David Bain, a Certified Internet Webmaster with seven years of online experience, uses Amazon as an example of companies that have successfully integrated Web 2.0 into their business model.  “[Amazon] popularised user reviews for shopping sites. Now, users can submit video reviews,” Bain says. “The personalisation concept is important in the Web 2.0 way.”

This Web 2.0 way according to Bain is driven by “the idea of the web being a social phenomenon where the user can also be a creator of content.”  The new web experience becomes richer and more collaborative.

This new philosophy of heightened interactivity and user generated content has spawned numerous features, among them blogs, podcasts and RSS feeds.  These features, and many others, improve user’s personal online experience and aid businesses in developing relationships with clients and customers.

Google, the Goliath of search engines, captured the essence of this webolution with its AdWords advertising service.  Google's advertising pitch promises advertisers an audience that is actively looking for information online that matches advertisers’ products.  Social networking sites Facebook and MySpace have adopted this model, serving ads based on a user’s profile and preferences.

Bain sees regional people networking via Facebook and watching Youtube videos.  He believes, however, that Web 2.0 is not used to its full advantage in the Caribbean.  “The Web 2.0 philosophy is yet to be fully embraced by developers of web applications and business operators in this region,” he says.

Bain will address this issue in an upcoming workshop at the Caribbean Institute of Media and Communication (CARIMAC). “Participants will learn about the new services that are enhancing communication for business and collaboration. Throughout the workshop I will encourage participants to make use of these new technologies, most of which are free,” he says.

The workshop will be held on May 26 and 27 (Monday and Tuesday) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of the West Indies, Mona.  The cost is JA$10,000 (US$145). Educators, students, public relations professionals and anyone interested or involved in creating an online presence are invited to attend.  Comfort in using the computer and a USB flash drive are all that is needed.

Those who wish to attend the workshop may also be interested in the CARIMAC Summer School Website Design course. For more information, visit www.summerschool.carimac.com or call 876-977-2111.

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