Chapter 1: The Dawn of Web 1.0

In 1996, The New York Times made a historic leap by launching its website. This marked the beginning of the Web 1.0 era, a term that encapsulates the internet's early days, lasting roughly from 1991 to 2004.

On January 22, 1996, The New York Times announced, “Today marks the launch of our daily publication on the World Wide Web, granting global readers immediate access to most of our daily content.” The online edition, known as The New York Times on the Web, featured not only news and articles from the printed version but also additional reporting and interactive elements, such as the crossword puzzle.

The initiative aimed to broaden the readership and tap into the burgeoning electronic media landscape. Cormode and Krishnamurthy describe Web 1.0 as a phase where few created content, while the majority consumed it. Personal websites were prevalent, primarily static pages hosted on various web services like Tripod and GeoCities.

During this period, users had to be mindful of server performance and bandwidth, as extensive comment sections could potentially hinder site functionality.

Section 1.1: Transition to Web 2.0

Web 2.0, often referred to as the participative web, introduced a shift towards user-generated content and greater interactivity. This phase emphasized ease of use, community engagement, and interoperability.

Social networking platforms such as Myspace and Facebook gained prominence, allowing everyday users to create profiles and share their thoughts through personal blogs hosted on platforms like Blogger and Tumblr. This era marked a departure from the static nature of Web 1.0, fostering a dynamic environment where readers could engage directly with content.

The evolution from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 signified a transformation from personal websites to blogs, from passive consumption to active participation, and from static content to an ongoing interactive process.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Artistic Representation of News

Chapter 2: The Rise of Web 3.0

Web 3.0 represents a conceptual shift towards a decentralized internet built on public blockchains. Coined by Gavin Wood, co-founder of Ethereum, in 2014, the term gained traction in 2021, driven by heightened interest from cryptocurrency advocates and significant investments from tech leaders.

This video titled "The Internet As It Was In 1996 - 90's Websites" delves into the early days of the web, showcasing how far we've come in digital evolution.

Web 3.0 is often misunderstood; it encompasses more than just cryptocurrencies, NFTs, or the metaverse.

The concept of Web 3.0 is rooted in enabling a more decentralized and user-centric online experience.

In the video "Evolution of the Internet | What is Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0?", viewers can explore the distinctions between these phases of internet development.

Reflecting on the changes over the past 26 years, it becomes evident that we are living in a time of both complexity and opportunity.

As we navigate this evolving landscape, it’s crucial to consider how these transformations shape our interactions with information and each other. What are your thoughts on the current digital era?

_R. Marinho. Jan/2022.

Cheers!