, which mainly linked apps together. Many people think that Web 3.0 is the next logical step for the web. While Web 1.0 connected web pages and Web 2.0 connected apps, Web 3.0 focuses on connecting data.

Web 3.0 uses new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain. AI is technology that allows computers to understand, learn, and make decisions. It can help create a more personalized internet. This means the web can “understand” the content and give you better search results, recommendations, and interactions.

Blockchain is a secure way to store information. It helps make web transactions and communications more safe and transparent. Together, AI and blockchain make Web 3.0 smarter and more secure than previous versions.

Unlike Web 2.0, which stores data in a central location, blockchain technology decentralizes data. This helps solve concerns about data privacy and security. Decentralized data storage is more transparent. It also gives people full control over their data.

This is a key part of the move towards Web 3.0, also called Web3. Web 3.0 focuses on using decentralized systems. Developers are creating new apps during this shift from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0. These apps provide more privacy, greater control, and sometimes allow users to earn cryptocurrency.

Web 3.0 Alternatives for popular Web 2.0 Apps

For example, instead of using Google Chrome, you can try a browser called Brave. Brave blocks ads for you and gives you rewards in BAT tokens when you choose to view ads that protect your privacy. On social media, a decentralized alternative to Facebook is Minds. Minds pays users in cryptocurrency based on their engagement on the platform.

YouTube has a Web 3.0 version called DTube. In DTube, creators earn cryptocurrency directly when people upvote their content, instead of making money from ads. For music streaming, Audius works differently from traditional platforms. It doesn’t rely on the usual royalty systems. Musicians earn money directly from their fans. With Web 3.0, apps are giving users more control. They are decentralizing control, which means no single company or organization controls everything. This also gives users ownership of their data and digital things again.

To learn more, checkout following links:

• https://cs.fyi/guide/how-does-internet-work
• https://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp
• https://www.w3schools.com/css/default.asp
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zveEbcdDlCw

Conclusion

The web evolution from Web 1.0 to Web 3.0 highlights the web’s transformation from a static information repository to an intelligent, decentralized, and user-centric platform. Each iteration has brought about significant advancements to the web evolution, enhancing how we interact, communicate, and utilize the web. As we embrace Web 3.0, the future promises even more innovative developments, shaping a more connected and intelligent digital landscape.

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FAQs

1. What is the main difference between the Internet and the Web?
   The internet comprises many smaller networks that form a large system. It connects computers and devices around the world. The web, on the other hand, is a collection of information. People use the internet to access this information. A group of computers or other devices links together to form a network, allowing them to communicate.
   
2. How did user interaction online improve through Web Evolution?
   Web evolution let people create their own content. This allowed more interaction on the web. For example, social media, blogs, and interactive websites became popular. This was different from Web 1.0, which had static pages that users could only read.
   
3. What technologies drive the Web Evolution from Web 1.0 to Web 3.0 ?
   Technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are important for Web Evolution from Web 1.0 to Web 3.0. AI helps computers think and learn like humans. IoT connects everyday devices to the internet. Together, these technologies make the web evolution smarter, more spread out, and personalized for each user.
   
4. Can Web Evolution from Web 1.0 to Web 3.0 improve online privacy?
   Yes, Web Evolution from Web 1.0 to Web 3.0 focuses on protecting user data privacy. Web 3.0 does this by using blockchain and strong encryption methods. This helps users have more control over their personal information.
   
5. What are some examples of Web 3.0 applications?
   Examples include decentralized applications (dApps) built on blockchain, AI-driven personal assistants, and interconnected IoT devices.